For Sale: 1982 Gibson Les Paul Custom Heritage Cherry Sunburst w/ Gibson Gen 1 Chainsaw Case
Up for sale is a 1982 Gibson Les Paul Custom in Heritage Cherry Sunburst, complete with a Gibson Gen 1 chainsaw hard-shell case.
This is a very cool early-’80s Les Paul Custom with tons of vintage character, a killer Sunburst finish, and some very desirable era-correct features. One of the standout details is the original Gibson Speed Winder tuners — a unique tuner design Gibson only used from approximately 1978–1984. These are a fun and increasingly collectible feature that immediately dates the guitar to this specific era of Gibson production.
This guitar has also been upgraded with a boutique set of Rio Grande pickups that sound fantastic and suit the guitar extremely well.
Condition
Very Good – 8/10
This guitar shows honest vintage wear consistent with age and use, including:
Please review all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.
There are no cracks, breaks, or structural issues. The neck is straight, the frets are in excellent playable condition, and the guitar has been professionally set up and plays cleanly up and down the neck with no buzzing or dead spots.
Originality & Upgrades
The following parts have been replaced:
The pickups have been upgraded to a boutique Rio Grande Texas BBQ set:
These are high-end boutique pickups handmade in Texas and retail for over $350 a set.
The BBQ Bucker delivers thick mids, fat low end, and aggressive punch, while the Genuine Texas neck pickup offers a slightly leaner but rich and articulate voice. Together they make an extremely versatile set capable of handling blues, rock, hard rock, metal, and jazz with ease.
If you are not familiar with Rio Grande pickups, they are widely respected boutique pickups known for delivering classic vintage-inspired tones with extra output, warmth, and personality.
Specifications
Electronics & Features
One of the coolest aspects of this guitar is the combination of the early-’80s Les Paul Custom platform with the upgraded Rio Grande pickup set. The boutique pickups pair extremely well with the naturally resonant construction of the guitar and give it a huge, powerful voice while still retaining clarity and articulation.
The ebony fingerboard adds snap and attack, while the thin neck profile makes the guitar very comfortable and easy to navigate.
The original Gibson Speed Winder tuners are also a great period-correct feature rarely seen outside this specific era.
Tone & Feel
This Les Paul Custom has the thick, sustaining voice players expect from a good vintage Custom, but the Rio Grande pickups push it into even more aggressive and versatile territory.
The bridge pickup delivers huge mids, strong lows, and excellent punch, while the neck pickup remains warm, rich, and articulate without getting muddy.
It works beautifully for classic rock, blues, hard rock, metal, and fusion while still cleaning up nicely for lower-gain tones.
At 10 lbs 12 oz, it has the substantial feel many players specifically look for in an early-’80s Les Paul Custom.
As with all Guitar Chimp listings, detailed photos of the actual instrument are provided. Toward the end of the photo set, I include close-up images taken under direct lighting to clearly highlight any wear. We don’t just describe condition — we show it in detail so there are no surprises.
Many customers comment that our guitars arrive in better condition than expected.
We offer fast, secure shipping anywhere in the continental USA with two flat-rate options:
FedEx Ground: $100
FedEx Next Day Air: $160
Every guitar is professionally packed and fully insured for transit. We require a signature upon delivery to protect both you and the instrument — minimizing any risk during shipment.
We’re experienced in shipping worldwide. For international orders:
Customs & Duties Prepayment is now required.
This ensures we are not left with unexpected charges and significantly streamlines customs clearance — your gear clears faster with no delays.
Shipping Cost: Use the calculator at checkout for accurate rates.
Customs Estimate: Contact us directly if you'd like a quote for your country’s import fees.
With over 18 years of experience selling premium guitars and basses both locally in Salt Lake City and online, Guitar Chimp has built a reputation for:
✅ Top-Quality Instruments
✅ Accurate, Honest Listings (real photos, no surprises)
✅ Professional Setups by Our In-House Luthier
Every instrument is thoroughly inspected, cleaned, and setup before it leaves our shop — ensuring it arrives ready to play.
Check our reviews and feedback to hear from hundreds of satisfied players around the world.
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Jerald
Guitar Chimp 🎸