This 1957 Gibson Les Paul Special is a lovely example of the model in its classic TV Yellow finish, showing the kind of light lacquer checking and scattered marks you’d expect from a well-looked-after but played guitar of this age. The body presents well, with only minor blemishes and the faint evidence of previously fitted Bigsby holes at the top and by the strap button, which have been filled and touched up. The single-piece mahogany neck feels great in the hand; the profile being on the bigger side of medium but very comfortable.

Electrics are all functioning as they should, delivering that unmistakable mid-’50s Special bite, but with a fantastic balance and some very nice harmonic richness. Hardware presents nicely overall, at some point Grover tuners were installed, but the original strip tuners are now back in place with faint washer outlines visible on the headstock face.

At 3.58kg, it sits in that comfortable medium weight range, lively in the hands and resonant acoustically. All in all a superb instrument, a great player and an excellent sounding TV Special with all the right vintage character. Comes with a later Gibson hard case.