Not every make and model of guitar suits the relic’ing treatment. Pretty much any Fender works. Ditto Les Pauls. This was our first Les Paul rescue. A 2000 model that had lead a pretty hectic life. Especially in the buckle-rash department. When we first saw her, we figured the former owner must’ve worn a barbed-wire belt.

The front meanwhile, seemed to be crying out for one of John’s signature glaze-crackle finishes, followed by what felt like a fortnight of getting just the right amount of sweat and tears into the cracks.

She played beautifully from the getgo and so, after a quick fret-dress and set-up, was ready to be plugged into a mile-high Marshall stack. You’ll not hear a sweeter, creamier Les Paul than Bessie. A thing of rare beauty.

Price on application.