Phil Hurley's Gibson Les Paul Goldtops | 1952, 1977, 2000 

This is a happy man - because he understands and appreciates the value of what he has.

That 52 deserves an hour solo video.

"play authentic" that phrase gives me anxiety now!

WoW !!! This is one of the best sales tools for goldtop gibsons I've ever seen !!! Sold me ....

I love listening to Phil's stories about his gear. The 3 guitars are priceless BECAUSE of the stories they hold!

In 92 or 93 I was in Junior High School and had a cool music teacher who made me play Tears in Heaven with him at the talent show and we had to practice a lot. I remember he was crazy excited about a Gibson semi hollow from the 50’s he had just gotten for a good price. I don’t remember the model but it was single cutaway single pickup tobacco burst jazz box. That was my introduction to vintage guitars.

Love the way this guys talks about guitars. So cool to hear the passion. Never heard a note he ever played before the last part of the video. He made me wanna listen

What a testament to the fact that great players can make any era guitar sound musical! Love this...

2900 for a 1952 wow Just bought my 2006 Gibson for 2800 I sheepishly asked if i could play it so they took it down for me- I loved it one week later its mine it was meant for me its right beside me on the bed if a 13 year old LP makes me feel that way well... you are lucky Mr Hurley

The 50 something is the treasure But the 70s model is the players guitar

Whoa man..."you have great hands" Ive watched a lot of players and heard a lot of bands but your rhythm and tone just POP, Great Sound, not just the guitar its your playing.

I could listen to that '52 all night

The 77 got something that makes this "vintage" tone,. A a real balance between clarity, resonnance and punchy response. Thanks for sharing!

Awesome stories and great tones to be had

2:04 *Agnesi Intensifies*

Great “show and tell” Phil. It’s always a pleasure to hear the stories, see the instrument and then experience the tones from the musicians hammering on these Gibson work horses! Keep Rocking Buddy..👍🏻😎

Great player who actually uses these gems and appreciates playing them. They all sounded great in their own way. Great video!

omg, all 3 are ridiculously fantastic guitars...that 52 in the middle position with gain, that was heavenly

Hey Phil! Thanks for taking the time to make and post this Video. I enjoyed it immensely.

What a bloody great video! Fantastic job all involved :)

Phil, Your tones on your guitars are incredible! Add to that your excellent musicality and it's pre greatness! Of course you know how much I love The South Austin Moonlighters!!!

Very nice of you to do this video. I have heard 52' serial #777 almost every summer and those guitars do "give it up"

Still enjoy watching your video. Still think my original assessment 4 years back is still valid.

Great playing! Also, the video is so beautifully photographed. Not to mention the great sound. Quality production all the way around.

Thank you for taking the time to let us into you your world of Les Paul's and personal life history. One of the treats on RU-vid

I had a 79 Ibanez Artist that was exactly like you describe that one, so I completely understand the sole match, wood to bone, mind to string. Omg. It's the most comfortable feeling. It makes you a musician and you make it an instrument!

Tracy Bonham...there's a blast from the past! Three really fun guitars and love his passion for them. That 52 is just wonderful.

What great stories! I could listen to them all night. The '52 is just incredible! So is the 77 and even the 2000. Three awesome guitars. I know the same guilt...really not worthy telling amongst 3 awesome guitars, but I will. I've always been a Fender guy. I just bought a quality older Les Paul copy. First Gibson style guitar I've had. Bought for $75 and figured I'd make a few dollars on it. It is beautiful...a gold top too. Surprisingly, I played it and fell in love immediately! I never thought I would like a Les Paul, but I don't think I can part with this guitar. It's only $75, but is was bought to be sold and now I can't. I want the real deal now...I'm hooked! They're awesome! Would probably take more than twenty good credit cards for an old one now! I better fill out some applications...lol.😂👍🎸🎶

The dude can play ! I'm a high gain guy but every time I listen to a LesPaul in one these fender amps it's fantastic !! Dirty, raunchy, bright and clear and never gets muddy like it can be in marshalls and other stuffs like that.

That 52 rocks love the P90’s

Gold tops always my fave. Great video...fantastic playing and tone!

Wow, this dude's enthusiasm is great!

Always loved your playing, Phil. Glad to see that gold top found the right hands.

They all sound great in his hands. Nice video/interview.

I love when people loves their guitars. Vintage Tokai owner here!

I wish there would be more such personal and soulful guitar videos on RU-vid. I really enjoyed watching it :-)

all of them are so awesome but there is just something about the sound of that 52. Awesome video.

I’ve watched this several times and it always comes back around, great bloke and great story’s

Super cool. Back in the late 90s I acquired a '79 LP Standard. I used to feel like it wasn't "one of the good ones" because of the 3-piece maple neck and other oddities of that era, but now I've come to appreciate that it truly is a beautiful guitar that plays great and sounds amazing. And I got it for a great price back then.

Enjoyed this. Good stories and cool guitars

The best gold top rundown on the tube...

Great stories, thanks Mr. Phil!

Phil should get more video’s up! Doin great! Love the Pauls. Lovely stories

My brother owns a 2000 Murphy aged R-7 and it is an amazing guitar. He bought it used. They are out there.

I'm a fender guy mainly. Love the necks on pre cbs fenders. Had a slab board jazzmaster I loved. Those necks were heaven to me. Therefor I never could connect with the mahogany necks on expensive vintage les Pauls... UNTIL... I found a 1976 goldtop just like his guitar... That maple neck was worn to hell and felt like heaven. To me it feels even better than a pre cbs fender comfort wise. Now it's my number one. Stuck some real vintage PAFs and electronics in it and honestly the difference in tone from a pancake body and maple neck with vintage electronics and a real vintage les paul is very small. Only true guitar snobs could probably notice if they listen carefully. Remember now live or on a recording you hear it in a mix. Plus there is something about aged wood. There's a magic to mine or mojo that gives it a different sound from other les pauls. It's one of the lucky ones with good wood and good construction. It sings. To me it's heaven for a les paul. Definitely superior in my opinion in sound to expensive reissues. I also wouldn't trade it for a 59 honestly. Maybe trade it for the money but not because I wanted to play a better guitar. For me it's better for what I like. That neck is where it's at for me. I play a million times better on that maple neck. Just because everybody else wants a 59 les paul dosnt mean you will if your honest about what you like in an instrument.

Never heard of Phil but I enjoyed his demos. I have a 2018 Gold top that I enjoy as well.

I was given a '76 "pancake" Les when I was maybe 15. It honestly made me who I am today. It just made me want to play it because it sounded so good, and made me sound good. It may even have influenced my posture with its heavy weight. It wasn't all stock as it had better pickups, tuners, and maybe more. I don't know or care about the opinions because it's the only gold top baby I've ever known, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Great passionate video! I feel it.

I just love that 52' and the 77'. They sound and look amazing!

Awesome, awesome video. Thanks for sharing!

That 52 is incredible. I love the way it looks

I saw Giggalo aunts a few times playing with Counting Crows. Really liked the album that was purple. Had a Giggalo aunts poster back in the day too. My ex girlfriend asked for it when we broke up. Haven’t seen it since lol

just love the way you talk about your guitars

Just a fantastic video of tone and technique.

That '77 is both a smack in the face and a caress to the heart. Totally in love.

I’ve got the same bigsby and never had a problem either in 30 years of playing. 👍

that 52 gave me shivers! that guitar has some serious soul

It only took 5 years for me to get this video demo,? Really good guitar playing❤ Thanks for sharing your treasure stash, Cheers 😊

OMG...great guitars, great stories I like Phil's "fire side chat" demeanor. He inadvertently seems to "Invite" his audience "To Join Him in this Celebration"?? Whereas, many you tube guitar "experts" make u feel like they are Talking AT YOU. Yeah...I always felt that the Bridge Pick Up on Humbucker Les Paul's, were a little To Close to the bridge creating a "choked sound". I've dreamed about getting another LP and "Spinning the actual pick up Around" which would place the magnetic posts a little further forward towards the neck. For me, not even having a bridge PU, would be fine. I think the Volume of string vibration and "Ring Out value", takes place where the neck (fret board) meets the body. There are dozens of affects pedals that can simulate that plucky choked twang at the bridge. Loving All your stuff

So good!

They all sound good but wow..that 77 sounds amazing!

Great playing! You have the touch> Best wishes

i used to play with this guy all the time,in a bar in los angeles..,i played harp in 29 mules,,,he was in a band called stonehoney,,he was fucking great back then ..still is,,

Nice collection Phil. Got a '79 LP Std with very slim D profile neck and volute in TSB as my main guitar. Had it since new and have no complaints ... either You and I just got lucky with our guitars or the whole dark days of the Norlin era was a smear campaign. That '77 GT looks like it might have been a mini humbucker deluxe before the pup and bigsby mods ... used to have a '75 deluxe with mini humbuckers in blue metal flake ... very 70's 😎

That 52 is amazing. Great score man. Wow.

Way cool! Stumbled on this. As a Cantonite, I know Potsdam and enjoyed the Gigolo Ants live in the local bars.

Such a fun watch.

Lovely stuff

That 77 sings perfectly. ps: best RU-vid video I've seen in a while.

I love hearing how people come by their guitars reinforcing the idea that the guitar finds the person.

Great sound great tasteful playing

All three look and sound incredible. Great playing by the way. The 77 surprising sounds fantastic, you're right people don't like the late 70's Gibson LP's. Three Gold Tops...yes please.

Thanks for sharing

What a cool video!! Great stuff.

Wow. This is amazing.. 👍

Great video! 3 awesome versions of the Goldtop. I have 3 LP's already, but lately I've been thinking of buying a Goldtop one day. BTW, you suprised me with the "Fell on Black Days"'s riff at the end. Cheers!

Phil The Guitars all sound great!

Great guitars... Love them, the 52 sounds sweet!

Great sounding guitars being played by a great guitarist. Nice ~

Great sound

Very interesting and nice playing. Thanks.

That 52 was just AMAZING....Dammit thats a nice sounding guitar

All great just love the 52' where it pretty much began only reason why everyone need to love the very first thing Good stuff Hurley rock on God bless

That neck P-90 is to die for!

Very enjoyable and interesting video

Most likely the best video on youtube

Vibrolux one of my dream amps...

This such a true viewing. I feel exactly this about my 61 Strat

I have a 1980 Les Paul Custom. I love the 3 piece maple neck on it. Maple is more dense than mahogany, so you don't have to adjust the truss rod nearly as much. I basically never have to adjust my truss rod. The neck moves a tiny bit during winter and goes back when its warmer, but its never enough to warrant adjustment.

I love 70s Les Pauls, your ‘77 rings like a bell and is definitely the best of the bunch.

"Older than Rock'n'Roll". I dig that quote

Great video man! Loved the playing. In order I liked the 52, 2000 then 77. I think the pickups in it are a little too hot for my taste. But when it comes to Les Pauls, they vary so much... I don't think any years were bad, you just have to find one you like. I played 200+ but I ended up with 3 I will never sell and absolutely love to play.

great playing...but man, there's something about the p90 that always wins for me...so much character.

That 52' with the P-90's hits it home for me. The quack is unique to its sound and tone for days. Possibly change the bridge pickup out? get it rewound with someone you trust that can do it. That guitar is special and it's a sound that most players are lusting over lol to try and get that sound. You have it and it's your own.

Damn...the 52s sounds amazingly beautifull

The 77 gets my vote. A lot of 70s Gibsons are great despite what the know it alls say.

I’ve got Goldtop Fever right now and this does not help. Love the passion and playing

you hear a lot of people getting down on gibson but honestly I have a 2015 les paul studio with 57 classic and 57 classic plus pickups and it plays like an absolute champ and sounds amazing. I got rid of the robo-tuners because i just didn't care for it but there's absolutely nothing wrong with gibson guitars. Complainers just like to complain sometimes. I'm sure there's an occasional bad guitar but not the vast majority of them. These goldtops sound great and at those prices you got a steal

I spent a lot of time at northern music in the 70's. Miss Alex and the boys. Got some good deals there myself.

LP’s have made such a perfect match with the Vibrolux.

I love my first LP natural that was born 1-10-1980!