Yesterday, a piece of rock and roll history went under the hammer as Snowy White’s 1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar was sold at auction for an impressive $93,750, including buyer’s premium. This wasn’t just any vintage guitar; it was a well-documented instrument with a rich past, having been a faithful companion to the renowned guitarist for decades.
Snowy White, known for his work with Thin Lizzy, Pink Floyd, and his own solo projects, acquired this Les Paul back in 1969 in Sweden. In a notable trade, he exchanged a 50’s Stratocaster and £120 for this now iconic guitar. Even then, the guitar had already seen some changes, with the tuners being replaced with Grovers in 1970.
Throughout the 1970s and onwards, Snowy White’s Les Paul underwent further modifications, each adding to its unique story. A significant change came in 1972 when Peter Green, the legendary Fleetwood Mac guitarist, gifted White a wire ABR-1 bridge. This was installed to prevent saddle loss during string breaks, a testament to the practical needs of a working musician. Around 1978, a metal jack plate replaced the original, and a phase switch was briefly installed near the pickup selector. While the phase switch has since been removed, evidence of its presence remains with a small square hole and screw holes on the pickup switch cover.
Further adding to the guitar’s intriguing history, tape residue inside the cover bears marks from Roger Waters’ crew, a detail from times when the guitar was used during string changes while White toured with Pink Floyd. In the late 70s, a push/pull pot was added to the bridge tone control, utilizing a Yamaha part. The electronics were further updated in the early 1980s by Chandler Guitars, who installed a ground plate and replaced the pots. Copper shielding tape was also added to the back of the control plate cover during this period.
This vintage Les Paul has also endured its share of accidents. In 1990, the headstock was broken in a fall from a guitar stand and expertly repaired by Chandler Guitars. Unbelievably, the headstock suffered another break in Holland during a Roger Waters tour in the mid-2000s, and once again, Chandler Guitars handled the repair. The pickup covers, which have been both removed and reinstalled at different times, contribute to the guitar’s evolving aesthetic.
Despite its eventful past, including multiple refrets, the auction description emphasizes that Snowy White’s Les Paul plays “wonderfully.” The instrument displays “considerable checking,” a desirable characteristic in vintage guitars, indicative of age and played-in resonance. The sale included the original hard case, completing this offering of a truly iconic instrument.
Considering its history, modifications, and the fact it is a genuine 1957 Les Paul associated with a respected guitarist like Snowy White, many would argue that selling for under $100,000, even with its documented repairs and alterations, represents a noteworthy value for such a significant piece of guitar history. What are your thoughts on the value and story of this Les Paul?
