I recently picked up a piece of Gibson history. One of the first Epiphone solid body guitars made in the Gibson Kalamazoo plant in 1959. This guitar is mind blowing and explains a lot of the desire to own an old electric. Originally it was a single pickup Coronet but over the years many people messed with it. The finish was stripped and several different pickups were installed. It was a mess.
My buddy found it in Buffalo NY at a flea market. We have a mutual friend that is a wizard with guitar restoration, and he's had it for about 10 years. Yep 10 years. The restoration was amazing. He converted it to something like a Wiltshire with 2 pickups and the stock wrap around tailpiece. The center of the guitar was a mess from several hobbyists hacking into it with chisels and screwdrivers. To fix it properly he routed out a block and replaced it with old growth Mahogany. This was then properly routed for the humbuckers. IT was refinished like a vintage Gibson. Cherry dye on the wood and then a clear coat.
I've been adding the finishing touches and just installed some great pickups made by MJ at the Duncan custom shop. They look just right and sound great. The luthier made a pickguard that's similar to an original but not exact. The only part I'm still looking for is an original metal badge "bikini" logo. They're incredibly hard to find at any price.
It's not an original guitar by any measure, but it's sweet and I really dig it. A Brazilian rosewood board and unique neck carve that fits like a glove. Weighing in at 6.5 lbs, it makes my Goldtop feel like a boat anchor. I wanted to provide some pictures but I've had no luck getting them into my post.