Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

[BloodRose]

Ive seen some Gibson LPs have a crown inlay on the headstock. Does this designate a specific model or something? I saw Marq Torien (sp?) playing a dark blue one live that appeared to be a non figured top, and Ive seen others at random over the years, but curiousity has me wondering.. Found a used one that has a flame top..
If its a certain model, what neck shape, etc?? Thanks

 

[AlexR]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

Its unusual for LP's.
Some of the more blinged up standards that feature a bound headstock will have the crown.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

the pineapple

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

Yah, certain models. The Les Paul Custom Lite had it for years; now they've gone back to the split diamond like the original ones.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

The so-called "crown" inlay is actually a representation of a flower pot, according to a Gibson executive I spoke to many, many years ago. A flower pot on the headstock was the sign of a master luthier. Pot on the bottom, a leaf on each side and the bloom in the middle. This is a simple version; the Byrdland has a much more ornate design. You see this simple inlay on many of the mid-to-upper mid-priced guitars, like the SG Standard and ES-335.

But in all honesty, I've heard Gibson people of the last few years refer to it as a crown inlay; apparently they don't know the history. Ah well....

So, the flower pot is rare on Les Pauls. They are his signature guitar, and his name is proudly written in gold on the headstock. Around 2006, Gibson did a special series of Standards, with Manhattan Midnight, Pacific Reef and Santa Fe Sunrise finishes, with the flower pot inlay and a bound headstock. This design was repeated on the chambered Classic Antique models that followed.

Those are the only two I can think of, but there may be others. Not rare per se, but definitely unusual.

Bill

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

The so-called "crown" inlay is actually a representation of a flower pot, according to a Gibson executive I spoke to many, many years ago. A flower pot on the headstock was the sign of a master luthier. Pot on the bottom, a leaf on each side and the bloom in the middle. This is a simple version; the Byrdland has a much more ornate design. You see this simple inlay on many of the mid-to-upper mid-priced guitars, like the SG Standard and ES-335.

But in all honesty, I've heard Gibson people of the last few years refer to it as a crown inlay; apparently they don't know the history. Ah well....

So, the flower pot is rare on Les Pauls. They are his signature guitar, and his name is proudly written in gold on the headstock. Around 2006, Gibson did a special series of Standards, with Manhattan Midnight, Pacific Reef and Santa Fe Sunrise finishes, with the flower pot inlay and a bound headstock. This design was repeated on the chambered Classic Antique models that followed.

Those are the only two I can think of, but there may be others. Not rare per se, but definitely unusual.

Bill

Thanks for the info!! yeAH, the manhattan midnight is the color I like too

 

[Securb]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

The so-called "crown" inlay is actually a representation of a flower pot, according to a Gibson executive I spoke to many, many years ago. A flower pot on the headstock was the sign of a master luthier. Pot on the bottom, a leaf on each side and the bloom in the middle. This is a simple version; the Byrdland has a much more ornate design. You see this simple inlay on many of the mid-to-upper mid-priced guitars, like the SG Standard and ES-335.

But in all honesty, I've heard Gibson people of the last few years refer to it as a crown inlay; apparently they don't know the history. Ah well....

So, the flower pot is rare on Les Pauls. They are his signature guitar, and his name is proudly written in gold on the headstock. Around 2006, Gibson did a special series of Standards, with Manhattan Midnight, Pacific Reef and Santa Fe Sunrise finishes, with the flower pot inlay and a bound headstock. This design was repeated on the chambered Classic Antique models that followed.

Those are the only two I can think of, but there may be others. Not rare per se, but definitely unusual.

Bill

Thanks Bill I did not know this part of the Gibson history. Very cool.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

I don't really see it as a flower pot, or a crown. When I think of a flower pot, I think of this one:



This is a pretty bad looking flower pot or a crown:

 

[ICTGoober]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

I'm with Mincer.... Distinct diff between the flower pot and the crown.

 

[Diego]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

I had no idea this was a thing.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

I see the flower pot; some don't.

When comparing the two that Mincer is showing, it's obvious to me that the top one is a more intricate design. It would be more difficult to cut and inlay, more expensive...and therefore found on a more expensive guitar.

If a luthier wanted to make a flower pot for his lesser-priced guitars, he would make it a simpler design, easier to inlay, and cheaper. A dumbed-down version if you will. An image that would still convey that this lesser-priced guitar was still the work of a master craftsman.

And with the lower part of the inlay representing the pot, you have two leafs--one on each side; and then the flower represented in the middle. It's an icon, a representation of an ideal. A mark of quality, yet a very simple design.

You might not see it, and I'm probably not going to change anyone's mind. But you should understand the meaning of the icon.

In fact, Gibson does offer one guitar with a CROWN inlay on the headstock...can you guess?

It's easy...it's on B.B. King's Signature ES model! Truly a crown fit for a King!

But that inlay on an ES-335, et. al.? It's a flower pot.

Bill

 

[dystrust]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

This is a pretty bad looking flower pot or a crown:
View attachment 81825

I've always thought that looked like a Bishop's miter.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

I've always thought of it as a keystone.

 

[kherman]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

2007 GOTW Les paul Classic Custom and Classic Antique had the crown.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

I've only ever heard it called a "pineapple" representative of wealth or something held in high esteem

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

Never heard it referred to as a pineapple. Weird.

Bill

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

It's a flowerpot if you have glaucoma, and smoke your medicine.

 

[Davii]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

I thought it a crown too, though I didn't think it was significant enough to question, so this is all interesting news. Part of me isn't surprised that more recent Gibson folk might not know either.

 

[Ez74]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

Didn't some of the 2007 guitar of the week models have those?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Crown Inlay on LP headstock??

This is a pretty bad looking flower pot or a crown:

View attachment 81825

Decent looking frog though.