2003 Navigator by ESP Custom Shop N-LP-380 LTD Limited Model '58 Les Paul Clone
Serial: 3 0432
Luthier Measurements:
Nut Width: 1.70
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .91
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: 1.02
Radius: 12
Scale: 24.75
Weight: 9 lbs 3 oz's
Comes in a Tokai Padded Gig Bag
$$$ It has just been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. It has low action with no buzzing. The frets are in perfect condition and polished to shine like a mirror, it is truly stage or studio ready/worthy. Including New Strings, Perfect Intonation, Truss Rod Adjustment and Low Action Read Our Feedback and Rest Assured, The Dude Abides!
🔥 2003 ESP Navigator N-LP-380 LTD “Lemon Drop” – Tokyo Custom Shop ’58 Replica Loaded with Real Mojo 🔥
This is not a sterile, closet-queen relic. This is a true player’s guitar with soul, scars, and serious attitude — a master-built ESP Tokyo Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul replica that looks, feels, and roars like the real thing.
The top is the star. A stunning two-piece solid hard-rock Canadian maple plain top, book-matched and dead clean, glowing under a thin, transparent Lemon Drop nitrocellulose finish. The nitro is glassy, resonant, and perfectly aged — bright, vibrant yellow that fades naturally into the edges like a real late-’50s unburst. Only the lightest surface wear kisses the face; it still looks almost untouched from the front. Flip it over and the story explodes: heavy player wear, deep sticker shadows, honest dings, and years of real road life all over the back and sides. Pure, unapologetic mojo. No fake aging. Just the kind of character that makes a guitar feel alive the second you pick it up.
The Tone Woods That Put It Above Modern Gibsons
ESP’s Tokyo Custom Shop had access to tone woods that Gibson simply cannot source today.
The body and neck are carved from one-piece premium Honduras mahogany — dense, resonant, old-growth material with that legendary warm, singing sustain and complex overtones modern mahogany just doesn’t deliver. This is the exact wood that gave the original late-’50s Les Pauls their famous midrange punch and endless note bloom. Because of CITES restrictions, Gibson lost access to genuine Honduran mahogany years ago. What they use now simply doesn’t match this density, weight, or resonant quality.
Paired with a true hard-rock Canadian maple top — tight-grained, stiff, and alive with harmonic complexity — the combination is pure late-’50s magic. These are the exact species and quality that defined the golden-era Les Pauls. This Navigator was built when the best wood was still available, and the difference is immediately obvious in the hand and through the amp.
The Hot-Rodded “Slash / Duane Allman” Aesthetic
Original late-1950s Gibsons left the factory with nickel covers hiding the pickups. But rock legends like Duane Allman, Jimmy Page, and Slash famously stripped those covers off their faded Lemonburst Les Pauls for extra top-end bite and a raw, aggressive look.
ESP intentionally built various runs of the N-LP-380 LTD the same way — uncovered, open-coil black Seymour Duncan SH-1s straight from the Tokyo Custom Shop. The open black bobbins look striking against that pristine, transparent yellow plain maple top, giving this guitar the exact “hot-rodded vintage” attitude those icons made famous.
The Sound – Seymour Duncan SH-1 ’59 Models
These are pure late-’50s fire. Built with Alnico 5 bar magnets and wound to classic “Patent Applied For” (P.A.F.) specifications, the SH-1s deliver an incredibly open, airy, and articulate voice. Deep, punchy lows. Clear, sweet high-end. And that thick, breathing midrange that makes plain-top mahogany guitars sound massive without ever getting muddy.
The premium tone woods take it even further — massive sustain, rich harmonic overtones, and a dynamic response that reacts to every touch of your fingers and pick. Plug it in and it growls with bluesy grit one second and soars with rock sustain the next. No mud. No ice-pick. Just huge, articulate, vintage tone that jumps out of the amp and grabs you by the throat. Professionally set up and dialed in — action is perfect, neck feels buttery, and it plays like an absolute dream.
What You’re Getting
• A guitar that is professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability
• 2003 Tokyo Custom Shop build (inked serial 30432)
• One-piece premium Honduras mahogany body & neck
• Solid hard-rock Canadian maple plain top
• Honduras rosewood board with vintage fret-edge binding
• Thin, resonant Lemon Drop nitro that still rings like a bell
• Vintage-style Kluson cream tulip tuners
• Factory-spec uncovered Seymour Duncan SH-1 ’59 Models with true braided metal wire
This Navigator sits at the absolute pinnacle of Japanese guitar craftsmanship. Elite luthiers. Superior old-growth woods that modern Gibsons can’t touch. Exact vintage details with that hot-rodded open-coil attitude. And unlike a sterile “mint” example, this one has the wear, the history, and the mojo that makes every note feel special.
Looks like a real ’58. Plays better than most. Sounds absolutely killer.
Ready for the stage, the studio, or your next late-night jam. This guitar has stories to tell — and it’s waiting for its next chapter.
Serious players only. Don’t sleep on it. 🎸🔥
🔥 This guitar (or bass) has been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. Unless otherwise noted in the listing, It features low action with no buzzing or dead spots, perfect intonation, a brand-new set of American-made Ernie Ball strings, and a straight neck with a fully functional truss rod. We make sure all frets are leveled, dressed, crowned, and polished to a mirror shine. The fingerboard has been thoroughly cleaned (unfinished rosewood and ebony boards are treated with Fret Doctor, a premium all-natural oil). All electronics function flawlessly. The guitar has been deep-cleaned and detailed and arrives stage- or studio-ready. 🔥
About The Guitar Dude
Three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer worldwide. Specializing in premium Gibson, classic Fender guitars from all eras and the best Japanese made treasures. Known for the highest-quality consignment sales and custom layaway plans (available on select guitars and extendable beyond 45 days to fit your budget—contact us for details).
Often copied, never duplicated. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for beautiful guitar content.
Consignment Services
Like what you see? Let us go to work for you. We offer the best and most fair priced consignment service on the planet! Look for me online. @TheGuitarDude
Our Guarantee
We stand behind every guitar we sell. “Good enough” is never good enough. Every instrument is inspected, set up, and tested by multiple people immediately before shipping. We deliver the highest standard of quality and have built a reputation as a three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer since 2009. The Dude Abides.
Neck & Setup - (unless otherwise noted)
- Neck is perfectly straight with no truss-rod issues.
- Intonation is spot-on.
- Professionally set up with low action and new American-made strings.
- All frets are dressed, leveled, crowned (if needed), and all frets on all guitars are polished to shine like new with no divots.
Return Policy, Restocking Fees & No Tire-Kicking Policy
We follow Reverb’s 7-day return policy. However:
- You must
notify us in writing within 3 days of delivery (per tracking) of your intent to return.
- Original shipping and return shipping costs are not refunded unless the guitar is damaged in transit or is significantly not as described.
- A 15% restocking fee applies to all returns for any reason other than damage in transit or significantly not as described. Please note there is a 10% restocking fee on guitar orders that have been purchased and paid for - that have been off the market for 24 hours or more, even if they have not been shipped or picked up by the carrier. We perform a final set up and change strings put when an order is placed and paid for. NO EXCEPTIONS
We do our best to honestly describe and photograph every guitar and most of the noticeable imperfections. That said, we are human, if something very small can be overseen, if tiny marks, dings or super fine scratches (normal wear) bother you, please don't buy.
We record demo videos of every guitar before shipping to document exact condition and performance. Additional photos, measurements, or in-hand descriptions are available upon request prior to purchase.
Minor adjustments and tweaks to a set up (for example to correct a slight buzz or truss-rod tweak) are normal after shipping due to carrier mishandling the package, climate & atmospheric changes, especially when moving from South Florida to colder or less humid environments. These slight issues do not constitute “significantly not as described.” Guitars must be returned in the exact same condition as received/advertised or additional repair/restocking fees will apply.
We are a small family owned and run business, not a big-chain retailer. We invest significant time, money and effort into every guitar. This is a NO TIRE-KICKING shop. There is no post purchase haggling, returns without restocking fees or partial refunds. If minor cosmetic marks, tiny imperfections, or the possibility of a post-shipping setup tweak makes you uncomfortable, please do not buy. Plenty of large retailers offer free trials and can absorb shipping costs—we do not.
Payment, Shipping & International Duties
- All items can be shipped internationally. Buyer is fully responsible for all import duties, taxes, and customs fees.
- We accept PayPal, PayPal Credit, Affirm, and other major payment methods.
- Most U.S. shipments are sent via UPS or FedEx with full insurance, tracking, and signature confirmation. All packages are professionally packed for maximum protection.
International Shipping Note
International shipping prices shown are for most countries. Certain countries have higher costs. We try and avoid USPS and mostly ship UPS, but USPS is the only available or reasonable carrier in certain situations. Express services (UPS, DHL, FedEx) are always available. We can’t under value merchandise as it can not be properly insured. If you would like to discuss different avenues, contact us by phone for a personalized quote.
Thank you for considering The Guitar Dude. We look forward to earning your business and delivering a guitar that exceeds your expectations. Contact us anytime for questions, consignment inquiries, layaway details, or a personalized shipping quote.
2003 Navigator by ESP Custom Shop N-LP-380 LTD Limited Model '58 Les Paul Clone
Serial: 3 0432
Luthier Measurements:
Nut Width: 1.70
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .91
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: 1.02
Radius: 12
Scale: 24.75
Weight: 9 lbs 3 oz's
Comes in a Tokai Padded Gig Bag
$$$ It has just been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. It has low action with no buzzing. The frets are in perfect condition and polished to shine like a mirror, it is truly stage or studio ready/worthy. Including New Strings, Perfect Intonation, Truss Rod Adjustment and Low Action Read Our Feedback and Rest Assured, The Dude Abides!
🔥 2003 ESP Navigator N-LP-380 LTD “Lemon Drop” – Tokyo Custom Shop ’58 Replica Loaded with Real Mojo 🔥
This is not a sterile, closet-queen relic. This is a true player’s guitar with soul, scars, and serious attitude — a master-built ESP Tokyo Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul replica that looks, feels, and roars like the real thing.
The top is the star. A stunning two-piece solid hard-rock Canadian maple plain top, book-matched and dead clean, glowing under a thin, transparent Lemon Drop nitrocellulose finish. The nitro is glassy, resonant, and perfectly aged — bright, vibrant yellow that fades naturally into the edges like a real late-’50s unburst. Only the lightest surface wear kisses the face; it still looks almost untouched from the front. Flip it over and the story explodes: heavy player wear, deep sticker shadows, honest dings, and years of real road life all over the back and sides. Pure, unapologetic mojo. No fake aging. Just the kind of character that makes a guitar feel alive the second you pick it up.
The Tone Woods That Put It Above Modern Gibsons
ESP’s Tokyo Custom Shop had access to tone woods that Gibson simply cannot source today.
The body and neck are carved from one-piece premium Honduras mahogany — dense, resonant, old-growth material with that legendary warm, singing sustain and complex overtones modern mahogany just doesn’t deliver. This is the exact wood that gave the original late-’50s Les Pauls their famous midrange punch and endless note bloom. Because of CITES restrictions, Gibson lost access to genuine Honduran mahogany years ago. What they use now simply doesn’t match this density, weight, or resonant quality.
Paired with a true hard-rock Canadian maple top — tight-grained, stiff, and alive with harmonic complexity — the combination is pure late-’50s magic. These are the exact species and quality that defined the golden-era Les Pauls. This Navigator was built when the best wood was still available, and the difference is immediately obvious in the hand and through the amp.
The Hot-Rodded “Slash / Duane Allman” Aesthetic
Original late-1950s Gibsons left the factory with nickel covers hiding the pickups. But rock legends like Duane Allman, Jimmy Page, and Slash famously stripped those covers off their faded Lemonburst Les Pauls for extra top-end bite and a raw, aggressive look.
ESP intentionally built various runs of the N-LP-380 LTD the same way — uncovered, open-coil black Seymour Duncan SH-1s straight from the Tokyo Custom Shop. The open black bobbins look striking against that pristine, transparent yellow plain maple top, giving this guitar the exact “hot-rodded vintage” attitude those icons made famous.
The Sound – Seymour Duncan SH-1 ’59 Models
These are pure late-’50s fire. Built with Alnico 5 bar magnets and wound to classic “Patent Applied For” (P.A.F.) specifications, the SH-1s deliver an incredibly open, airy, and articulate voice. Deep, punchy lows. Clear, sweet high-end. And that thick, breathing midrange that makes plain-top mahogany guitars sound massive without ever getting muddy.
The premium tone woods take it even further — massive sustain, rich harmonic overtones, and a dynamic response that reacts to every touch of your fingers and pick. Plug it in and it growls with bluesy grit one second and soars with rock sustain the next. No mud. No ice-pick. Just huge, articulate, vintage tone that jumps out of the amp and grabs you by the throat. Professionally set up and dialed in — action is perfect, neck feels buttery, and it plays like an absolute dream.
What You’re Getting
• A guitar that is professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability
• 2003 Tokyo Custom Shop build (inked serial 30432)
• One-piece premium Honduras mahogany body & neck
• Solid hard-rock Canadian maple plain top
• Honduras rosewood board with vintage fret-edge binding
• Thin, resonant Lemon Drop nitro that still rings like a bell
• Vintage-style Kluson cream tulip tuners
• Factory-spec uncovered Seymour Duncan SH-1 ’59 Models with true braided metal wire
This Navigator sits at the absolute pinnacle of Japanese guitar craftsmanship. Elite luthiers. Superior old-growth woods that modern Gibsons can’t touch. Exact vintage details with that hot-rodded open-coil attitude. And unlike a sterile “mint” example, this one has the wear, the history, and the mojo that makes every note feel special.
Looks like a real ’58. Plays better than most. Sounds absolutely killer.
Ready for the stage, the studio, or your next late-night jam. This guitar has stories to tell — and it’s waiting for its next chapter.
Serious players only. Don’t sleep on it. 🎸🔥
🔥 This guitar (or bass) has been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. Unless otherwise noted in the listing, It features low action with no buzzing or dead spots, perfect intonation, a brand-new set of American-made Ernie Ball strings, and a straight neck with a fully functional truss rod. We make sure all frets are leveled, dressed, crowned, and polished to a mirror shine. The fingerboard has been thoroughly cleaned (unfinished rosewood and ebony boards are treated with Fret Doctor, a premium all-natural oil). All electronics function flawlessly. The guitar has been deep-cleaned and detailed and arrives stage- or studio-ready. 🔥
About The Guitar Dude
Three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer worldwide. Specializing in premium Gibson, classic Fender guitars from all eras and the best Japanese made treasures. Known for the highest-quality consignment sales and custom layaway plans (available on select guitars and extendable beyond 45 days to fit your budget—contact us for details).
Often copied, never duplicated. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for beautiful guitar content.
Consignment Services
Like what you see? Let us go to work for you. We offer the best and most fair priced consignment service on the planet! Look for me online. @TheGuitarDude
Our Guarantee
We stand behind every guitar we sell. “Good enough” is never good enough. Every instrument is inspected, set up, and tested by multiple people immediately before shipping. We deliver the highest standard of quality and have built a reputation as a three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer since 2009. The Dude Abides.
Neck & Setup - (unless otherwise noted)
- Neck is perfectly straight with no truss-rod issues.
- Intonation is spot-on.
- Professionally set up with low action and new American-made strings.
- All frets are dressed, leveled, crowned (if needed), and all frets on all guitars are polished to shine like new with no divots.
Return Policy, Restocking Fees & No Tire-Kicking Policy
We follow Reverb’s 7-day return policy. However:
- You must
notify us in writing within 3 days of delivery (per tracking) of your intent to return.
- Original shipping and return shipping costs are not refunded unless the guitar is damaged in transit or is significantly not as described.
- A 15% restocking fee applies to all returns for any reason other than damage in transit or significantly not as described. Please note there is a 10% restocking fee on guitar orders that have been purchased and paid for - that have been off the market for 24 hours or more, even if they have not been shipped or picked up by the carrier. We perform a final set up and change strings put when an order is placed and paid for. NO EXCEPTIONS
We do our best to honestly describe and photograph every guitar and most of the noticeable imperfections. That said, we are human, if something very small can be overseen, if tiny marks, dings or super fine scratches (normal wear) bother you, please don't buy.
We record demo videos of every guitar before shipping to document exact condition and performance. Additional photos, measurements, or in-hand descriptions are available upon request prior to purchase.
Minor adjustments and tweaks to a set up (for example to correct a slight buzz or truss-rod tweak) are normal after shipping due to carrier mishandling the package, climate & atmospheric changes, especially when moving from South Florida to colder or less humid environments. These slight issues do not constitute “significantly not as described.” Guitars must be returned in the exact same condition as received/advertised or additional repair/restocking fees will apply.
We are a small family owned and run business, not a big-chain retailer. We invest significant time, money and effort into every guitar. This is a NO TIRE-KICKING shop. There is no post purchase haggling, returns without restocking fees or partial refunds. If minor cosmetic marks, tiny imperfections, or the possibility of a post-shipping setup tweak makes you uncomfortable, please do not buy. Plenty of large retailers offer free trials and can absorb shipping costs—we do not.
Payment, Shipping & International Duties
- All items can be shipped internationally. Buyer is fully responsible for all import duties, taxes, and customs fees.
- We accept PayPal, PayPal Credit, Affirm, and other major payment methods.
- Most U.S. shipments are sent via UPS or FedEx with full insurance, tracking, and signature confirmation. All packages are professionally packed for maximum protection.
International Shipping Note
International shipping prices shown are for most countries. Certain countries have higher costs. We try and avoid USPS and mostly ship UPS, but USPS is the only available or reasonable carrier in certain situations. Express services (UPS, DHL, FedEx) are always available. We can’t under value merchandise as it can not be properly insured. If you would like to discuss different avenues, contact us by phone for a personalized quote.
Thank you for considering The Guitar Dude. We look forward to earning your business and delivering a guitar that exceeds your expectations. Contact us anytime for questions, consignment inquiries, layaway details, or a personalized shipping quote.
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