Mike Campbell’s No.1 Gibson 1968 Les Paul Goldtop with Mark Agnesi

Watch Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and The Dirty Knobs show Mark Agnesi his incredibly unique 1968 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop.

This is yet another guitar you’ve heard on the radio, seen live, or even jammed along to, probably without knowing it. Watch as Mike Campbell pulls out this incredibly unique 1968 Gibson Les Paul™ Goldtop that he bought due to always wanting a Gibson Les Paul guitar, with some customized P-90 pickups that someone had removed the covers on. This is the guitar you can hear on “Fooled Again (I Don’t Like It),” “Strangered in the Night,” and “Listen to Her Heart.” In this excerpt from The Collection with Mike Campbell, Mark Agnesi discusses the year the guitar is from, talks about the unique nature of these P-90 pickups, and helps Mike learn a little more about the Gibson guitar he uses the most! Yes, this is Mike Campbell’s most used Gibson guitar, so if you’ve ever seen him play live or heard any Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers songs, chances are you’ve heard this iconic Gibson Les Paul before!

If you love this clip, you’ll love the full episode of The Collection with Mike Campbell. In it, Mike digs deep into his incredible guitar collection and showcases some of the most unique vintage and rare guitars you’re likely to find anywhere!

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[um]

Good !!! I always thought it’s a 53 or 54 !
Thanks to one of my Favorit Gitarrist men
Mike the man

[Thurston]

Seeing the inside of the pickup and how its wound is pretty good, pretty cool! 🤘👽👽👽🤙

[Viper-dzkw]

Today I found out p90’s without covers look badass

[LarryHric-zlpe]

This guitar is actually a 1971/72 54/58 Les Paul reissue. Gibson actually called it a 58 reissue for reasons unknown. Most of these came with a stop tail-piece like a 53/54 goldtop and some actually came with a tune-o-matic bridge and tailpiece like a 56 gold top. Also some of these came with a sunburst finish. Still a great guitar though.

[CodyAlushin]

Petty is and always will be the coolest musician ever. Mike was by his side the whole road, this dude just oozes cool. I just started a music series on my channel where I discuss songs that I find inspiring, followed by a cover of the song. Already have one Petty video ready to go, but there’s an infinite amount of praise to be had in terms of Petty, Mike and the rest of the Heartbreakers. Beyond masters of tone and songwriting.

[herbinator]

I had the same Les Paul in a '69. P-90's, different tailpiece, but a huge thick neck. Sold it 20 years later. Don't regret it either. Tough guitar to play.

[Pnanasnoic]

Mark, I miss your playing over at Norm's

[ToddHavel]

I believe the 1968 had that extreme neck angle of the 1950’s as well. Just took the original spec to reopen the Les Paul line. 1969 was the big modifications year or modern spec. Streamlined mass production, lower some costs and make is slightly less neck fragile by reducing the neck angle! If you only going own one guitar, get a newer one in great condition with good frets and great electronics. Spend your money on a place to live and lessons and your family. This guitar is worth more than my house and he only used in to record 3 songs? Sure it went on stage every performance for 10 minutes an evening. A new guitar will play the whole set, every evening for years.

[chickenlickin]

I'd like to think Mary Ford had some input on the addition of the Goldtop.

[C-P]

its that guy who absorbed tom pettys soul

[csharp]

2025. Life spared, the year I buy my first gold top LP.

[buzzycoyote]

Yeah, saw this in the full length episode

[rockeroller]

Question: Did Gibson use one piece bodies and the 1954 style bridge in 1968? 'Cause looking at this, it looks

[ethanhitchcock]

YEAH-YEAH-YEAH, lookit the switch tip on that baby, lookit the pickups on that baby, lookit the Gold finish on that baby, YEAH-yeah-Yeah -yup ! Thanky Spanky ! Lookit !

[rockeroller]

Was this man hired because he sounded like Tom Petty, or did he acquire the vocal tone after playing in the band so long?

[RCampbell-yb]

Hard to believe Gibson hired this guy. Norman was glad to get rid of him. Get another host Gibson.