COLD CASE STOLEN: Vintage 1958 Gibson Les Paul Junior – Hollywood, CA

A man plays a Vintage 1958 Gibson Les Paul Junior Stolen in Hollywood CA in 1991.

This is a special cold case submission for a deeply cherished vintage instrument. Just after midnight on January 2, 1991, following a live performance in Hollywood, California, a musician’s car was broken into. Among the items taken was a rare 1958 Gibson Les Paul Junior 3/4 scale electric guitar.

A police report was filed at the time with the LAPD Hollywood Division, and the serial number has since been logged in the Gibson tracker registry. While decades have passed, vintage instruments frequently circulate through private collections, auction houses, guitar shops, and online registries, and the owner has never given up hope of bringing it home.

The Heart Behind the Guitar

The owner had only possessed this rare 1958 Les Paul Junior for six short months before it was taken, but the connection was instant and enduring. Beyond its value as a vintage Gibson, the guitar holds irreplaceable personal significance and decades of nostalgic longing.

“This guitar was very special to me and I owned it for only 6 months. I would love to have it back; but I am not a rich, world-famous guitarist and can only offer a nominal reward of $100, an offer to cook for you the best meal you’ve ever had in your life, and eternal blessings from the karmic gods.”

Instrument Details & Specifications

  • Instrument Type: 3/4 Scale Single-Cut Electric Guitar
  • Brand / Maker: Gibson
  • Model: Les Paul Junior
  • Year of Manufacture: 1958
  • Finish / Color: Faded Tobacco Burst
  • Serial Number: 8 4735 (Logged on Gibson Tracker)
  • Handedness: Right-Handed (RH)
  • Condition / Wear: Slight natural play wear consistent with a 1950s golden-era instrument.
  • Carrying Case: Classic vintage Gibson hardshell case, medium brown exterior with a vibrant fuchsia interior.

Incident & Law Enforcement Details

  • Date of Theft: January 2, 1991 (~12:15 AM)
  • Location: Vehicle Break-In – Hollywood, CA
  • Investigating Agency: LAPD Hollywood Division
  • Stolen 911 Case Number: #260181
  • Reward Offered: $100 cash reward + a world-class home-cooked meal + eternal karmic blessings

Vintage guitar dealers, lutherie shops, collectors, Reverb sellers, and forum members across the guitar community are asked to keep serial number 8 4735 in their databases and notify Stolen 911 if this instrument ever surfaces.


📞 HAVE INFORMATION OR LEADS?

Stolen 911 Case #260181

📞 Call (408) 461-7714
💬 Send Tip via SMS
🔵 Telegram: @Stolen911
You may remain completely anonymous.

Disclaimer: Stolen 911 emphasizes that all information should be verified with law enforcement. Stolen 911 cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information. If a reward is offered, it is offered at the discretion of the property’s owner or their insurance company and is only payable after recovery and verification.
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