This design calls back to Macdonald’s earliest days as a guitarist, some of the things he owned that meant the most to him. The two albums depicted are what he would consider the Tour de Force guitar albums of the 1960’s, ones that were real groundbreakers. These albums were worn out. Listened to over and over with guitar in hand, trying to get down the notes. The first guitar Macdonald bought, when he was in eighth grade, was a 1968 Les Paul Standard Goldtop. He believes it sparked his interest in fine woodworking and taught him most of what he defines as beauty in craftsmanship. Viewed from any angle, judged by the sensitivity of the hand run over any part of it, the Les Paul is a masterpiece of design.

Also included in this design is Macdonald’s first guitar cord, coiled of course, and the strap that everybody seemed to have at one time or another. They came in red or gold, someone said that they were called Hootenanny Straps.

Macdonald has made the Goldtop with a broken B string. There is a replacement shown coiled up and ready to be put on. He’s included his name on the design in the pick, using JMACD, sawn from brass. And the beer tab, well you know...

He’s also changed the headstock Gibson logo to the old-style script, using the same material, satinwood, as he has used for the inlays on the neck of the fantasy Goldtop.