The HISTORY GH-LCV “Dignity” in Black is a premium Japanese single-cut electric guitar built around the classic Les Paul Custom-style format, combining an elegant black-and-gold appearance with the high-quality construction and distinctive engineering associated with HISTORY’s upper-tier GH series.

One of the model’s most interesting features is HISTORY’s Circle Fretting System (C.F.S.), designed to improve pitch accuracy and clarity across the fingerboard. The GH-LCV was also developed around carefully selected tonewoods and a set-neck, dual-humbucker format intended to deliver a powerful, articulate sound that works particularly well for rock, blues, hard rock and heavier styles.

This Pre-Owned example is offered in Very Good condition and is supplied with a hardcase, making it a particularly interesting choice for players searching for a high-quality Japanese Les Paul Custom-style guitar outside the usual Gibson and Epiphone options.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	HISTORY
Model	GH-LCV “Dignity”
Style	Les Paul Custom-Style Electric Guitar
Finish	Black
Pickup Format	Dual Humbucker
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good
Included	Hardcase
Main Appeal	Premium Japanese single-cut with distinctive HISTORY engineering
Best For	Rock, blues, hard rock, alternative, recording and live performance

Pre-Owned Condition Report

Very Good Condition

This HISTORY GH-LCV Dignity is offered in Very Good condition.

Very Good condition means the guitar has been previously played and can show light signs of normal ownership while remaining well presented, fully usable and suitable for regular playing.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing.

What’s Included?

✔ HISTORY GH-LCV “Dignity” Black Electric Guitar
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This guitar has been graded Very Good, making it a strong option for someone looking for a clean Pre-Owned example without paying solely for collector-level cosmetic condition.

Its deep Black finish, Custom-style appointments and contrasting hardware give the GH-LCV the sophisticated appearance traditionally associated with premium single-cut guitars.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This Pre-Owned HISTORY GH-LCV has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before sale.

Our checks include:

• Both humbucker pickups tested
• Pickup selector operation checked
• Volume and tone controls tested
• Output socket checked
• Frets inspected
• Fingerboard condition assessed
• Neck condition checked
• Tuning machines inspected
• Bridge and tailpiece checked
• Strap buttons inspected
• General hardware condition assessed
• Tuning stability checked
• Overall playability assessed
• Hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All Pre-Owned electric guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

Our assessment includes:

• Action checked
• Neck relief checked
• Frets inspected
• Intonation checked
• Tuning stability checked
• Electronics tested
• Pickup output checked
• Bridge setup assessed
• Hardware checked
• General playability assessed

Please note that guitar setup can shift slightly during delivery because changes in temperature and humidity can naturally affect wooden instruments in transit.

Why Choose The HISTORY GH-LCV Dignity?

Premium Japanese Single-Cut Design

The GH-LCV was positioned above more affordable single-cut guitars, combining traditional Custom-style aesthetics with HISTORY’s own approach to construction and playability rather than simply producing a basic copy.

Circle Fretting System

HISTORY’s C.F.S. uses subtly curved frets so the strings meet the frets more consistently, with the aim of improving pitch definition, chord clarity and note separation across the fingerboard.

Dual-Humbucker Versatility

The two-humbucker format gives the GH-LCV the full, powerful response expected from this style of guitar, making it particularly effective for saturated rhythm tones, singing lead sounds and warmer clean playing.

Classic Black Custom Styling

The Black finish and ornate Custom-style appearance give the GH-LCV a strong stage presence, making it attractive to players who want the traditional luxury single-cut aesthetic without automatically choosing one of the more familiar Western brands.

An Interesting Alternative To The Obvious Choices

HISTORY guitars are comparatively uncommon in the UK, making the GH-LCV especially appealing for players who appreciate high-quality Japanese instruments and want something less predictable than the typical Gibson or Epiphone route.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

HISTORY GH-LCV vs Gibson Les Paul Custom

The Gibson is the obvious choice for players prioritising the original Les Paul Custom name, USA manufacture and Gibson heritage, while the GH-LCV offers a distinctive Japanese interpretation with HISTORY-specific features such as C.F.S. and can represent an interesting alternative for players focused on build quality and playability.

HISTORY GH-LCV vs Gibson Les Paul Standard

A Les Paul Standard has a more traditional Standard aesthetic and Gibson identity, whereas the GH-LCV leans firmly towards the dressed-up Custom look and will appeal more strongly to players wanting black-and-gold styling and something less commonplace.

HISTORY GH-LCV vs Epiphone Les Paul Custom

The Epiphone is a logical choice for players wanting recognised Les Paul Custom styling at a more accessible level, while the HISTORY is more suited to someone specifically seeking a premium Japanese-built instrument with less common design details and a more unusual identity.

HISTORY GH-LCV vs Fujigen / FGN Neo Classic

FGN single-cut guitars are another strong option for players interested in Japanese craftsmanship. The GH-LCV stands apart through its HISTORY identity, Dignity-era styling and association with the high-end GH range, making the decision largely one of specification, feel and individual-guitar preference.

Who Is It For?

Rock And Hard Rock Players

The twin-humbucker single-cut format is naturally suited to thick rhythm guitars, sustained lead playing and overdriven amplifier tones.

Blues Players

Players who prefer a fuller, rounder voice than a typical single-coil guitar should find this format well suited to expressive lead work and pushed valve-amp sounds.

Players Interested In Japanese Guitars

The GH-LCV is particularly appealing to guitarists who already appreciate Japanese-built instruments and want to explore something beyond the better-known Fender Japan, Tokai, Greco and FGN names.

Studio And Live Guitarists

A familiar two-humbucker control layout makes the guitar straightforward to use for recording, rehearsals and live performances where quick access to contrasting pickup sounds is useful.

Players Wanting Something Less Common

HISTORY instruments are far less frequently encountered in the UK than Gibson or Epiphone guitars, giving the GH-LCV extra appeal for musicians who enjoy owning gear with a more unusual story.

Suitable Genres And Uses

• Classic rock
• Hard rock
• Blues
• Alternative rock
• Indie
• Metal
• Punk
• Pop rock
• Lead guitar
• Rhythm guitar
• Studio recording
• Rehearsals
• Live performance
• Pedal-based rigs
• Players interested in Japanese-made electric guitars

What Is HISTORY’s Circle Fretting System?

The Circle Fretting System, or C.F.S., uses frets installed with a subtle curve rather than as completely straight lines across the fingerboard. The concept is designed so each string crosses the fret more directly, helping HISTORY achieve consistent scale relationships, clearer pitch definition and better chord separation.

It is a small visual difference but an important part of the brand’s engineering philosophy. Rather than changing the basic single-cut formula dramatically, HISTORY concentrated on details intended to improve how familiar guitar designs perform in real playing situations.

Looking for advice on choosing the right Japanese single-cut guitar, Pre-Owned HISTORY guitar or Les Paul Custom-style electric guitar? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: HISTORY GH-LCV Dignity

HISTORY was established by Japanese musical-instrument retailer Shimamura Music in 1994, with the aim of combining familiar guitar traditions with new materials and practical developments rather than simply reproducing established designs.

The brand underwent a major range renewal in the early 2000s, and its higher-end GH series became a showcase for ideas including the Circle Fretting System and reclaimed old-growth timber originally marketed as Timeless Timber and later as Heritage Wood. The material had been recovered after spending many decades submerged in North American waterways before being repurposed for instrument construction.

The GH-LCV took those ideas into the classic single-cut Custom format. Period catalogues positioned it among HISTORY’s premium electric guitars, pairing traditional twin-humbucker styling with features such as C.F.S. and carefully selected construction materials. By the mid-2010s the GH range was being replaced as HISTORY revised its electric-guitar line-up, making surviving GH-LCV examples particularly interesting reminders of an earlier high-end period for the brand.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	HISTORY
Model	GH-LCV “Dignity”
Finish	Black
Body Style	Single Cutaway / LP Custom-Style
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Scale Length	628mm / Approx. 24.75"
Number of Frets	22
Fret System	Circle Fretting System – C.F.S.
Pickup Configuration	HH
Electronics	Passive
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Pickup Selector	3-Way Toggle
Bridge Type	Tune-O-Matic-Style Bridge
Tailpiece	Stop Tailpiece
String Configuration	6-String
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required for the guitar’s passive electronics.

Connect it to a guitar amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or suitable audio interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying Pre-Owned can be a particularly good way to discover discontinued and less common instruments that are difficult to find in current production.

For a guitar such as the HISTORY GH-LCV, the Pre-Owned market also gives players access to an interesting period of Japanese guitar manufacturing and specifications that are no longer part of the current HISTORY range.

Fair Deal Music individually checks and assesses its Pre-Owned electric guitars before sale, helping you buy with greater confidence.

Fair Deal Music Verdict 

★★★★★ 5/5

The HISTORY GH-LCV Dignity Black is a particularly interesting choice for players who love the appearance, feel and power of a Les Paul Custom-style guitar but want something outside the obvious Gibson and Epiphone options. Its premium Japanese identity, C.F.S. fret system and relatively uncommon presence in the UK give it plenty of appeal for both working guitarists and enthusiasts of Japanese instruments.

Best suited for: Rock, blues and hard-rock guitarists looking for a premium Japanese single-cut.

Customers usually upgrade from: Epiphone Les Paul models, entry-to-mid-level single-cuts and more affordable twin-humbucker guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Valve or modelling amplifiers, overdrive and distortion pedals, delay, reverb and quality instrument cables.

Our tip: If you are comparing Japanese single-cut guitars, judge the GH-LCV as an instrument in its own right rather than simply as an alternative version of a familiar American design.

Showroom feedback: The GH-LCV is the kind of less-common Japanese guitar that deserves attention from players who prioritise construction, feel and individuality over the logo most commonly seen on the headstock.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team helps players choose the right equipment whether they are purchasing their first serious guitar, upgrading their current instrument or searching for an unusual Pre-Owned model.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new and Pre-Owned musical equipment
• Decades of experience buying and selling guitars
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Secure online ordering
• UK delivery
• Friendly support before and after purchase
• Extensive experience with used, rare and less-common instruments

For an unusual guitar such as the HISTORY GH-LCV, our team can also help you decide whether its feel, specification and single-cut format are right for your playing requirements.

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're upgrading your guitar, amplifier, keyboard, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of gear you no longer use while making your next instrument more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the HISTORY GH-LCV suitable for high-gain guitar tones?

Yes. The dual-humbucker single-cut format is well suited to overdrive and distortion, making it a natural option for classic rock, hard rock and heavier guitar styles.

Can I use the GH-LCV with modern pedals and amp modellers?

Yes. Its conventional passive guitar output can be used with standard effects pedals, pedalboards, modelling amplifiers, digital processors and compatible audio interfaces.

What string gauge works well on a 628mm-scale guitar?

A 10–46 set is a popular all-round option for this scale length, while players wanting easier bends may prefer a lighter set and those using lower tunings may prefer heavier strings. A setup adjustment can be worthwhile when changing gauge significantly.

Is this a good choice for someone who normally plays a Stratocaster?

It can be a useful contrast. The shorter scale, twin-humbucker layout and single-cut construction offer a noticeably different response from a traditional Strat-style guitar, making the GH-LCV a good complementary instrument rather than simply another version of the same format.

Is the GH-LCV still suitable as a regular gigging guitar?

Yes. A well-maintained Pre-Owned electric guitar can remain an excellent working instrument. Condition, setup and personal playing preference matter more than whether a particular model remains in current production.

Can I see this individual guitar more closely before ordering?

Yes. For an unusual Pre-Owned guitar such as this, our Request a Video Demo option is particularly useful if you would like a closer look before making your decision.