Build in Progress – Gibson Custom 59 Les Paul Standard Gold Poppy Ultra Light
Gibson Custom Shop’s 1959 Les Paulâ„¢ Standard Reissue is not just a tribute to the priceless original models — it’s a clone of them. From laser-scanned dimensions to chemically-recreated plastics to color-matched shades of sunburst, every element has been rendered in unbelievable detail. It represents the culmination of decades of work by Custom Shop’s expert team — a tireless quest to bring accuracy and authenticity to the hands of fans. It’s the definition of cool, and it’s the best representation of the 1959 Les Paul Standard since the Gibson Custom Shop began making Historic Reissues over twenty-five years ago.Â
Weight: 3.72Kg
What makes this guitar even more special?
Than a Custom Shop 59′
- Custom Colour: We managed to secure an incredible custom colour. Normally this guitar is only offered in Lemon, Ice Tea Burst and Cherry Sunburst.Â
- Hand picked wood: We hand picked the wood used for each 59 and the colour to go with each top
- Upgraded to High Altitude Mahogany: The 59 UL is Lighter in weight thanks to the High Altitude Mahogany
The 59 Gibson Les Paul holds a special place in the world of electric guitars for several key reasons:
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Iconic Sound: The ’59 Les Paul is renowned for its rich, warm, and versatile tone, thanks to its unique combination of woods, construction, and PAF (Patent Applied For) humbucking pickups. These pickups are celebrated for their ability to produce both clear, crisp tones and deep, growling overdrive, making the guitar extremely versatile. These Custom shop 59’s have the improved Custombuckers in them.
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Quality Craftsmanship: These 59 models were built with exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. They featured a solid, non-weight-relieved mahogany body with a two-piece figured maple top, a one-piece mahogany neck, and a rosewood fretboard. This combination of high-quality materials contributed to the guitar’s distinctive sound and sustain.
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Unique Aesthetics: The ’59 Les Pauls are known for their sunburst finishes, which have become iconic in their own right. The figuring of the maple tops (often referred to as “flame” or “tiger stripe”) on these guitars makes each one unique.
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Historical Significance: By the late 1950s, the Les Paul had evolved into what many consider the definitive version of the model. The ’59 Les Paul represents the peak of this evolution before Gibson made significant changes to the design in 1961. As such, it stands as a historical benchmark for electric guitar design.
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Legacy and Influence: The ’59 Les Paul has been played by a myriad of famous guitarists and has been a staple in creating the sound of classic rock. It has a legendary status among musicians, often considered the holy grail of electric guitars.
This wood set was virtually picked by Musos Corner staff from the Gibson factory in September 2022. Completion date is estimated for 2023/2024. The build specifications are listed below.
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The Custombucker Pickups
The Gibson Custombucker is the epitome of vintage tone for discerning players. Used on Gibson Custom Shop’s Historic Reissue guitars, these pickups replicate the legendary Patent Applied For humbuckers from the 50s with painstaking accuracy. Featuring Alnico 3 magnets, unbalanced coils, and 42 AWG wire, these pickups are left unpotted for an authentic vintage sound that is warm and sweet. The double black bobbins and true historic nickel covers add to their authentic appearance. With an average DC resistance of 8K, these pickups are historically accurate and deliver the iconic tone that players crave. The pickups alone in this guitar retail over $1000.
The Legendary 59 Neck
The ’59 neck profile is sought after by players for its comfortable and medium chunky design, making it the classic profile that a lot of other guitars have been modelled on.
| Body Style | Les Paul | Body Shape | Les Paul | Top | 2-Piece Figured Maple, Hide Glue Fit | Back | 1-Piece Lightweight Mahogany |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Binding | 1-Ply Royalite | Body Finish | Nitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina) | Weight Relief | Ultra Light | Profile | 50s Rounded Medium C |
| Scale Length | 628.65 mm / 24.75 in | Fingerboard Material | Indian Rosewood | Fingerboard Radius | 304.8 mm / 12 in | Fret Count | 22 |
| Frets | Historic Medium-Jumbo | Nut Material | Nylon | Nut Width | 42.85 mm / 1.687 in | End Of Board Width | 56.89 mm / 2.239 in |
| Inlays | Cellulose Nitrate Trapezoid | Joint | Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit | Finish | Nickel | Bridge | ABR-1 |
| Saddle Material | Nickel-plated Brass | Tailpiece | Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar | Tuning Machines | Kluson Single Line, Single Ring | Pickguard | Laminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate |
| Truss Rod | Authentic 1950s No-Tube | Truss Rod Cover | Authentic Stepped 2-Ply | Control Knobs | Gold Butyrate Top Hats | Switch Tip | Amber Catalin |
| Switch washer | Replica Cellulose Acetate Butyrate | Jack Plate Cover | Laminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate | Control Covers | Black Royalite | Strap Buttons | Aluminum |
| Neck Pickup | Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted) | Bridge Pickup | Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted) | Controls | 2 Volume/2 Tone CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors | ||
| Pickup Selector | 3-Way Switchcraft | Output Jack | Switchcraft | Strings Gauge | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | Case | Brown/Pink Reissue 5-Latch |
| Accessories | Certificate of Authenticity | ||||||
What’s special about each year?
The Gibson Les Paul guitars produced between 1956 and 1960 are often referred to as the “Golden Era” of Les Paul production. Each year brought some changes and differences in features, specs, and finishes. Here are some of the notable differences:
1956P-90 pickups (single coil) were still the standard pickup configuration, though some Les Paul Customs had three humbucker pickups. Stopbar tailpiece and ABR-1 bridge were still used. A “Goldtop” finish was the only finish option. |
1957PAF (Patent Applied For) humbucking pickups were introduced, replacing the P-90 pickups. Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece were now standard. Sunburst finish (referred to as “burst”) was introduced, with a two-tone finish of dark brown around the edges and a lighter brown/yellow in the center. |
1958Cherry Sunburst finish became the standard finish option. The neck profile became slimmer and referred to as a “Slim Taper.” The body shape became slightly thinner and the top carve was shallower. |
1959Often considered the pinnacle of the Les Paul model, featuring a thicker top with more flame figuring. The neck profile became even slimmer and more rounded, often referred to as a “59 Neck”. The fingerboard received a more elaborate and wider block inlay design. |
1960The last year of the “Burst” Les Pauls before production was temporarily discontinued. The neck profile became even slimmer and flatter, referred to as a “Slim Taper” or “Fast Neck”. The body shape was further slimmed down and the top carve was even shallower. A Cherry Red finish was introduced as a standard option, along with the Cherry Sunburst. |













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