Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard VOS

Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard VOS

Gibson’s Les Paul Standard model from 1959 is the most highly acclaimed, widely recognized solid body electric guitar in the entire world, coveted by both players and collectors as the ultimate example of playability, attractiveness and tone among all six-stringed instruments. In an industry filled with imitations and replicas, the iconic 1959 Les Paul Standard simply has no equal.

Named after Lester William Polsfuss, aka Les Paul – legendary American jazz guitarist, and true pioneer in the development of recorded music – the Les Paul model guitar became the “Standard” in July 1958 after company president Ted McCarty and his staff decided to add the new designation and forego the guitar’s traditional Goldtop finish for a new, brighter finish dubbed Cherry Sunburst, which allowed the natural beauty of the Les Paul Standard’s maple top to be showcased. The company was hoping the changes would improve its sales of solid body electric guitars, which had been declining since 1953 when the Gibson shipped 2,245 Les Paul Model guitars.

In 1959, the Les Paul Standard made a change to wider, fatter jumbo frets which made it a more facile guitar. The significance of this change wouldn't be felt until the late '60s when Clapton, Bloomfield, Peter Green, and other emerging guitarists discovered its warm, thick BurstBucker voice and fast, smooth and easy-playing neck. Then the Les Paul began its ascent toward ultimate icon status. Like all VOS (Vintage Original Spec) Series instruments, the 1959 Les Paul Standard VOS is handcrafted for comfort and playability in the Gibson Custom Shop.

The construction, neck profile, hardware, and electronics are period accurate, and a special nitrocellulose finish treatment gives it the patina of a gently aged vintage guitar. Includes Gibson Custom Shop case, a certificate of authenticity, and custom care kit.