'S-GRAVENHAGE, Netherlands
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2003 Gibson Gary Rossington Limited Edition 1959 Les Paul Standard Lynyrd Skynyrd Burst Tom Murphy Aged nicknamed "Bernice"On October 19, 1977, two days after releasing their album Street Survivors, Lynyrd Skynyrd performed at the Greenville Memorial Auditorium in Greenville, South Carolina. The following day they boarded a Convair CV-240 airplane to take them to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where they were to perform at Louisiana State University. The plane ran out of fuel near the end of the flight and crashed near its destination. Lead vocalist and founding member Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist and vocalist Steve Gaines, backing vocalist Cassie Gaines (Steve's older sister) and assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick all died as a result of the crash. Guitarist Gary Rossington recalled hearing what sounded like hundreds of baseball bats hitting the plane's fuselage as it began striking trees. The sound got louder and louder until Rossington was knocked unconscious; he awoke some time later on the ground with the plane's door on top of him. And if that wasn't enough, fellow guitarist Allen Collins died a few years later in 1986 from complications after a car crash he suffered in 1982... As Co-founder and last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rossington helped define Southern Rock music with memorable guitar work on such classics as Free Bird and Sweet Home Alabama. He died March 5, 2023 at the age of 71.On July 18, 2002 the Gibson Custom Shop released the Gary Rossington Signature Les Paul, a replica of his beloved original Burst nicknamed "Bernice". This special run of guitars was limited to 250 Worldwide and they have become highly sought after, earning a reputation of being some of the best playing Les Pauls ever produced. The Gary Rossington Signature Les Paul was the first 'signature' Aged Les Paul Gibson offered and was influential in the development of the current and highly sought after 'Collectors Choice' Les Paul reissues. This run was a joint undertaking between the original Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington, Gibsons' Custom, Art & Historic division and the legendary guitar painter and aging expert Tom Murphy, who painstakingly cloned every minute detail of Gary's original '59 Burst, making for a stunningly authentic reissue Although of a mere 250 issued, the run took over 2 years to complete, partly due to the added time Tom Murphy required to hand age each single example. The color, fading and burst are so beautiful that it looks different in different circumstances, sunlight, faded red, teaburst, honey, lemon drop, it's all there depending on how you look at it. N\\It has a stunning flame and grain that looks anything from calm to wildfire depending the angle and light. Just think how this beast will look on stage! This guitar looks great, feels incredible and the tone is MASSIVE! Bernice was Gary Rossington's 'Number One' and as such she displays the wear and tear of a constantly used touring guitar, and sported various user upgrades such as non standard gold hardware, Schaller tuners and a three-screw fix for a headstock break, all of which is accurately reproduced in this Signature LP. There are two small screws in the front of the headstock replicating the repaired headstock break that Rossington had on his guitar and Gary Rossington signature on the back of the headstock. So yeah, the Rossington Burst is where it all started. It's the first of all Gibson 1959 Aged tributes. The real #1. Many models followed, Jimmy Page, Peter Green, Michael Bloom, all the collectors choice models etc. but there can be only one to be the first and it is worldwide regarded as one of the most desirable signature reissue's ever produced. It is so rare to find a guitar of this caliber for sale. Whether you are a player or collector, this guitar would be the crown jewel to any collection! There's nothing to think about! Buy it now or kick yourself when it's gone! Stunning axe, great investment! And best pick up the Sg as well while you're at it ;-)This guitar comes incl the original COA certificate of authenticity, lots of paperwork, Gibson Gold Warranty card, case candy and the Gibson brown OHSC hardshell case with burnt pink lining.
Price€13,950
+ €44.53 Shipping
