2016 Gibson Custom Shop ’59 Les Paul R9 Made to Measure – Gloss – Doyle Coils – Holy Grail

Offered here is an exceptional 2016 Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue (R9), Made to Measure, serial number R9 60572.

This is an unusually clean example featuring a beautiful figured maple top, striking mahogany back and neck, and a full-gloss nitrocellulose finish rather than Gibson’s VOS treatment. For those familiar with Fender terminology, the overall presentation is somewhat analogous to NOS—a vintage-specification instrument presented clean and glossy without intentional aging.

The guitar has been extremely well cared for, and I have included detailed photographs of the top, back, neck, headstock, fingerboard and hardware so its condition can be evaluated closely.

MADE TO MEASURE

This is a Gibson Custom Shop Made to Measure (M2M) R9 rather than simply a standard-production example.

The guitar retains its original Gibson Custom Shop Certificate of Authenticity, identifying it as:

LP ’59 Reissue
Serial Number: R9 60572

The original Gibson inspection/final-pack documentation is dated March 23, 2016.

I have contacted Gibson Custom with the serial number, COA and detailed photographs and requested the original M2M build specifications. This listing will be updated with any additional information Gibson is able to provide.

DOYLE COILS & HOLY GRAIL ELECTRONICS

According to the collector from whom I acquired the guitar, this R9 was originally equipped with Doyle Coils PAF-style pickups and the Holy Grail wiring harness.

Because I am currently seeking confirmation of the original M2M specifications from Gibson, I am representing that history exactly as it was represented to me rather than claiming documented factory provenance that I do not yet possess.

The Doyle pickups are currently installed without their covers, displaying the double-cream bobbins. The aged pickup covers are included with the guitar, allowing the next owner to retain the current open-coil appearance or return the pickups to the traditional covered PAF appearance.

CONDITION & APPEARANCE

This is a remarkably clean guitar for a 2016 instrument.

The full-gloss finish really allows the figuring of the maple top to come alive. The flame changes considerably depending upon lighting and viewing angle and has a convincing vintage character rather than an exaggerated modern quilt appearance.

The translucent mahogany back and neck are equally attractive, with excellent grain visible beneath the finish. The rosewood fingerboard has particularly attractive natural color and grain as well.

This guitar has not been intentionally relic’d or artificially aged. Its appeal is precisely the opposite: it is a beautifully preserved, full-gloss Historic Les Paul.

WEIGHT

9 lb 0.2 oz

The guitar was weighed on a digital scale, and a photograph of the actual weight reading is included in the listing.

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTATION, CASE & ACCESSORIES

This guitar comes with an unusually complete collection of its Gibson Custom Shop materials and accessories, including the:

• Original Gibson Custom Shop brown/pink hardshell case
• Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity
• Original Gibson inspection/final-pack documentation
• Gibson Custom hang tags and case candy
• Vintage Reissue Strings tag
• Bumblebee Equipped tag
• Original-style pickguard
• Rear switch cavity cover
• Aged Doyle pickup covers
• Additional documentation and accessories shown in the photographs

Please refer to the case photograph for the extent of the included materials.

SPECIFICATIONS

Year: 2016
Manufacturer: Gibson Custom Shop
Model: 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue
Historic designation: R9
Serial number: R9 60572
Program: Made to Measure (M2M)
Finish: Full Gloss / Non-VOS
Weight: 9 lb 0.2 oz
Pickups: Doyle Coils – provenance as represented by previous collector; Gibson documentation pending
Electronics: Holy Grail wiring harness – provenance as represented by previous collector; Gibson documentation pending
Pickup configuration: Double cream, currently uncovered
Aged pickup covers: Included
COA: Included
Original Custom Shop case: Included
Original documentation/case candy: Extensive, as pictured
Inspection documentation: March 23, 2016

ABOUT THE SALE

I’m not particularly motivated to sell this guitar and have priced it accordingly. I’m offering it primarily to see whether it finds the right next owner.

This is not being presented as an ordinary used R9. It is an exceptionally clean 2016 Made to Measure R9 with a beautiful figured top, full-gloss/non-VOS presentation, extensive original documentation and accessories, and a particularly interesting Doyle Coils/Holy Grail electronics configuration.

I am currently awaiting additional information from Gibson regarding the original Made to Measure build specifications and will update the listing accordingly if Gibson is able to provide them.

Serious inquiries are welcome, and I’m happy to provide additional detailed photographs.