2013 Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Washed Cherry Gloss

A fine example of an R9 from the Custom Shop in a full gloss Washed Cherry finish, as opposed to the VOS finish that has become so ubiquitous on the reissue Les Pauls. Beautiful flame maple top, most likely Western maple judging from the figure and grain pattern. The flame is very uniform across the top, with a shallow chevron and not too much variation or run out. The vertical grain pattern is very straight as well, with minimal flecking or mineral lines. The fine appearance of the top is complimented by a nice and dark rosewood fretboard, with a consistent hue across it's length.

2013 is a looked on as a pivotal year in the Historic Reissue program from the Custom Shop, and R9's from this year have grown to be quite sought after. The introduction of the hide glue neck joint in this model year was seen as a major milestone and set the stage for hide glue to be used in an increasing number of production steps over the next few years. This was also the model year the Custombucker pickup set was introduced, replacing the Burstbucker as the standard issue on Historics and continuing to be used to this day. The nylon nut and translucent tuner buttons on the single line/single ring Kluson tuners were added as well. Specs like the aniline back dye and "No wire" ABR-1 bridge had been in place by this time. The guitars were offered in Gloss and VOS finish packages. The latter became the standard, with the Gloss finish now absent from the pricelist and only accessible through the custom order Made 2 Measure program.

This guitars is in great condition overall with a bit of play wear and signs of handling. The top has a good amount of light scratching in the clear coat and on the pickguard. There are a fair number of dings scattered around the top, the most noticeable being just past the pointer of the bridge volume knob. The is a touch of pick wear just north of the fretboard extension and between the pickups. The back also has its share of light scratches in the clear and buckle rash, as well as a few dings scattered around but none that are through to the wood or unsightly. The bottom side of the guitar has a cluster of dings, the most notable being a slightly "U" shaped ding just at the edge of the binding. The neck and headstock are quite clean by comparison, with only a slight ding on the treble side of the headstock veneer and some light scratching. There is the ubiquitous binding bleed, from the aniline dye, along the body and somewhat heavier on the neck

The guitar has had a few modifications made. The pickups are a later set of Custombuckers, dated 2022, with more recent M69 pickup rings. The switch is replaced with cloth cover wire and an Emerson wiring kit has been installed. The jackplate has been replace with a nickel/chrome part and a set of Dunlop Strap Lock buttons is installed.

Serial Number 93278

8 lbs 15 oz

.92" at the first fret to 1.00" at the twelfth fret

Lifton Case

COA, hang tags, warranty card, and Emerson wiring harness box included

Set up with D'Addario EXL110 10-46 strings

A reissue Les Paul, from a pivotal year, that has clearly seen a lot of action. Ready to be played and gigged anxiety free with the natural aging of the guitar well underway!