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A Real Historic Collection R9 — From the Early Years of Gibson's Reissue Program

If you've spent any time around vintage guitar enthusiasts, you know the 1959 Les Paul Standard is often considered the benchmark by which all electric guitars are judged. Not just a legendary model—the benchmark. This 1995 Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue represents an important chapter in Gibson's Historic Collection legacy, built during the early years of the program when Gibson was refining its approach to recreating the most coveted Les Pauls ever made.

Finished in a beautiful Iced Tea Burst over a highly figured flame maple top, this R9 captures the spirit of the original Bursts while offering the reliability and playability of a modern Custom Shop instrument. The figuring displays impressive depth and movement under changing light, giving this guitar the kind of visual presence that immediately grabs attention.

As a 1995 Historic Collection example, this guitar comes from a highly respected era of Gibson Custom Shop production. Featuring a non-weight-relieved mahogany body, long neck tenon construction, vintage-correct appointments, and a nitrocellulose lacquer finish, it embodies many of the features that players and collectors seek out in early Historic Reissues. Nearly three decades later, these guitars continue to be prized for their tone, craftsmanship, and connection to Gibson's pursuit of vintage accuracy.

Whether you're a player searching for a phenomenal Les Paul with real character or a collector looking for an early Historic Collection R9, this guitar deserves serious consideration. Pictures are of the actual guitar you will receive.

Body & Construction: Built the Traditional Way

The foundation of this 1995 R9 begins with a solid, non-weight-relieved mahogany body paired with a carved figured maple top. Free from chambers or weight-relief routing, the construction delivers the sustain, resonance, and authority that have made Les Pauls famous for generations.

The flame maple top is the visual centerpiece, showcasing beautiful figuring beneath the Iced Tea Burst finish. Every Historic Collection instrument is unique, and this example possesses the kind of top that immediately stands out in a room full of guitars.

Like other Historic Collection models of the era, this guitar utilizes long neck tenon construction, allowing the neck joint to extend deeper into the body for enhanced resonance and structural integrity. The entire instrument is finished in nitrocellulose lacquer, allowing the wood to resonate naturally while aging gracefully over time. After more than 30 years, this guitar has developed the feel and character that only decades of maturation can provide.

Neck & Playability: The Classic '59 Feel

One of the defining features of any R9 is its neck profile, and this guitar delivers the substantial feel players expect from a 1959 Les Paul reissue. The rounded profile fills the hand comfortably without feeling cumbersome, providing excellent support for both rhythm and lead playing.

The one-piece mahogany neck is paired with a bound rosewood fingerboard featuring trapezoid inlays and traditional Les Paul appointments throughout. With its 24.75" scale length, 12" fingerboard radius, and vintage-inspired specifications, this guitar delivers the familiar playing experience that has made the Les Paul a favorite among generations of musicians.

Pickups & Electronics: Pure Les Paul Tone

Loaded with Gibson humbuckers designed to capture the warmth, punch, and harmonic complexity associated with classic PAF-style tones, this R9 delivers everything players expect from a Historic Collection Les Paul. From articulate clean tones to rich overdriven sounds, the pickups respond dynamically to both picking attack and volume adjustments.

Traditional Les Paul controls include independent volume and tone controls for each pickup along with a three-way toggle switch, offering a wide range of tonal flexibility. Combined with the solid mahogany body and maple cap, the result is the unmistakable voice that has defined countless recordings across nearly every genre of music.

Product Features

Body: Solid non-weight-relieved mahogany body with carved figured maple top

Neck: One-piece mahogany, long neck tenon construction, 1959 rounded profile

Fingerboard: Bound rosewood with trapezoid inlays, 12" radius, 24.75" scale length

Pickups: Gibson humbuckers

Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-way toggle switch

Bridge: Tune-O-Matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece

Tuners: Vintage-style tuners

Finish: Nitrocellulose lacquer, Iced Tea Burst

Year: 1995

Built: Gibson Custom Shop, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Weight: 8lbs 10oz

This is a used electric guitar from our inventory. Pictures are of the actual instrument you will receive.

This guitar has been previously owned and shows normal signs of use consistent with its age, including light surface scratches, minor pick marks, and other cosmetic wear associated with regular playing and handling. Any significant cosmetic issues will be shown in the photos.

Our licensed guitar technician has inspected, tested, and professionally set up this instrument to ensure it is playing and functioning properly.

Please review all photos carefully, as they are considered part of the description. Feel free to contact us with any questions prior to purchase.

Brand: Gibson

Model: Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue (R9)

Condition: Used

Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear—with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of the biggest names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia, plus a full online store, we're here to help musicians of every level find the right instrument, accessories, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team wants to help you Play Music for Life.