2005 Gibson Custom Shop '59 Les Paul Reissue (R9) — Extraordinary Quilted Burst Top | Cream T WhiskerBucker Upgrade | All Original Case Candy

The Instrument

This is a 2005 Gibson Custom Shop '59 Les Paul Standard Reissue (R9) in exceptional condition — one of the most respected vintage reissues ever produced, and this particular example elevates the platform further with a top that stops you cold.

The quilted maple top on this guitar is, without exaggeration, singular. Where most R9s feature figured flame maple, this instrument displays a dense, deeply rippled quilt pattern beneath a rich cherry-to-amber sunburst in high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer. The burst is vivid and symmetrical — deep crimson fading through burnt orange into a luminous honeyed center — and the quilt figure catches light from every angle with a three-dimensional depth rarely encountered even on Custom Shop instruments. Photographs do not fully capture it. In person, this top commands attention. It is the defining characteristic of a one-of-a-kind guitar.

Construction & Specifications (2005 R9 Standard)

FeatureSpecificationBodySingle-piece mahogany, non-weight-relievedTopHighly figured quilted maple, nitro gloss lacquerNeckOne-piece mahogany, long tenon jointFingerboardRosewood, trapezoid inlaysNeck ProfileAuthentic '59 "C" — substantial, period-correctScale Length24.75"FretsHistoric medium-jumbo, 22 totalBridgeABR-1 Tune-o-matic, aluminum stop-bar tailpieceTunersKluson-style single-ring, period-correctHardwareNickelKnobsGold butyrate top-hatSerial9 5737 (visible on headstock reverse)

Pickups: Cream T WhiskerBuckers (Pearly Gates Replicas)

The stock Gibson Custom Shop Custombuckers have been replaced with a set of Cream T WhiskerBuckers — hand-wound, PAF-style humbuckers developed by Thomas Nilsen in direct collaboration with Billy Gibbons as painstaking replicas of the original PAF humbuckers in Gibbons' legendary 1959 Les Paul, "Pearly Gates." The set features 8.3k (neck) and 8.2k (bridge) DC resistance, plain enamel magnet wire, Alnico IV (neck) and Alnico V (bridge) magnets, light wax potting, and plain nickel silver covers.

The WhiskerBuckers sound huge and very much in line with Gibbons' own iconic tone, while also being authentic within the spectrum of fatter, juicier-sounding original PAFs. The bridge delivers driven snarl and grind when pushed, along with beefy twang into a clean amp, and aces that cocked-wah lead sound with the tone control backed off.

Among boutique PAF replicas, Cream T pickups rank among the very best reviewed — offering a clarity and detail in the treble frequencies that far surpasses many competitors, translating into a brilliantly edgy, bluesy voice.

The original Gibson Custom Shop Custombuckers are included in the case, making this a fully reversible modification and preserving the guitar's complete originality for any future owner who prefers the factory specification.

Condition

Excellent. The finish is clean and vibrant with no meaningful wear. The frets show minimal use. The neck is straight. The mahogany back displays the characteristic rich reddish-brown of a properly stored, unabused R9. No cracks, repairs, or structural issues are present.

Case & Documentation

Includes the original Gibson Custom Shop brown/pink Lifton-style five-latch hardshell case, Gibson Gold Warranty card, Customer Care Guide, hang tags, and additional case candy as pictured. The case is in excellent condition consistent with the guitar.

Summary

A 2005 R9 is already among the most sought-after modern Les Pauls in circulation. This example adds an extraordinary quilt top that distinguishes it visually from nearly every other R9 on the market, and a world-class pickup upgrade that puts the tone of Billy Gibbons' "Pearly Gates" directly into this instrument. Original Custombuckers are included. This is a player-grade masterpiece with collector-level visual impact.

No trades. Ships fully insured in original case.