The next best thing to a genuine '59 Les Paul Standard (aka a "Burst", the Holy Grail of electric guitars) is an early '50s Les Paul Gold Top conversion. They would have both been made in the same factory by the same people with the same tooling using the same wood and materials...

This guitar is a 1953 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top converted to a 1959 spec Gibson Les Paul Standard. It features a Gibson PAF pickup at the bridge, an early 1960s Gibson Patent Number pickup at the neck, a 1958 Centralab control harness, 1959 pots (week 46..!), 1960s ABR1 bridge, aged 1950s replica tailpiece, 1950s Gibson scratchplate, late 1950s gold bell knobs, 1970s cream M8 pickup surrounds and vintage re-issue 'single ring' 'single line' Kluson machine heads nicely aged by Charles Guitars.

The guitar was converted and beautifully aged in 2020 by respected luthiers Player Grade Vintage Guitars having previously been badly refinished Gold at some time in the past. The original serial number is unknown, but it has now been restamped as 9 2513. I have attached some pics of the conversion process for your information. Note the 3 small blemishes just above the bridge to confirm its authenticity.

The guitar weighs a hefty 8.6lbs and has a chunky '50s neck, revered by so many players. Dimensions at the 1st fret are 43mm wide x 23mm deep and at the 12th fret 51mm wide x 26mm deep. The '50s neck is dead straight and has been set up beautifully by Yuuki at Player Grade Vintage Guitars.

Sonically it sounds amazing! It has an original PAF at the bridge and an early '60s PAT at the neck checking in at 7.28k and 7.48k ohms respectively.

Please note there is an old repair to a small hairline crack just behind the headstock at the top of the neck (ie usual place!). There has been no movement whatsoever though since the conversion in 2020 so should be fine in the future. Neck angle is just under 3 degrees.

Guitar comes with an original 4 latch 1960s Gibson case. Alternatively I could supply it with a stronger more modern case (with an appropriate discount).

Clearly, due to its value, I would prefer not to courier this guitar but will do if otherwise impractical. If you wish to organise your own courier though you are of course welcome. The reinforced & padded cardboard box I would send it in is 133cm x 42cm x 16cm and will weigh about 9kg.

Collection from Billericay in Essex UK therefore preferred. Alternatively, please contact me about finding a mutually convenient meeting place in the UK (eg. M25 services or a London airport?).

Please do not hesitate to message me if you have any questions.

Cheers

Ian