The 2-pickup Les Paul Special was introduced in 1955 as an intermediate model, positioned between the low-cost Les Paul Junior and the Les Paul Model. Originally available only in a single cutaway, the TV-style limed Mahogany finish, the Special was changed in 1959 to a double cutaway model and a Cherry Red finish was added to the mix. Now part of Gibson's proprietary new Vintage Original Spec series -- the next step in our journey toward perfection.
The Greatest Vintage Guitars Ever Made... Today
The Gibson Custom Shop proudly introduces the Vintage Original Spec series of historic solidbody guitars. From the 1957 Les Paul Junior to the 1960 Les Paul Standard, the Custom Shop debuts 17 reissue models representing the next step in their journey toward recreating the finest guitars ever made.
The Vintage Original Spec (VOS) series is the latest step on Gibson's journey toward perfection. When you pick up their '59 Les Paul Reissue -- or any of the VOS guitars -- you will experience the culmination of more than 20 years of effort to give you the look, feel, and sound of a $300,000 original.
They started with playability. Vintage Gibson guitars have a played in feel that is hard to describe and even harder to reproduce. But thanks to a combination of superior craftsmanship and newly implemented technology, Gibson is closer than ever to achieving that goal.
Their revolutionary process -- and the Custom Shop is the only major manufacturer using it -- ensures precise fret work and a perfectly cut nut on every guitar. Frets will be leveled, shaped, and crowned to exacting specifications -- often unique to each individual instrument -- and will extend a bit further towards the binding, giving you more surface area. The nut will be carefully hand-shaped to give it a more rounded, vintage look. The feel of the neck is also vitally important to a vintage guitar. For this reason, the VOS guitars will have neck profiles that accurately reflect the 3 key eras in Gibson's electric guitar history: early '50s, late '50s, and '60s. These necks will be a bit fuller, and together with a rolled fingerboard binding, will allow players to experience incredibly comfortable feel and playability.
The VOS series guitars will also provide a stunning visual experience. Using a proprietary process that includes unique steps for staining, wet-sanding, and hand-rubbing, the guitars reflect what a well cared for 40-year-old guitar looks like. The result is a remarkable patina that will delight even the most discriminating enthusiast. The hardware will also go through a new proprietary process, giving it a look one would expect to see after decades of natural oxidation. And finally, the edges of the neck heel and peghead will also be softened, lending the guitar a gently worn-in appearance and comfort.
As always with Gibson's Custom Shop guitars, you will experience an instrument that faithfully recreates their most sought-after classics -- down to the smallest details. Including:
1-piece, solid mahogany backs. Not book-matched or weight-relieved
Historically accurate neck tenon for superior sustain -- you can see it extending under the neck pick-up
Bumblebee capacitors (where applicable), and correct routing
Historically accurate reproductions of original PAF humbuckers
Tortoise dot markers on the side of the neck
ABR-1 bridge and lightweight aluminum stopbar tailpiece
Holly headstock veneer
Period-correct stain and filler
100% nitro-cellulose lacquer finishes -- no added plasticizers
Technical Info
Body: Solid Mahogany
Finish: T.V. Yellow
Hardware: Nickel
Tailpiece: Lightweight aluminum
Neck: 1-piece Mahogany with long neck tenon
Fingerboard: 22-fret Rosewood
Inlays: Pearloid dot
Neck Profile: Early '60 slim taper
Scale Length: 24-3/4 in.
Nut Width: 1-11/16 in.
Tuners: Button
Pickups: P-90 single coil
Electronics: CTS pots and bumble bee capacitors
Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone control, 3-way selector switch
Strings: Vintage Reissue 10s
Includes Custom Shop case, certificate of authenticity, custom care kit 
