Gibson Custom Historic 1959 Les Paul User Reviews at zZounds

"The Holy Grail" submitted June 23, 2007

By a customer from comcast.net

Overall

Sound

Features

Ease of Use

Quality

Value

Manufacturer Support

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: 30+ years of Active musical experience

Music Style: Blues and Rock

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Sound: If you are looking for "the Holy Grail" of guitars this is it, or as close to the real thing asmost of us will ever get. It has that rich, full-bodied Les Paul sound that helped Bloomfield, Clapton and Green create "that sound". Feature: You won't find coil taps, phase switches, varitones or active preamps. But what you will find are: beautiful flame maple cap, full size one piece neck, incredible pickups, and aged reproduction hardware. Oh yeah, and they're handbuilt with no two guitars having the same finish and maple figure. Each one is a one-of-a-kind work of art that makes the most incredible sound. Ease of Use: If you're going for this level of guitar it should not only look and sound good, it should make you want to pick it up every time you see and inspire you to play your best. I love this guitar and can't wait to get home each day to play it! I don't say that about every guitar I own. Quality: Hand built, Gibson 1959 Les Paul. What more do you need to say. Fit and finish are performed one guitar at a time. And the inspection process is the highest level of all Gibsons guitars. These are not built in the smae plant as the regular Gibsons, which are great to begin with. Value: Some will say they are too expensive, and they ain't cheap. But if you are spending this kind of money you have certain expectations of what you will get. I am more than impressed with the quality of this guitar. Manufacturer Support: Every time I've emailed them with a question, regardless of how esoteric I always get a quick, informed and polite response. The Wow Factor: Yeah, baby. This one is pure sex appeal. Technically they come in three colors - Washed Cherry, Ice Tea and Faded Tobacco - but the actual variety of colors and figuring is amazing. Every one is like looking at a SuperModel. Overall: If you are looking for the quality, beauty and tone of a vintage 59 Les Paul, there really is very little else in this Super Premium category?

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"As Good As A Les Paul Gets!!!!!!" submitted February 27, 2007

Overall

Sound

Features

Ease of Use

Quality

Value

Manufacturer Support

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Former recording professional musician

Music Style: Blues, Country, Jazz, Classical..well, everything

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Sound: This is an absolutely killer instrument, congratulations to Gibson for working the details so well. This is as close as they've come yet to releasing a real "'59 Reissue", and it is scary-close to the real thing. The tone is "Beano" all the way (for all of you who know what that means), turn your Marshall or Tweed up to 10 and you're instantly in "Bluesbreakers" heaven. Feature: It has all the right vintage Les Paul stuff, great "'Burst" looks, the right weight (<9 lbs.), the right woods (except, boo hoo, Indian, not Brazilian rosewood on the board due to the CITES Treaty), and all the subtle little details that will bring a smile to anyone who's actually owned, seen or played an original '59 Les Paul sunburst. Ease of Use: For easy playing you just can't beat a Les Paul. Flip the switch to the bridge "Burstbucker", crank that amp and feel the love! Quality: This is such a great replica, they've even duplicated many of the little hand-made "goofs" that gave the original '50s Les Paul guitars such charm. Where it counts, however, items such as relief, intonation, etc. are spot on. Just be forewarned, the VOS guitas have been slightly aged (similar to a Fender Closet Classic) so expect little scratches, corrosion, etc. This is not for everyone, if you want a "shiny" new guitar, this isn't it. Value: Ok, I'm going to down-rate them a little, because these guitars are frankly very overpriced. However, "value" means you got what you paid for, and if you get this guitar it is likely going to be your favorite for a long, long time. Manufacturer Support: I contacted Gibson via their e-mail support about the only issue I have with the guiitar and they responded immediately, and positively. (Mine had been a photo demo and was missing the cord.) The Wow Factor: If you love old Les Pauls like I do, and who doesn't, this guitar one will make you swoon. A particular "bravo" to Gibson for great wood selection for the curly maple top, and a great reproduction of the original thin finish. If you didn't know better, when you open the fantastic original Lifton-style case you'd think you were staring at an original '59 sunburst, worth $250,000+. Overall: Since I started playing back in the early '60s I've owned 9 Les Pauls, including two original '50s Goltops and an original '60 Sunburst. I can't say enough good about how Gibson has produced this guitar to the original specs. Get one of these and love it to death, you won't get a better Les Paul at any price..other than an original!

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"My 1959 VOS Re-Issue" submitted January 27, 2012

By James Cramer in Pontiac, MI

Overall

Sound

Features

Ease of Use

Quality

Value

Manufacturer Support

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: 43 yrs. I jam with friends now, But I have played pro.

Music Style: Southern Rock/ Blues / Original. I was so excited that I actualy ownd this guitar that for 5 days all I could was look and admir

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SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

Overall: I got my 1959 Les Paul back in June 2011,and it is the greatest guitar I have ever played. Sure I played alot for it but it was worth every penny. I fell like this guitar was made just for me. Till death do us part.

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"A sure winner!!" submitted April 23, 2009

By a customer from tuskey.com

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Sound

Features

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Value

Musical Background: Active Musician

Music Style: Rock, Metal, Blues, Jazz, Country

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VERIFIED BUYER

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

Sound: Can't beat it! I'm not going to get technical about this guitar...who really wants to hear all that electrical, technical crap that's all opinionate anyway??!! The only thing that will make this guitar not sound good is you! ;-) Feature: The features this has are just what you'd expect if you're looking at this guitar. No frills, but who really needs 'em?! The whole spectrum of music can be covered with this guitar...maybe if you play death metal, you may wish to go with an RG1570 or something, but this one rules overall. Ease of Use: If you can move your hands then you can play this guitar... Quality: The only downside to this guitar, if you really want to call it that, is the 1/4" output jack faceplate doesn't take a lot of wear and tear of inputting or removing the line jack. Easy fix though, I just took the Gibson metal replacement part and a plastic faceplate and stacked them together (metal down first, then plastic plate). This gives the 'vintage' look of having the plastic plate visible, yet offers the durability of having the metal faceplate backing the plastic one. 10 minute mod from when I sat down to when I was plugged back in ;-) Value: Rated 10 because I only paid $3,800 for it brand new off the line. Top grain is perfectly matched on mine :-)) Manufacturer Support: Haven't had to use their support yet, hope I never do. Overall: No more searching for tone for this kid!! This guitar completed my rig to satisfaction :-)

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Gibson Custom Historic 1959 Les Paul Standard Vintage Original Spec Electric Guitar (with Case)

User Ratings

"The Holy Grail" submitted June 23, 2007

"As Good As A Les Paul Gets!!!!!!" submitted February 27, 2007

"My 1959 VOS Re-Issue" submitted January 27, 2012

"A sure winner!!" submitted April 23, 2009