1959 Gibson Les-Paul Custom

Built in 1959, this three-pickup Les Paul Custom is a remarkably clean and fully original example of Gibson’s iconic “Black Beauty”. As the company’s flagship solidbody model, the Custom combined a double-bound mahogany body finished in black with an ebony fingerboard, block inlays, a bound headstock, gold hardware and three PAF humbuckers — the unmistakable “tuxedo” specification that has come to define the model. The guitar is in exceptional 9/10 condition. It retains its original finish, untouched solder joints and all original components, with no cracks, breaks or repairs. Playwear is minimal, with only a few small marks and a cigarette burn on the bass side of the headstock. There is virtually no scratching or finish checking. All three original stickered PAF humbuckers retain their gold covers in excellent condition. The neck and middle pickup rings are stamped “MR 491 / M-69 7”, while the bridge ring is marked “MR 490 / M-69 8”. Further original appointments include black bell control knobs, a non-retainer ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge with metal saddles, stop tailpiece, Grover tuners and the original low-profile “Fretless Wonder” frets, which remain in fine playing condition. The original black pebble hardshell case with yellow lining is also exceptionally well preserved.
 
Acoustically, the guitar is loud, rich and highly resonant, with an immediate and dynamic response. The neck pickup is warm and full while retaining excellent articulation and note definition under a heavier attack. In the middle position, the factory out-of-phase combination of the bridge and middle pickups produces plenty of cut, upper-midrange character and the distinctive vocal “quack” associated with these three-pickup Customs. The bridge PAF is powerful and focused.
An outstanding collector-grade example of one of the most celebrated instruments from Gibson’s golden era.