What does VOS stand for on this Gibson guitar?

VOS stands for Vintage Original Spec. It refers to a specific finishing process where the nitrocellulose lacquer is left with a slight matte patina and the hardware is aged to look like a well-preserved vintage instrument.

What is the neck profile of the 1959 Les Paul Reissue?

It features an authentic '59 medium C-shape profile. This is generally regarded as a comfortable middle ground between the chunkier 1958 necks and the slimmer 1960 profiles.

Which pickups are installed in this model?

The guitar is equipped with Gibson Custombuckers. These are low-output humbuckers designed to replicate the touch sensitivity and harmonic richness of original 1950s PAF pickups.

What wood is used for the guitar body?

The body is made from solid mahogany, topped with a piece of figured maple. This combination is the standard for the Les Paul design, providing a blend of warmth and treble definition.

What is Dirty Lemon Burst?

Dirty Lemon is a finish that mimics a faded Cherry Sunburst. Over decades, the red aniline dye in original 1959 guitars would fade due to UV light, leaving behind a yellowish or 'lemon' tint with slight brown edges.

Are the fingerboard inlays made of plastic?

The inlays are made of cellulose nitrate trapezoids. This material is historically accurate to the 1950s and is used on Custom Shop models rather than the standard acrylic used on lower-tier models.

How does this compare to a Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s?

The Custom Shop Reissue uses higher-grade tonewoods, historically accurate long-tenon neck joints, and more precise electronics compared to the standard production line 50s models.

What bridge is used on the 1959 Reissue?

It features an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge. This bridge is mounted directly into the body with studs, consistent with the construction methods used in 1959.

Is the mahogany body weight-relieved?

No, the 1959 Reissue typically uses solid, non-weight-relieved mahogany. The Custom Shop selects lighter pieces of mahogany to ensure the guitar remains comfortable without needing internal cavities.

What kind of nut is used on this guitar?

The guitar uses a nylon nut, which is the period-correct material for a 1959 Les Paul. Nylon is known for its self-lubricating properties and vintage-correct tonal influence.

What is the typical price for a Gibson 1959 Les Paul Reissue VOS?

In the UK market, these instruments typically retail for approximately £5,499. This reflects their status as high-end, American-made Custom Shop instruments.

Who is this guitar best suited for?

This guitar is aimed at professional musicians, collectors, and enthusiasts seeking the most accurate recreation of a vintage 1959 Les Paul. It suits players who value historical detail and traditional humbucking tones.

Gear article

Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue VOS

The Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue is a premium electric guitar designed to replicate the specifications and feel of the original 1959 'Burst'. Featuring a figured maple top and Custombucker pickups, it is widely considered the pinnacle of Gibson's solid-body craftsmanship.

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Overview

The Gibson Custom 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue, specifically in the VOS Dirty Lemon finish, serves as a meticulous tribute to the most sought-after vintage guitar in existence. Built in the Nashville Custom Shop, this instrument focuses on historical accuracy, utilizing premium tonewoods and period-correct construction methods to emulate the performance of a late-fifties original. The VOS (Vintage Original Spec) treatment provides a light patina on the hardware and a dulled nitrocellulose finish to simulate decades of careful aging.

Design and Construction

This model is constructed with a solid mahogany body paired with a two-piece figured maple top. The choice of materials ensures a balance of resonance and clarity. The neck is carved to the authentic 1959 profile, which is often described as a 'Goldilocks' shape—neither as thick as the 1958 profile nor as slim as the 1960 version. It features a rosewood fingerboard adorned with cellulose nitrate trapezoid inlays, staying true to the aesthetic and tactile requirements of the era.

Electronics and Hardware

The guitar is equipped with Gibson's Custombucker pickups. These are specifically voiced to recreate the characteristics of the Patent Applied For (PAF) humbuckers found in original 1959 models, known for their rich harmonic overtones and low-output clarity. The hardware includes a lightweight aluminium stop bar tailpiece and an ABR-1 bridge, both finished with a faded patina to match the VOS aesthetic.

Sound and Character

The combination of a mahogany back and maple top yields a sound defined by warmth, sustain, and a distinctive 'snap' in the high frequencies. The Custombucker pickups allow for exceptional dynamic range, cleaning up well when the volume is rolled back while providing a creamy, harmonically dense distortion when pushed. The Dirty Lemon finish is inspired by vintage sunbursts where the red pigment has faded over time, revealing the amber and yellow tones of the maple beneath.

Market Context

Positioned at the top of the Gibson production hierarchy, this reissue competes with other high-end signature and custom instruments. While the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s P90 offers a more affordable entry into vintage-style Les Pauls, the 1959 Reissue occupies a higher tier due to its Custom Shop tolerances. It is often compared to other professional-grade instruments such as the Fender Custom Shop '61 Telecaster Relic or the Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster for players seeking a specific historical feel.

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Frequently asked questions

What does VOS stand for on this Gibson guitar?: VOS stands for Vintage Original Spec. It refers to a specific finishing process where the nitrocellulose lacquer is left with a slight matte patina and the hardware is aged to look like a well-preserved vintage instrument.
What is the neck profile of the 1959 Les Paul Reissue?: It features an authentic '59 medium C-shape profile. This is generally regarded as a comfortable middle ground between the chunkier 1958 necks and the slimmer 1960 profiles.
Which pickups are installed in this model?: The guitar is equipped with Gibson Custombuckers. These are low-output humbuckers designed to replicate the touch sensitivity and harmonic richness of original 1950s PAF pickups.
What wood is used for the guitar body?: The body is made from solid mahogany, topped with a piece of figured maple. This combination is the standard for the Les Paul design, providing a blend of warmth and treble definition.
What is Dirty Lemon Burst?: Dirty Lemon is a finish that mimics a faded Cherry Sunburst. Over decades, the red aniline dye in original 1959 guitars would fade due to UV light, leaving behind a yellowish or 'lemon' tint with slight brown edges.
Are the fingerboard inlays made of plastic?: The inlays are made of cellulose nitrate trapezoids. This material is historically accurate to the 1950s and is used on Custom Shop models rather than the standard acrylic used on lower-tier models.
How does this compare to a Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s?: The Custom Shop Reissue uses higher-grade tonewoods, historically accurate long-tenon neck joints, and more precise electronics compared to the standard production line 50s models.
What bridge is used on the 1959 Reissue?: It features an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge. This bridge is mounted directly into the body with studs, consistent with the construction methods used in 1959.
Is the mahogany body weight-relieved?: No, the 1959 Reissue typically uses solid, non-weight-relieved mahogany. The Custom Shop selects lighter pieces of mahogany to ensure the guitar remains comfortable without needing internal cavities.
What kind of nut is used on this guitar?: The guitar uses a nylon nut, which is the period-correct material for a 1959 Les Paul. Nylon is known for its self-lubricating properties and vintage-correct tonal influence.
What is the typical price for a Gibson 1959 Les Paul Reissue VOS?: In the UK market, these instruments typically retail for approximately £5,499. This reflects their status as high-end, American-made Custom Shop instruments.
Who is this guitar best suited for?: This guitar is aimed at professional musicians, collectors, and enthusiasts seeking the most accurate recreation of a vintage 1959 Les Paul. It suits players who value historical detail and traditional humbucking tones.