Up for sale, a 2014 Gibson Custom Shop '59 reissue Les Paul Standard in exceptional, near mint condition and in perfect working order. This "R9" reissue comes from Gibson's VOS (Vintage Original Spec) series of instruments, and this model in particular is the pinnacle of Gibson's Custom Shop quality. With a premium carved maple top, non-weight relieved one-piece mahogany body, Custombucker PAF reissue humbuckers, meaty '59 neck profile, and a stunning nitro lacquer Bourbon Burst finish. This Les Paul truly delivers on the promise of its heritage and legacy. This guitar comes complete with its original Lifton-style brown form-fit hardshell case, certificate of authenticity, paperwork, and hangtags! Tonally, everything stems from the acoustic properties of the instrument, and this Les Paul has a clear and pronounced voice when strummed unplugged, with great bark in the low end, and full, round sounding plain strings that deliver plenty of zing and also a richness that makes lead lines come through with great clarity and body. Weighing in at 9lbs 4oz and balancing well on a strap, this guitar makes the most of the classic tone wood combination of a carved maple top on a solid mahogany body. The sound is clear, lively, and harmonically complex in all registers, and the original Custombucker pickups do an excellent job of capturing everything we love about the sound of a true, vintage Les Paul Standard. There's plenty of power and articulation in the bridge position, with thick and round sounds from the neck pickup that are ideal for lead work while still staying defined. Both pickups deliver the great string to string balance and clarity that the guitar inherently has acoustically as well. Of course the other main factor to consider when purchasing a Flame Top Gibson is the quality of the maple and the particular figuring that makes each Les Paul visually unique. This top will satisfy players who want a clean, stately look, but also appreciate the intense, three-dimensional figuring that this model offers under the Custom Shop banner. The Bourbonburst finish fades from deep amber, to red, to black and has a bit more saturation than an Ice Tea Burst, but more yellow and red than a Tobaccoburst. The bound Indian rosewood fretboard has correct vintage spec pearloid trapezoid inlays, as well as stock fretwire that shows zero wear, with perfectly rounded crowns. The guitar plays up the neck perfectly, with no buzzing or dead spots, and bending is effortless. Notes sing out clearly even when bending to the far edges of the fretboard without choking out, and the sustain of the guitar is truly phenomenal. The stock nut is a full 1 11/16" in width, and ideally spaced for comfortable chording and accurate lead work up the neck. The headstock has the correct 17 degree angle, holly veneer, stock truss rod cover, and original Kluson Deluxe single line tuning machines with transparent pearloid tulip buttons. All of the electronics work as they should, with stock pickups, and a pair of the famed "Bumblebee" tone capacitors. The nickel hardware has the lightly brushed appearance as applied from the factory with minty pickup covers, ABR-1 bridge, and tailpiece. The aged plastic hardware is also minty, with the stock pickup rings, pickguard, and amber bell knobs present. Cosmetically, this instrument has been sparingly played since new, with only a few faint finish scratches in the clear coat of the lacquer on the back, but that's just about it! You could easily find guitars for sale "new" on the showroom floor with more wear. Also worth noting, the vintage spec Aniline dye used in the finish has bled into the neck binding, turning it a light reddish color, something very common with virtually all vintage and Custom Shop reissue examples and another sign that you're getting the genuine article. The original hardshell case, hand written COA, hangtags, and paperwork is included.