2016 Rick Nielsen 1959 Les Paul - Aged and Signed, #21 of 50

Sonic Evaluation

Though its rarity makes it a collector's item by default, this Rick Nielsen is an absolute juggernaught sonically! There are a lot of reasons it's great, but the first thing that grabs you is the richness of the overtone profile. It has a beautiful bouquet of harmonic content, so much so that when I took my hand off the fretboard after a couple long sustained notes with muting the strings, a high frequency harmonic kept ringing for...well, I got bored before it died, so I don't know how long. Speaking of which, this guitar has sustain for DAYS, and it's super acoustically resonant. The pick strike is very present and percussive, but it never sounds strident or harsh--more of a thoonk than a thwack, to put it in extremely technical terms.

The bridge pickup is punchy and open, with fantastic sparkle and chime, with great bite for rhythm work and stinging lead. The neck pickup warm and woody, with an open, throaty midrange and sweet highs, which lends lead lines plenty of mass while staying clear enough for rhythmic chording.

Basically, whether you're a Cheap Trick fan looking to snag one of Rick Nielsen's coolest signature models or a Les Paul lover looking for an insanely freaky Les Paul, you'll love this guitar! 

Condition Report

This rare signed Rick Nielsen '59 Les Paul is minty-fresh condition! It shows barely any signs of use, and it has no cosmetic flaws to report. It comes with its original hardshell case and a certificate of authenticity from the Gibson Custom Shop, too! 

• Serial Number

  RN021

• Brand Name

  Gibson Custom Shop

• Model

  2016 Rick Nielsen 1959 Les Paul - Aged and Signed

• Limited Edition

  #21 of 50 in this Limited Run

• Finish Color

  Nielsen Burst

• Finish Type

  Aged

• Weight

  8.21 lbs.

• Top Wood

  Carved Figured Maple attached with Hot Hide Glue

• Body Wood

  Mahogany

• Binding

  Single-Ply Cream on Top and Fingerboard

• Neck Dimensions

  .890 1st - 1.020 12th

• Neck Wood

  1-Piece Mahogany

• Neck Shape

  1959 Les Paul

• Fingerboard Wood

  Rosewood attached with Hot Hide Glue

• Fingerboard Radius

  12"

• Fingerboard Inlays

  Aged Nitrocellulose Trapezoids

• Frets

  22

• Scale Length

  24.75"

• Headstock

  True Historic Pegged Veneer

• Nut Material

  Nylon

• Width at Nut

  1 11/16"

• Pickups

  2 Custombuckers Tone-matched to Rick Nielsen's original '59 Les Paul

• Controls

  2 Volume, 2 Tone and 3-way Toggleswitch

• Tailpiece

  Lightweight Aluminum Stopbar

• Hardware

  Nickel

• Tuners

  Kluson Deluxe

• bridge

  ABR-1

• Pickguard

  Cream

• Unique Features

  Vintage Accurate Plastic Parts

• Case Candy

  Gibson Custom Shop COA, Numbered in Sequence and Signed by Rick Nielsen

• Case

  Original Gibson Custom Brown/Pink Hardshell