The Holy Grail
Lots of guitar players consider 1959 the pinnacle year for Gibson's mid-century solid body electric guitars, and no 1959 Gibson model is more famous than the sunburst Les Paul Standard. Though it was originally a commercial flop, the '59 Les Paul was eventually adopted by some the world's greatest guitarists--Jimmy Page, Duane Allman, Mike Bloomfield, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, and Billy Gibbons, just to name a few. The rarity and prestige of the model has pushed the values of original examples into the stratosphere. Gibson Custom’s 1959 Les Paul Standard is a painstakingly-accurate replica of these valuable guitars rendered in detail so intricate that even the chemical composition of the parts has been scientifically examined and re-engineered – and that’s just one small example. From a tonal and visual standpoint, owning a 2018 Gibson Custom Historic ’59 Les Paul Standard is as close as one can get to owning a priceless original. It's available in four beautiful sunburst variations in Gloss or VOS (vintage patina) finishes, and left-handed models are available as well.
Vintage Heart and Soul
The Gibson Custom Shop Historic Series has evolved so much since its inception. Over time, the Custom Shop team has gotten closer and closer to recreating the magic of the coveted vintage treasures of the late '50s and early '60s. Pulling inspiration from the various eras of production in their storied history, Gibson has managed to identify all the characteristics of a great Les Paul and put all them into one irresistible package. Thanks to their hide-glue construction to premium tone woods, these instruments are closer than ever to instruments that defined a generation and inspired millions. Building off of the presentation of the 2017 Les Paul Standard models, the all-new 2018 Historic Collection takes things to the next level with new neck profiles (including an all-new ’59 profile scanned from an original vintage treasure), period-correct fretwire and all new “Fade” finishes. Make no mistake, you don’t just see the difference–you FEEL it, too. Obsessively perfect, ultra-accurate aesthetic appointments compliment stellar finish options like aniline-dyed 1-piece mahogany backs, old-school deluxe Kluson tuners, and gorgeous maple tops to make these Les Pauls look and feel like vintage instruments. A pair of so-close-to-vintage-it’s-scary Custom Buckers complete the package by unleashing the rich harmonic content of these phenomenal instruments. Wildwood Guitars is proud to present the Gibson Custom Shop 2018 Historic Collection!
