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Gibson Les Paul 1959 VOS

We've featured this model before, but some guitars deserve special attention! The 59 VOS Les Paul is simply one of the finest instruments in Gibson's catalogue. This piece, with it's beautiful Iced Tea Burst finish, is the nicest one I've seen yet. It exemplifies all the characteristics of a Les Paul done right. As with all VOS models, Gibson has gone to painstaking lengths to faithfully recreate the original 1959 specs. The weight, neck profile, and balance all feel right.

I decided to sit down and spend some time with the 59 VOS and put it through its paces. I've always been drawn to a guitar that makes it's presence felt; the kind of guitar that can't be mistaken for anything else. Playing this Les Paul was exactly such an experience. Every note had the kind of weight behind it that only a truly great Les Paul can offer.

I found myself playing differently than usual. I would let notes sustain a little longer. I dug in with my pick a little harder. It's like the guitar was asking me to throw more and more at it. So I did, and it handled it with ease. Their is a raw power to this guitar that made me keep reaching for the volume dial on my amp and turning it up. I just wanted to hear "more".

This Gibson 1959 VOS Les Paul is an absolute monster of a guitar. Playing an instrument like this makes it easy to understand why so many other companies have spent decades trying to copy this design. Unlike some of the competition however, Gibson got it right.

- Nevin Douglas

Specifications

Gibson VOS '59 Les Paul Reissue - Figured Top

* 1 11/16" wide nut
* Bound Madagascar rosewood fingerboard
* Period correct trapezoid inlays
* Vintage-style, vintage-profile fret wire
* Historically accurate thin fingerboard binding
* Historically accurate carved arch
* Period correct height of the binding in the cutaway
* Accurately sized back control pocket route
* Historically accurate 1/2-inch wire channel from toggle switch to control pocket
* 5/8-inch heel with accurate heel shape
* Correct distance between pickups
* Historically accurate bridge, tailpiece, and control holes
* Correctly tapered headstock with tuner holes in a straight line
* 3/8-inch back-edge radius
* Period correct shallow neck angle for lower bridge height
* 8.45 pounds overall guitar weight