Introduction
First introduced in 1958, the 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard has cemented its place as one of the most revered and sought-after electric guitars of all time. Though originally a commercial failure, the ’59 Les Paul has gone on to achieve mythical status among guitarists and collectors. Its magical combination of crafted woodwork, innovative electronics, and unmistakable sustain make it an instrument like no other.
The ’59 Les Paul was the pinnacle of Gibson’s original run of Les Paul Standards from 1958 to 1960, now known as the "Bursts" due to their eye-catching sunburst finishes. It featured several innovations including the versatile humbucker pickup and a slim-profile neck joint for improved upper fret access. Visually, the ’59 can be identified by its dark cherry sunburst finish and desirable flame maple cap.
Over the years, the ’59 Les Paul has been favored by countless guitar icons including Duane Allman, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Gary Moore, and Slash. Its thick, singing tone can be heard all over classic rock, blues, and heavy metal records. From Led Zeppelin to Lynyrd Skynyrd, the ’59 Les Paul remains an indispensable tool for crafting the ultimate rock guitar tone.
The Golden Era: Gibson Les Paul "Burst" 1958-1960
The late 1950s marked a golden era for the Gibson Les Paul guitar, with the creation of the iconic "Burst" models from 1958-1960. After struggling commercially in the early 1950s, Les Paul models were redesigned in 1958 under the supervision of new president Ted McCarty. Seeking to revitalize the flagging solid-body electric guitar line, McCarty instituted several changes that resulted in the Les Paul’s "Burst" era.
First, Gibson switched from the heavier Les Paul Model body to a new, thinner, lighter-weight body design with a double-cutaway for easier upper fret access. This mahogany body contributed to the Les Paul’s legendary sustain and warm tone. Gibson also began implementing a maple top on some models, adding brightness and bite to the mahogany’s depth. The combination of mahogany and maple became the hallmark of Gibson’s ‘Burst’ models.
The most noticeable change was the new "Sunburst" finish, created by applying darker shades of paint on the top that gradually lightened toward the edges. This beautiful finish became synonymous with the Les Paul Standard and added to the mystique of the ‘Burst’ models. Other distinctive features included the PAF humbucker pickups, long neck tenon for increased resonance, and smaller headstock for minimized headstock dive.
The redesigned Les Paul Standard ‘Bursts’ from 1958-1960 represented the pinnacle of Gibson’s craftsmanship. Their rich, singing tone made them highly desirable and influential. Iconic musicians like Duane Allman, Mike Bloomfield, Eric Clapton, and Keith Richards all used ‘Bursts’ to forge new sounds and styles of electric blues rock guitar. Though short-lived, the ‘Burst’ Les Pauls made a monumental impact.
The Mystique of the 1959 Les Paul Standard
The 1959 Les Paul Standard stands apart from earlier and later years due to several key details that contribute to its legendary status. First and foremost is the unique aging process and "magical" tonal qualities that developed in the mahogany and maple over time. The wood grains in the ’59 models resonated and opened up as the guitars matured, creating a richness, complexity, and sweetness of tone unmatched by earlier or later Les Pauls.
Many guitarists and collectors describe an almost mystical, vocal-like quality in the 1959 Les Pauls, with a singing sustain and incredible harmonic content. As the woods aged, the guitars took on a maturity and depth that seemed to reach its peak in ’59. This is why vintage ’59 Les Pauls have such a sublime, almost three-dimensional quality to their tone.
Beyond just the woods, the pickups also played a role. The original PAF humbuckers from 1959 are revered for their balanced and singing tone, with just the right blend of warmth and articulation. Part of the magic comes from the aging of the magnets and coils over decades of play.
All of these factors contribute to the "Holy Grail" reputation of the 1959 Les Paul Standard. It represents a perfect storm of craftsmanship, materials, aging, and mystique. Their rarity also plays a role, as only approximately 1700 Les Paul Standards were produced in 1959 before the model was discontinued in 1960. For many guitarists, owning a mint ’59 Les Paul represents the pinnacle of the electric guitar world. More than any other instrument, the ’59 Les Paul Standard has that elusive mojo and soul that players and collectors constantly chase.
Notable 1959 Les Paul Standards
The 1959 Les Paul Standard is revered not just as a model, but for the stories and legacies behind individual guitars from that year. Here are some of the most famous and coveted 1959 Les Pauls:
The Rocky Mountain Burst
Owned by Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, this ’59 Les Paul has a vibrant flame maple top with a sunburst finish fading to a lemon yellow. The name comes from the Colorado mountains pictured on the case when Gilmour purchased it. With its original PAF pickups, this guitar was used to record classic Pink Floyd albums like Wish You Were Here.
Sunny
Eric Clapton’s legendary "Sunny" features a light tobacco sunburst finish. It was owned by singer Roy Buchanan before Clapton acquired it in the late 60s. He used it to record his Blues Breakers album and with Cream. The name "Sunny" came from Clapton’s girlfriend at the time.
Standard #9 0435
This ’59 Les Paul was originally owned by Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green. Its warm, throaty tone shaped the band’s early blues rock sound. Later owned by Gary Moore, who played it extensively. Still has the original pickup and electronics. Known for its well-balanced sound.
Reissues and Replicas
Gibson has gone to great lengths over the years to try to recreate the magic of the 1959 Les Paul Standard. From limited edition reissues to the Custom Shop’s extensive Historic series, Gibson has produced many models aimed at capturing the look, feel, and tone of the original ’59 Les Paul.
The Gibson Custom Shop is responsible for producing painstaking recreations of vintage classics like the ’59 Les Paul. Master builders carefully study original examples to replicate every spec and detail. Custom Shop models utilize premium materials and parts to mirror the craftsmanship of the past.
Many Custom Shop Historic reissues go through specialized aging and distressing processes intended to recreate the worn look and feel of a vintage guitar. Gibson’s proprietary VOS (Vintage Original Spec) finish aims to mimic the checking and cracking of 50+ year old nitrocellulose lacquer. The acclaimed Murphy Lab perfected techniques to artificially age wood and hardware, adding playing wear that takes decades to develop naturally.
While reissues come extremely close to the real thing, there are slight differences. The Custom Bucker pickups, while based on vintage PAFs, have their own unique sound. The feel and resonance of a new guitar takes time to develop. And of course, no amount of artificial aging truly replicates the magical mojo of an original 1959 Les Paul that’s been played for over half a century.
For players seeking ’59 tone on a budget, Epiphone’s 1959 Les Paul Standard outfitted with Alnico Classic humbuckers is a great value. The Epiphone may lack the fit, finish and nuance of a true Gibson, but still delivers classic Les Paul sound and vibe at a fraction of the price.
Buying a 1959 Les Paul
While few can afford an original 1959 Les Paul Standard due to their astronomical value, there are still options for players seeking to capture the magic of the ’59 at more reasonable prices.
Original 1959 Les Pauls in good condition routinely sell for over $200,000 at major guitar auctions. Even examples with replaced parts or heavy wear still command prices in the six figures. This high value stems from their rarity, historic significance, and unrivaled tone. Only approximately 1700 Les Paul Standards were made in 1959, making originals extremely scarce.
More affordable alternatives include Gibson Custom Shop reissues, which provide exceptional quality and attention to vintage detail. These can be purchased new for $4000-6000 or sometimes less on the used market. Epiphone also offers overseas-made models inspired by the ’59, which sell for around $800-1200 new. While not equivalent to a real ’59, they aim to recreate some of its mojo.
For those with smaller budgets, used Gibson Tribute or Studio models from the 2000s with ’59-style features routinely sell for $1200-1800. With a pickup swap to PAF-style humbuckers, they can get quite close to the classic ’59 sound. There are also many modders who specialize in modifying guitars for vintage accuracy.
The most important thing is trying out different ’59-inspired guitars in person to find the right fit. While the original is peerless, the magic of a 1959 Les Paul can be captured without breaking the bank. The right instrument combined with the player’s hands, ears and technique is the real key to unlocking that legendary tone.
The Legacy of the 1959 Les Paul Standard
The 1959 Les Paul Standard has left an enduring legacy and continues to influence both music and culture more than 60 years after its original release. Its popularity has not waned over the decades, cementing its status as one of the most iconic and sought-after electric guitars ever made.
Part of the 1959 Les Paul’s legacy stems from its impact on various music genres. Its versatile tone shaped the sounds of rock, blues, jazz, metal, and even indie music. The 1959 Les Paul was used to record some of the most famous guitar riffs and solos in history across these genres. From the bluesy licks of Eric Clapton to the heavy metal tones of Zakk Wylde, the ’59 Les Paul has been the guitar of choice for countless iconic musicians.
Even as music trends have come and gone, the 1959 Les Paul has endured as the benchmark for electric guitars. Modern rock and metal bands still seek out original ’59 Les Pauls, reissues, and replicas to achieve that legendary tone. The guitar’s design and electronics represent the pinnacle of electric guitar engineering in the late 1950s. This perfect combination of craftsmanship and materials has yet to be surpassed, even with modern manufacturing techniques.
For guitarists and collectors, owning an original 1959 Les Paul represents the "holy grail." Even entry-level players aspire to own a reissue one day. The guitar carries an allure matched by few other instruments. The 1959 Les Paul Standard remains influential after all these years simply because it is still considered the greatest electric guitar ever produced. It set the standard that all others try to match.
Tone and Playability
The 1959 Les Paul Standard has a mythical status when it comes to its tone and playability. Many guitarists consider its tonal qualities to be unmatched and "magical." The ’59 Les Paul is known for its warm, rich, singing tone. It has incredible sustain and a very vocal-like midrange. The mahogany body and maple cap combination produces a rounded, mellow sound with a lot of depth. The slightly underwound PAF pickups have a smooth, creamy character with tons of clarity. There’s an effortless sweetness to the 1959 Les Paul’s tone that players chase after to this day.
In terms of playability, the ’59 Les Paul has a slim, fast neck profile that allows for easy, comfortable playing up and down the fretboard. The frets are medium-small for great bending control. Despite its lightweight build, the body contours and carve provide a very balanced feel. The ’59 Les Paul seems to "play itself" and feels like an extension of the guitarist’s hands.
There is much debate among guitarists about whether the ’59 Les Paul’s legendary tone and feel are fact or myth. Some claim the mystique is overblown and that exceptional examples can be found across different eras of Les Pauls. Others insist there is an undeniable magic in the ’59s that reflects a golden age of craftsmanship. While the debate continues, the 1959 Les Paul remains the holy grail and benchmark that all others are measured against. Most players agree that even if the magic is partly myth, the 1959 Les Paul embodies the ultimate guitar tone and playability in the minds and hands of musicians across generations.
Rarity and Collectability
The 1959 Les Paul Standard is one of the rarest and most collectible electric guitars in the world, with only 643 units produced that year. This extremely limited production run contributes greatly to the 1959 model’s astronomical values on the vintage guitar market. There are several key factors that make original 1959 Les Pauls so scarce and expensive:
Limited Production Numbers
Gibson only produced 643 Les Paul Standards in 1959, a tiny number compared to Fender’s mass production of Stratocasters and Telecasters. Low production numbers inherently make any vintage instrument more rare and desirable to collectors. The exceptional quality of the ’59 Les Pauls further compounds this scarcity.
The Shift to SG Body Style
1959 was the last year Gibson made the original single cutaway Les Paul design. In 1960, they changed to the thinner, double-cutaway SG body style. This makes the ’59 the last of the original Les Pauls, adding to its mystique.
Loss and Damage Over Time
Decades of hard use, modifications, and accidents have led to many vintage ’59 Les Pauls being lost, destroyed, or damaged beyond repair. This dwindling supply has driven up values on remaining examples, especially those in good condition.
Famed Guitars and Their Stories
The rich history behind individual ’59 Les Pauls also adds to their value and collectability. Famed examples include Peter Green’s "Greeny" used to record iconic Fleetwood Mac songs, and the "Sunburst" Les Paul used extensively by Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band. The stories and provenance behind these scarce vintage guitars make them highly sought after by collectors.
In essence, the 1959 Les Paul Standard is a perfect storm of limited production numbers, shifting company priorities, and legendary musical history. This "holy grail" status continues to make original examples some of the most valuable guitars ever produced.
Conclusion
The 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard remains one of the most significant and appealing electric guitars ever made. Often referred to as the "Holy Grail" of electric guitars, the ’59 Les Paul has earned an almost mythical status among guitarists and collectors. Its magical tone and playability, combined with its rarity, make it the pinnacle of guitar making for many enthusiasts.
While original 1959 Les Pauls sell for astronomical prices these days, the legacy of this instrument lives on through more affordable reissues and inspired models. This allows the 1959’s spirit to inspire new generations of guitarists around the world. The Les Paul design itself has become iconic, copied by countless brands over the decades.
In the end, the 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard’s enduring popularity comes down to its exceptional ability to capture the hearts and minds of guitarists. There’s just something special about the way a ’59 Les Paul looks, feels, and sounds. It represents the electric guitar at its finest, possessing a certain magic that sparks creativity and musical expression. For these reasons, the 1959 Les Paul will continue to be revered, sought after, and inspiring guitarists worldwide for decades to come.