The Gibson Custom Shop Greatest Hits Volume II 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue Murphy Lab in Ocean Magenta Light Aged is a breathtaking fusion of historic accuracy, elite craftsmanship, and striking visual character. Built as part of Gibson Custom’s highly coveted Greatest Hits series, this instrument pays meticulous tribute to the most celebrated electric guitar ever made—the 1959 Les Paul Standard—while showcasing a rare and captivating Ocean Magenta finish. Finished in nitrocellulose lacquer and treated with Murphy Lab Light Aging, the guitar displays authentic checking, subtle wear, and softened hardware that evoke the feel of a lovingly preserved original without sacrificing elegance or playability.

At the heart of this reissue is a two-piece, hand-selected AAA figured maple top, expertly fit to the body using traditional hide glue for maximum tonal transfer and resonance. The back is crafted from a single piece of lightweight mahogany with no weight relief, delivering the rich midrange, depth, and sustain that define a true ’59 Burst. Single-ply Royalite binding frames the classic Les Paul body shape, while the long tenon neck joint—also hide-glue fit—ensures exceptional coupling between neck and body, enhancing both sustain and harmonic complexity.

The mahogany neck is carved to Gibson’s authentic 1959 Medium profile, measuring approximately .92" at the first fret and .100" at the 12th, offering a substantial yet supremely comfortable feel that has become legendary among players. With a 24.75" scale length, the guitar retains the elastic string response and familiar Gibson slinkiness. An Indian rosewood fingerboard with a 12" radius and 22 historic medium-jumbo frets provides a smooth, broken-in feel ideal for expressive bends and articulate phrasing. Cellulose nitrate trapezoid inlays, a nylon nut, and period-correct fingerboard dimensions further reinforce the vintage-correct experience.

Electronics are equally faithful and refined, featuring a pair of unpotted Custombucker pickups with Alnico III magnets. These pickups deliver the open, airy highs, rich midrange bloom, and dynamic response that define the sound of a great ’59 Les Paul. Wired with CTS 500K audio taper potentiometers and paper-in-oil capacitors, the controls offer exceptional clarity and tonal range, responding beautifully to subtle changes in touch and volume. A Switchcraft 3-way pickup selector and output jack ensure professional-grade reliability and signal integrity.

Nickel hardware completes the vintage presentation, including the classic ABR-1 bridge with nickel-plated brass saddles and a lightweight aluminum stop bar tailpiece for enhanced resonance. Kluson single-line, single-ring tuners provide stable tuning with period-correct styling. Authentic materials abound, from the laminated cellulose acetate butyrate pickguard and M69 mounting rings to the amber Catalin switch tip, gold butyrate top hat knobs, Royalite control covers, aluminum strap buttons, and an authentic 1950s no-tube truss rod with stepped 2-ply cover.

The guitar ships in a brown and pink reissue 5-latch hardshell case and includes a Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity, underscoring its status as a true collector-grade instrument. With its rare Ocean Magenta finish, Murphy Lab aging, and uncompromising vintage accuracy, the Gibson Custom Shop Greatest Hits Volume II 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue stands as both a stunning visual statement and a deeply inspiring player’s guitar—capturing the soul, tone, and legacy of the original Burst in extraordinary detail.