The Gibson Custom Shop Greatest Hits Volume II PSL ’59 Les Paul Standard Reissue – Beauty of the Burst Page 58, Heavy Aged represents the pinnacle of historic reissue craftsmanship, faithfully recreating one of the most iconic original Bursts ever documented. Modeled after the legendary guitar featured on page 58 of Beauty of the Burst, this instrument captures not only the visual character of a well-played late-1959 Les Paul Standard, but also its unmistakable tone, resonance, and feel. Built to uncompromising Historic specifications, it stands as both a museum-level replica and a world-class player’s instrument.

At its foundation is the classic Les Paul body shape, constructed with a 2-piece hand-selected AAA figured maple top hide-glue fitted to a 1-piece lightweight mahogany back. With no weight relief, the guitar delivers the authoritative sustain, harmonic complexity, and midrange depth that define true vintage Bursts. The nitrocellulose lacquer finish, treated with a Heavy Aged process, authentically recreates decades of wear—featuring pronounced checking, softened edges, finish wear, and subtle patina that give the instrument the look and feel of a well-traveled original.

The mahogany neck is joined using a long tenon hide-glue fit, a critical component of vintage Les Paul construction that enhances resonance and note bloom. Carved to the 1959 Authentic Medium profile, measuring approximately .92" at the first fret and .98" at the 12th, the neck offers a substantial yet highly playable feel that balances vintage heft with comfort. A 24.75" scale length, nylon nut with a 1.687" width, and historically accurate proportions complete the neck, while the Indian rosewood fingerboard features a 12" radius, 22 historic medium-jumbo frets, and elegant cellulose nitrate trapezoid inlays.

Every detail of the hardware and plastics is recreated using period-correct materials. The guitar features nickel-finished hardware, including an ABR-1 bridge with nickel-plated brass saddles and a lightweight aluminum stop bar tailpiece, contributing to the guitar’s lively, open tonal response. Kluson single-line, single-ring tuners provide vintage-accurate aesthetics and reliable tuning stability. Authentic components such as the 1-ply Royalite binding, laminated cellulose acetate butyrate pickguard, M69 mounting rings, gold butyrate top hat knobs, amber Catalin switch tip, black Royalite control covers, and aluminum strap buttons complete the historically faithful presentation.

Electronics are equally uncompromising, featuring a matched pair of unpotted Custombucker pickups with Alnico III magnets in both the neck and bridge positions. These pickups deliver the open, airy highs, woody midrange complexity, and warm, touch-responsive low end that define legendary ’59 Burst tone. The guitar is wired with CTS 500K audio taper potentiometers, paper-in-oil capacitors, and premium Switchcraft components for the pickup selector and output jack, ensuring tonal authenticity and long-term reliability.

Strung with .010–.046 gauge strings and housed in a brown/pink reissue 5-latch case, the guitar also includes a Certificate of Authenticity, affirming its place among the most accurate and desirable Historic reissues ever produced. The Gibson Custom Shop Greatest Hits Volume II PSL ’59 Les Paul Standard Reissue – Beauty of the Burst Page 58 Heavy Aged is a stunning tribute to a true golden-era icon, offering the sound, feel, and soul of a legendary Burst in extraordinary detail.