Gibson Les Paul Special, Cherry (1959)

1959 Gibson Les Paul Special in original Cherry finish!

This marks the first full production year of the double cut style Les Paul model, which made its official debut in mid/late 1958 in the Junior model. While the single cut Special was almost exclusively finished in TV (Yellow), the double cut variants came in both Cherry and TV finish through 1961, when the full thickness slab Mahogany body gave way to the new SG shape.

This particular '59 LP Special shows the "v2" incarnation of the double cut model, with the neck pickup rout almost directly abutting the edge of the fingerboard and with the elongated control layout. It features a neck carve closer to that of a '58 - thicker 1st position profile with a lean taper a moderate shoulders - ink stamped serial number, and true 50s rolled plastics. This particular '59 LP Special shows the "v2" incarnation of the double cut model, with the neck pickup rout almost directly abutting the edge of the fingerboard and with the elongated control layout. It features a neck carve closer to that of a '58 - thicker 1st position profile with a lean taper a moderate shoulders - ink stamped serial number, and true 50s rolled plastics.

For whatever reason, these double cut Juniors and Specials tend to have a more aggressive and powerful voice, and this Special does not disappoint! However, it can cop some deceptively chimey and clear tones with the right rig, and that's what can make some of these models really stand out in the crowd.

The original P90 pickups are truly excellent sounding - a fat, warm neck pickup and a stout, punchy bridge pickup complement each other wonderfully. Output is strong, too! Into a high headroom amp you'll get all that sparkle and definition, but it's when you've got things cooking with a great Tweed Fender or Marshall that this guitar really shows what it's capable of.

The guitar has evidence of a small repair on the bass-side edge of the heel where a sliver of mahogany had chipped out. It was reglued long ago along with some very minor touchup around the heel and is completely stable. Otherwise, the neck/tenon joint is solid! The original Cherry finish shows lacquer checking throughout, with various small nicks, dings, and scuffs. Overall, it presents quite clean for its age and evidence of years of playtime.