I'm not really sure what to write that's not already been said about Gibson's Custom Shop. The guitar and case are absolutely flawless. Everything from the fret work, the finish, the hardware, everything is top notch and feels incredible. I was a little hesitant about dropping this much money on a guitar, but after playing this thing regularly now since I got it, I have zero regrets. If you want an older feeling Les Paul, and have no interest in buying an actual 58 for five digits, this is absolutely the best way to go. Take it from a skeptic, there is something magical in this guitar.

I’ve owned several high end production les Paul models and semi hollow, etc...and this 58 is unreal. You’re transported to a different time the moment you open the Lifton reissue case and are overwhelmed by the smell of sweet lacquer, very different from the modern formula used on current Gibson’s and even other nitro guitars from other brands. Immediately you notice the colors are amazing worn, faded broken in but still quite unique and visually stunning. The VOS treatment from the custom shop is unique. It’s has wear, rust a small ding or mark here or there, but only way to describe it is REAL...picture a guitar someone lovingly owned or played briefly and then put it in its case for 60 years....that’s VOS. The fret work is great, the neck feel and profile is ... MoreI’ve owned several high end production les Paul models and semi hollow, etc...and this 58 is unreal. You’re transported to a different time the moment you open the Lifton reissue case and are overwhelmed by the smell of sweet lacquer, very different from the modern formula used on current Gibson’s and even other nitro guitars from other brands. Immediately you notice the colors are amazing worn, faded broken in but still quite unique and visually stunning. The VOS treatment from the custom shop is unique. It’s has wear, rust a small ding or mark here or there, but only way to describe it is REAL...picture a guitar someone lovingly owned or played briefly and then put it in its case for 60 years....that’s VOS. The fret work is great, the neck feel and profile is truly ONE OF A KIND, there’s nothing else being made that feels like that neck. It’s a chunky neck that fits like a glove in your hand. Makes chording, leads bending a breeze and just feels like truly an old friend. The “plain top” is far from plain...it has a gorgeous flame, that loves to pay peek a boo, every angle reveals a little more of it and just gives it more depth!!! Lastly the pickups, being unpotted for the first time in 2019, makes a huge difference! It really does have genuine PAF, a good pair anyway (yes I’ve played real ones before), qualities. NO PEDALS NEEDED....I ran it through my fender custom shop 5w champ and I got everything from clean bright jazz to mean snarling FIRE....creamy goodness all around. Then I played her through my less costly bugera infinium to see the difference and the tonal qualities and dynamics were still there....i think if you can swing it...do it!!! Worth every penny, it’s really something special...all the hype insanity and price around these guitars is obviously based in something very real...will not disappoint.

A guitar masterpiece

The craftsmanship on this guitar is exquisite, there are no flaws. The action was low and the intonation perfect right out of the box. The tone through my Marshall Origin 20 is fabulous but I haven't had a chance to play it through my Orange amp yet.The VOS had me a bit worried because I hate rust on anything and some of the pictures showed rust all over the screws and elsewhere. This guitar has very little rust and it is generally hidden. For example, there are dabs of rust on the Tailpiece bolts. Otherwise, the tailpiece and pickups are still shiny and look great. The ice tea finish is a work of art and the mahogany neck is uniquely beautiful.

Best guitar ever

Overall:This is the best guitar I have ever played. It sounds amazing clean. It sounds amazing distorted. It is a gorgeous instrument. Everything about this guitar is top notch. The feel, sound, and even the smell. Many players overlook how a guitar smells. Take a whiff of this beauty.

Beyond Great

This guitar is amazing. I've owned it for a couple of months now. It is stunning visually and the neck feels broken in like I've been playing it for years. I own two other Gibson Les Pauls ('96 carved top Studio and a '00 Standard) which I'm am now planning to sell. They don't even compare. The Custom "S" Buckers sound fantastic...better that the other aftermarket PAFs that I have when playing through a Tone King Royalist 45C.The sustain on this instrument is incredible. It is noticeably more pronounced than on my 2000 Standard. The "plain top" has wondeful flame that really stands out. The weight is comfortable as well.David was incredibly helpful during the purchase of this guitar. It shipped quickly, was packaged securely, and arrived setup and needing only ... MoreThis guitar is amazing. I've owned it for a couple of months now. It is stunning visually and the neck feels broken in like I've been playing it for years. I own two other Gibson Les Pauls ('96 carved top Studio and a '00 Standard) which I'm am now planning to sell. They don't even compare. The Custom "S" Buckers sound fantastic...better that the other aftermarket PAFs that I have when playing through a Tone King Royalist 45C.The sustain on this instrument is incredible. It is noticeably more pronounced than on my 2000 Standard. The "plain top" has wondeful flame that really stands out. The weight is comfortable as well.David was incredibly helpful during the purchase of this guitar. It shipped quickly, was packaged securely, and arrived setup and needing only minor adjustments (it shipped mid-winter, so I expected this).Overall, I'm very pleased. I was forced to buy this guitar online, sight unseen due to COVID and CME came through. 10/10 would buy another from CME next time I have 6k to burn, haha.

Gibson 1958 lemon burst re-issue.

Absolute stunning guitar with a huge amount of sustain. I owned a les Paul deluxe model previous to this purchase and find this guitar much lighter considering it’s not weight relief. It is also so easy to play.The case is also fantastic.Slight negative if being picky is the quality control is still not up to scratch as the paint looks a little thin in places. But that’s Gibson unfortunately ,would expect better especially for a custom model. Past that If thinking of purchasing you won’t disappointed. Staff at pmt Cardiff were excellent and very professional, will be back.

Heavy, loud and perfect

I have had this guitar for about nine months now. I play it straight into a DRRI w/Celestion. I play blues, (early) rock & roll and reggae. The sound and playability is phenomenal. I would highly recommend this guitar to other players, especially for blues and jazz players. I don't play or listen to jazz myself but my parents do and I'm familiar enough with it. I would call the neck pickup "high output." The model I have was built I believe in mid-2019.

My dream guitar

I bought this very guitar from yourselves in September 2021. The looks, feel and tone are amazing. Of course it should be at this price point. Only down side was I didn't get the switch tips. Gibson must have forgotten to add them. I contacted PMT to tell them this but they hadn't got any spare ones either.

Pull the trigger

I was worried about two things when I bought this: (1) the boring, plain tops that come on many '58 reissues (as opposed to the flame/quilt tops on the '59s) and (2) the baseball-bat neck width. Worry #1 disappeared when I opened the case--the top on mine has a ton of flame and is anything but plain-looking. I couldn't be happier with that. And after playing this guitar for about 6-8 hours over the last three days, the neck width, while big, works just fine; it just feels a lot different from my other guitars, but it does not get in the way of playing, and I have average-size hands. The tone out of this thing is glorious, and I think that thick neck really contributes to it. I was thinking about adding covers to the pickups (not sure why Gibson left them off of a ... MoreI was worried about two things when I bought this: (1) the boring, plain tops that come on many '58 reissues (as opposed to the flame/quilt tops on the '59s) and (2) the baseball-bat neck width. Worry #1 disappeared when I opened the case--the top on mine has a ton of flame and is anything but plain-looking. I couldn't be happier with that. And after playing this guitar for about 6-8 hours over the last three days, the neck width, while big, works just fine; it just feels a lot different from my other guitars, but it does not get in the way of playing, and I have average-size hands. The tone out of this thing is glorious, and I think that thick neck really contributes to it. I was thinking about adding covers to the pickups (not sure why Gibson left them off of a purported '58 reissue), but I don't want to affect how this guitar sounds--it's about perfect. Note that this is a VOS, not a Gloss, model, so it has some very light aging and is not super shiny. The aging is only really noticeable on some of the metal parts. Only one, very minor complaint: some of the cherry/red dye on the back of the neck has rubbed into the white/cream binding, which is now pink in places and won't seem to come off. Not a big deal.... But really, this is a great guitar that I will have the rest of my life.

Worth every single dollar

I've owned everything from a 92' Les Paul Black Beauty 3 pick up, an 05' Classic 1960's reissue, to even the new JC era original USA series LP's. All amazing but each lacked something different. Whether it be a small detail, it was apparent. I was never sold on the Gibson Custom Shop due to the price, and I felt that the Classic series 60's reissue from the USA series was just as good just need some upgrades in capacitors and pup's. I was even more impressed with the new JC era USA series!And then I played this thing. Absolutely a different ball park! This resonated like a well broken in guitar, the nitro felt perfect to play especially on the neck. It didn't feel tacky and plastic like on the USA standard nitro finishes. And man... the type of mahogany used..... ... MoreI've owned everything from a 92' Les Paul Black Beauty 3 pick up, an 05' Classic 1960's reissue, to even the new JC era original USA series LP's. All amazing but each lacked something different. Whether it be a small detail, it was apparent. I was never sold on the Gibson Custom Shop due to the price, and I felt that the Classic series 60's reissue from the USA series was just as good just need some upgrades in capacitors and pup's. I was even more impressed with the new JC era USA series!And then I played this thing. Absolutely a different ball park! This resonated like a well broken in guitar, the nitro felt perfect to play especially on the neck. It didn't feel tacky and plastic like on the USA standard nitro finishes. And man... the type of mahogany used..... didn't feel like a boat anchor, and the grain gave you the indication that this was the good stuff. To top it off (no pun intended), the flame on the maple top was easily a AAA+, and on the official Gibson website description say they are supposed to be plain tops. I had to take this home after a week of thinking about it since the first time I played it, (also had to pick up a Korina wood 52' AV tele impromptu haha). This guitar alone literally justified me selling off all my other LP's ( insert quality of quantity quote ). Gibson is most definitely back on track and in the right direction.