I never leave reviews, after receiving this guitar and examining the beauty and perfection I had to leave one.. The fifth and finish our flawless. Everything about this guitar says perfection from the tip to the viral. It arrived perfect in the box perfectly packaged even in tune. I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of detail page in there quality control department. Yes the cost is steep at $5,000 but it is an investment. Don't think of it as a purchase think of it as a family airline that you can play for years and years and it will only increase in value. The pickups are fantastic, the neck is so perfect and the weight is spot on.

2017 Wine Red Les Paul Custom

Overall:In a word: ******* amazing. No matter the price, you would think a guitar sitting in a warehouse for any length of time would need a setup. Not with this Wine Red Les Paul Custom! The only caveat is it was completely out of tune (to be expected); a little "nut sauce" and it was good as gold. And that lacquer smell still haunts my house! Well worth it...Mere words are not enough to describe the sound and the power with this guitar. It blows away my 2014 Traditional (a nice guitar in its own right); it is not even a comparison. The neck is so much easier to play. Fit and finish are flawless. In closing: save your money, eat Ramen noodles for a year if you must, wear your hole-in-the-crotch jeans for as long as necessary and BUY THIS GUITAR!

A great guitar for a fraction of the price

I am surprised at how good it sounds. I have a real Gibson and this sounds pretty darn close. 99.9% of people probably couldnt tell the difference. I cant tell unless I play them side by side. Overall workmanship of the guitar is really high, again surprisingly. It has a couple of the telltale fake attributes like the binding doesnt go over the frets and the insignia on the headstock isnt quite in the right place, but they are such small issues its not really a big deal. The guitar did need to be set up badly. Action was high and there was a little too much relief in the neck. Once that was done its great. Overall really pleased with the sound and quality of the guitar for what I paid.

A must-have for studio guitarists

Let me start by saying that this guitar is not for everybody. I think some of the glamour this guitar gets is because people write reviews before they play it for hours, gig, record, rehearse, jam, etc. over a number of years. It is also possible that someone who just laid $5000 on a guitar is likely to give a glowing recommendation so they don't feel shortchanged. Don't get me wrong. This is a fantastic guitar, but it doesn't cater to everyone. I have owned this guitar for about 10 years and I know the ins and outs of this thing. You will not play this standing up for extended periods of time. It is heavy, and I am fairly young. Chances are you are over 40 if you are interested in this thing, so you probably won't be able to gig with this without a lighter backup ... MoreLet me start by saying that this guitar is not for everybody. I think some of the glamour this guitar gets is because people write reviews before they play it for hours, gig, record, rehearse, jam, etc. over a number of years. It is also possible that someone who just laid $5000 on a guitar is likely to give a glowing recommendation so they don't feel shortchanged. Don't get me wrong. This is a fantastic guitar, but it doesn't cater to everyone. I have owned this guitar for about 10 years and I know the ins and outs of this thing. You will not play this standing up for extended periods of time. It is heavy, and I am fairly young. Chances are you are over 40 if you are interested in this thing, so you probably won't be able to gig with this without a lighter backup guitar. It also has a very thick neck: which is great if you are sitting down or playing slow, but can be a burden if you are playing for extended periods of time. Middle Pickup does take some getting used to if you play rhythm. I went the bigsby route and again, not for everyone. It is a hassle to restring this thing and has tuning problems if I don't use a thicker gauge of strings. The gold hardware fades fairly quickly but that doesn't bother me too much. This is just my opinion, but I feel like I have to single this guitar out over my others. I am not the type to ever let a guitar sit in its case or behind glass, but it is a historical reissue, very expensive, and can potentially be worth 10 times what I paid for it in 50 years if I take care of it. So when I gig with it I have to take extra precautions to make sure it stays in perfect condition. I can bang a strat up any day but I feel like I have to baby this thing to preserve its virtue. Now if you can see past most of that then this may be the guitar for you. It is extremely versatile, and you can't really pin a specific style that it is made for because it does them all very well. With a good set of flat wounds, you would think this thing was born to play jazz as well as a gibson super 400. The good thing is that most jazz players are sitting down, so you don't have to worry about its weight. This is almost mil-spec to the les paul jimmy paige played so you know it can play rock. Blues is a no-brainer and it does surprisingly well in country. It also handles most modern effects very well. The only styles I wouldn't recommend are most types of metal. This is a must-have for all studio guitarists.

Incredible Piece of Modern History

Playing mostly high output Jacksons and an ESP Lynch Kamikaze, I had wanted a Les Paul again for a more traditional sound and shape but I never liked the feel of any I had tried out in store off the rack over the recent years for the price.I finally decided to pull the trigger on this one and I was able to trade in/trade up at Guitar Center with some nice gear that I didn't use as much anymore which made the 59 VOS Custom Shop Historic Reissue a bit more "affordable" to me.The Gibson custom shop has created an amazing instrument with these 59 reissues. I have never played an original burst so I cannot make a comparison in that context but this guitar is flawless with an incredible build quality and attention to original detail. The custom buckers have an amazing ... MorePlaying mostly high output Jacksons and an ESP Lynch Kamikaze, I had wanted a Les Paul again for a more traditional sound and shape but I never liked the feel of any I had tried out in store off the rack over the recent years for the price.I finally decided to pull the trigger on this one and I was able to trade in/trade up at Guitar Center with some nice gear that I didn't use as much anymore which made the 59 VOS Custom Shop Historic Reissue a bit more "affordable" to me.The Gibson custom shop has created an amazing instrument with these 59 reissues. I have never played an original burst so I cannot make a comparison in that context but this guitar is flawless with an incredible build quality and attention to original detail. The custom buckers have an amazing warm sound to them and the volume and tone controls really work well to adjust the nuances of your sound. I love playing guitars with low action and this one was set up that way on delivery so I didn't have to make any adjustments. It felt and played perfectly right out of the box and I knew I would have no remorse buying this high end instrument.I picked the dirty lemon color which to me is beautiful in and of itself and reminds me of the original bursts that have faded out over time. The appearance really captures the vintage vibe that Gibson is presenting here. The maple top is a little more subtle than a lot of the top of the line figured maple tops you might you see today but that is consistent with many of the original 59s. The VOS (vintage original sheen) finish adds to the historical appearance of the parts and body.The guitar is priced at the higher end for sure, relative to your own individual situation, however, this will be one beautiful instrument that you will want to keep for a lifetime and it is harder to put a price on a guitar like that. You certainly get what you pay for here in my opinion.

Review of Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom in Alpine White

This guitar is by far the best I own. It played perfectly out of the box. It is the 2022 70th anniversary model and looks stunning. The case is plain black with a small metal tag with the Gibson logo which I like. I watched Ben Eller's Youtube video where he bought the same model in black ebony and I decided to pull the trigger and I am not disappointed this guitar is a keeper.

Simply Amazing

Just bought one of these about a week and a half ago. It's my very first Les Paul. I've been playing guitar for nearly 30 years, and for the first time, I understand why people spend money on high end Gibson guitars. My Silverburst required a slight truss rod adjustment out of the box, but other than that... all I can say is "Wow!" The richlite fretboard impressed me so much that I have started looking for other guitars that use it. It just feels like magic under your fingers. Sounds great, looks great, feels great. I believe I even prefer it to ebony for playability. String bends have never been so easy.My band plays mostly rock/metal. With distortion, the punch from this guitar will knock your socks off. At home I jam a lot of blues tracks, and the rich, warm ... MoreJust bought one of these about a week and a half ago. It's my very first Les Paul. I've been playing guitar for nearly 30 years, and for the first time, I understand why people spend money on high end Gibson guitars. My Silverburst required a slight truss rod adjustment out of the box, but other than that... all I can say is "Wow!" The richlite fretboard impressed me so much that I have started looking for other guitars that use it. It just feels like magic under your fingers. Sounds great, looks great, feels great. I believe I even prefer it to ebony for playability. String bends have never been so easy.My band plays mostly rock/metal. With distortion, the punch from this guitar will knock your socks off. At home I jam a lot of blues tracks, and the rich, warm tones just coat you in smoothness. I actually crave practice time. The action is impeccable, the quality is amazing, the pots are smooth, and all of the hardware is top notch. It's a lot of money to spend, and I was worried about having some buyers remorse, but once I got it in my hands, I haven't had a single regret.To top off all the great craftsmanship and quality, the finish on this thing is impressive. I have yet to find a picture online that does it justice. Having the silverburst finish on the back just ads to the experience, and the deep, glossy nitrocellulose lacquer finish has so much depth, it almost seems as though you could dip your finger into the finish.If you have the means, I would highly recommend this guitar. Give the guys at Private Reserve a call. I'd like to say thanks to Derek White for all your help. Derek sent me pictures of the specific guitar I ended up ordering. He also played it for me and was able to offer some feedback on it. The Private Reserve group at Musician's Friend isn't a gimmick. They're great to work with.Thank you, Gibson, and thank you, Musician's Friend/Private Reserve!

Surely compared to a piece of ART!

I've owned a Fender Stratocaster for over 20 years (mexican) version. It does not in any means compare to this Gibson Les Paul Custom. The Fender has no comparison to the quality sound emminating from this innovative guitar. Thanks Gibson for producing it. I salute our deceased dear Mr. Les Paul, the legendary father & inventor of the electric guitar. I regret not purchasing this guitar years ago. Folks if you're a serious guitar entheiusist don't waste your hard earned money on cheap immitations, You've worked hard to earn your money. If you're ready to invest in a guitar that increases in value, then this model is the one you'll be completely satisfied and then some! Wow, I am so honored to own a piece of "Americana" that gives me pleasure without fading or ... MoreI've owned a Fender Stratocaster for over 20 years (mexican) version. It does not in any means compare to this Gibson Les Paul Custom. The Fender has no comparison to the quality sound emminating from this innovative guitar. Thanks Gibson for producing it. I salute our deceased dear Mr. Les Paul, the legendary father & inventor of the electric guitar. I regret not purchasing this guitar years ago. Folks if you're a serious guitar entheiusist don't waste your hard earned money on cheap immitations, You've worked hard to earn your money. If you're ready to invest in a guitar that increases in value, then this model is the one you'll be completely satisfied and then some! Wow, I am so honored to own a piece of "Americana" that gives me pleasure without fading or diminishing! Call Musicican's Friend, a highly reputable company to help fulfill your dreams today!!!!

Unbelievably beautiful instrument

It's a tough proposition to decide to buy an expensive instrument sight unseen. In this case I could have searched for years and never found this guitar in a shop because there just aren't that many of them. Having Musician's Friend's tremendous selection and Private Reserve's Chris Swope's incredible expertise made it possible. He patiently figured out what I valued and helped me find exactly the right guitar for me. His background MAKING guitars for years in Gibson's Custom Shop gives him a unique set of skills. His patience and trustworthiness made the process of finding an instrument more like having a trusted friend help find the best guitar for me, rather than having a salesman sell me something. The whole experience was fantastic, and this guitar is ... MoreIt's a tough proposition to decide to buy an expensive instrument sight unseen. In this case I could have searched for years and never found this guitar in a shop because there just aren't that many of them. Having Musician's Friend's tremendous selection and Private Reserve's Chris Swope's incredible expertise made it possible. He patiently figured out what I valued and helped me find exactly the right guitar for me. His background MAKING guitars for years in Gibson's Custom Shop gives him a unique set of skills. His patience and trustworthiness made the process of finding an instrument more like having a trusted friend help find the best guitar for me, rather than having a salesman sell me something. The whole experience was fantastic, and this guitar is superb.The feature that sets this guitar apart from all other Standards is the beyond-grade figure of the Maple top. The quilting is absolutely stunning. Finding ANYTHING with this quality of figure is rare - finding a LP Standard with this staggeringly figured maple is outlandish.The workmanship on this guitar is excellent. It's a Gibson Custom Shop instrument, but, in addition, it's a really well made Custom Shop guitar. It's hand made and has both the handcrafted feel of an artisan-crafted piece and the precision of a plekked fretboard - the best of both worlds. It has sustain for days, the tone of a vintage LP Standard and the playability that comes from the Plek Machine. The figure of the wood is stunning - beyond 5A. This is the most beautiful Les Paul I've ever seen and it plays and sounds as good as it looks.Value is the most elusive metric. It was valuable enough that I'm overjoyed at my decision to buy the guitar. Buyer's remorse? Not for a second. This is a work of art, and, with tonewoods becoming more and more rare it'll be very difficult to match in the future.

Will always be the most beautiful guitar

I can't tell you anything you haven't heard before. If you love the Les Paul, it's an infatuation that will sooner or later get the best of you. It took Gibson 15 years but it eventually beat me and I'm sitting next to a black Custom Shop Les Paul as I type this. As you can probably tell, it hasn't been an easy road for me. I struggle, even today, with how there are some minor issues with the guitar, the cost, etc. But, I've never questioned how I strongly feel that it's the most beautfiful guitar ever made. Others can argue there own points, but this will undoubtedly forever stand against them with millions of believers to support it. It may not play perfectly and it may have issues with manufacturing occasionally but these may be the things that make the guitar so ... MoreI can't tell you anything you haven't heard before. If you love the Les Paul, it's an infatuation that will sooner or later get the best of you. It took Gibson 15 years but it eventually beat me and I'm sitting next to a black Custom Shop Les Paul as I type this. As you can probably tell, it hasn't been an easy road for me. I struggle, even today, with how there are some minor issues with the guitar, the cost, etc. But, I've never questioned how I strongly feel that it's the most beautfiful guitar ever made. Others can argue there own points, but this will undoubtedly forever stand against them with millions of believers to support it. It may not play perfectly and it may have issues with manufacturing occasionally but these may be the things that make the guitar so beloved. Perhaps we identify with something that is slightly flawed as we are. Perhaps it may be complete nonsense that we want to play heavy guitars, ringing with sustain. But we guitarists are almost all romantics at heart about a musical instrument that has captivated us since we were young. It appears there will always be room inside us for an idealist to exist, if only about a single cut guitar designed in the '50s.The custom shop does the les paul right, with front and back layered binding, which wraps around the edge of the entire guitar. (not layered on the neck though) The pickups are hot, clear, fat, and warm at the same time. Between the locking tuners, to the Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge, the guitar has all you need. Some may prefer to install push/pull knobs like the new Traditional Pro comes equipped with but if you're spending this kind of money on a guitar, you probably have the money to pick up a nice Strat instead of trying to get those tones out of a Les Paul. Don't get me wrong, it can work and it's cheaper but nothing will match up to the real thing, much like a PRS will never be able to feel like a Les Paul. Period.I went with the Custom Shop model because in my opinion, it's the only way to go as far as Les Pauls go. With quality control the way it is now in the standard Gibson production lines, you never know what you're gonna get. That's just too unsettling for me. Some Standards and Traditionals are sweet, some are the worst things I've ever picked up for 2K bucks. Going with a Custom, I knew I could order it sight unseen and probably end up keeping it. Not to mention, Private Reserve has a really cool crew who don't mind you checking out the guitar for a few days before you make up your mind. And as I assumed would be the case, the guitar was very nice as soon as I opened up the box. It did need some adjustments here and there to get it a little more to my liking but it all looked good -- the binding was clean and straight, the finish was top-notch (aside from some brush strokes you can see on the body, which is pretty normal for Gibson), and the fret work is tight. In my opinion, there's no such thing as a perfect guitar. Whether a 10K dollar PRS, or a 4K dollar Les Paul, they all have their glitches. This one's no exception. There was a little buzz on the 4th fret on both the G and D strings but it appears to be fairly common on Les Pauls, customs and others. There were a few scratches on the pickups running up and down the length of the bobbins when in the playing position. As the salesperson told me, it's probably due to the Custom Shop having to remove a covered pickup after running out of factory uncovered p/ups. I'm okay with this. Let's be honest, after a few hours of heavy playing, what guitar doesn't have scratches on it?Due to the fact that there is a cult-like following of Gibson guitars now, as there has been for decades now, the guitars are over-priced. You can buy guitars as good as or almost as nice as Custom Shop models for a fraction of the price. I won't get into where and what brands as that would be like bringing politics into a review but suffice it to say that people who can't afford a Custom Shop Les Paul don't have to go lonely at night. But this does unfortunately mean that they may never own a Les Paul and that customers like you and I, who MUST have something that looks and plays like one of these, have to pay out the rear for it. Bottomline: the guitars are great. They aren't exotic Lamborghini's, they just cost as much as one.