USED Gibson Custom / Dealer Select 1959 Les Paul Standard VOS BOTB #121 Dark Burst [05]

We’ve just received a beautiful pre-owned Dealer Select 1959 Les Paul Standard VOS BOTB #121 Dark Burst!

The greatest appeal of this guitar lies in its beautiful grain pattern, which not only draws inspiration from the original 1959 Les Paul Burst featured on page 121 of the renowned book *Beauty of the Burst* but also further enhances that aesthetic.

The first thing that catches the eye is the exquisite dark burst color, reminiscent of BOTB #121. The gradient—which starts with a vivid amber at the center and deepens toward the edges—exudes the distinctive character unique to vintage bursts. Even when placed side by side for comparison, the color tones are remarkably similar, faithfully recreating the original’s atmosphere and aura to a high degree.

Furthermore, the figured maple top is particularly noteworthy. While the actual BOTB #121 features a relatively subdued grain pattern, this specimen—while sharing the same color scheme—displays a more three-dimensional flame pattern. The grain, which shifts in appearance depending on the light, has a strong presence without being overly flashy, striking a perfect balance between vintage-like elegance and brilliance.It can truly be described as “a guitar that takes the color of BOTB #121 and enhances it with an even more captivating grain pattern.” The jet-black fingerboard also shares a similar aesthetic.

Weighing in at 3.78 kg, it falls within the ideal weight range for a 1959 Les Paul, and the lightweight mahogany back offers excellent resonance and playability. Details unique to the Historic Collection—such as hide glue construction and long tenon joints—are incorporated throughout, contributing to a rich natural resonance and superb response.

If I had to describe the sound in a single phrase, it would be “a crisp, clear tone.” The low end doesn’t become overly bloated, and the mid-to-high frequencies naturally come to the forefront, resulting in pleasant separation between notes during chord work and a sense of expansive overtones when playing single notes. While it possesses the vintage character typical of Custombucker Alnico III pickups, the tone remains well-defined and faithfully conveys the player’s nuances.

Due to the nature of the VOS specification, it can be difficult to distinguish between scratches acquired later and the aged appearance from the manufacturing process. However, since the previous owner took great care in storing it, the guitar remains in nearly mint condition, with the exception of a small scratch on the side of the headstock near the first string. Overall, it is in excellent condition, and it can safely be classified as a “beautiful” specimen.

S/N: 9 53011
Weight: 3.78 kg
Accessories: Genuine hard case, certificate of authenticity

Condition Grade: A: Excellent
Body Top: 2-Piece Figured Maple, Hide Glue Fit
Body Back: 1-Piece Lightweight Mahogany
Binding: 1-Ply Royalite
Weight Relief: None
Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Material: Solid Mahogany
Neck Profile: Authentic '59 Medium C-Shape
Scale Length: 24.75" / 628.65 mm
Fingerboard Material: Indian Rosewood, Hide Glue Fit
Fingerboard Radius: 12"
Number of Frets: 22
Frets: Historic Medium-Jumbo
Nut Material: Nylon
Nut Width: 1.69" / 42.85 mm
Inlays: Cellulose Nitrate Trapezoid
Joint: Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
Hardware Finish: Nickel
Bridge: ABR-1
Saddle Material: Nickel-Plated Brass
Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Tuning Machines: Kluson Single Line, Single Ring
Pickguard: Laminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Truss Rod: Authentic 1950s No-Tube
Truss Rod Cover: Authentic Stepped 2-Ply
Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Bridge Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
Pickup Selector: 3-Way Switchcraft
String Gauge: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046

* As this is a used item, there may be scratches, dents, or other imperfections that are not clearly visible in the photos or not listed here. Please be aware of this in advance.

* Any specifications listed regarding the truss rod, remaining fret life, or string action were measured by our staff during setup; these values are subject to change due to environmental factors such as climate and humidity.
These measurements are intended as a reference at the time of purchase; we cannot guarantee that the measurements will be exactly the same when the item arrives.

* This is a one-of-a-kind item that is listed simultaneously on multiple marketplaces, including our in-store display. We strive to promptly remove product listings once an item is sold, but updates may not always be in real time.
We sincerely apologize if the item happens to be sold out after you place your order, and we ask for your understanding.