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Average Price: $49,000
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Description
Step into the spotlight with the Gibson Custom Shop '59 Les Paul Billy Gibbons "Pearly Gates" — a masterful tribute to the legendary guitar that defined an era of rock and blues. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this guitar embodies the spirit and sound of Billy Gibbons' iconic 1959 Les Paul. With only 250 pieces available worldwide, this is not just a guitar; it's a piece of music history.
Every aspect of this guitar is designed to capture the rich tonal legacy and striking aesthetics of the original. The Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates humbuckers are the heart of its sound, delivering a blend of sweet, slightly rude tones with exceptional sustain — perfect for making harmonics leap from your fingertips. The figured maple top, meticulously selected for its beauty, pairs beautifully with the carefully matched Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish, ensuring that each instrument is as visually stunning as it is sonically remarkable.
Built to the precise specifications of Billy's original, it features a one-piece mahogany neck with a 1959 rounded profile, nickel hardware, and vintage Kluson-style tuners. With period-correct CTS potentiometers and bumble bee capacitors, this guitar is a true homage to its legendary predecessor, offering players the authentic feel and sound of a rock 'n' roll classic.
Key Features:
- Limited Edition: Only 250 worldwide
- Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates humbuckers
- Figured maple top and Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish
- One-piece mahogany neck with 1959 rounded profile
- Vintage Kluson-style tuners and nickel hardware
- Period-correct CTS potentiometers and bumble bee capacitors
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Custom Shop Billy Gibbons "Pearly Gates" '59 Les Paul Standard (Signed, Murphy Aged) |
| Year | 2009 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Artist | Billy Gibbons |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Single Cutaway |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Color Family | Red |
| Finish Features | Relic |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Gibson Les Paul |
| Model Sub-Family | Gibson Les Paul Standard |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Series | Gibson Artist Collection, Gibson Custom Shop |
| Top Material | Maple |
| Wood Top Style | Flamed |
FAQs
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What makes the Gibson Custom Shop '59 Les Paul Billy Gibbons "Pearly Gates" unique?
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This guitar is a meticulous replica of Billy Gibbons' legendary "Pearly Gates" Les Paul, featuring a mahogany body with a maple top, aged by Tom Murphy for an authentic vintage look and feel. It's part of the Gibson Custom Shop, ensuring top-notch craftsmanship and attention to detail.
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What kind of tones can I expect from the Gibson Custom Shop '59 Les Paul Billy Gibbons "Pearly Gates"?
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The guitar is equipped with dual humbucking pickups, delivering rich, warm tones with excellent sustain. It's versatile enough for blues, rock, and classic rock genres, capturing the iconic sound of Billy Gibbons.
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Is the Gibson Custom Shop '59 Les Paul Billy Gibbons "Pearly Gates" suitable for professional use?
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Yes, this guitar is crafted for professional musicians, offering exceptional build quality and sound. Its set-neck construction and high-quality materials provide excellent playability and reliability for stage and studio use.
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How does the neck profile of the Gibson Custom Shop '59 Les Paul Billy Gibbons "Pearly Gates" affect playability?
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The guitar features a comfortable '59 neck profile, which is slightly thicker than modern necks, providing a solid grip and facilitating smooth transitions for players who prefer a vintage feel.
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What are the standout features of the Gibson Custom Shop '59 Les Paul Billy Gibbons "Pearly Gates"?
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Key features include its meticulously aged finish, the iconic flamed maple top, and the signature tone of its humbucking pickups, all of which contribute to its status as a tribute to Billy Gibbons' original "Pearly Gates."
Videos
Carter Vintage Guitars
2009 Gibson Custom Shop Pearly Gates Les Paul | Staff Picks
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Custom Shop '59 Les Paul Billy Gibbons "Pearly Gates".
Setup and maintenance
Comparisons
User experience
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Bare Knuckle pickups increase amp distortion earlier and deliver clearer clean tones than Burstbuckers, impacting the acoustic-electric tonal match.
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Owners note that the feel of a 2010 Les Paul Standard is substantial and satisfying, despite its regular production status.
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Owners of similar models frequently point out that reproductions are reaching peak market prices due to Gibson's limited runs of iconic reissues.
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Mods and upgrades
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Seymour Duncan JB pickups are frequently chosen for their predictable and consistent performance in Les Paul models.
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A Bare Knuckle True Grit bridge pickup replaces Burstbuckers, offering increased output and clarity for a more transparent sound.
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Removing pole screws from a neck pickup can improve clarity; some users provide video tutorials for guidance.
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Uncovering the bridge pickup can brighten the sound, commonly used for a Jimmy Page aesthetic.
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Some suggest installing SD Pearly Gates pickups in an Epiphone or Murphy Lab R9 for a close tonal match at a fraction of the cost.
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Installing Pearly Gates pickups in an iced tea burst Les Paul is a popular alternative for achieving a similar sound without the hefty price tag.
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Value and pricing
Features and functionality
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2010 Les Paul Standards use Grover chrome tulip tuners, unlike the Custom Shop reissues.
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Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings
Artist usage
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I understand that there is already his original pearly gates is listed under his gear but this one is a modified version of his custom shop reissue from I believe 2009. At about 6:64 you can see Billy Gibbons’s guitar tech mention and show off a modified version of his custom shop reissue of pearly gates. This guitar has been chambered out and the pickups were replaced Seymour Duncan pearly gate pickups.
Genre Usage
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