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'59 60th anniversary reissue vs standard '59 reissue ('19, '20)

executor

New member
Joined
Dec 30, 2020
Messages
13
Hi folks,


Does anyone know if there are any differences in terms of construction and materials between the Gibson Custom Shop '59 60th anniversary reissues vs "standard" '59 reissues (made in say, 2020)?

AFAIK, they are pretty much identical, except for the anniversary switch guard cover and COA.


Also, in terms of collectibility, do you think the 60th anniversary would be deemed more collectible/desirable down the line?


Look forward to hearing your thoughts!
 

Trans-Am

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
4,686
Depends on the years the others that have bought here, as some have the 50th and so forth. Gibson's move gets closer and closer to the real thing as far as reissue and historic goes, just the matter which year anniversary you buy or end up with.

There are a lot of threads here that pits and compares all the years and model you want answered.
The SEARCH button does a lot and more for you as a new member last year. Good Luck as you will now go into the rabbit hole of Les Paul's year to year. (y)
 

Todd Louis

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 7, 2002
Messages
14,526
Hi folks,


Does anyone know if there are any differences in terms of construction and materials between the Gibson Custom Shop '59 60th anniversary reissues vs "standard" '59 reissues (made in say, 2020)?

AFAIK, they are pretty much identical, except for the anniversary switch guard cover and COA.


Also, in terms of collectibility, do you think the 60th anniversary would be deemed more collectible/desirable down the line?


Look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Completely no difference...
 

axeman565758

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Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
1,204
As Todd mentioned above, all the same construction....all of the R's for that matter.
The only thing(s) I can see that would make one more or less desirable/"valuable" would be the top, the color, the weight and neck profile. But then those attributes are all subjective anyway. A killer top with a thinner-than-average neck on an R9 maybe less desirable....or more desirable. Depends on what the buyer is looking for
 

Eric Thomas

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Joined
Feb 21, 2004
Messages
96
I have a friend with a 2019 60th R9 and a 2020 R9. The 60th has the Carmelita neck carve which has less shoulder than what I have typically encountered on R9s over the years. The 2020 does not have the same neck carve and is not quite and thick from front to back and has more shoulder. The 2020 definitely feels thinner, but not as thin as an R0 neck profile. The 2019 with the Carmileta neck carve is perfect as far as I am concerned.
 

markguitar

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2001
Messages
2,375
I have a friend with a 2019 60th R9 and a 2020 R9. The 60th has the Carmelita neck carve which has less shoulder than what I have typically encountered on R9s over the years. The 2020 does not have the same neck carve and is not quite and thick from front to back and has more shoulder. The 2020 definitely feels thinner, but not as thin as an R0 neck profile. The 2019 with the Carmileta neck carve is perfect as far as I am concerned.

The 2 necks may feel different and differ is size some but ALL current R9’s have the Camelita neck and top carve. This has been since 2018. But they still vary in size and feel.
 

El Gringo

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Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
Also worth noting the condom/truss rod sheath was removed in 2013 ? Custombuckers also introduced in 2013 ?
 

Lewis Liu

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Jul 6, 2021
Messages
37
There are thousands of 60th anniversary R9s out there and I even saw one somewhere which was made in 2021 (with 60th anniversary medallion and COA), no rarity and not special at all; therefore I don't think they are collectiable. The spec of R9 from 2019 onwards are identical, the only difference is the COA and Medallion, now the 70th anniversary of Les Paul Model is coming out..... Gibson's good at playing these marketing shit
 

jb_abides

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Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,274
I don't buy for collectibility, but you can't assess they won't be collectible. There are more people buying these days then when the originals came out, and the awareness is now among the global population.

In 60 years, we don't know. Wood could be banned by then. Guitar playing appreciation could be up, down, or nonexistent.

Typically would not reply to the resurrection of a necro thread, but your assertion struck a bum note.
 

Hellrot

Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
9
There are thousands of 60th anniversary R9s out there and I even saw one somewhere which was made in 2021 (with 60th anniversary medallion and COA), no rarity and not special at all; therefore I don't think they are collectiable. The spec of R9 from 2019 onwards are identical, the only difference is the COA and Medallion, now the 70th anniversary of Les Paul Model is coming out..... Gibson's good at playing these marketing shit
650 manufactured
 

Gino753

Active member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
187
Also after 2019, early 2021 the “G” on the Gibson logo on the top of the headstock, has a More Rounded pointy shape on the top…as many real vintage Gibsons had..however i have seen Photos of real vintage Gibsons with the more Squarish (G) like the 60Th Anniversary models had and most all the Gibsons before them, Custom Shop and USA

I have a funny feeling that the 60Th however will climb in value and be collectable however just because of the Marketing involved with the guitar, as well as the different..more historical correct approach and marketing of such, given to these guitars…The Medallion…the Gold COA book…i dont know we will see.however i am glad i got my hands on mine
 

Lewis Liu

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Joined
Jul 6, 2021
Messages
37
I don't buy for collectibility, but you can't assess they won't be collectible. There are more people buying these days then when the originals came out, and the awareness is now among the global population.

In 60 years, we don't know. Wood could be banned by then. Guitar playing appreciation could be up, down, or nonexistent.

Typically would not reply to the resurrection of a necro thread, but your assertion struck a bum note.
Sure, everybody can have their own point of view, this is totally fine. Collectible or not? It really depends. 60 years is too far aways from most of us. Gibson's making the Historical Collections a bit more vintage accurate every year, this is the way they keep people paying for those new Rs. The 60th R9s are nothing special other than the anniversary medallion and COA, cause those new Rs from 2020 onwards have identical specs as 60th R9s (if not better) and future Rs are likely to be more historically accurate.

Don't get me wrong, they are excellent guitars for sure and my workhorse is a 2020 R9, I can't put it down; however, if the key for collectiablity is missing (i.e. rarity), it is unlikely to be collectible in a reaonable time frame. Please don't say anything like in 100 or 200 years.... We are talking about guitars, not antique.

As to wood, in 60 years, those plantation will be big enough for LPs, just like Gibson is using Fijian Mahogany, those woods are sustainable if the plantations are well managed.
 
Last edited:

Lewis Liu

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Jul 6, 2021
Messages
37
650 manufactured
Hi Hellrot, where did this number come from? 650 is just not consistent with what I feel and see, there are so many 60th R9s all around the globe..... Appreiciate if you can kindly share a linkage to the number (if any), thanks.
 

jb_abides

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Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,274
Sure, everybody can have their own point of view, this is totally fine. Collectible or not? It really depends. 60 years is too far aways from most of us. Gibson's making the Historical Collections a bit more vintage accurate every year, this is the way they keep people paying for those new Rs. The 60th R9s are nothing special other than the anniversary medallion and COA, cause those new Rs from 2020 onwards have identical specs as 60th R9s (if not better) and future Rs are likely to be more historically accurate.

Don't get me wrong, they are excellent guitars for sure and my workhorse is a 2020 R9, I can't put it down; however, if the key for collectiablity is missing (i.e. rarity), it is unlikely to be collectible in a reaonable time frame. Please don't say anything like in 100 or 200 years.... We are talking about guitars, not antique.

As to wood, in 60 years, those plantation will be big enough for LPs, just like Gibson is using Fijian Mahogany, those woods are sustainable if the plantations are well managed.

Time frame isn't for the original owners, it is for the guitar's lifespan.

Original bursts weren't collectible to the first owners. They are collectible to successive generations.

Original bursts were sought after and desired by cognoscenti and aficionados, of course, but were generally reasonable in price until their collectibility was made clear with time. They began a true hockey stick appreciation ~30 years after.
 

Lewis Liu

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Jul 6, 2021
Messages
37
Time frame isn't for the original owners, it is for the guitar's lifespan.

Original bursts weren't collectible to the first owners. They are collectible to successive generations.

Original bursts were sought after and desired by cognoscenti and aficionados, of course, but were generally reasonable in price until their collectibility was made clear with time. They began a true hockey stick appreciation ~30 years after.
Yep, from that standpoint of view, I agree with you.
 

rothwell

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Joined
Dec 25, 2020
Messages
2
Hi folks,


Does anyone know if there are any differences in terms of construction and materials between the Gibson Custom Shop '59 60th anniversary reissues vs "standard" '59 reissues (made in say, 2020)?

AFAIK, they are pretty much identical, except for the anniversary switch guard cover and COA.


Also, in terms of collectibility, do you think the 60th anniversary would be deemed more collectible/desirable down the line?


Look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Well there was a slight difference in the neck angle in the early 2000's as I remember, since changed.
They are always going to build a better mouse trap, They have too. I do believe after collecting for 50 years, the 2022 is the best Historic ever produced.
 

Strange

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Nov 10, 2018
Messages
5
Primarily the difference is the finish option and colors. I have noticed weight changes (getting heavier) as well. I can't say whether the neck profile has changed but can't imagine it has to a large degree.
 
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