• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Gibson Historic Select 1959 Murphy Painted Burst Believer Les Paul *Price Lowered*

hydromedia

New member
Joined
Apr 27, 2016
Messages
20
This custom shop 1959 Les Paul was one of a limited run of only 22 guitars produced for Japan dealers in 2015. The maple tops were hand chosen by Ed Wilson and the guitars were painted by Tom Murphy. The finish is "Vintage Gloss", which I would describe as a glossy finish that's ever so slightly muted. The guitar has no relic'ing done to it. It's gorgeous with a beautiful wavy flame top that moves around as the viewing angle changes. The sunburst color is stunning and the back is beautiful as well.

I bought this guitar used from Sweetspot Guitars in Germany in 2016 and had it shipped to me here in the U.S.A. The the original listing has been archived and can be viewed here at the following link:

In my possession, the guitar has only been gently used at home, never gigged, never taken on the road, and has been stored in a smoke-free, climate controlled room the entire time. The overall condition is very good if not excellent. Over the years some dye bleed-through has occurred in areas of the binding and can be seen in the photos. There's one very small superficial scratch on the edge of the lower bout that appears to be in the lacquer clear coat on the surface and not into the wood. There's a tiny crack on the plastic jack cover plate at one of the screw holes. This can be seen in one of the enlarged photos however, to the eye when viewed in-person, it's almost invisible. The neck shape is magnificent, not too thick but with enough mass to satisfy those looking for an authentic 59 neck, which I'm told is one of the most accurate ever produced from the Gibson Custom Shop. The frets and fretwork are beautiful. The fretboard is a rich dark chocolate Indian rosewood that's consistent in color and grain pattern from end to end. At 3.67Kg (8.1lb ) the guitar is light and has a beautiful acoustic resonance when unplugged and delivers magnificent amplified tones that one would expect from such an instrument.

The guitar comes with the original hang tags, warranty card, certificate of authenticity, hand select brochure, and a signed copy of the book “Burst Believers II” by Vic DaPra. The case is signed by Ed Wilson and Tom Murphy. Missing is the white sock that came with the guitar when new.

The following description of a different guitar of the same run was taken from a Reverb ad in 2015:

"Gibson Custom in cooperation with Vic DaPra bring to the Les Paul enthusiast this 2015 59 Believer Burst True Historic. These guitar are extremely rare and this is 1 of 22 Believer Burst’s that were painted by Tom Murphy and sent to select dealers only in Japan. This was a special run for Japan dealers only and when the guitars were shipped to the dealers all 22 guitars were immediately were purchased and sold out in days and there wont be anymore. Tom Murphy just nails the color of these guitars and quite simply it is his best work ever. He nailed the color of these guitars to the guitar on the front of the book and it really is the most realistic color I have ever saw on any reissue.
The tops were all hand picked by Edwin Wilson and painted by Tom Murphy. Edwin Wilson mixed the paint color for the backs as well with the correct pore filler to ensure it is right. Each guitar comes with a copy of the book “Burst Believers II” and are hand signed by Vic DaPra. The case is also hand signed by Edwin Wilson and Tom Murphy. The top on this guitar is a killer top with wavy figure flame that is full front to back and side to side and it moves around a lot and it looks like you can dive in it. This one is in as brand new in its original box and I carefully removed it for the photos only and then put it back in its case and then back in its original box. The guitar comes with all the hang tags, guitar protector sock, warranty card, certificate of authenticity, hand selected brochure, and a signed copy of the book “Burst Believers II” by Vic DaPra.
These guitars have all the 2015 True Historic specs and plastics, neck joint glued to the body with hot hide glue, updated truss rod route, finger board glued to the neck with hot hide glue, and the maple top is glue to the mahogany back with hot hide glue as well. The new finish is wet sanded by hand with thin lacquer and is the best finish yet as well as all the updated 2015 True Historic plastic parts. This is Gibson Customs most recent updated 59 model and the closest you will ever come to owning an original. This guitar has incredible tone with a nice tight healthy mid range and a good bottom end but that is never muddy sounding. The finger board is a nice dark chocolate brown almost blackish in color. The guitar weighs in at a mere 8 pounds 1 ounce and is a real joy for the eyes and ears and wont break your back while doing it.
- Brand: Gibson Custom
- Model: 1959 Les Paul True Historic Believer Burst
- Color: Believer Burst
- Finish Type: Vintage Gloss Nitro Cellulose Lacquer Wet Sanded By Hand
- Weight: 8 Pound 5 Ounces. (this guitar is 8 lbs 1 oz.)
- Top Woods: Highly Figured Flamed Maple
- Back Wood: 1 Piece Mahogany Back
- Neck Wood: 1 Piece Mahogany
- Neck Shape: 50’s Rounded
- Neck Dimensions:
- Fingerboard: 1 Piece Rosewood
- Fingerboard Radius: 12”
- Inlays: Cellulose Trapezoid
- Neck Scale: 24.75”
- Nut Width: 1 11/16”
- Frets: 22
- Headstock: True Historic Hollyhead Veneer
- Binding: 1 Ply Cream On Body And Neck
- Pickups: 2 Custom Buckers
- Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone Knobs With 3 Way Switch
- Hardware: Nickel
- Bridge: ABR-1
- Tail Piece: Lightweigh Aluminum
- Tuners: True Historic Kluson Deluxe
- Plastics: 2015 True Historic
- Case: Vintage Hardshell Signed By Edwin Wilson And Tom Murphy
- COA: Yes With All Hang Tags And Signed Copy Of The Book Burst Believers By Vic DaPra"

Here's a link to a Les Paul Forum thread discussing the 2015 Historic Select Burst Believer:


Asking Price: $8600 $7800 shipped. Payment by Paypal F&F, Zelle, or direct bank-to-bank wire transfer. For sale within the 50 United States only. Sorry no international sales.
I am not interested in trades at this time.

Photos:

Tone Sample:

Visit the Full Gallery Here: https://garyb.smugmug.com/Guitar/LPad/n-SSHcdb/


i-HD9pvKj.jpg
 
Last edited:
Top