2003 Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Reissue Iced Tea Brazilian

Description

A superb 2003 Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Reissue finished in Iced Tea, with possible Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboard!

This is a particularly interesting example because of its fingerboard. While the serial number sits outside Gibson’s generally published 2003 Brazilian rosewood serial number range, correspondence from Gibson Europe Customer Service specifically examined photographs of this guitar and stated:

“Its fingerboard appears to be Brazilian Rosewood indeed.”

Gibson went on to explain that the guitar appears to be a combination of a 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue and Custom Authentic, which could explain why its serial number does not fall within the previously published Brazilian rosewood range. They described it as “an exceptional guitar.”

It is important to stress that Gibson’s database information based on the serial number identifies the specification as 'rosewood', so we are offering this guitar as having a possible Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, supported by the accompanying Gibson correspondence rather than representing it as definitively confirmed.

Excellent overall condition for its age. There is some light age-related playwear and some light bucklerash on the back.

Specifications:

Body & Hardware

Carved figured maple top
Solid, non-weight-relieved mahogany back
Single-ply cream body binding
Nickel hardware
ABR-1 bridge
Lightweight aluminium stopbar
Thin toggle-switch washer and jack plate

Neck

One-piece mahogany neck with long neck tenon
1959 rounded neck profile
22-fret rosewood fingerboard
Acrylic trapezoid inlays
Single-ply cream binding
24.75" scale length
1 11/16" nut width
Holly headstock veneer
Vintage-style tulip tuners

Electronics

BurstBucker 1 neck pickup
BurstBucker 2 bridge pickup
CTS pots
Bumble Bee capacitors
2 Volume / 2 Tone
3-way selector switch

Sale Includes Original Gibson hardcase. COA and paperwork including Original Gibson correspondence discussing the possible Brazilian rosewood fingerboard.

A fascinating 2003 R9 with an unusual specification and unusually strong supporting correspondence from Gibson themselves. The Brazilian rosewood question cannot be stated as conclusively proven, but the Gibson letter makes this a considerably more interesting example than a standard 2003 R9.

Viewings welcome.
Part-exchanges always considered.

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