The 2013 Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue in Aged Tobacco Burst is a premium Historic-spec recreation of one of the most revered electric guitars ever made.

Commonly known as an R9, the 1959 Reissue is built around the classic combination of a lightweight mahogany body, figured maple top, one-piece mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard, with period-inspired hardware and electronics designed to capture the look, feel and response of an original late-1950s Les Paul Standard.

This 2013 example features an aged Tobacco Burst finish, giving the guitar the worn-in character and visual depth associated with a well-played vintage instrument.

A pair of Gibson Custombucker humbuckers delivers the articulate, dynamic PAF-inspired response for which this era of Custom Shop Historic production is particularly well regarded.

This Pre-Owned example is in Very Good condition, carries serial number 933112, weighs an excellent 8.66 lbs, and includes a hardcase.

AT A GLANCE

Detail	Specification
Brand	Gibson Custom Shop
Model	1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue / R9
Year	2013
Serial Number	933112
Finish	Aged Tobacco Burst
Body	Mahogany / Figured Maple Top
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Pickups	Custombucker Humbuckers
Weight	8.66 lbs
Condition	Very Good / Pre-Owned
Case	Hardcase Included

PRE-OWNED CONDITION REPORT

This is a Pre-Owned 2013 Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue in Very Good condition.

The guitar features an aged Tobacco Burst finish, so intentional ageing and vintage-style finish wear form part of the instrument’s appearance. The Very Good condition grade relates to the overall condition of the guitar as a Pre-Owned instrument.

Serial number: 933112.

This individual guitar weighs 8.66 lbs, an especially attractive weight for a non-weight-relieved Historic Les Paul.

A hardcase is included.

KEY FEATURES

• Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue

• Commonly known as an R9

• 2013 production

• Serial number 933112

• Aged Tobacco Burst finish

• Made in USA

• Non-weight-relieved mahogany body

• Figured maple top

• One-piece mahogany neck

• 1959-style neck profile

• Rosewood fingerboard

• 12" fingerboard radius

• 24.75" scale length

• 22 frets

• Long neck tenon construction

• Historic-style construction

• Dual Gibson Custombucker humbuckers

• Alnico III-style vintage voicing

• 2 Volume controls

• 2 Tone controls

• 3-way toggle selector

• Historic-style capacitors

• ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge

• Lightweight aluminium stopbar

• Kluson-style tuners

• Nickel hardware

• Actual measured weight of 8.66 lbs

• Very Good Pre-Owned condition

• Hardcase included

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

The appeal of an R9 goes far beyond the cosmetics.

The 1959 Les Paul Standard has become one of the benchmarks for electric guitar design, and Gibson Custom’s Historic Reissue programme was created to reproduce the construction, feel and response of those original instruments as faithfully as possible.

At 8.66 lbs, this particular guitar is especially desirable from a practical point of view. It retains the solid, non-weight-relieved Historic construction while remaining noticeably lighter than many production Les Pauls.

The aged Tobacco Burst finish gives it the visual character of a much older instrument without losing the consistency and usability of a modern Custom Shop build.

DETAILED FEATURES & BENEFITS

1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue

The R9 represents Gibson Custom’s interpretation of the legendary 1959 Les Paul Standard.

That means the focus is firmly on traditional construction, vintage-style materials and the playing response associated with late-1950s Bursts.

2013 Historic Specification

The 2013 production period is particularly interesting because Gibson continued refining the accuracy of the Historic range.

Examples from this era are widely associated with features including Custombucker pickups, historically inspired construction methods and increasingly vintage-correct materials.

Non-Weight-Relieved Mahogany Body

Unlike many modern Les Pauls, the R9 uses a solid mahogany back without conventional production weight relief.

That retains the traditional construction philosophy of an original 1959 Standard.

Figured Maple Top

The mahogany body is capped with a carved figured maple top.

The maple contributes attack and definition while also creating the visual depth that makes a great Burst so striking.

Aged Tobacco Burst Finish

The Tobacco Burst finish gives the guitar a darker, more dramatic take on the classic late-1950s Burst aesthetic.

The aged treatment adds checking, wear and patina-style character intended to evoke a vintage instrument.

Mahogany Neck

The one-piece mahogany neck provides the warmth, sustain and familiar response associated with a traditional Les Paul.

1959-Style Neck Profile

The neck follows a substantial 1959-style profile, giving it more depth than a slim 1960-style carve while remaining comfortable and rounded in the hand.

Rosewood Fingerboard

The bound rosewood fingerboard provides the classic combination expected from a late-1950s Les Paul recreation.

12" Radius

The 12" fingerboard radius gives a relatively flat playing surface that works especially well for bending and lead work.

24.75" Scale Length

The traditional Gibson 24.75" scale provides a slightly softer string feel than longer-scale guitars.

This contributes to the expressive bending and vibrato associated with Les Paul playing.

Long Neck Tenon

Historic Reissue construction uses a long neck tenon, extending the neck joint further into the body.

This is an important period-inspired construction detail and contributes to the solid neck-to-body connection.

Gibson Custombuckers

The 2013 R9 specification uses Gibson Custombucker humbuckers, designed to recreate the lower-output, dynamically responsive character of original PAF pickups.

They provide excellent clarity at cleaner settings and open up naturally when pushed into overdrive.

Neck Custombucker

The neck pickup delivers warmth and body without becoming excessively muddy.

It works particularly well for blues, jazzier cleans and smooth lead tones.

Bridge Custombucker

The bridge pickup provides additional bite, attack and midrange presence while retaining excellent dynamic response.

It is especially effective for classic rock and expressive lead playing.

Traditional Four-Control Layout

The guitar uses the classic Les Paul arrangement of:

• Neck Volume

• Bridge Volume

• Neck Tone

• Bridge Tone

This allows the two pickups to be balanced independently.

ABR-1 Bridge

The ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge is central to the vintage Historic specification and provides precise intonation adjustment.

Lightweight Stopbar

The lightweight aluminium stopbar helps retain a responsive and lively feel while staying true to the vintage-inspired hardware specification.

Kluson-Style Tuners

Vintage-style Kluson tuning machines maintain the classic appearance and relatively low headstock mass associated with late-1950s Les Pauls.

8.66 lbs Actual Weight

This individual guitar weighs only 8.66 lbs.

For a solid, non-weight-relieved Custom Shop Les Paul, that is an especially attractive weight and one of the strongest individual features of this guitar.

WHO IS IT FOR?

The Gibson Custom Shop R9 is particularly well suited to serious Les Paul players, collectors, blues and classic-rock guitarists, studio musicians and players looking for a historically inspired Gibson at the top end of the range.

It is also a natural choice for anyone who wants the feel and response of a vintage Burst-style Les Paul without entering the extraordinary price territory of an original 1959 instrument.

PLAYING STYLES & APPLICATIONS

The R9 works particularly well for:

• Blues

• Classic rock

• Hard rock

• Southern rock

• Jazz-influenced playing

• Studio sessions

• Lead guitar

• Rhythm guitar

• Low-gain valve tones

• Medium-to-high-gain rock

The relatively low-output Custombuckers respond particularly well to touch dynamics and guitar-volume changes.

HOW IT COMPARES

R9 vs Standard USA Les Paul

A Gibson USA Les Paul Standard is a production instrument with more contemporary specification choices depending on model year.

The R9 comes from the Custom Shop Historic programme and places much greater emphasis on recreating late-1950s construction and materials.

R9 vs R8

An R8 recreates a 1958 Les Paul Standard and often features a somewhat chunkier neck profile and historically plainer top aesthetic.

The R9 traditionally represents the highly figured 1959 Burst specification that became the most celebrated of the original Les Paul Standards.

Custombuckers vs Modern High-Output Humbuckers

Modern high-output pickups drive an amplifier harder and compress more readily.

Custombuckers generally provide lower output, greater openness and a more dynamic PAF-inspired response.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Gibson Custom Shop
Model	1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue
Common Name	R9
Year	2013
Serial Number	933112
Country of Manufacture	USA
Finish	Aged Tobacco Burst
Body Shape	Les Paul
Body Material	Mahogany
Weight Relief	None
Top	Figured Maple
Neck Construction	Set Neck / Long Tenon
Neck Material	Mahogany
Neck Profile	1959-Style
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	12"
Scale Length	24.75"
Frets	22
Inlays	Trapezoid
Pickup Configuration	HH
Neck Pickup	Gibson Custombucker
Bridge Pickup	Gibson Custombucker
Electronics	Passive
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way Toggle
Bridge	ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
Tailpiece	Lightweight Aluminium Stopbar
Tuners	Kluson-Style
Hardware	Aged Nickel
Weight	8.66 lbs
Case	Hardcase Included
Condition	Very Good / Pre-Owned

POWER REQUIREMENTS

None.

The Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue uses passive electronics and requires no battery or external power supply.

FAIR DEAL MUSIC EXPERT VERDICT ★★★★★

Best suited for: Players and collectors looking for a high-end Historic-spec Les Paul with classic PAF-inspired tone, vintage feel and a particularly desirable low weight.

Customers usually upgrade from: Gibson USA Les Paul Standards, Traditionals, Classics and other premium dual-humbucker guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Valve amplifiers, treble boosters, low-gain overdrives, fuzz, delay and reverb.

Our tip: At 8.66 lbs, this is a particularly attractive R9 from a player’s perspective. Run the amp slightly overdriven, keep both guitar volumes below maximum and use them to move between cleaner and more saturated sounds.

Showroom feedback: A good R9 has a very different feel from a regular production Les Paul, and the relatively light weight of this example makes it especially appealing. The aged Tobacco Burst finish gives it huge vintage character without disguising the quality of the figured maple top.

WHY BUY PRE-OWNED FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

Buying a Pre-Owned Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue offers the opportunity to own one of Gibson’s most celebrated Historic models at a significant saving compared with a new equivalent.

This example is in Very Good condition, dates to 2013, weighs only 8.66 lbs, and includes a hardcase.

Fair Deal Music has decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging Gibson Custom Shop, vintage and high-value guitars.

WHY BUY FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music combines a large Birmingham showroom with nationwide ecommerce and knowledgeable musician-led advice.

Customers benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987

• Birmingham's largest independent music store

• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews

• Knowledgeable musician-led advice

• Extensive experience with Gibson Custom Shop and high-value guitars

• Large Birmingham showroom

• Secure online ordering

• Fast UK delivery

• Friendly customer support

• Part-exchange and trade-in service

• Request a Video Demo option

TRADE IN. TRADE UP. SAVE MORE.

Your current guitar or other musical equipment could help towards the cost of this Gibson Custom Shop R9.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and a wide range of musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.

PART EXCHANGE / TRADE-IN

If you already own a guitar or other musical equipment you are considering replacing, Fair Deal Music can assess it for part exchange.

Trading in can remove the inconvenience of selling privately while allowing the value of your existing equipment to go directly towards your next instrument.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is this Gibson Custom Shop R9 used?

Yes. This is a Pre-Owned Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue in Very Good condition.

What does R9 mean?

R9 is the common shorthand for Gibson Custom’s 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue.

What year was this guitar made?

Serial number 933112 identifies this as a 2013 Historic Reissue.

What does the serial number mean?

In Gibson Custom Historic serial formatting, the first digit identifies the model year being recreated and the next digit identifies the production year.

The leading 9 denotes a 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue and the following 3 indicates 2013 production.

What finish does it have?

It has an aged Tobacco Burst finish.

Is the ageing part of the finish?

Yes. The guitar has an intentionally aged appearance, so checking and vintage-style wear form part of its aesthetic.

Is this a Murphy Lab guitar?

No Murphy Lab claim has been made. This is a 2013 guitar, produced before Gibson introduced the current Murphy Lab-branded ageing programme.

What is the body made from?

It has a mahogany body with a figured maple top.

Is it weight relieved?

No. Historic R9 construction is non-weight-relieved.

What is the neck made from?

It has a mahogany neck.

What fingerboard does it have?

It uses a rosewood fingerboard.

What is the scale length?

It has Gibson’s traditional 24.75" scale length.

How many frets does it have?

It has 22 frets.

What pickups does it have?

It uses a pair of Gibson Custombucker humbuckers.

Are the pickups active?

No. They are passive.

What bridge does it use?

It uses an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge.

What tailpiece does it have?

A lightweight aluminium stopbar.

Does it use a long neck tenon?

Yes. That is part of the Historic Reissue construction.

How much does it weigh?

This individual guitar weighs 8.66 lbs.

Is 8.66 lbs light for a Les Paul?

Yes. For a non-weight-relieved Custom Shop Les Paul, 8.66 lbs is a particularly attractive weight.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A hardcase is included.

What condition is it in?

This example is in Very Good condition.

Is it suitable for blues?

Absolutely. The lower-output Custombuckers and dynamic response are particularly well suited to expressive blues playing.

Is it suitable for classic rock?

Yes. The 1959 Les Paul Standard format is one of the defining electric-guitar sounds of classic rock.

Can I request a video demo?

Yes. A video demo is strongly recommended with a high-end individual instrument such as this, allowing you to hear the actual Custombuckers and assess the aged finish in detail.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers guitars and a wide range of other musical equipment for part exchange.