Gibson USA Custom Shop Standard Historic '59 Les Paul "Honey Lemon Fade + Rosewood" (2018)
Specifications
Model: Standard Historic '59 Les Paul
Year: 2018
Finish: Honey Lemon Fade (VOS Nitrocellulose Lacquer)
Top: Figured Maple
Body: Solid Mahogany (Hide Glue Fit)
Neck: Mahogany (Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit)
Fingerboard: Rosewood with Trapezoid Inlays
Neck Profile: '59 Medium C
Scale Length: 24.75"
Radius: 12"
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
Nut: Nylon
Nut Width: 1.687"
Truss Rod: '50s Tubeless
Hardware & Electronics
Bridge: ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminum Stopbar
Hardware Finish: Nickel
Pickups:
Neck: Custombucker Alnico III
Bridge: Custombucker Alnico III
Electronics:
2x 500K Volume Pots
2x 500K Tone Pots
Hand-Wired with Bumblebee Capacitors
Switchcraft Toggle Switch
Personal Thoughts
This 2018 Standard Historic '59 Les Paul in Honey Lemon Fade has a really beautifully aged aesthetic, with a soft, natural fade that gives it that proper vintage vibe. The top carve and figure on this one are particularly nice, and it’s got all the hallmarks of a well-done '59 reissue, from the hide glue construction to the Custombucker pickups that absolutely nail that woody, open PAF tone.
The '59 Medium C profile feels great—not too chunky but still substantial enough to feel like a true '50s Les Paul. Tonally, the Custombuckers are everything you’d expect, offering rich, dynamic cleans and beautifully saturated drive tones when pushed.
Condition Report
This guitar is in very good condition, with three areas of touch-up repairs (visible in the photos). The Honey Lemon Fade finish is otherwise clean, with only light signs of playwear. The frets, hardware, and electronics are in great shape, and it plays and sounds fantastic.
Final Thoughts
A solid Standard Historic '59 Les Paul, this one has plenty of vintage charm and tons of resonance. The Honey Lemon Fade finish makes it stand out, and despite the touch-ups, it’s still a really clean and great-playing example of a late-era True Historic spec Les Paul. If you’re after a killer '59-style LP with character and vibe, this one’s definitely worth considering.