'09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2

pinefd · 02-25-2009, 05:34 PM

I already posted a couple of these photos in another thread, but thought I'd take the opportunity to formally introduce the 50th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Pilot Run #2. This is the guitar that the Custom Shop is using for most of their promos and brochures this year.

To start, here it is as it appears in the '09 Custom Shop brochure:

And here are a few more shots of it that I've taken over the past few days:

Frank

Gunner · 02-25-2009, 05:39 PM

Friggin really Sweet!

billy · 02-25-2009, 05:59 PM

what a beauty..... you can really see a difference in the top carve from previous years.

Es Paul · 02-25-2009, 06:01 PM

what an axe! You can really see the top carve on this one!

LPCollector · 02-25-2009, 06:02 PM

Stunning Frank!

Congrats on the new beauty!

***delawaregold*** · 02-25-2009, 06:12 PM

Extremely nice to have the guitar used in the NAMM Brochure.
This is certainly a milestone guitar to add to that beautiful collection of yours.
ALL THE BEST

scooter · 02-25-2009, 06:15 PM

Very nice Frank!
What are your overall impressions on this thus far?

Scooter

MrWrong · 02-25-2009, 07:11 PM

Very nice! Beautiful guitar!

Mike60 · 02-25-2009, 07:15 PM

...

how about a pic or two of the backside.

Last · 02-25-2009, 08:01 PM

Wow!

Thanks for sharing the close~ups & different angles.

You actually take much better pictures than the person that Gibson is using for their brochures! I'm not kidding!

decoy205 · 02-25-2009, 08:28 PM

Is that the one that Mark had?? Awesome! That is def a stunner your pics look better then Gibson's photo haha.

Congrats man wow. How does it play? Does it have the rolled binding??

roadsong66 · 02-25-2009, 08:30 PM

Beautiful figure in the top! I envy all of you guys with your Rolls Royce level Les Paul's.

...maybe I will join you next year for the 50th anniversary R0.

pinefd · 02-25-2009, 09:14 PM

Thanks so much for all the nice comments, guys! I appreciate it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter

Very nice Frank!
What are your overall impressions on this thus far?

Scooter

Quote:

Originally Posted by decoy205

Is that the one that Mark had?? Awesome! That is def a stunner your pics look better then Gibson's photo haha.

Congrats man wow. How does it play? Does it have the rolled binding??

I'm going to have to get back to you with regard to how it plays. I've hardly touched the thing yet! Overall, I'm quite impressed with the attention to detail on the guitar. The fit and finish are flawless. All the '09 changes discussed in previous threads are in this guitar. The neck feels absolutely wonderful; and yes, the binding is nicely rolled.

In answer to your question, Decoy, no this is not the guitar that Mark had (has). His guitar is #6 (I believe).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike60

...

how about a pic or two of the backside.

Mike, this is the only pic I have of the back, and there are lots of reflections happenin' in it:

Frank

markguitar · 02-25-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by decoy205

Is that the one that Mark had??

No I have Pilot Run #6

Texas07R8 · 02-25-2009, 10:51 PM

congrats Frank, another stunning beauty and what a rarity too.

Olli · 02-26-2009, 03:35 AM

Frank,

thank you very much for posting this.
For you to actually get that one guitar that is used in the promotional material from Gibson shows your dedication to collecting special Les Pauls.
Congratulations on getting this fine piece. I hope she lives up to your expectations!

It´s one of the few tops I´ve seen I really like because it is not pinstripe like or uniform looking.
The paintjob is really nice - I dig the cherry they do on these guitars.

If you do want a heritage darkburst I´d recommend the one that is for sale here in Germany and that I posted in another thread - I know... a little far out and long distance from your location.
But it has a top with many mineral streaks just how I like it and the burst is nice and narrow on the body. Plays very,very good too.

But then again - who needs another 50th Anniversary after getting one of the pilot run???

I´d like to hear a little bit about playability and sound if you find the time - after you´ve tested it off course!

decoy205 · 02-26-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markguitar

No I have Pilot Run #6

You guys have the all the connections!

They are both extremely beautiful guitars!

Frank you must provide a review when you can!

BCRGreg · 02-26-2009, 08:19 AM

I want the Stewardess Run guitar.

dkirwan · 02-26-2009, 08:45 AM

Incredible Frank...

You can tell they've got the carve right in these guitars...as the carve goes from bottom bout to the top...the carve follows the outline of the guitar much better and it ends up on the top side of the toggle switch, just like the old ones.

bryvincent · 02-26-2009, 10:11 AM

so which pilot run# was the one played by Dave Amato in NAMM? that one sounds very very good.

YouTube - Gibson.com at 2009 CES Videoblog 4

V!N · 02-26-2009, 11:11 AM

Now that's what I call a dish.

You're a very lucky man to have that guitar Franc, I hope it gets a special place in your collection.

Does any of you know if this carve is the same as the one on the previous 50th anniversary Pauls ? And will all Historics have a top carved with that file loaded into the CNC machine ? Or is it a 50R* thing only.

Mike60 · 02-26-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinefd

Mike, this is the only pic I have of the back, and there are lots of reflections happenin' in it:

Frank

...they did a nice cherry finish on the back of this one...

pinefd · 02-26-2009, 09:50 PM

Thanks again for all the nice comments, guys!

And for those interested, here's a pic of the COA. Very cool IMHO.

What I find funny/interesting about these guitars, is that the COAs look so nice, and professionally done, with the number neatly printed on them; yet, the headstock (backs) have the numbers scribbled in what looks like ball point pen. I'm guessing that the COAs could have been printed up well in advance (they could have been printed a year or two ago, for that matter), while the guitars, which were likely "hot off the presses", may not have received their numbers until right before the doors opened at NAMM for their unveiling.

Frank

Texas07R8 · 02-27-2009, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinefd

Thanks again for all the nice comments, guys!

And for those interested, here's a pic of the COA. Very cool IMHO.

What I find funny/interesting about these guitars, is that the COAs look so nice, and professionally done, with the number neatly printed on them; yet, the headstock (backs) have the numbers scribbled in what looks like ball point pen. I'm guessing that the COAs could have been printed up well in advance (they could have been printed a year or two ago, for that matter), while the guitars, which were likely "hot off the presses", may not have received their numbers until right before the doors opened at NAMM for their unveiling.

Frank

*LOL* Frank, if it'll make you feel better I can make a copy of an old lame COA for you for that hot new mama you have there buddy! Thanks for sharing, a very interesting COA and one I am sure that will be highly prized. I can only imagine the value of a 1 of 20 guitar, a prototype if you will...

So what was Pilot Run #1?

GuitarnLax36 · 02-27-2009, 09:27 AM

damn that guitar is so sweet

mapleflame · 02-27-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCRGreg

I want the Stewardess Run guitar.

And you gave me shit about fatherless kids running around Harrisburg.

Mile high Club Huh

XKnight · 02-28-2009, 11:46 PM

Looks sweet and definitely collectible. Congrats and enjoy!

fretboarder · 03-01-2009, 02:58 AM

its one of the best lookimg tops ive ever seen...congrats!

02-25-2009, 05:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
pinefd V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 6,747 Thanks: 185 Thanked 465 Times in 46 Posts	'09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 I already posted a couple of these photos in another thread, but thought I'd take the opportunity to formally introduce the 50th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Pilot Run #2. This is the guitar that the Custom Shop is using for most of their promos and brochures this year. To start, here it is as it appears in the '09 Custom Shop brochure: And here are a few more shots of it that I've taken over the past few days: Frank __________________ Check out some of my personal gear at: Historic Les Paul Database http://histrungguitars.com/ Please visit my new HiStrung Guitars Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Histru...38001253029620

02-25-2009, 05:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gunner CEO Teen Axe Leader Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 13,982 Thanks: 686 Thanked 124 Times in 35 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 Friggin really Sweet! __________________

02-25-2009, 05:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
billy Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: England. Posts: 1,297 Thanks: 79 Thanked 52 Times in 11 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 what a beauty..... you can really see a difference in the top carve from previous years.

02-25-2009, 06:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Es Paul Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,080 Thanks: 97 Thanked 58 Times in 19 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 what an axe! You can really see the top carve on this one! __________________ 07 R9 9 7630 Washed Cherry Sunburst

02-25-2009, 06:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
LPCollector V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where the Universe is conspiring in my favor. Posts: 4,893 Thanks: 33 Thanked 332 Times in 55 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 Stunning Frank! Congrats on the new beauty! __________________ http://soundcloud.com/MarkDarby33/tracks

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02-25-2009, 06:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
*delawaregold* ________Artie________ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: DELAWARE Posts: 4,216 Thanks: 189 Thanked 333 Times in 58 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 Extremely nice to have the guitar used in the NAMM Brochure. This is certainly a milestone guitar to add to that beautiful collection of yours. ALL THE BEST __________________ The original "Idiot Savant" Just because I’m paranoid, doesn’t mean it’s not happening. Carpe scrotum

02-25-2009, 06:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
scooter Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In The Land Of Blackhawks Posts: 1,088 Thanks: 1 Thanked 44 Times in 14 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 Very nice Frank! What are your overall impressions on this thus far? Scooter __________________ Scooter 'bleed for me, I bled for you'

02-25-2009, 07:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
MrWrong V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: BFE, Southern Ohio Posts: 1,967 Thanks: 196 Thanked 52 Times in 15 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 Very nice! Beautiful guitar!

02-25-2009, 07:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mike60 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Reflectorland Posts: 8,448 Thanks: 0 Thanked 111 Times in 36 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 ... how about a pic or two of the backside.

02-25-2009, 08:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
Last The Cleaner Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO. USA Posts: 4,453 Thanks: 245 Thanked 77 Times in 32 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 Wow! Thanks for sharing the close~ups & different angles. You actually take much better pictures than the person that Gibson is using for their brochures! I'm not kidding!

02-25-2009, 08:28 PM	#11 (permalink)
decoy205 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The land of concrete shoes Posts: 6,837 Thanks: 506 Thanked 82 Times in 24 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 Is that the one that Mark had?? Awesome! That is def a stunner your pics look better then Gibson's photo haha. Congrats man wow. How does it play? Does it have the rolled binding?? __________________ http://bosv.bandcamp.com/

02-25-2009, 08:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
roadsong66 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Burbank or bust! Posts: 836 Thanks: 16 Thanked 52 Times in 9 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 Beautiful figure in the top! I envy all of you guys with your Rolls Royce level Les Paul's. ...maybe I will join you next year for the 50th anniversary R0.

02-25-2009, 10:51 PM	#15 (permalink)
Texas07R8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,426 Thanks: 130 Thanked 83 Times in 19 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 congrats Frank, another stunning beauty and what a rarity too.

02-26-2009, 03:35 AM	#16 (permalink)
Olli Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Aalen, Germany Posts: 1,470 Thanks: 23 Thanked 12 Times in 3 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 Frank, thank you very much for posting this. For you to actually get that one guitar that is used in the promotional material from Gibson shows your dedication to collecting special Les Pauls. Congratulations on getting this fine piece. I hope she lives up to your expectations! It´s one of the few tops I´ve seen I really like because it is not pinstripe like or uniform looking. The paintjob is really nice - I dig the cherry they do on these guitars. If you do want a heritage darkburst I´d recommend the one that is for sale here in Germany and that I posted in another thread - I know... a little far out and long distance from your location. But it has a top with many mineral streaks just how I like it and the burst is nice and narrow on the body. Plays very,very good too. But then again - who needs another 50th Anniversary after getting one of the pilot run??? I´d like to hear a little bit about playability and sound if you find the time - after you´ve tested it off course! __________________ Regards, Olli My Guitars

02-26-2009, 08:19 AM	#18 (permalink)
BCRGreg V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lemoyne, PA Posts: 11,705 Thanks: 320 Thanked 2,063 Times in 271 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 I want the Stewardess Run guitar. __________________ Cool guitars, extreme repairs and brutal honesty. www.bcrmusic.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/BCR-M...76454402425822

02-26-2009, 08:45 AM	#19 (permalink)
dkirwan V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 437 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 14 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 Incredible Frank... You can tell they've got the carve right in these guitars...as the carve goes from bottom bout to the top...the carve follows the outline of the guitar much better and it ends up on the top side of the toggle switch, just like the old ones. __________________ Pedals? Pedals? We don' need no stinkin' pedals mang!

02-26-2009, 11:11 AM	#21 (permalink)
V!N Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Working on De-Railroad Posts: 4,084 Thanks: 79 Thanked 113 Times in 25 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 Now that's what I call a dish. You're a very lucky man to have that guitar Franc, I hope it gets a special place in your collection. Does any of you know if this carve is the same as the one on the previous 50th anniversary Pauls ? And will all Historics have a top carved with that file loaded into the CNC machine ? Or is it a 50R* thing only. __________________ I've been driving all night, my hands wet on the wheel.

02-26-2009, 09:50 PM	#23 (permalink)
pinefd V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 6,747 Thanks: 185 Thanked 465 Times in 46 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 Thanks again for all the nice comments, guys! And for those interested, here's a pic of the COA. Very cool IMHO. What I find funny/interesting about these guitars, is that the COAs look so nice, and professionally done, with the number neatly printed on them; yet, the headstock (backs) have the numbers scribbled in what looks like ball point pen. I'm guessing that the COAs could have been printed up well in advance (they could have been printed a year or two ago, for that matter), while the guitars, which were likely "hot off the presses", may not have received their numbers until right before the doors opened at NAMM for their unveiling. Frank __________________ Check out some of my personal gear at: Historic Les Paul Database http://histrungguitars.com/ Please visit my new HiStrung Guitars Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Histru...38001253029620

02-27-2009, 09:27 AM	#25 (permalink)
GuitarnLax36 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: VA Posts: 498 Thanks: 35 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 damn that guitar is so sweet __________________ Gibson 2005 58 Les Paul Reissue Washed Cherry burst Metro Jtm45 bluesbreaker combo RMC4 Picture Wah Dunlop Fuzzface Reissue Fulltone OCD version 4

02-28-2009, 11:46 PM	#27 (permalink)
XKnight Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 336 Thanks: 5 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 Looks sweet and definitely collectible. Congrats and enjoy!

03-01-2009, 02:58 AM	#28 (permalink)
fretboarder Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: sunderland uk Posts: 1,056 Thanks: 38 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: '09 50th Anniv. Pilot Run #2 its one of the best lookimg tops ive ever seen...congrats!

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