Nice unmolested '59 up for grabs......

[kdm]

did they uncovered the pup, I'm not sure.....

 

[CA-8-5799]

Do you mean because of the solder?

 

[HOT-BRIT]

It is a real beauty

 

[Seantk]

So if we get 175 MPLers to each kick in $1000, we can each have it for two days out of the year. Woohoo!!

OK, I get it first

OK, I'll say it. What makes this guitar so "beautiful"? Yeah, it's a '59, so we are supposed to know that it's drool-worthy, but is it really "beautiful" enough to comment so much on the looks?

I could pick out a hundred pics on MLP of sub $4000 guitars that are equally (or more) "beautiful".

Am I missing something? Is it more beautiful, just because it's more valuable? Am I discounting its "beauty", due to me realizing it's unobtainable? (No, I see lots of beauty in things I'll never possess!)

Both of my R9's have nicer tops than this, but neither are as beautiful. There is something about a vintage instrument that has a beauty all it's own.

Sean

 

[Actinic]

OK, I'll say it. What makes this guitar so "beautiful"?

Am I missing something? Is it more beautiful, just because it's more valuable?

No, beauty is in the ear of the beholder. This Burst is a musical instrument, not just an example of fine woodworking. It is the anticipation of a beautiful, haunting tone that makes all admirers call it beautiful. Now, we can't infer how good the tone is, browsing this message board. However, we can extrapolate, by noting how good the guitar appears to be, even though it is over 53 years old. And so, it is the reputation of the instrument and my sixth sense that it will meet or exceed the needs of whoever owns it. That makes it beautiful, in my mind.

 

[planks]

OK, I'll say it. What makes this guitar so "beautiful"?

Everything from the grain and finish to the PAFs to the Braz board to the inlays to the switch tip, the list goes on. Everything is (in a faded version obviously) the way a Les Paul Standard was originally designed & meant to be, and what you have is a masterpiece.

Everything.

 

[nicolasrivera]

There is something about a vintage instrument that has a beauty all it's own.

Well said, this is the only answer for those that question its beauty!

 

[yeti]

OK, I'll say it. What makes this guitar so "beautiful"? Yeah, it's a '59, so we are supposed to know that it's drool-worthy, but is it really "beautiful" enough to comment so much on the looks?

I could pick out a hundred pics on MLP of sub $4000 guitars that are equally (or more) "beautiful".

Am I missing something? Is it more beautiful, just because it's more valuable? Am I discounting its "beauty", due to me realizing it's unobtainable? (No, I see lots of beauty in things I'll never possess!)

To my eyes and ears there are few things more beautiful than respectful dissent, I get more enjoyment from reading your post than drooling over the Burst in question. yeah it's nice but I can think of a million things more beautiful than that guitar, many of which are free.

 

[yeti]

Well said, this is the only answer for those that question its beauty!

Sounds an awful lot like the "If you don't know I'm not gonna tell you" routine.

 

[BillB1960]

OK, I'll say it. What makes this guitar so "beautiful"? Yeah, it's a '59, so we are supposed to know that it's drool-worthy, but is it really "beautiful" enough to comment so much on the looks?

I could pick out a hundred pics on MLP of sub $4000 guitars that are equally (or more) "beautiful".

Am I missing something? Is it more beautiful, just because it's more valuable? Am I discounting its "beauty", due to me realizing it's unobtainable? (No, I see lots of beauty in things I'll never possess!)

I like plain tops and that level of color change is very nice as far as I'm concerned so overall to me that is a very nice looking guitar and it's certainly in good shape for a 50+ year old instrument but I do get what you're saying. Just because it's a 59 Les Paul (insert oohs and aaahs here) it's suddenly imbued with magical beauty and liberally frosted with unobtainium. Kinda like a supermodel if ya know what I mean.

Meh...let em drool...

 

[axehandler]

To see a vintage les paul in such great condition is a big part of the attraction. Knowing what this is - is the beauty. It's like seeing a pristine, all original 57 vette, (not restored) or a beautiful girl with no makeup. Sure there are plenty of beautiful things in the world, but to the les paul enthusiast, this is at the top.

 

[Sharky]

there is one real flamey 1960 burst on g-base for the same money which might be considered more beautiful: 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst > Guitars : Electric Solid Body - Emerald City Guitars | Gbase.com

 

[JustD]

there is one real flamey 1960 burst on g-base for the same money which might be considered more beautiful: 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst > Guitars : Electric Solid Body - Emerald City Guitars | Gbase.com

Also less original (2 pots, saddles, tuners), and worn to all (which is cool)

 

[babatube]

what a magnificent guitar


look at grandpa go

 

[Sharky]

what a magnificent guitar


look at grandpa go

i think the rubbed of finish under the controls comes from years of grinding on a microphone stand

 

[nicolasrivera]

Grampa molested that guitar with his iron stick!

 

[FloydPink]

That's back when coily cords ruled the Earth.

 

[56custom]

Am I missing something? Is it more beautiful, just because it's more valuable? Am I discounting its "beauty", due to me realizing it's unobtainable? (No, I see lots of beauty in things I'll never possess!)

I think the answer is YES- you hit the nail on the head. It is much more exciting because you know it's the real thing vice an identical replica. Which would generate more excitement, the prospect of a date with the real Michelle Pfeiffer, or her doppelganger who serves pie at the local diner?

By the way that "grandpa" photo is priceless, and for me represents much of the allure of vintage Gibsons. Sure, Clapton and Bloomfied made them famous, but they were also prized by everyday folks who saved up to buy a Gibson, 'cause they were "the best". And they were right. There is just something so uniquely American about that.

Oh, and who wants to speculate as to what goes with that headstock poking in from stage left???

 

[Sharky]

By the way that "grandpa" photo is priceless, and for me represents much of the allure of vintage Gibsons. Sure, Clapton and Bloomfied made them famous, but they were also prized by everyday folks who saved up to buy a Gibson, 'cause they were "the best". And they were right. There is just something so uniquely American about that.

i love that picture as well and clicked it dozens of times. It's a humble guitar with humble people and Grampa is rockin' so great!

 

[babatube]

i think the rubbed of finish under the controls comes from years of grinding on a microphone stand

Grampa molested that guitar with his iron stick!

honestly if i had one of these i would molest it on a daily basis.