Gibson Custom is proud to announce the sales launch of Collector’s Choice #6, original serial #9 1918, aka “Number One”.
“I call it my “Number One” or “Desert Island” guitar because it’s by far the best guitar I’ve ever owned, held or heard.” Those are the words Mike Slubowski used to describe his prized ‘59 Burst, serial #9 1918, and the latest original to be replicated through Gibson Custom’s Collector’s Choice series. As the name implies, each Collector’s Choice is a specific example of one of the few original 1959 Les Paul’s still in existence and accessible through the generosity of their current owners. “Number One”, according to the Gibson Custom team who analyzed the guitar’s exact specifications in a series of hands-on sessions, is a pristine example of a guitar whose sixty plus years have been lived out in gentle quiet. It still retains much of the deep cherry red in its finish. In fact, the only evidence that it was exposed to light at some point is a dark, sales tag-shaped portion of the finish. The particular finish of #9 1918 is rare, with only a handful made during the brief period in which Gibson originally produced the 1959 Les Paul model. The current condition of the original guitar is exceptionally clean, with consistent radiuses on its edges and clean cavities where the original tool marks are clearly untouched. Based on digital analysis of #9 1918, Collector’s Choice #6 (aka “Number One”), reflects a nearly ideal set of specifications with a neck that has just enough “cheek”, a subtle flatness to the dish carve and a very slight difference in the neck and bridge pickup output. With just enough figure to give the guitar its character without upstaging its remarkably clean finish, this is one very special instrument. Collector’s Choice #6 is being made available in a maximum run of 300 examples, with the availability of qualifying materials ultimately determining the final number.
One of the things that makes this guitar such a great guitar is how amazingly clean it is. From a manufacturing perspective this guitar is perfect! The radius on the edges are consistent. The tooling marks on the inside cavities are clean and in the correct places, and the color is just beautiful! It has maintained so much of its original burst color as well as the back color and that alone is pretty amazing. One of the things that often gets overlooked is the overall guitar. So much of the time the overall look gets sacrificed to how curly the top is. But with this guitar it really has everything that makes a Les Paul such a classy guitar. The top has just enough figure I pattern to give it some character and this works so nice with the rest of the package. The reissue of this guitar will be a great guitar to work on because this original guitar is such a great example of the typical Les Paul from 1959; a real beauty.
Collector’s Choice # 6!
Gibson Custom chose one of the most well-preserved 1959 Les Pauls to model the Gibson Custom Collector’s Choice #6 1959 Les Paul “Number One” solidbody electric guitar after. Modeled after an amazingly preserved 1959 Les Paul, “Number One” features a mahogany body with a unique mismatched maple top. A chunky ’59 neck and a pair of CustomBucker pickups give you the classic feel and tone of a vintage Les Paul. With only 300 available worldwide, don’t miss your chance to own an amazingly playable and unique guitar – the Gibson Custom Collector’s Choice #6 1959 Les Paul “Number One”.
Gibson Custom Collector’s Choice #6 1959 Les Paul “Number One” Limited Edition Solidbody Electric Guitar at a Glance:
- A precise re-creation of a very special Les Paul
- The PAF sound with a pair of CustomBuckers
- Gibson Custom Shop quality and craftsmanship
A precise re-creation of a very special Les Paul
The Collector’s Choice #6 1959 Les Paul “Number One” is based on a classic instrument that eventually found its way into the hands of Mike Slubowski. Built in 1959, “Number One” has weathered the passage of time unusually well. One of the cleanest vintage Gibson’s of the era, this Collector’s Choice guitar is a textbook example of what a ’59 should be. The unique maple top is mismatched and looks like two totally different pieces of wood. The heel of the neck is consistent with the profile of the neck and very comfortable to play.
The PAF sound with a pair of CustomBuckers
Gibson Custom analyzed the sound of the original PAF humbucking pickups and re-created that vibe with a custom pair of CustomBucker humbuckers. These pickups use period-correct wire and a precise number of turns to create the tone we all know and love. You’ll love the tight low end, complex midrange, and sweet highs you’ll get out of the CustomBucker pickups – it’s everything you expect when you pick up a Les Paul!
Gibson Custom Shop quality and craftsmanship
Gibson’s Custom Shop took extra care with every detail of the Collector’s Choice #6 1959 Les Paul “Number One”. Every Gibson Custom guitar receives an ultra-precise Plek Pro setup, which precisely re-created the feel and performance of the original “Number One”. The fretboard and nut have an incredibly accurate intonation and a “just right” feel. And little touches, like the mismatched top and the accurately-aged hardware remain true to the original 1959 Les Paul Standard that “Number One” pays homage to.
Gibson Custom Collector’s Choice #6 1959 Les Paul “Number One” Limited Edition Solidbody Electric Guitar Features:
- Precise re-creation of the unique 1959 Les Paul Standard nicknamed “Number One”
- Color: Non-filtered Tobacco Burst
- Extremely limited edition – only 300 available worldwide
- One-piece mahogany back with hand-selected maple top for incredible tone and sustain
- Rosewood fingerboard with a 12″ radius for fluid playability
- CustomBucker humbucking pickups, wound with period-correct wire for a truly vintage sound