Gibson Les Paul Standard 1959, Sunburst

For many players, there is no higher pinnacle in guitar collecting than owning a 1959 Les Paul Standard. If we are on the topic of collecting, it is the Topp's '52 Mickey Mantle rookie card, a Paul Newman dial Rolex Daytona, or a 1965 Shelby GT350. There are just some American made products that evoke the spirit of their field and will always be desired. This very rare and desirable early-1959 burst presents in mostly factory form and has the added provenance of roughly a decade of careful stewardship/ownership by Lenny Kravitz. As the guitar, serial number 9 0351, presents, it is a lightly figured, sun-washed, '58 spec Les Paul Standard without signs of major modification or neglect. The pickups were removed from the wiring harness at one time, the cover taken off the bridge pickup, a ground wire re-ran throughout the pots, and a refret by Glaser to later '59 specs, but thats about it for 67 years of being in the hands of guitar players. This was well-loved by Lenny Kravitz during his ownership and according to an interview in Guitar Player magazine, Lenny used this guitar on his 2024 album, "Blue Electric Light" for the rhythm and lead solos of "Love is My Religion."  Also noted in the article, 9 0351 came to Lenny via a dealer's find at a Texas Guitar show convention roughly 10 years ago; a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Lenny is included with this sale. The COA states that Lenny "used it for the last 7 years in studio and on rare occasion on-stage." Up until Lenny's conservatorship, the guitar had its original frets, which says alot considering how many bursts were heavily stage used and subject to luthier work in the '70s, '80s, and '90s. The frets on the '58s and '59s truly were small, and this one is an excellent player, so we can understand the desire to get it in its best form; the fret job is superb. When it comes to guitar collecting, this is the condition you look for: lovingly played with considerate care for originality.