Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue BOTB 78 Light Aged

Every once in a while, a guitar appears that feels less like an instrument… and more like a relic recovered from deep space.

This Limited Edition Gibson Custom Shop Greatest Hits II Murphy Lab “Beauty of the Burst” #78 1959 Les Paul Standard is a painstaking recreation of the legendary Burst featured on page 78 of Yasuhiko Iwanade’s iconic Beauty of the Burst book. Built by the artisans at the Gibson Custom Shop and aged by the masters at Murphy Lab, this guitar captures the magic of one of the most revered Les Pauls in the vintage universe.

Finished in a beautifully slightly faded Cherry Sunburst, the AAA hand-selected figured maple top shows wide, dramatic grain patterns that look like cosmic waves frozen in time. Beneath it sits a one-piece lightweight mahogany body, creating the perfect resonance chamber for that unmistakable 1959 Les Paul tone.

Plug it in and the real magic begins.

A matched pair of double white Alnico III Custombuckers launches pure vintage PAF tone into orbit—warm, complex lows, vocal mids, and shimmering highs that bloom with sustain that feels nearly infinite. It’s the kind of tone that bends space and time… the sound players have been chasing across galaxies for decades.

The Carmelita V1 neck carve (.860"–.975") feels instantly familiar—substantial but incredibly comfortable—paired with a smooth Indian rosewood fingerboard and historic medium-jumbo frets for effortless bends and expressive lead work.

Murphy Lab’s light aged nitrocellulose finish and historically accurate aging bring the guitar stunningly close to the real Burst that inspired it, right down to the smallest vintage-correct details.

And at just 8 lbs 2 oz, this Les Paul is remarkably lightweight and resonant—alive in your hands before you even plug it in.

Complete with the Brown/Pink Lifton reissue case, Certificate of Authenticity, historic hang tags, and case candy, this guitar is ready for its next voyage.

For collectors, tone chasers, and explorers of the sonic cosmos alike, this is a rare chance to own a faithful recreation of one of the most legendary Bursts ever documented.

Prepare for liftoff.

Model: 1959 Les Paul Greatest Hits II BOTB 78
Body Construction: Solid
Body: 1-Piece Lightweight Mahogany
Body Top: Hand Selected 2-Piece Figured Maple AAA, Hide Glue Fit 
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Light Aged
Body Binding: Single-Ply Royalite
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Inlay: Aged Cellulose Nitrate Trapezoid
Nut: Nylon, 1.69"" 
Neck Profile: Carmelita V1 Carve (.860" - .975")
Neck Joint: Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit 
Frets: Historic Medium-Jumbo 22 
Truss Rod: Authentic 1950s No-Tube
Radius: 12"
Fingerboard Binding: Cream, Single Ply Royalite
Scale Length: 24.75"
Bridge Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Double-Aged White) 
Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Double-Aged White) 
Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
Pickup Selector: 3-Way Switchcraft
Outpuck Jack: 1/4" Switchcraft
Bridge: No-Wire ABR-1 (Nickel-Plated Brass Saddles)
Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Hardware Color: Nickel
Pickup Covers:  Authentic Profile Nickel Silver Included in Case 
Strap Buttons: Aluminum
Switchwasher: Replica Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Pickguard: Laminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Truss Rod Cover: Authentic Stepped 2-Ply 
Switch Tip: Amber Catalin 
Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Tuning Machines: Kluson Single Line, Single Ring 
Mounting Rings:  M69 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate 
Control Covers: Black Royalite 
Control Knobs: Gold Butyrate Top Hats
Case: Brown/Pink Lifton Reissue 5-Latch Case
Weight: 8lbs 2oz. 
String Gauge: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Accessories: COA, Historic Reissue Hang Tags, Gibson Custom Switchplate Medallion 9w/Historic Black Plastic Cover in Case) 
Case: Brown/Pink Lifton Reissue 5-Latch