SOLD! - 2014 Gibson Les Paul Joe Bonamassa Skinnerburst Lemon Tom Murphy Aged

"This 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard with serial # 9-1951 is known as the Skinner burst and has been renamed Principal Skinner by me. This guitar was purchased in Appleton, Wisconsin and has had 4 owners in its lifetime. The Father from 1959 to 1980, the son from 1980 to 2006 (he sold it with Dad’s permission to buy a cabin on the lake in Benton, Minnesota), my friend Ronny Proler and myself 2011 to present. It is truly a special sunburst Les Paul and is the flagship of my collection. 
I love this guitar"
 
"The first day I got it I sat in with Warren Haynes at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. (Now torn down and replaced with shitty condos) I remember as I was playing a solo the bottom screw holding the pickguard on fell off. I tried to remain calm while the pickguard literally dangled off the guitar held on by one screw. ( I was afraid it would break off, and the guitar is totally original, plus these original guards are $$$$$) Luckily for me, the late Brian Farmer (Warren's tech and a gentleman of the highest order) saw this happen, found the screw and screwed it back on while I was onstage. I will always cherish that memory about Brian and this guitar. It is my favorite Les Paul. 👍😎 Next time you see me ask me about the second screw that flew off and was found at The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom and how the guitar once spent 6 hours in the utility room unguarded at the West View Towers in Los Angeles. Skinner tends to get into and cause trouble."
Joe Bonamassa
 
Of all of today’s Les Paul slinging artists, Joe Bonamassa is among the most revered and the astounding 1959 Gibson Les Paul (serial 9 1951) that he affectionately calls “Principal Skinner” is the most beloved guitar in his extensive collection. 
 
The “Skinnerburst” is a detail-perfect recreation of what is possibly the hardest working 1959 Les Paul in the world today. Through unrestricted access to the original and Joe’s generous cooperation, The Gibson Custom and Tom Murphy have scanned, studied and measured every spec, curve and parameter of this guitar to bring you an instrument that reproduces this prized Burst in every possible way, exactly as it looks, feels, and sounds today.
 
From its delectably faded Dirty Lemon finish, to its customwound PAF humbucking pickups, to its precise top carve and neck profile, the Joe Bonamassa “Skinnerburst” 1959 Les Paul gets you as close as is humanly possible to a priceless artist’s guitar. Historically accurate binding colors, aged cellulose trapezoid inlays, hot-hide glue neck construction, and period-correct hardware all complement a breathtaking rendition of Joe’s constant stage and studio companion.
 
In total 150 pieces were aged by Tom Murphy and 50 of these were signed by JB, which leaves only a 100 Aged examples. Only a few Les Pauls replica's / reissues reproduce the real, old Burst feeling as true to the original but the Skinnerburst replica sure is one of them. This Skinnerburst shows clearly what the Gibson Custom Shop is capable of when they put their minds and resources to it. The ageing is very authentic and perfectly detailed and it has an incredible vintage look and feel! The neck feels as comfortable as slipping into an old pair of jeans thanks to the ideal '59 profile neck with soft rounded shoulders. 
 
The vibration and resonance of the wood are at the highest level here, and at 000000Kg the guitar also has the perfect weight. In addition this Les Paul has an extremely characteristic tone, very reminiscent of the typical, real old PAF sound. Beautifully differentiated, great harmonics, singing tone development. A hot and juicy Les Paul sound with lots of depth, dynamics and an open and lively character.
 
Apart from all the collector features of such an instrument you simply get a reference player axe in near mint condition. The package includes the original Gibson Les Paul Lifton Brown Case, Signed COA certificate, hangtags, etc all as pictured.