Vintage Guitar Authentication - 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard "Burst"

We have a special video in queued up for you all today - a look at the authentication process for our vintage guitars, and today we're specifically looking at a 1959 "Burst", which is a sunburst Gibson Les Paul built between 1958 and 1960 inclusively.
We're going to step back and let Tyler deliver the informational goods, and there is a LOT of information here - so grab a snack and get comfy!
Music: The Hollers "Alone Together" (album instrumentals)

[@bingskiddd]

Now I have some idea as to what to look for when I finally find a 1959 Burst at a garage sale. Thanks Man

[@aidanstorey6205]

Lmao I think all us guitar players have that thought of finding our dream vintage gear at a yardsale. 57' strat for me✌

[@craigusselman546]

@@aidanstorey6205 Both for me You might find an Epiphon 1959 LP replica at a garage sale so keep your chin up! lol.

[@1960fusion]

i learned more about the Burst LP's in the last 23 minutes from your knowledge and experience than the last 40 years of observing, reading and watching videos...thanks!

[@gdasilva]

I am so glad that the screw in the strap button is original on this. We all know that is really where the tone comes from.

[@TylerECG]

Believe me, the folks who are in the market for these guitars do care!

[@Smart75]

@@TylerECG Yeah, dentists and lawyers LOL

[@TylerECG]

@@Smart75 Haha dentists and lawyers are people too!

[@kanjosidr]

This is valued not because of tone, but because of historical value. You can get better or the exact same tone with all kinds of modern guitars.

[@charlespatrick8650]

Federico Fanelli more like wall street crooks along with a few silicon valley DBs and Saudi, Chinese, etc...., billionaires

[@brettmcnaueal1951]

I have been working on these old Gibsons for years, since I was twelve. I am now 69. This guy really knows his stuff. I have learned much from listening to this video. Awesome stuff! Thanks for this, and for sharing your knowledge here. Very well done!

[@curtiseverett1671]

yeah, same, I'm 61 and I have lived in L.A. for 32 years.....and yeah, this guy is incredible!!!

[@brunogarcia6506]

500 manufactured, only 12.000 still in existence.

[@johnhickey8429]

Exactly, I just made a comment concerning this.

[@snapascrew]

Dang, that’s it?! I played one!!!

[@auntjenifer7774]

More like 1000 were made and the market holds 12000 of them but yeah.

[@dtreenjr]

650 +/- were made

[@jeffreybiscoe6]

Good info sadly anyone faking these obtain it too.

[@pappyodanial]

Now to put my Collector's Choice guitar under the magnifying glass. Great stuff. Also I'd love to hear some stories of counterfeits that you have found and the experience with the decieved owner.

[@myvintagesunburst7418]

lots of cork sniffing , great info , thanks for taking us to the next level of nerdiness .

[@stipeur]

This dude knows his stuff, great video, thank you Emerald City Guitars!

[@Guitarmike]

Quite an amazing video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@eddietrucco9969]

This video is simply great. Thank you for sharing. Always top notch!

[@MascarasMil]

Man, I appreciate the hell out of people that know and love their trade. I could sit and listen to you for hours. Normally, I can only talk to people for minutes.

[@mariuseriksen4079]

This is now my new favorite video on youtube - keep them coming! Such a knowledgable guy! Thanks!

[@dermpath101]

Blown away! Awesome video! I had my popcorn out.

[@fugamantew]

So nice to have one of these videos out there. Historic. Thanks Emerald!

[@richardbinder9662]

Great information. What don't you know about Bursts? I was very fortunate to have met and befriend the late luthier Steve Carr. He built many guitars for Kiss. Steve was Jimmy D'Aquisto's apprentice. He lived next door to me in Orlando. Everytime he had something cool , he would knock on my door. One day he brought a '59' in. He said I could play it. I saying my sofa and made sure I had no belt or jean pocket rivets exposed. I plugged it into my Marshall 50 watt. What a treat. Steve could build nice replicas, and always stamped in the back of the headstock, that it was a replica. He used a lot of vintage parts. Miss my friend. Thanks for sharing.

[@myriad926]

This was great. The best video you've ever made!

[@MrParkerfly1]

Great video. What a knowledgeable guy. Learned quite a bit. Keep them coming!

[@edwardfjohnson]

I lived in Seattle for 12 years and always brought my guitars to you guys for the same level of knowledge and talent this video shows off. Quite enjoyable.

[@joebroomhead]

And if you don’t know what formaldehyde smells like, simply pour some on a rag and inhale. Fantastic and informative! Great vid.

[@RHINOPLASM]

I really admired how thorough and precise the process was. Good work

[@nickdenbow4379]

I'd love to see more of these. Very informative, to the point, not overly long. Debunking some myths, very comprehensive. Yep, do some more!

[@SDPickups]

Yes very good video, but huge mistake about "brass covers." NEVER EVER HAPPENED. Earliest part of '57 they were stainless, last part they went to nickel silver from then onwards.

[@php-xv2cw]

coming back at this video on a regular basis, it is a true delight to watch !

[@cgarciaad]

AMAZING!!!! Too much good information very well explained!

[@jon.wilson]

Don't forget to remove the neck to check the stamp at the heel

[@jakebaldwin8160]

Jack Walsh bit rude

[@jubei7259]

Would this be one of those 'woosh' moments with some of these comments perchance? lol ( & might that be God himself I spy in your profile pic?)

[@jon.wilson]

@@jubei7259 yes and yes

[@rationalthinker9181]

Best to use an angle grinder

[@funeralbillii9172]

@@rationalthinker9181 I use a Sawzall, you get a nice clean cut. Then, you just get a little wood glue and scotch tape and bam, good as new.

[@faction95]

This is the coolest thing I've seen all week!

[@elbik95]

Man this video was absurdly good! Please keep them coming!

[@The_Wood]

Dude, your level of knowledge regarding these guitars is beyond mere mortal man. OUTSTANDING breakdown of what's what!!!

[@dannymarks988]

Very well delivered and edited video. Thanks!

[@MrMikepresley]

Please have Tyler do more of these videos, so interesting and well done.

[@shakealeg88]

Can't get over how much I enjoy the nerdery on these videos

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Fascinating! Thank you for this in depth video!

[@KSeguraR]

Most detail video of the Burst characteristics so far! Congrats!

[@ChristopherClause]

First time seeing this and so glad it came up in my feed! I learned a whole lot in 24 minutes about Bursts that I did not know before. Thank you for this!

[@CyclopsGuitars8642]

Dam!!! Cool video,that is some serious knowledge on the Burst.Love these videos

[@PoppysGuitar]

My God this guy is amazing. This is what I have been looking for. Thank you so much.

[@charvelmodel2]

Outstanding video!

[@jsmallsawe]

great video folks! You all put out the best stuff!

[@CC-te5zf]

Amazing video. I commissioned a replica and I insisted on hide glue for the top. I'm blown away by that fact and it makes total sense. Never too old to learn!

[@coffeecomics3583]

SUBSCRIBED!!! Awesome video. Great delivery of the information. You get straight to the point. That's what we like. No useless blathering. SUBSCRIBED!!!

[@RTKFilms]

Nice job!! This video is done really well!

[@stuartrouse7851]

a fascinating look at the little tiny details which make up an awesome tone tool!? you guys really know your stuff, and always have incredible inventory! thanks!

[@TylerECG]

Thanks so much for the kind words Stuart!

[@stuartrouse7851]

@@TylerECG oh your welcome! I have been playing guitar all my life, and have owned many.....currently have my second Les Paul Standard which I love? but, your video's are always really interesting, very entertaining, and your shop has the feel of a place which would be great to visit.......welcoming, knowledgeable and friendly?....even on video? keep doing what your doing......I look forward to each new story.

[@paulcowart3174]

I actually like watching this every year lol All good Thanks Emerald City Happy Holidays

[@michaelmerritt1722]

Excellent video. Would like to see more like this. Thanks for that.

[@kommi1974]

Straight up awesome and informative.

[@tylerwillison4962]

Excellent video guys!

[@scottbowness4556]

Fantastic. Would love to see more of these!

[@roadworthy1102]

Thank you sincerely for sharing your knowledge. Very grateful. Exceptionally well done.

[@TylerECG]

It's my pleasure, thanks so much for the kind words!

[@MrDustinclement]

This was cool, would definitely enjoy more!

[@therollband1290]

The value of these bursts has exceeded a lot of fine art, but I have to say this is far more interesting than appraising fine art. The craftsmanship on these was awesome. This guitar is 62 years old and it’s still 100% functional. Not only that, it’s one of the most prized and sought after electric guitar of all time. Amazing.

[@CyclopsGuitars8642]

Just to think it was a bunch of Kalamazoo ladies doing a lot of the work on the guitars.I really want the book called “Kalamazoo Gals”

[@roborob767]

Man, this is well done. This young man knows his chit. great production as well.

[@mattrogers1946]

Excellent video! Lots of great information.

[@mybluesguitar]

Superb. It would be interesting to see a fine, detailed comparison between a '59 and a '60 (or, even better, a '58, '59 and a '60).

[@peterhaig3450]

I must have watched this video a dozen times. I would love to see more like this.

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

So have i and i noticed it has been edited since the first version. The took out the part of the vid where Tyler stated that the Pickguard screw is lined up exactly with the 22nd fret on all the originals and this is not true! I have seen several documented 59's where the screw of not lined up exact with the last fret!

[@tinman5322]

Good Gawd I'm thoroughly fascinated at how such a young man has seen enough 59's to have observed so many details that you have amassed such a reliable baseline. As a small-time gigging player, home machinist and all around tinkerer my hats are off (I wear several) to your attention to minutia and eagerness to inform. This stuff is realms away from mine but I'm intrigued all the same.

[@TylerECG]

Thanks so much for the kind words!!

[@fretboarder4752]

@@TylerECG i bet you were good at spot the difference as a younger lad.

[@SamB-fv6su]

Bill Gates takes all of his guitars to this guy

[@johnpickk7526]

Awesome, loved watching this! Very informative

[@renodavid]

Man, that’s some incredible stuff and it’s all super interesting. Thanks! I’m amazing that this particular guitar is in such original and prefect condition. I’m really not that much of a tinkerer, but I think I’ve managed to mess around in some way with every guitar I’ve owned.🤷‍♂️

[@samrdean]

Super video!! Very, very informative. Thanks!

[@lincolnosiris3665]

"As you can see, the left side of the headstock..." *light source slowly fades of the screen* Well done!

[@TylerECG]

We have the best post production guy in the business! Thanks for watching!!

[@lincolnosiris3665]

@@TylerECG Good for you. I did in fact enjoy the video.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

The fade-in / fade-out lighting technique is annoying af. Just get a really nice lighting on the subject and leave it there. They are trying way too hard to be dramatic.

[@TheChzoronzon]

@@Joe-mz6dc not like you

[@rdaws73]

@@Joe-mz6dc agree, its over used

[@chronicmango]

Not even sure if Dan Erlewine could make a copy with every detail right. This is an awesome video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@mstringer90]

I loved this video, please do more like this :)

[@sharonraizor2839]

Speaking for everyone in the world.......yes please make another video where you give your complete authentication process. That would probably make this one the 2nd best KZbin video ever.

[@braderrick]

Great video and info. Unless I win the lottery I probably will never use this knowledge but still great and very entertaining! Lol thanks for posting.

[@Slash1066]

That was absolutely fascinating, i'm a total guitar nerd and I could listen to those tips all day long. I assume then that guitar was original and therefore worth something close to half a million dollars! Mind boggling to think its worth as much as a huge house!

[@robhaskell4043]

Very nicely done. I learned a lot watching this.

[@chazchuckyboyz4733]

Amazing detail, excellent summary

[@user-ph8og4ym5m]

Great video, realy interested. I love this channel. Mr. Tyler, please make a video about 70's Les Pauls.

[@DougCanney1]

Good info, thanks for this. You taught me many new things to look for. Back in the day, I played a few of these. Never saw one for sale though.

[@LPCustom3]

Great job on the Glue for the top. Gibson called it “Radio Glue” and used an early form of Microwaves to cure it! Read the book on Ted McCarty as he goes into the construction of Les Pauls!!

[@Trial212]

Great video!! Lots of good info.

[@TimatorA]

My god I love this so much. Please do more of these!

[@daves.2111]

This video was awesome! 👏🏻

[@TheBenScarr]

I love these authentication videos! More please!

[@nathanjmartin19]

Absolutely fantastic video. Thanks!

[@timpage9195]

Thanks for the input, very infomative,and knowledgable, not that I'll ever be able to afford one of those originals, but i enjoyed your video, and its gotta be a dream to even get to hold or play an original 50's Les Paul..thanks

[@mrzots]

Best Burst video around...I really enjoyed it and if I have 300K$ to spend on a Burst I will come to you ;-)

[@geemac7267]

I can make you a spot on copy for half that. Good information in this video.

[@SamB-fv6su]

Well said Eric ! These dudes cater to the one percent!!

[@billuminati3867]

@@geemac7267 for 150,000 you'd be able to just steal one

[@davidg-oo1ox]

Awesome informative video. Thank you

[@davidg-oo1ox]

Do you think Bonamassa is pleasuring himself to this vid?

[@BlackLabelMark]

... I am.

[@russianbot2397]

@@BlackLabelMark lol

[@iwillnevergetone5]

without any lotion

[@davidg-oo1ox]

@@iwillnevergetone5 I believe in vintage guitar Joe said he uses graphite for those "special" moments?

[@iwillnevergetone5]

truth

[@JJGuccione]

I really enjoyed this VDO, Thank You

[@luigi89]

epic video! a pleasure to watch ;). Look forward to the chemical test!!

[@MrBossei]

Great video and really informative! Thank you!

[@stevevallance6326]

Great job. I’d like to see more of this process.

[@snapascrew]

What an absolutely fantastic video. Thank you.

[@_RLP]

Great video. Keep' em coming.

[@tidepoolbay]

Nice work Tyler!

[@TANTRUMGASM]

....THAT guitar is in such fine condition ...A Beauty indeed

[@DWinegarden2]

My word of the day... “quintessential” I’m going to using it in as many sentences as possible today.

[@jerrytee2688]

It is the quintessential word.

[@j_freed]

... most assuredly!

[@oe542]

100% best comment section I’ve seen so far this week.

[@jakefromstatefarm9721]

Your assistance to all the counterfeit crooks is much appreciated.

[@8bitBarry1]

Thanks for tightening up the quality control issues that were raised in the last management meeting of my underground 1959 Les Paul forging business... mhor hor hor.

[@belguitars7102]

Fantastic informative video, would love to see you guys do more of these type of videos for other models and brands. 50’s strat???

[@travishemming3783]

What a fascinating video. Many here will know some iteration of this saying: "Of the original 1,400 Bursts ever made, only 3,500 remain." Be careful out there.

[@jonviol]

Excellent up load - thanks

[@emmanuelmeyermeyer1083]

Great video! This has given me alot of knowledge on what to look for if I was in the market for one someday. Thank you for aútheñticating a precious time piece of that era. Please post a video of a repro also. Great job!

[@frankhall7005]

Lol if you could ever afford one of these you could afford to have it authenticated.

[@RobinStrower]

I don't think they are hard to fake. There are more out in this world than ever made by Gibson. Great video. All the best, Robin

[@anderaparicio9748]

This is one of my favourite videos in KZbin. Awsome!! Thank you!!

[@michaelpham5146]

Wow, can't believe I watched the whole video, really enjoyed it. Tyler presented this material really well. He's like a tour guide that really knows his stuff and is passionate about vintage gear. Awesome! Normally don't comment on videos, but I would definitely like to see more videos like these. That was badass.

[@TylerECG]

Thanks so much for watching Michael!

[@adobedirtblues1321]

This guy is so smart. Nothing like experience and brains

[@IrisGalaxis]

...and Domestos!

[@rickenbacker40011]

The quality of these videos is so fucking good it’s crazy Love them all Keeeep it goin!!

[@hoboroadie]

It's rather pleasurable to admire such a fine shiny example of old tech. I can't afford to stand nearby one of those nowadays.

[@john-kl3ux]

This guy is incredibly knowledgeable. Really cool

[@henryhunter5026]

Loads of interesting information here. I guess most of us are never going to own a 1950s Les Paul but many guitarists are very interested in what went into the building of this iconic guitar.

[@jimberry5714]

Excellent and informative! Thank you.