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)

[@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

[@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.

[@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!!!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@stipeur]

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

[@myvintagesunburst7418]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@joebroomhead]

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

[@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

[@mariuseriksen4079]

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

[@jakefromstatefarm9721]

Your assistance to all the counterfeit crooks is much appreciated.

[@php-xv2cw]

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

[@fugamante1539]

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

[@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”

[@RHINOPLASM]

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

[@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).

[@s0nder1275]

i wonder how many people will use this to make better fakes

[@TylerECG]

Hi Michael, We appreciate your concern for the purity of the Burst market! The fact is, all the info I disclosed in this video is common knowledge to just about everyone in the field, and has been for many years. The folks who don't know this stuff tend to be the buyers/collectors, which is why there are still so many subpar Burst forgeries that change hands as original. Information is our friend in this case!

[@kutsumiru]

You think a cheap knockoff is going to put that much attention to detail in their guitars? They would cease to be cheap at that point

[@heggy_69]

hey if Chinese guitars get better I'll be happy lmao

[@ghosthead2008]

There is so much info out there, that the question is, why hasn't anyone made a better fake? Answer, because time is money, and to get every, single, minute detail right would be extremely time-consuming.

[@TylerECG]

@@ghosthead2008 Well put!

[@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!!

[@The_Wood]

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

[@Guitarmike]

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

[@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

[@eddietrucco9969]

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

[@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.

[@dermpath101]

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

[@MrMikepresley]

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

[@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.

[@faction95]

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

[@myriad926]

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

[@charvelmodel2]

Outstanding video!

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Fascinating! Thank you for this in depth video!

[@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.

[@MrParkerfly1]

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

[@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!

[@TANTRUMGASM]

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

[@shakealeg88]

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

[@6ixstringsonfire12]

I would really love to see a comparison between a historic reissue 59 LP vs an Original 59 LP on how close are they in term of parts and how accurate the reissue is to an original.

[@fchampd4512]

Never heard one come close, and thats my biggest guitardream. The originals sounds like a hambucker and singecoil combined with a bloomy and wooden tone all at the same time. It sucks but thats how it is

[@hotshot99911]

The reissues are not very accurate to be honest. They kind of hit what I would say is a "general idea" of what is a burst is. They are amazing instruments but they are not accurate to a real burst.

[@iaingraham7276]

@@fchampd4512 Can’t comment on 59s, but I can comment on 58s. Original and 2017 custom shop VOS. I own one, and have access to the other. The 2017 custom shop “R8” reissue is about as perfect as it gets. I defy you to tell the difference plying them blindfold, or even harder, on any recording. Unless the original has developed a nasty fault. Which they mostly do.

[@socrates1818]

I’ve Played an ‘80 Gibson heritage standard with Shaw pickups and all Kalamazoo electronics/parts- that one sounded amazingly like a nine!

[@PoppysGuitar]

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

[@kevinsegurar]

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

[@kommi1974]

Straight up awesome and informative.

[@dannymarks988]

Very well delivered and edited video. Thanks!

[@cgarciaad]

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

[@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!

[@chazchuckyboyz4733]

Amazing detail, excellent summary

[@tylerwillison4962]

Excellent video guys!

[@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!

[@nathanjmartin19]

Absolutely fantastic video. Thanks!

[@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.

[@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!

[@jonviol]

Excellent up load - thanks

[@JJGuccione]

I really enjoyed this VDO, Thank You

[@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.

[@michaelmerritt1722]

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

[@davidg-oo1ox]

Awesome informative video. Thank you

[@samrdean]

Super video!! Very, very informative. Thanks!

[@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!

[@adobedirtblues1321]

This guy is so smart. Nothing like experience and brains

[@IrisGalaxis]

...and Domestos!

[@MrDustinclement]

This was cool, would definitely enjoy more!

[@elbik95]

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

[@roborob767]

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

[@robhaskell4043]

Very nicely done. I learned a lot watching this.

[@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

[@paulcowart3174]

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

[@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!

[@jsmallsawe]

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

[@scottbowness4556]

Fantastic. Would love to see more of these!

[@paulles1377]

OMG, he used the screwdriver that I lost in a ditch 12 yrs ago to remove the strap button!!!! I looked nearly 2 minutes for that thing when I dropped it.

[@faunaflage]

Can you imagine the tone that screwdriver has now? Swampdriver!

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

Paul Les 😂🤨

[@RTKFilms]

Nice job!! This video is done really well!

[@mattrogers1946]

Excellent video! Lots of great information.

[@johnpickk7526]

Awesome, loved watching this! Very informative

[@snapascrew]

What an absolutely fantastic video. Thank you.

[@TimatorA]

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

[@CyclopsGuitars8642]

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

[@coffeecomics3583]

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

[@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.

[@daves.2111]

This video was awesome! 👏🏻

[@stevevallance6326]

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

[@tidepoolbay]

Nice work Tyler!

[@mstringer90]

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

[@TheBenScarr]

I love these authentication videos! More please!

[@MrBossei]

Great video and really informative! Thank you!

[@_RLP]

Great video. Keep' em coming.

[@jimberry5714]

Excellent and informative! Thank you.

[@Trial212]

Great video!! Lots of good info.

[@vinniesilvagio]

Thanks for teaching me so much!

[@john-kl3ux]

This guy is incredibly knowledgeable. Really cool

[@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.🤷‍♂️

[@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

[@DDE_ADDICT]

wow so much awesome detail

[@daw162]

"flush is the right way to do it". Somewhere, someone got the idea that perfect fit in parts that don't matter is somehow better than something with the proportions and important details correct and the others done with some kind of life. The countersink is overcut because cutting it flush: * gives no error to having the screw proud * if the pickguard is celluloid or even if it's plastic, it may shrink, leaving the top of a screw proud Neither of these is better than having the screw sunk further. When you read classical guides for actual craftsmanship, they discuss things like liveliness in design. They'd never advocate for "perfect" work, and carving guides will mention things like "sanding the life out of a carving". From a maker's perspective (I make more than guitars), the personality of the work is FAR more interesting than things like "a perfect rout" in a pickup cavity from one guitar to the next, identical . What's far more interesting in a guitar is overall design proportion, some liveliness, and much attention paid to the bits and pieces like the neck joint being done right - not "within a certain cnc spec", but hand fitted. There are a lot of stiff lifeless perfect guitars, including guitars made by gibson. They're boring. electric guitars are a product of the power tool era, so a lot of the life in making is going to be gone (gibson was using carving/duplicating machines long before les pauls ever came along), but at least there's a little something interesting left in these. This idea of perfect little details that don't matter carries over to people now judging the quality of a fender guitar by lateral pocket fit. What's the result of making that tight at manufacture (when the critical part of the fit is actually the bottom of the pocket?). Cracked neck pockets. The nature of the wood is ignored at sale. It will shrink and expand. But over time, it will expand less than it shrinks, so nearly every newer guitar is likely to develop finish cracks to actual structural cracks in the neck, despite the fact that the lateral fit has nothing to offer in terms of transmitting sound. Notice that despite sloppiness with countersinks, etc (which we'd really call bias in favor of the craftsman and longevity), they knew from a design perspective that the guitar would look far better if the knobs followed the contour of the top. They don't need to be done perfectly, but the contour following needs to be there for aesthetics. The hide glue vs. synthetics being discussed in guitar forums, etc, is absurd. When someone is a builder and not selling anything, you may get an honest answer, but the fact that people would be upset by the maple top being glued on with something other than hide glue is goofy. (I do not sell guitars, so I have no stake in this stuff - I just see the joy in the lively bits and pieces in the bursts that's no longer there now that people are obsessed with stupid stuff like whether or not the router bit on the CNC machine looks like it was sharp enough when it cut the pickup cavities).

[@justafrog7997]

this was a mini essay of a read: tl;dr he disagrees

[@allrequiredfields]

Drinking game: Take a shot every time this guy says "lively".

[@daw162]

@@allrequiredfields lively lively lively lively lively lively lively

[@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.

[@user-ph8og4ym5m]

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

[@jerryfraker377]

Great video!

[@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.

[@mcqueen7584]

God I LOVE this channel