Gibson Les Paul 59 Royal Tea LA
The Gibson Les Paul 59 Royal Tea LA pairs a detailed Custom Shop specification with classic Les Paul construction and hardware. Its premium price makes the most sense for players who specifically want this model and finish.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Gibson Les Paul 59 Royal Tea LA review
The Gibson Les Paul 59 Royal Tea LA is a U.S.-made Custom Shop guitar modeled on the 1959 Les Paul. Its specification centers on a solid mahogany body, a selected flamed maple top, a one-piece mahogany neck, and two unpotted Alnico III Custombucker humbuckers. The finish is Light Aged in Royal Tea, with a burst color description in the product data.
Available since March 2025, this model is listed at 6999. The supplied information does not state a currency, so the figure should be checked against the seller's listing before purchase. The item number is 612150. It ships with a Lifton case and a certificate, while a gig bag is not included.
Construction and neck
The body is solid mahogany, topped with selected, flamed maple. The neck is one-piece mahogany, with an Authentic '59 Medium C profile. Its one-piece rosewood fingerboard is described as hide-glued. The scale length is 628 mm, and the fingerboard has 22 historic medium-jumbo frets. Aged cellulose nitrate trapezoid inlays provide the fingerboard markers.
These are specific construction details rather than a promise about how the guitar will feel or sound. Neck shape, fretwork, and setup can affect playability, but the supplied specifications do not include measurements for neck thickness, fret size, action, or string gauge. A hands-on inspection would be needed to assess those details on an individual instrument.
The single-cut body follows the familiar Les Paul layout. The listing identifies the back treatment as Aniline Dye Back and the finish as Light Aged. It does not describe the degree or pattern of aging, so buyers should consult current product photographs or ask the seller for close-ups if finish appearance is a deciding factor.
Pickups and controls
The guitar uses two unpotted Alnico III Custombucker humbuckers in an HH configuration. The listed electronics include CTS 500k potentiometers and oil-in-paper capacitors. Those components identify the parts used, but no output readings, wiring diagram, switching options, or detailed control layout are provided. The available information therefore does not support claims about exact tonal response or specific coil configurations.
For a player comparing this model with other Les Paul-style guitars, the pickup type and the stated electronics give a useful starting point. They do not replace an audition, especially when comparing amplifier settings, pickup height, or individual examples. No customer reviews are available for this product, so this assessment is limited to the published specifications and makes no claims about owner experience.
Bridge, tuners, and included items
The hardware combines a no-wire ABR-1 bridge with an aluminum stopbar. Tuning machines are Kluson single-ring vintage-style units. The hardware finish is nickel. The specification also lists cellulose acetate butyrate plastic parts, along with a 2022 switchplate medallion. A historically correct backplate is included in the case.
The bridge and stopbar are fixed hardware, and the product data confirms that there is no tremolo. That keeps the specification straightforward for players seeking a traditional fixed-bridge setup. The details do not identify the exact bridge adjustment range or provide information about factory setup, so those points should be confirmed with the retailer.
What the specifications establish
- Model: 1959 Les Paul, Custom Shop, single-cut body.
- Materials: Solid mahogany body, selected flamed maple top, one-piece mahogany neck, and rosewood fingerboard.
- Fingerboard and scale: 22 historic medium-jumbo frets, trapezoid inlays, and a 628 mm scale.
- Electronics: Two unpotted Alnico III Custombucker humbuckers, CTS 500k potentiometers, and oil-in-paper capacitors.
- Hardware and finish: ABR-1 bridge, aluminum stopbar, Kluson vintage-style tuners, nickel hardware, and Light Aged Royal Tea finish.
- Included: Lifton case and certificate. No gig bag.
Verdict
The Gibson Les Paul 59 Royal Tea LA is specified as a detailed Custom Shop interpretation of a 1959 Les Paul, with period-oriented materials and hardware called out by name. Its one-piece neck and fingerboard, unpotted Custombuckers, and included Lifton case help define the package. The data does not establish how a particular guitar plays, sounds, or compares in person, and there are no customer reviews to supplement it. At a listed price of 6999, confirm the currency, current availability, finish details, and setup with the seller before deciding.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Custom Shop build with a one-piece mahogany neck and solid mahogany body
- Selected flamed maple top, rosewood fingerboard, and Light Aged Royal Tea finish
- Two unpotted Alnico III Custombucker humbuckers with CTS 500k pots and paper-in-oil capacitors
What bugged me
- The listed price is high, so it is best suited to buyers seeking a premium instrument
- No tremolo system is included
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A strong match for players seeking a Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul, vintage-style construction, and a Royal Tea finish. Also suited to buyers who value the included Lifton case and certificate.Look elsewhere if
Not a good fit for buyers who require a tremolo system or are shopping primarily for a lower-cost guitar. Its premium price calls for a specific interest in this model and its features.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Burst
- Body
- Mahogany
- Top
- Maple
- Neck
- Mahogany
- Fretboard
- Rosewood
- Frets
- 22
- Scale
- 628 mm
- Pickups
- HH
- Tremolo
- None
- Including case
- Yes
- Incl. gigbag
- No
- Limited run
- None
- Model
- 1959 Les Paul
- Shape
- Single Cut
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
What comes with the guitar?
It includes a Lifton case and a certificate. No gig bag is listed.
Does it have a tremolo?
No. The specifications list no tremolo, along with an ABR 1 bridge and an aluminum stopbar.
What pickups are fitted?
It has two unpotted Alnico III Custombucker humbuckers, with CTS 500k potentiometers and paper-in-oil capacitors.
What are the body and neck made of?
The body is solid mahogany with a selected flamed maple top. The one-piece neck is mahogany, and the fingerboard is rosewood.
Is this a standard production model?
It is identified as a Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul. The listing gives a March 2025 availability date and says it is made in the USA.
The last word from the bench
This Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul has a one-piece mahogany neck, a solid mahogany body, a selected flamed maple top, and a rosewood fingerboard. Its two unpotted Alnico III Custombucker humbuckers, ABR 1 bridge, and aluminum stopbar follow the stated vintage-oriented specification. The included Lifton case and certificate add practical value, though the price remains a substantial commitment. Consider it if its specific construction and appearance are priorities, rather than if you need a tremolo or a lower-cost instrument.
Hanging next to it
Gibson Les Paul 59 Royal Tea LA
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.






