Electric guitars

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.

Gibson Les Paul 59 Royal Tea LA, front view
8.5/ 10 overall score
$6,999current price at the retailer
Check today's price price and delivery time at the retailer

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.
RockBluesJazz

Suggested level: Intermediate

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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

Gibson Les Paul 59 Royal Tea LA, detail 2Gibson Les Paul 59 Royal Tea LA, detail 3Gibson Les Paul 59 Royal Tea LA, detail 4Gibson Les Paul 59 Royal Tea LA, detail 5

Watch and listen

Watch the video demo on YouTube →

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.

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Gibson Les Paul 59 Royal Tea LA

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