This 2024 Gibson Custom Shop R9 in Dirty Lemon VOS came in as part of a trade for a vintage Les Paul I sold. Visually, it ticks all the right boxes: a beautifully figured flame top, a great Dirty Lemon burst, and that unmistakable late-’50s look the Historic Collection aims to capture.

Now, let’s address the obvious: new guitars are not old guitars. For many reasons, they don’t quite replicate the exact magic of a true vintage Burst. But just like back then, some are simply better than others — and this is one of them.

This R9 has a dry, lively acoustic character, which is exactly what you want as a foundation. Plugged in, the two Gibson Custombucker pickups deliver a balanced, versatile tone that covers a lot of ground — clear, open, and musical without sounding overly compressed or modern.

The 59 neck shape is superb — comfortable, substantial, and very easy to play across all registers. It’s the kind of guitar that immediately feels right in your hands.

At 4.08 kg, it sits in that ideal weight range, offering enough substance and character without becoming too heavy.

The previous owner handpicked this guitar from a number of examples as the best modern Les Paul he could find — a placeholder until a vintage piece would come along. The moment you play it, it becomes clear why.

It’s in very good condition and comes complete with its original case, certificate, and full case candy.