A divine connection
In 1968, a young Billy F Gibbons and a few friends owned a 1936 Packard and loaned it to an aspiring actress friend who needed a car to drive from Texas to Hollywood for a movie audition. They didn’t think the car would make it out of Texas, but she made it all the way to Hollywood and got the part. Figuring the car must have divine connections, they named it Pearly Gates. When asked what they wanted her to do with the car, they told her to sell it. She wired the money back to Texas, and with Billy’s $250 share of the proceeds, he purchased a near-mint 1959 Les Paul™ Standard from a Houston-area rancher. Again, divine providence seemed to be at work, and the car’s nickname was transferred to the guitar.
Now, Gibson Custom is incredibly proud to partner with Billy Gibbons on the Billy Gibbons “Pearly Gates” 1959 Les Paul Standard Collector’s Edition. Based on in-depth examination and cutting-edge 3D scans and precise measurements of the priceless vintage original (Billy has famously turned down an offer of five million dollars for Pearly Gates), and artfully aged to match the current condition of Billy’s guitar by the Murphy Lab, it isn’t just a recreation of the original guitar; it is a virtual clone of it.
The Billy Gibbons Pearly Gates 1959 Les Paul Standard features a lightweight, one-piece mahogany body with a two-piece AAA figured maple top, hand-selected to match Pearly Gates’ top as closely as possible. The top’s contours, as with the rest of the build, were replicated using 3D scans of the original guitar.
The profile of the one-piece mahogany neck was also recreated in precise detail, giving these recreations the same amazing playing feel that Billy Gibbons has enjoyed for decades. The bound Brazilian rosewood fretboard features 22 medium jumbo frets and aged cellulose trapezoid inlays.
Not only the nitrocellulose lacquer finish, but also the hardware has been expertly aged by the Murphy Lab, including the ABR-1 Historic no-wire bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece, the Kluson® Deluxe single-line, single-ring tuners, and all plastic components.
Gibson Pickup Shop Product Manager Jared Brandon extensively examined the original Gibson P.A.F. humbucker™ pickups, so named by guitarists for the Patent Applied For stickers on their undersides, in Pearly Gates. They are recreated here in exacting detail based on 3D scans and scientific analysis of the originals, with Murphy Lab-aged covers and mounting rings, Alnico 3 (rhythm) and Alnico 5 (treble) magnets, Double Vintage White bobbins, and historic-spec plain enamel wire, delivering the Billy Gibbons-approved tone that has propelled countless hit recordings.
Utilizing the legendary acoustic properties of authentic Brazilian rosewood, we have created an instrument that honors the past while setting a new benchmark for the future. All of the other details, from the hand-applied replica aging to the cloned pickups and period-correct appointments, serve one purpose: to put the soul and tone of “Pearly Gates” in the hands of players and collectors. To cement its status as an heirloom, each of the 30 instruments in this exceptional limited run will be hand-signed by Billy Gibbons himself.
The sound of ZZ Top has one constant: Miss Pearly Gates, the famous 1959 Les Paul Standard wielded by guitarist Billy Gibbons, has been the band’s tonal cornerstone since its inception and has appeared on every ZZ Top album. Billy’s guitar collection is one of the most extensive and enviable on the planet, but his Holy Grail, his favorite guitar that he turns to time and again, is Miss Pearly Gates. While his guitar collection has grown over the years as he’s searched for another guitar to rival the sound and feel of Pearly Gates, he’s never found one that could do so. Now, Gibson Custom has captured the exact physical DNA of perhaps the most famous 1959 Les Paul Standard in existence. Here’s your opportunity to get as close as humanly possible to the heavenly tone and feel of the famous Pearly Gates. An aged Lifton™ hardshell case, guitar strap, and certificate of authenticity are also included.
Gibson Custom is giving collectors and fans the chance to take a step closer to tone heaven with a strictly limited Gibson Custom Billy Gibbons “Pearly Gates” 1959 Les Paul Standard Collector’s Edition hand-signed guitar and event package, which includes an invitation to attend an exclusive evening with Billy Gibbons at the Gibson Garage Nashville. The evening will be the ultimate fan experience and include a private Q&A with Billy Gibbons, an intimate live performance, a personal meet-and-greet and individual photo opportunity, and more. Access to the Billy Gibbons Pearly Gates Experience is reserved exclusively for the 30 purchasers of the Collector’s Edition guitar. Call the Gibson Garage Nashville on (615) 933-6000 now to reserve your place.
Highlights
- Based on 3D scans of Billy Gibbons’ 1959 Les Paul Standard “Pearly Gates”
- Lightweight one-piece mahogany body
- Two-piece AAA figured maple top
- One-piece mahogany neck with a Pearly Gates profile
- Brazilian rosewood fretboard with aged cellulose trapezoid inlays
- Billy Gibbons Reissue Pearly Gates P.A.F. pickups
- Aged Lifton hardshell case
- Billy Gibbons experience invitation
Guitar Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Back 1-piece lightweight mahogany
Binding Single-ply cream top and fretboard
Body Finish Murphy Lab aged nitrocellulose lacquer
Body Material 1-piece lightweight mahogany
Body Shape Les Paul
Body Styles Solidbody
Top 2-piece AAA figured maple
Weight Relief None
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Brazilian rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 12 in. | 304.8 mm
Fret Count 22
Frets Jescar reissue
Inlays Aged cellulose trapezoid
Joint Glued-in, set neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Nut Material Nylon reissue
Nut Width 42.86mm / 1.69in
Profile Pearly Gates
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup Billy Gibbons Reissue, Lead
Controls 2 volume, 2 tone
Neck Pickup Billy Gibbons Reissue, Rhythm
Output Jack 1/4"
Pickup Selector 3-way toggle
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge No-wire ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic Historic reissue
Control Covers Black
Control Knobs Gold Top Hats
finish Mixed
Jack Plate Cover Chrome
Mounting Rings Cream M69
Pickguard Single-ply cream
Pickup Covers Aged nickel
Plastic Parts Mixed
Strap Buttons 2
Switch Tip Amber
Switchwasher Cream
Tailpiece Lightweight aluminum Stop Bar
Truss Rod Cover 2-ply black
Tuner Plating Nickel
Tuning Machines Single-line, single-ring Kluson Deluxe with Keystone buttons
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity, custom strap
Model: 59BGPGPBNH1-B
Case Aged Lifton
Gibson Custom Billy Gibbons "Pearly Gates" 1959 Les Paul Standard Collector's Edition, Pearly Burst
Gibson Custom Billy Gibbons "Pearly Gates" 1959 Les Paul Standard Collector's Edition, Pearly Burst
Free & Fast Shipping
Free & Fast Shipping
Orders placed by noon CST Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) will ship the same day. Orders placed after this cutoff will ship the next business day. All orders over $100 receive free ground shipping within the United States.
Lifetime Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Shop and play with confidence knowing that your instrument is protected by our limited lifetime warranty. Learn more about warranties and exclusions here .
Case Included
Case Included
Your instrument ships with a factory-supplied hard- or soft-shell case for safe storage and transportation. Please refer to the product specifications for details.
Setup Included
Setup Included
Our craftory-trained technicians perform a final thorough inspection and detailed setup moments before your instrument is packed and shipped to you.
Three Free Months of the Gibson App
Three Free Months of the Gibson App
For a limited time only, receive a three-month subscription to the Gibson App for free with the purchase of this product. Click here to learn more about the Gibson App.
A divine connection
In 1968, a young Billy F Gibbons and a few friends owned a 1936 Packard and loaned it to an aspiring actress friend who needed a car to drive from Texas to Hollywood for a movie audition. They didn’t think the car would make it out of Texas, but she made it all the way to Hollywood and got the part. Figuring the car must have divine connections, they named it Pearly Gates. When asked what they wanted her to do with the car, they told her to sell it. She wired the money back to Texas, and with Billy’s $250 share of the proceeds, he purchased a near-mint 1959 Les Paul™ Standard from a Houston-area rancher. Again, divine providence seemed to be at work, and the car’s nickname was transferred to the guitar.
Now, Gibson Custom is incredibly proud to partner with Billy Gibbons on the Billy Gibbons “Pearly Gates” 1959 Les Paul Standard Collector’s Edition. Based on in-depth examination and cutting-edge 3D scans and precise measurements of the priceless vintage original (Billy has famously turned down an offer of five million dollars for Pearly Gates), and artfully aged to match the current condition of Billy’s guitar by the Murphy Lab, it isn’t just a recreation of the original guitar; it is a virtual clone of it.
The Billy Gibbons Pearly Gates 1959 Les Paul Standard features a lightweight, one-piece mahogany body with a two-piece AAA figured maple top, hand-selected to match Pearly Gates’ top as closely as possible. The top’s contours, as with the rest of the build, were replicated using 3D scans of the original guitar.
The profile of the one-piece mahogany neck was also recreated in precise detail, giving these recreations the same amazing playing feel that Billy Gibbons has enjoyed for decades. The bound Brazilian rosewood fretboard features 22 medium jumbo frets and aged cellulose trapezoid inlays.
Not only the nitrocellulose lacquer finish, but also the hardware has been expertly aged by the Murphy Lab, including the ABR-1 Historic no-wire bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece, the Kluson® Deluxe single-line, single-ring tuners, and all plastic components.
Gibson Pickup Shop Product Manager Jared Brandon extensively examined the original Gibson P.A.F. humbucker™ pickups, so named by guitarists for the Patent Applied For stickers on their undersides, in Pearly Gates. They are recreated here in exacting detail based on 3D scans and scientific analysis of the originals, with Murphy Lab-aged covers and mounting rings, Alnico 3 (rhythm) and Alnico 5 (treble) magnets, Double Vintage White bobbins, and historic-spec plain enamel wire, delivering the Billy Gibbons-approved tone that has propelled countless hit recordings.
Utilizing the legendary acoustic properties of authentic Brazilian rosewood, we have created an instrument that honors the past while setting a new benchmark for the future. All of the other details, from the hand-applied replica aging to the cloned pickups and period-correct appointments, serve one purpose: to put the soul and tone of “Pearly Gates” in the hands of players and collectors. To cement its status as an heirloom, each of the 30 instruments in this exceptional limited run will be hand-signed by Billy Gibbons himself.
The sound of ZZ Top has one constant: Miss Pearly Gates, the famous 1959 Les Paul Standard wielded by guitarist Billy Gibbons, has been the band’s tonal cornerstone since its inception and has appeared on every ZZ Top album. Billy’s guitar collection is one of the most extensive and enviable on the planet, but his Holy Grail, his favorite guitar that he turns to time and again, is Miss Pearly Gates. While his guitar collection has grown over the years as he’s searched for another guitar to rival the sound and feel of Pearly Gates, he’s never found one that could do so. Now, Gibson Custom has captured the exact physical DNA of perhaps the most famous 1959 Les Paul Standard in existence. Here’s your opportunity to get as close as humanly possible to the heavenly tone and feel of the famous Pearly Gates. An aged Lifton™ hardshell case, guitar strap, and certificate of authenticity are also included.
Gibson Custom is giving collectors and fans the chance to take a step closer to tone heaven with a strictly limited Gibson Custom Billy Gibbons “Pearly Gates” 1959 Les Paul Standard Collector’s Edition hand-signed guitar and event package, which includes an invitation to attend an exclusive evening with Billy Gibbons at the Gibson Garage Nashville. The evening will be the ultimate fan experience and include a private Q&A with Billy Gibbons, an intimate live performance, a personal meet-and-greet and individual photo opportunity, and more. Access to the Billy Gibbons Pearly Gates Experience is reserved exclusively for the 30 purchasers of the Collector’s Edition guitar. Call the Gibson Garage Nashville on (615) 933-6000 now to reserve your place.
Highlights
- Based on 3D scans of Billy Gibbons’ 1959 Les Paul Standard “Pearly Gates”
- Lightweight one-piece mahogany body
- Two-piece AAA figured maple top
- One-piece mahogany neck with a Pearly Gates profile
- Brazilian rosewood fretboard with aged cellulose trapezoid inlays
- Billy Gibbons Reissue Pearly Gates P.A.F. pickups
- Aged Lifton hardshell case
- Billy Gibbons experience invitation
Guitar Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Back 1-piece lightweight mahogany
Binding Single-ply cream top and fretboard
Body Finish Murphy Lab aged nitrocellulose lacquer
Body Material 1-piece lightweight mahogany
Body Shape Les Paul
Body Styles Solidbody
Top 2-piece AAA figured maple
Weight Relief None
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Brazilian rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 12 in. | 304.8 mm
Fret Count 22
Frets Jescar reissue
Inlays Aged cellulose trapezoid
Joint Glued-in, set neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Nut Material Nylon reissue
Nut Width 42.86mm / 1.69in
Profile Pearly Gates
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup Billy Gibbons Reissue, Lead
Controls 2 volume, 2 tone
Neck Pickup Billy Gibbons Reissue, Rhythm
Output Jack 1/4"
Pickup Selector 3-way toggle
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge No-wire ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic Historic reissue
Control Covers Black
Control Knobs Gold Top Hats
finish Mixed
Jack Plate Cover Chrome
Mounting Rings Cream M69
Pickguard Single-ply cream
Pickup Covers Aged nickel
Plastic Parts Mixed
Strap Buttons 2
Switch Tip Amber
Switchwasher Cream
Tailpiece Lightweight aluminum Stop Bar
Truss Rod Cover 2-ply black
Tuner Plating Nickel
Tuning Machines Single-line, single-ring Kluson Deluxe with Keystone buttons
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity, custom strap
Model: 59BGPGPBNH1-B
Case Aged Lifton
