I have owned three Gibson Les Pauls, a 1969 Custom, a 1991 Standard, and this 1959 50th anniversary reproduction. The 1959 reproduction is the best of these three, and as good or better than any other Les Paul I have ever played. I think Gibson really nailed it on the 1959 anniversary models. I waited for the 1960 reisues to come out before buying, and I like the 1959 the best of the 58-59-60 reissues. I am pleased they are back to shiny hardware, I never cared for the VOS tarnished hardware.