This is the one everybody wanted, the 2016 Mark Knopfler 1958 Les Paul Standard, handcrafted by Gibson Custom after intense hands-on analysis of the original, to match the neck profile, top carve, look, feel, and tone of Knopfler's own exalted original ’58 ’Burst. This is the second of this fantastic run we have had through the store and each has been a stand out instrument. Demand for this model unsurprisingly exceeded Gibson’s estimations with all 150 quickly sold on pre-order leading to a lot of disappointed Knopfler fans.

Featuring a 1-piece Mahogany body with a 2-piece figured Maple top. 1-piece Mahogany neck, double-carved with an accurate ‘Knopfler’ profile replicating that of the original guitar. An Indian Rosewood fingerboard with hand-rolled Binding and Cellulose trapezoid inlays. Hide glue neck construction and tubeless historic truss rod. The finish is Nitrocellulose throughout with an authentic cherry back and neck and a wonderfully faded ‘Knopfler 'Burst’ sunburst finish. 

Pickups are carefully wound CustomBucker PAF pickups with Alnico III magnets and the hardware is period-correct nickel plated and plastics are Gibson Standard Historic.  

This guitar is Number 35 of the run of 150 and is in excellent collector grade condition, it has seen light home use but has treated with care by the previous owner. Selected for its weight, this is one of the lightest non-chambered Gibson Custom Les Paul's we have had in the shop sitting at 8.3lbs; about as light as it gets for a Les Paul. It also has a very authentic looking top with a really attractive ribbon-like flame. 

The neck carve feels great in the hand, it is a large neck but the profile is more refined than some of the earlier ’58 Reissue necks can be. Measurements are 23.79mm at the 1st fret and 25.62mm at the 12 fret. The nut measures 43.11mm. Gibson CustomBuckers are consistently good sounding pickups but they sound particularly good in this guitar providing some of the closest PAF like tones we’ve had out of a reissue Les Paul. Measuring 7.94K in the neck and 7.84K in the bridge. The guitar has a loud acoustic voice and plays effortlessly in part thanks to the guitar's very light weight. 

When amplified the guitar really comes alive, its loud, zingy acoustic voice translates into a chiming and open bridge pickup with presence and a hollow PAF like honk. The neck pickup sounds warm but retains a woody clarity and a rounded treble. The middle setting balances well between them both with the bridge pickup dominant enough to make itself present.

Always destined to be a popular run of guitars, the Mark Knopfler ’58 Les Paul Standard is a great instrument that will appeal to all players thanks to its authentic Burst like tones, wide ribbon top and featherweight construction. The guitar itself is one of the good ones - a great playing, feeling and sounding Les Paul, inspiring to play and stunning to look at. These seldom come to market making this a perfect Les Paul for collectors and players alike. The guitar comes with its original brown Reissue Les Paul case, Mark Knopfler Certificate of Authenticity and all additional paperwork and tags