The 2019 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Chambered VOS Hand Selected Washed Cherry is a relatively rare variant of the R8 (1958 Reissue). It has the aesthetics of a 1958 Les Paul Standard, but with a chambered body and a selection of woods ("Hand Selected"), which distinguishes it from the standard R8 VOS with a solid body.

The electronic specifications and hardware are identical to those of the classic 2019 R8 VOS, which benefit in particular from the improvements introduced that year (unwaxed Alnico III Custombuckers, animal glue on several assemblies, True Historical parts, very fine nitro finish).

What distinguishes the Chambered version :

Unlike a standard R8, this version has a largely chambered body.

The consequences are as follows :

- Reduced weight : generally between 3.1 and 3.6 kg, sometimes a little more depending on the example.

- Superior acoustic resonance with more projection.

- Slightly faster attack.

- Bass a little less massive than a full R8.

- Mids are more open and treble is a little more airy.

The sound result is somewhere between a traditional Les Paul and a semi-hollow guitar, while maintaining the appearance of a Les Paul Standard.

Version Hand Selected :

The mention Hand Selected usually indicates that the retailer (often a large store) has personally chosen:

maple tops that are particularly aesthetically pleasing;

lighter mahogany bodies;

sometimes instruments with a target weight.

This does not involve any construction changes compared to the standard Chambered model, but a stricter selection of woods.

Neck profile :

The 1958 Chunky C neck is:

- thick,

- round,

- more massive than a 1959 R9,

- Particularly appreciated for the sustain and comfort of players who like generous necks.

This Chambered Hand Selected version is significantly rarer than a standard R8 VOS, making it particularly interesting with collectors and musicians alike looking for a lighter Les Paul Custom Shop without sacrificing the sonic character of historic reissues.

Features and Specifications :

Model : Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1958 Les Paul Chambered VOS

Year : 2019

Manufacturing : Custom Shop , Nashville (USA)

Finish : VOS (Vintage Original Spec) nitrocellulose finish

Color : Washed Cherry

Body : Chambered lightweight mahogany

Table : Carved Curly Maple (2 pieces, hand selected)

neck : One-piece Mahogany Glued Joint, Long Neck Tenon

Profile : 1958 Chunky C

Fingerboard : Indian Rosewood

Scale length : 24.75" (628 mm)

Radius : 12"

Frets : 22 Historic Medium Jumbo (refretted in 2024)

Nut : Nylon

Nut Width : 1.687" (42.8 mm)

Pickups : 2 × Custombucker Alnico III (non-wax-potted) (Phase reverse, Greeny style)

Controls : 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way selector switch

potentiometers : CTS 500 kΩ

Capacitors : Bumble Bee

Bridge : ABR-1 Historic

Tailpiece/Vibrato : Bigsby B3 with String Retainer (original Lightweight aluminium Stop Bar included)

Tuners : Gotoh SD90-SL Locking Tuners Nickel (original Kluson Deluxe Single Ring included)

Hardware : Aged Nickel (VOS)

Case : Gibson Custom Shop Historic (not original, used but completely functional)

Comes with certificate of authenticity and goodies