Mike McCready’s 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard

Mike acquired this instrument in 1998 from Danny Mangold at Danny’s Music store in Everett. He claims that he got it for a good deal, despite the original price tag of $25,000, trading a couple of guitars and paying some extra money to get it.

The guitar originally had a “Belfast” sticker on had belonged to Jim Armstrong, who played in the bands such as “Van Morrison” and “Them”. He allegedly acquired the guitar way back in 1968.

Specs

Mike’s Les Paul is all original and features a two-piece maple top on a mahogany body, and a maple neck with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard.

The guitar is, of course, equipped with two Gibson PAF humbucking pickups.

Usage

Mike uses this guitar extensively, but most notably, he uses it on almost every live performance of the song Alive.

The place I remember the most playing this Les Paul is during the song Alive at the end of our shows. I always play this, because it’s got the perfect tone for the lead and for the rythm parts – you know, I can use both pickups throughout the song.

Mike McCready – Gibson Interview

Gibson’s Replica

In 2016 Gibson announced a collaboration with McCready releasing 50 pieces of the 1959 Les Paul replica, priced at $11,449.