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Head to head

Gibson 1959 ES-355 Reissue, Light Aged, Grapefruit Red vs Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony

Gibson 1959 ES-355 Reissue, Light Aged, Grapefruit Red
Electric$8,199
No ratings yet
77Overall / 100
Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony
Electric$6,999
No ratings yet
82Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony comes out ahead overall — 82 to 77 on our estimated score.

Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.

Gibson 1959 ES-355 Reissue, Light Aged, Grapefruit Red wins on

No standout advantage.

Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony wins on
  • Better build (96 vs 87)
  • Better sound (81 vs 74)
  • Better value (72 vs 67)
  • Lower price ($6,999 vs $8,199)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
Metric1959 ES-355 Reissue, Light Aged, Grapefruit RedPeter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony
Overall7782
Build8796
Playability7575
Sound7481
Value6772

Full specifications

Specification comparison
Spec1959 ES-355 Reissue, Light Aged, Grapefruit RedPeter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
CountryUSUS
Body wood3-ply Maple/Poplar/MapleMahogany
Neck woodMahoganyMahogany
FretboardEbonyEbony
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsCustombucker / CustombuckerCustombucker / Custombucker
Rating——
Price$8,199$6,999
Back3-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple—
BindingMulti-ply Top, Back, and Headstock, Single-ply FretboardMulti-ply
Body FinishMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose LacquerGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeES-335Les Paul
Body StylesESLes Paul
BridgeABR-1Tune-O-Matic
Bridge pickupCustombuckerCustombucker
Case50s Brown/Pink HardshellGibson Hardshell Case
CenterblockMaple—
Control KnobsTrue Historic Black Top Hat with Dial PointerGold Speed Knobs
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, Vintage taper Potentiometers, Paper in Oil CapacitatorsMaster Volume and Tone shared by Neck and Bridge Pickups, Second Volume and Tone for Middle Pickup (independent of P/U selector toggle switch), CTS Potentiometers, Paper in Oil Capacitors
FinishGold, Light AgedGold VOS
Fretboard inlayMother of Pearl Custom BlockCustom Block; Frampton Signature Sandblasted into 12th Fret Inlay
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2222
Headstock InlayGibson Logo and Custom Split Diamond in Mother of PearlGibson Logo and Split Diamond Inlay in Mother of Pearl
JointGlued In, Set Neck; Hide Glue FitSet Neck
ModelCUS18761CSPFPXVOEBGH1
Mounting RingsBlackCream
Neck pickupCustombuckerCustombucker
NutNylonBone
Nut width42.86mm / 1.69in42.86mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
PickguardES-355 Bound Tortoise; LongNone
Pickup CoversTrue Historic GoldNone
Pickup Selector3-way Switchcraft Toggle3-Way Switchcraft
Profile50s Rounded Medium CArtist Profile
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Side3-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple—
Strap Buttons22 - Bottom and Shoulder (Schaller Strap Locks)
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipTrue Historic AmberGold
TailpieceLightweight Stop BarLightweight Aluminum Stop Bar with Long Stud/Anchor
Top wood3-ply Maple/Poplar/MapleSolid Mahogany
Truss rodAuthentic 1950s No-TubeStandard
Truss Rod CoverTrue HistoricTrue Historic Black; Frampton Signature
Tuner PlatingGoldGold
TunersGrover Rotomatic with Kidney ButtonsGrover Kidney
Accessories—Schaller Strap Lock Strap Buttons
Control Covers—Reissue Black, plus Custom Shop Medallion
Headstock—Bound Les Paul Custom
Jack Plate Cover—Gold
Middle pickup—Custombucker
Switchwasher—True Historic Cream
Weight Relief—9-Hole

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