For a brief period between 1961 and 1963, Gibson produced the Les Paul model with a completely redesigned solid body that would later become known as the SG. Following the departure from the original single cutaway Les Paul design, this thinner, double cutaway silhouette represented a significant shift in Gibson’s approach to the electric guitar. Although instantly recognisable today as the SG shape, examples from this transitional period continued to carry the Les Paul name, making them some of the most historically significant and collectable Gibson instruments of the early 1960s.
This 1961 Gibson Les Paul Standard is an exceptional example from this short lived era, featuring the iconic SG style body in the original Cherry finish. Constructed from a lightweight mahogany body and neck, it features a bound rosewood fingerboard with block inlays and the comfortable slimmer neck profile associated with early 1960s examples. The guitar is fitted with its original pair of untouched PAF humbucking pickups, retaining their original covers and never having been removed from the wiring loom. These highly desirable pickups deliver the articulate clarity, rich harmonic response and natural overdrive that have made original PAFs some of the most sought after pickups ever produced.
The original electronics remain intact, with readable Centralab potentiometer codes dating to the 4th and 7th weeks of 1961. The original ABR-1 bridge and sideways vibrato remain fitted, while the original Kluson tuners have been retained and are included in the case, with later 1960s double line double ring Kluson tuners currently fitted for improved functionality.
This guitar is in very good condition, showing only minimal signs of its age, with some lacquer checking and a couple of dings to the lacquer, but free from any repairs. Complete with its original pink lined Lifton case, this is a superb example of one of Gibson’s most important transitional designs and a highly desirable early SG shaped Les Paul.
The guitar has been given a full service and appraisal by our luthiers at the Vintage Instrument Workshop, and includes a 2 year warranty.
