Gibson Custom Shop 50th Anniversary '60 Les Paul

Includes: Hardshell Case, Certificate of Authenticity, Hang Tag and Paperwork

1960 was a year of transition for the Les Paul Standard (including changing the name from simply “Les Paul Model” to “Les Paul Standard”). In the beginning of the year, the Les Paul Standard was a continuation of the 1959 Les Paul model, with all the specs virtually the same. This included the same cherry and heritage dark sunburst finish, neck shape, etc… By around midyear, things began to change. Most notably, the neck was in transition from the larger, rounder profile neck to a thinner profile. During this transitional period, units were produced with a unique profile that was generally thinner and elliptical, but hadn’t made the full transition to the neck profile you find on units produced in the latter part of 1960. Les Paul Standards in the latter part of 1960 sported a new standard “slim, fast, low-action” neck profile. They also now featured “double-band” tuners and “insert” tone and volume knobs. Finally, and most noticeably, there was a transition from the typical cherry sunburst to a brighter and more colorfast burst often referred to as a “tomato soup” burst. These 1960s Les Paul “Bursts” were played by many notable artists, not least of which was Eric Clapton, who wielded one of these storied 1960 “Bursts” on one of the most influential blues-rock albums of all time – “Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton” with John Mayall, often referred to as the “Beano” album.

So, in a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the 1960 Les Paul Standard, the final year of production for the now legendary Les Paul “Bursts” Gibson produced between 1958 and 1960, Gibson Custom is proud to announce three versions in the spirit of what Gibson did with these fabulous “Bursts” in 1960.

Version 1: Exactly the same specs as the ’59 Les Paul Model, but with a ‘60s serial number.

There will only be a total of 500 of these 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standards offered in a blend of all three versions. All will be finished in a striking nitro-gloss finish and be accompanied by a commemorative Certificate of Authenticity.