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The shop will be closed until July 27th. We may be able to fulfill some orders on a once a week basis. If you would like to purchase something, please contact us ahead of time to make arrangements.

For sale is this fabulously restored 1961 Gibson Les Paul/SG Standard in a stunning aged Pelham Blue refinish. Included is an original 1960s case along with era-correct pre T-top PAF spec patent number pickups.  


See the demo video for the sounds. If you want to hear it cranked, skip to the end!

This Les Paul/SG was clearly a labor of to bring back to its former glory. Sonically, it is clearer one of the better sounding examples out there. The PAF-spec pickups are clear and beautiful. The old wood resonates “loudly” even when the guitar is unplugged. The Pelham blue finish offset by the black plastic parts oozes with all kinds of mojo.  

Let us now clearly outline the original, era correct, and reproduction components to the guitar. The husk itself is original, along with the binding, fretboard, frets, inlays, strap buttons, and control cavity plate. The pickguard and plastic “neck joint” cover are also era correct from the early 60s. The “Les Paul” engraved truss rod cover is an exact modern aged reproduction.  

We spared little expense to make this guitar as reasonably original or era correct as possible.  

As clearly indicated, this guitar has undergone some restoration. Joe Riggio of Riggio custom guitars in Tacoma, Washington professionally repaired a bad heel crack it has suffered many years ago. He also applied a total refinish in aged Pelham blue.

The necks on these early Les Paul/SG guitars are clearly slimmer than the fabled ’59 Les Paul profile. However, the width of the neck at nut is the highly desirable 1 and 11/16ths inch on pre-1965 Gibsons. The frets show a modest amount of wear, but are still in great shape.  

The guitar also features a set of pre T-top PAF spec “Patent Number” stickers that sound fabulous (see further details on these below). Unlike the later T-tops which tend to have a more “choked” sound, these pre T-tops deliver PAF warmth and clarity with a much more “open” sound, which is part of what makes the earlier Gibson humbuckers so much more desirable (and expensive!).  

Instead of installing the original sideways vibrato, we opted for the short Maestro tremolo with a reproduction Ebony block. Although rare, this tremolo is found on a handful of early 60s SGs, and provides for much better sound and tuning stability than the sideways tremolo. This particular tremolo is the version that screws directly into the body, and we installed the reproduction ebony block around it. The tremolo itself is an early 1960s Gibson part from another guitar, which the ebony block is a reproduction.  

The black “reflector” knobs are era correct and vintage, as is the switch tip. The aged nickel pickup covers are from a recent sent of Gibson Custom Shop pickups.  

The tuners and bushings are an era correct set of patent number single line Klusons in fabulous cosmetic condition. They are the finest set we had available, and are thus in perfect working order. The shafts are all straight and hold their tune as they should.  

The electronics of the guitar are also largely original and/or era correct to the early 1960s. This includes the original pots and wiring harness (with touched up solder and one replaced cap), era correct pickup rings and screws, rhythm/treble “poker chip” plastic ring around the switch. The pickups are early-mid 1960s pre T-top Patent Number pickups. These are extremely close if not essentially identical in construction to early 60s Patent Applied For sticker pickups with a different sticker. This particular set has had some restoration as well, including some extra additional black tape around the windings over/around the stock tape, new leads on both pickups (each had been cut very short), and the rewind of one bobbin on one pickup. The other pickup has only a new lead with all original windings.  

As mentioned above, the guitar at one point suffered a heel crack which was professionally repaired prior to the refinish. There have been no headstock breaks or repairs, but the treble side “wing” on the headstock did slightly separate and was reglued, as can be seen just below the lowest treble side tuner.

Finally, the bridge is a reproduction no wire ABR-1 From a Gibson custom shop guitar. I am not certain if the tumbwheels and posts are vintage, but they are also aged nickel.

The case is an era correct 1960s Gibson-branded SG case, also in excellent condition.
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Listed4 years ago
ConditionVery Good (Used)
Very Good items may show a few slight marks or scratches but are fully functional and in overall great shape.Learn more
Brand
Model
  • Les Paul
Finish
  • Pelham Blue
Categories
Year
  • 1961
Made In
  • United States
Body Type
  • Solid Body

Reverend Guitar Man

Marysville, WA, United States
Sales:724
Joined Reverb:2014

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