What’s the Rarest Guitar in Your Collection?
When it comes to guitar collecting, it’s not just about owning a beautiful instrument that produces a great sound. For many collectors, it’s about getting their hands on a rare and unique piece that is not easily found on the market. In this blog post, we’ll talk about the rarest guitar in our collection, the history behind it, and what makes it so special.
The Guitar
The guitar we’re talking about is a 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard. The Les Paul is one of the most iconic guitar models ever produced and has been used by countless musicians across a wide variety of genres. However, what makes this particular guitar so special is its rarity. It’s estimated that only around 1,700 of these guitars were produced in 1960, and only a fraction of those are known to exist today.
The History
The story of this guitar begins in 1952 when Les Paul first approached Gibson with his design for a solid-body electric guitar. Gibson initially rejected the idea, but Les Paul continued to refine his design and eventually convinced the company to produce the guitar. The first Les Paul models were released in 1952 and quickly gained popularity among guitarists.
In 1958, Gibson released the Les Paul Standard, which featured a sunburst finish and two humbucking pickups. The 1960 model year saw a few changes to the guitar, including a thinner neck profile and a “faded” cherry or sunburst finish. While these changes were not particularly significant, they would later contribute to the guitar’s rarity.
In the early 1960s, the Les Paul fell out of favor with musicians as newer, more modern guitar designs gained popularity. Gibson eventually discontinued the Les Paul in 1961 and replaced it with the SG.
Over the years, the Les Paul has regained its popularity and has become one of the most sought-after guitars among collectors. However, due to its limited production numbers and the fact that many were heavily modified or destroyed over the years, finding an original 1960 Les Paul Standard is a rare and expensive proposition.
The Guitar’s Features
So, what makes this particular guitar so special? Let’s take a look at some of its features:
1. The Finish
As mentioned earlier, the 1960 Les Paul Standard featured a “faded” cherry or sunburst finish. This finish was achieved by using a thinner coat of lacquer than previous Les Paul models. Over time, the finish would fade and develop a unique patina that is highly prized by collectors.
The guitar in our collection has a beautiful and unique sunburst finish that has aged beautifully over the years. The colors have faded just enough to give it a vintage look without looking too worn out.
2. The Neck Profile
Another unique feature of the 1960 Les Paul Standard is its thinner neck profile. This makes the guitar more comfortable to play than earlier Les Paul models, which had thicker necks.
The neck on our guitar is a joy to play. It’s smooth and fast, making it easy to play complex chord progressions and fast solos.
3. The Pickups
The 1960 Les Paul Standard featured two humbucking pickups, which were designed to produce a cleaner and more powerful sound than single-coil pickups.
The pickups on our guitar are original and sound amazing. They produce a warm, thick tone that is perfect for bluesy leads and crunchy rhythm parts.
Why It’s Special
So, what makes this guitar so special? For one, it’s incredibly rare. As mentioned earlier, only around 1,700 of these guitars were produced in 1960, and finding one in good condition is a real challenge.
But it’s not just its rarity that makes it special. It’s the combination of its unique features and its history. This guitar is a piece of music history, representing a time when the Les Paul was at the forefront of guitar design. It’s a testament to the skill and innovation of the engineers and craftsmen at Gibson who created this beautiful instrument.
Playing this guitar is a real joy. It feels like you’re holding a piece of history in your hands, and the sound it produces is simply incredible. It’s easy to see why the Les Paul has become one of the most iconic guitar models of all time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard is the rarest guitar in our collection, and for good reason. Its unique features and limited production numbers make it a highly sought-after piece among collectors. But it’s not just its rarity that makes it special – it’s the combination of its history, craftsmanship, and incredible sound that truly sets it apart. We feel lucky to own such a beautiful and unique instrument, and we hope that it continues to inspire musicians for years to come.
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