What’s your rarest vintage six-string, mate?
As guitar enthusiasts, we all love to hear stories about rare and unique instruments that have made their way into the hands of players and collectors. Whether it’s a rare model from a big-name brand or a handmade gem that was discovered in a second-hand shop, each six-string has its own story to tell.
In this blog post, we’re going to take a look at some of the rarest vintage six-strings out there, and the stories behind how they were discovered, restored, and played.
The 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard
The Gibson Les Paul Standard is one of the most iconic guitars in the world, and the 1959 model is considered the holy grail of Les Pauls. The guitar was only made for a short period, and the production numbers were limited, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after vintage guitars.
The 1959 Les Paul Standard is known for its thick, warm tone, thanks to its solid mahogany body and maple top. It also features a pair of PAF humbuckers, which are highly coveted by players and collectors alike.
In 2008, collector Gary Walkow found a 1959 Les Paul Standard in a pawn shop in Missouri. The guitar was in rough condition, but Walkow saw its potential and decided to restore it back to its former glory.
After several years of restoration work, Walkow’s 1959 Les Paul Standard is now considered one of the finest examples of the model in existence, and it’s played regularly by Walkow and other top guitar players.
The 1960 Fender Telecaster Custom
The Fender Telecaster is another iconic guitar, known for its bright, twangy tone and simple design. The Telecaster Custom was introduced in 1959 as a higher-end version of the standard Telecaster, with a bound body and added features like a rosewood fretboard and a pickup selector switch.
The 1960 Telecaster Custom is one of the rarest models, with only a few hundred made in that year. It features a sunburst finish, a maple neck, and a single-coil bridge pickup.
Collector Scott Lentz found a 1960 Telecaster Custom in a flea market in the late 1970s. The guitar was in poor condition, with missing parts and a badly refinished body. Lentz saw its potential, however, and decided to restore it to its original condition.
After years of work, Lentz’s 1960 Telecaster Custom was restored to its former splendor and became one of the most sought-after vintage guitars in the world.
The 1961 Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body
The Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body is one of the most iconic guitars in the world, known for its warm tone and distinctive “twang.” The guitar was designed for country music legend Chet Atkins in the 1950s and quickly became popular with other players as well.
The 1961 model is one of the rarest versions of the guitar, with only a few hundred made that year. It features a double-cutaway hollow body, a Bigsby vibrato tailpiece, and a pair of humbucking pickups.
Collector and player Duane Eddy found a 1961 Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body in a music store in Arizona in the 1980s. The guitar had been heavily modified, with new pickups and hardware, but Eddy saw its potential and decided to restore it to its original condition.
After several years of work, Eddy’s 1961 Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body was restored to its former glory, and it’s now one of the rarest and most sought-after vintage guitars in the world.
The 1959 Rickenbacker 360/12
The Rickenbacker 360/12 is one of the most iconic guitars of the 1960s, with its distinctive jangly tone and unique “R”-shaped body. The guitar was popularized by the Beatles and other British bands, and it quickly became a symbol of the “British Invasion” of American pop music.
The 1959 model is one of the rarest versions of the guitar, with only a few dozen made that year. It features a twelve-string neck, a solid body, and a unique pickup design that gives it its signature sound.
Collector Tom Petty found a 1959 Rickenbacker 360/12 in a pawn shop in the early 1980s. The guitar was in poor condition, with missing parts and a damaged body, but Petty saw its potential and decided to restore it to its former glory.
After years of restoration work, Petty’s 1959 Rickenbacker 360/12 is now considered one of the finest examples of the model in existence, and it’s played regularly by Petty and other top guitar players.
Conclusion
These are just a few examples of the rarest and most sought-after vintage guitars in the world. Each of these guitars has its own unique story, from the pawn shop finds to the painstaking restoration work, and each one has a special place in the hearts of guitar enthusiasts everywhere.
Whether you’re an avid collector or a casual player, these guitars are a reminder of the beauty and craftsmanship that goes into each and every instrument. So the next time you pick up your own six-string, take a moment to appreciate the history and legacy of these rare and unique guitars.
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