The Gibson 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standard 'Version 2' Sunset Tea Burst 6 string electric guitar is a faithful recreation of a timeless classic.
On the originals, as with the reissues or ‘R0s’ as they’re known, the biggest difference between the '60 and the '58 or '59 was the neck size. Whereas the Sunburst Les Pauls from the previous two years had large necks, the neck on the ‘60 was made considerably thinner in an attempt to rekindle sales. At the time, the Les Paul was none too popular with guitarists who associated Gibson with jazz guitars and were switching to Fenders in their droves. Unfortunately, it proved too late and the guitar was discontinued halfway through the year then redesigned as the SG. The other differences were in the finish, which by 1960 used a red dye in the sunburst that didn’t fade so easily, and double ring Kluson machine heads.
The Version 2 model offers a thinner “transition” neck based on painstaking research and historical scans by the Custom Historian and Engineering team. Additionally, Version 2 will be offered in two “faded” colors: Light Iced Tea and Sunset Tea Burst. These historically based colors are a representation of the natural fading that occurred over time of the original bursts due to exposure to sunlight.
Playing wise, the feel of the guitar is totally different to a ‘59 and opinion and taste on the model is, as ever, polarised amongst players. There may be a lot of guitarists who simply can’t get on with big necks and who have been waiting for 2010 to roll around to finally treat themselves to an anniversary model.
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.
The Main Features of the Gibson 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standard Version 2 Sunset Tea Burst Include:
- Carved, Figured Maple Top
- Solid, Non-weight Relieved Mahogany Back
- Single-ply Cream Binding on Top
- 1-piece Mahogany neck With Long Neck Tenon
- 1960 Thin Taper Neck Profile (.790/.865)
- Rosewood Fingerboard - 22 Frets
- 24 3/4 " Scale Length
- Holly Headstock Veneer
- R0 Serial Number
- Aged Acrylic Trapezoid Inlays
- 1 11/16" Width at Nut
- Vintage Tulip (double band) Tuners
- Nickel ABR No-Wire Bridge
- Stop Bar Tailpiece - Light-weight Nickel
- Front Pickup: BurstBucker 1 - Mounted with Slotted Screws
- Rear Pickup: BurstBucker 2 - mounted with slotted screws
- Knobs: Gold Top Hats with Silver Vol/Tone Inserts
Gibson 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar, Sunset Tea Burst (code 71552)
6-String Les Paul Electric Guitar, Mahogany Body, Maple Top, 1960 Neck Profile w/Long Neck Tenon, BurstBucker Pickups, Nickel Hardware, Sunset Tea Burst
£3,999.00 (inc vat)