Gibson Les Paul/SG Special Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1960), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 011897, cherry lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, molded plastic hard shell case.
This is a really superb example of the double-cutaway Les Paul/SG Special, from late in the last year of full production when the "Les Paul" designation had already been removed from this model. In 1960 Gibson catalogued this guitar as an "SG Special," although this body shape is usually not associated with that designation, but its pointy-horned successor. The 6-digit inked-on serial number starting with "0" pegs this as shipped around the end of 1960, one of 1387 that left Kalamazoo that year.
This is the final variant of this slab-bodied "Special" model, with slightly sleeker more sculpted body edges than earlier examples pointing the way towards the next year's radical SG redesign. By this point the neck pickup is located farther away from the fingerboard than early models allowing for a stronger neck joint. The pickup selector switch was also relocated farther forward on the body, more conveniently near the bridge. Both of these features were changed in the second half of 1959, around the time the "Les Paul" markings disappeared. When first introduced this new double cutaway body design left a lot less attachment area for the neck; Gibson quickly altered the design in less than a year, probably after warranty issues immediately cropped up. The longer neck tenon and stronger joint used after late 1959 made for a much more reliable guitar in the field!
This Special features two powerful black-covered P-90 pickups, a 3-way toggle and tone and volume controls with black metal-capped bonnet knobs. It sports a multi-ply beveled-edge black celluloid pickguard and the nickel-plated solid bar bridge/tailpiece assembly. The headstock carries the pearl Gibson logo but no "Les Paul" designation, with strip Kluson Deluxe tuners. The neck has a bound rosewood fingerboard and is shaped to the wide, flat profile typical of 1960.
This is a great all-around guitar; an effortless player known as suitable for rampaging rock and roll but actually quite a versatile guitar suitable to many other genres as well. Frank Reckard used this model to great effect with Emmylou Harris for some years. As original Gibson solid-bodies from the 1950s and early '60s become ever scarcer, the two-pickup Special represents perhaps the best value in a "Golden Era" Gibson solid-body.
Overall length is 39 1/8 in. (99.4 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm.) deep. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This is a very clean and all original guitar with NO neck issues at all -- always the crucial point on these double-cutaway Gibson solid-bodies. All hardware is original and correct including the P-90 pickups, pots, wiring, tuners, and hardware. Even the almost-always broken plastic jackplate is still intact. The bridge pickup has been shimmed up a bit with foam for a stronger signal, easily undone if desired.
The all-original cherry finish has some very light wear overall, just minor dinks, scuffs and handling marks, more on the back than face. The edges of the headstock are most affected as usual. The lacquer still shows a strong deep red color with very little fade. The frets and fingerboard have hardly any wear; this guitar simply does not appear much played. It remains a killer-sounding, superb playing Gibson Special just ready to celebrate its 63rd birthday! It includes a modern molded plastic HSC that is unromantic at least offers excellent protection. Overall Excellent + Condition.
