The Anatomy of Gibson’s Les Paul SGs

Co-Author: Kaitlyn Crisp

Today, we’re taking a closer look at one of Gibson’s most popular lineups, the SG. The “devilish” designs debuted in 1961, but before that, there was the Les Paul body style.

Gibson’s Les Paul Model was released in 1952, establishing the manufacturer as a leader in solid-body electric guitars. From 1952 to 1960, the original Les Paul Model featured what is instantly recognizable as one of the most iconic body shapes in the industry. Its single-cutaway carved top (later double-cutaway on some models), and multi-model lineup are timeless and loaded with history. Gibson decided to completely redesign the shape and look of their Les Paul guitars in 1961 to keep up with the changing times. However, when unveiling their new SG, or “solid guitar” one thing remained consistent. The SG models continued with their predecessors’ names: the Junior, Special, Standard, and Custom. Each model has features and specs that increase in ornamentation.

LP/SG Junior:

SG Juniors were considered a “student model,” though, as many players know, sometimes all you need is one great pickup. The Junior offered a single, screaming P-90 at the bridge position, with an accompanying volume and tone control. Most of these were given a wraparound stairstep tailpiece, and some featured an optional Maestro Vibrola. Early examples feature nickel hardware. The pickguard is a three-layer black example, and the backplate is also black. The unbound rosewood fretboard features dot inlays, and the headstock features three-on-a-plate Kluson tuners and silkscreened logos on the headstock (“LP Model” applied before endorsement drop). The LP/SG Junior originally retailed for $147.50 and was also available in the TV model. The standard finish was Cherry.

LP/SG Special:

Bumping up to SG Specials, you see the addition of a second P-90 pickup in the neck position. With two pickups, these guitars sported two volume and two tone knobs, and an accompanying selector switch. Again, the Special sports the same wraparound stairstep tailpiece found on the Junior, the optional Maestro Vibrola, and three-on-a-plate Klusons. Earlier examples feature nickel hardware. This pickguard is a five-layer black example, and the backplate is also black. Specials showcase a bound rosewood fretboard and dot inlays, and the headstock features a Gibson logo inlaid in pearl. The Les Paul Model name was never present on the Special, even before the endorsement ended. The LP/SG Special originally retailed for $210.00 and was also available in the TV Model. The standard finish was also Cherry. 

LP/SG Standard:

This model features a big jump in appointments from the Special. The standard is equipped with two humbucking pickups in the neck and bridge positions, with accompanying volume and tone controls and a selector switch. It features a tune-o-matic bridge, and regarding the tailpiece, you will see a sideways vibrola on earlier models and a Lyre tailpiece with a vibrola after ‘62. Again, the earlier examples have nickel hardware. This pickguard is the same as the Special’s 5-layer black example, and the backplate is also black. This bound rosewood fretboard features pearloid trapezoid inlays, and the headstock features a crown headstock inlay and Gibson logo in pearl. The Standard takes a step up tuner-wise, as it features Deluxe Kluson tuners with tulip buttons. Early examples before the endorsement ended will feature a Les Paul truss rod cover. The LP/SG Standard originally retailed for $290.00 and came in a standard Cherry finish. 

LP/SG Custom:

Lastly, the SG Custom. This model features three humbucking pickups, two volume knobs, two tone knobs, and a pickup selector switch. This model also has a tune-o-matic bridge and sideways vibrola on earlier models (Lyre tailpiece after ‘62). As these were the highest-end models of the SG lineup, the hardware here was gold-plated. This pickguard is white and has three layers, and the backplate is also white. While the simpler models showcased rosewood fretboards, the Customs sported Ebony with mother-of-pearl block inlays, like the 50s Les Paul Custom models. The headstock features 5-layers of binding and a split diamond headstock inlay. This, along with the Gibson logo, is also inlaid in pearl. Early examples before the endorsement ended will feature a Les Paul truss rod cover and a Les Paul Custom plaque located in between the neck and neck pickup. The LP/SG Custom originally retailed for $425.00 and came standard in Polaris White. This is interesting, as on all other models, Polaris White is considered a custom color.

Important Notes and Variations:

Some SGs feature an Ebony Block tailpiece. This was an ornamental addition to the maestro vibrola featuring a block of wood inlaid with pearl. While this was predominantly applied in 1962 we have also seen this appointment on examples as late as ‘65. We have found ebony block tailpieces on Specials, Standards, Customs, and even other models offered by Gibson at the time.

When shopping for Gibson SGs, be sure to keep these varying appointments in mind. And remember, there are exceptions to every rule! Gibson, like Fender, was no stranger to making things work for an order when necessary or customizing a guitar for a buyer. When in doubt, ask a specialist to make sure you are buying the best gear possible!

Guitar Highlights: Fender’s 1950 Dual Pickup Esquire Prototype

It’s hard to picture the guitar market before Fender’s iconic Broadcaster/Telecaster formally entered the scene. So, imagine our sheer awe when we opened an original thermometer case to view one of Fender’s earliest prototypes – an authentic piece of music history. Pinning down an exact timeline can be difficult, especially when a guitar has passed through a few hands. Upon receiving this legendary instrument, we have done our best to properly document the stories and folklore passed down to us, as it is essential to preserve this guitar’s history.

This one-of-a-kind 1950 Fender prototype sports the serial number #0009 and is likely within the first six instruments made in their earliest days. Its rich history begins with Charlie Aldrich, a country musician and close friend of Leo Fender, who was photographed with the guitar in its original state at the newly built Fender factory. Aldrich was this guitar’s original owner, as Fender gifted the guitar to him sometime during the summer of 1950. At this time, you can see the guitar began as an Esquire. While Aldrich loved this guitar, he itched for a two-pickup version. He talked to Fender, who confirmed that a two-pickup model was in the works, and in the meantime, Fender installed a second pickup in the neck position of Aldrich’s Esquire. As a result, this guitar may well be Fender’s first dual-pickup guitar. 

After receiving a 1950 Broadcaster from Fender, Aldrich later gifted this prototype to his friend Kay Francis of “Arliss McMinn and the California Playboys,” a band who often opened for Aldrich. This band is widely known as being the first “Fenderized” teen band. Since Francis played a Fender Dual Eight lap steel, the guitar was played heavily by the group’s guitarist and Francis’ husband, Harold Courtright. In some of the band’s promo photos, Courtright was photographed with this guitar. 

The guitar remained with Francis and Courtright for years after the California Playboys disbanded. During this time, their son refinished the guitar with a red primer and sparkle fleck. Though we cannot confirm that Francis and Courtwright are the ones who directly sold it, sometime in the late ‘80s, the guitar was purchased through a local newspaper ad in La Habra, California. It ended up in the hands of Sam Hutton, a former Fender employee who did amp and cabinet work in the 1960s. After his passing, Hutton’s son, Bart, sold this guitar to our friend Dan Courtenay at Chelsea Guitars in New York City, where we were lucky enough to purchase it. For a few years after this, it resided at the Songbirds Guitar Museum before its closure in 2020. 

Spec Breakdown:

This guitar does not have a truss rod and features a “pancake” style pine body that can also be seen on other non-truss rod guitars of the time. The original pickguard, which is sadly no longer present on the instrument, only had four pickguard screws. These are the original pickguard screws and the original frets. The decal on the headstock does not denote the model’s name, and while it has been speculated that it was a Lap Steel decal, the “Esquire” portion can be very faintly seen in old photos of the guitar with Aldrich.

The electronics are made using both Esquire parts and lap steel parts, as this early neck pickup features a fiber base plate from a lap steel pickup and a fiber top plate from a standard Broadcaster/Telecaster pickup. This pickup is exposed and mounted significantly closer to the neck than standard Broadcaster/Telecaster neck pickups were. Originally, the control cavity was shorter, housing an organ button plate similar to that of the iconic Lamp Button Esquire prototype. The hardware looks to be from late 1951/early 1952, so it is very possible that the electronics may have been upgraded at that time in the Fender factory before the guitar was photographed with the California Playboys.  

As if this rich history wasn’t enough, we also have a letter enclosed inside the case written by George Fullerton in 1998, describing this instrument in great detail, where it mentions a rough estimated value of $60,000-$75,000… even back then!

To provide quite a bit of provenance, we are fortunate to have early photos of #0009 with Charlie Aldrich and the California Playboys. This guitar has also been well-documented in numerous formats, including a December 2013 issue of Vintage Guitar Magazine and “The Pinecaster” book (by Nacho Baños, Lynn Wheelwright, and Billy F. Gibbons).

We are honored to present this incredible piece of history to you. It is available now; call us at 516.221.0563 for additional details—serious inquiries only, please.

Cowritten by Kaitlyn Crisp

https://pinecasterbook.com/

https://www.vintageguitar.com/17470/arliss-mcminn-and-the-california-playboys/

The Anatomy of Gibson’s Non-Reverse Firebirds

Co-Author: Kaitlyn Crisp

If you’ve been keeping up with our blogs, you may have read our previous post, “The Anatomy of Gibson’s Reverse Firebirds.” This post is a companion and continuation of this topic, so check it out for all your Reverse authentication needs! 

Though Gibson originally had high hopes for the new solid body model, their debut of the Reverse Firebird was sadly a commercial flop. While its cutting-edge design showcased premier features, ornate hardware, and eye-catching colors, the initial popularity of the instrument didn’t quite compete in the solid body market that Fender and others led. 

Unfortunately, the Firebird’s original construction was challenging for their factories to maintain. On top of that, Gibson received negative feedback from customers regarding the odd balance of the model and the headstock’s breakability in transit. By late 1964, it was clear that the Reverse Firebirds would not be sustainable for continued production. However, instead of scrapping the model altogether, Gibson redesigned the Firebird, and the “Non-Reverse” body style was born! They unveiled their new design at the June 1965 NAMM show.

The “Non-Reverse” style Firebird features a flat, solid body with a belly contour oriented in the opposite direction of the original, hence the nickname. The neck is separate from the body and glued in; it is no longer a one-piece laminated neck and center block. The updated design eliminated banjo-style tuners, opting instead for six inline tuners with pegheads on the bass side. The non-reverse models also featured unbeveled headstocks, with the top of the curve pointed to the treble side rather than the bass. These changes helped with the model’s balance issues and the breakage-prone headstock. Additionally, the second iteration was cheaper to produce than its predecessor, making it more affordable to the end user.

Due to the subtle changes between each number and the quick transition from the “Reverse” to “Non-Reverse” style, these guitars can be difficult to differentiate by model. So, we’ve broken it down here in an easy-to-access guide to improve your vintage guitar-buying experience! 

As our previous “Reverse” Firebirds Blog Post mentioned, Gibson offered varying features with these models, numbered I, III, V, or VII. The appointments grow increasingly embellished with each number, a system that Gibson also used in their thinline ES series (330, 335, 345, or 355). All of these guitars were available in Sunburst as well as ten unique Custom Colors (Frost Blue, Ember Red, Kerry Green, Cardinal Red, Polaris White, Golden Mist Poly, Silver Mist Poly, Heather Poly, Inverness Green Poly, Pelham Blue Poly). 

I: The Non-Reverse Firebird I showcases two single-coil, soap bar P-90 pickups, a stairstep bridge, and a short maestro vibrola. It also features dot inlays on an unbound rosewood fretboard, a black sliding selector switch (all Firebird examples from mid-66 on have a 3-way toggle switch), and volume and tone controls for each pickup. The hardware on the Firebird I is chrome-plated at this time. The NR Firebird I was offered at $189.50 new, making it the least expensive option in Gibson’s solid-body lineup upon its release. The Reverse I was the same price new. 

The pickups are the main difference to look for when identifying Reverse and Non-Reverse Firebird I’s (obviously other than body style). The Reverse has one mini-humbucker, and the Non-Reverse has dual P-90s. 

III: The Non-Reverse Firebird III features three soap bar, single-coil P-90 pickups. It also has a short maestro vibrola, a stairstep bridge, and an unbound rosewood board with dot inlays. Each pickup has its own volume and tone controls with a black sliding selector switch, and you’ll notice that the hardware on this model is also chrome-plated. Purchased new, Gibson priced the Firebird III at just $239.50, just $10 cheaper than the Reverse III. 

As with the I, the main difference between the Reverse and Non-Reverse Firebird III is with the pickups. Reverse: two mini-humbuckers, Non-Reverse: three P-90s. 

V: The Non-Reverse Firebird V only has two pickups, although they are now mini humbuckers instead of the P-90s seen on the I and III. The black sliding selector switch remains. You’ll see an unbound rosewood board with dot inlays once again. We can see a slight increase in appointment “flare” with the chrome deluxe lyre maestro vibrola and tune-o-matic bridge. The difference in price here from Reverse to Non-Reverse is about $70 ($360→ $289.50).

The most noticeable spec difference between the Reverse and Non-Reverse Firebird V (obviously other than the body style) is that the Reverse features a bound fretboard with trapezoid inlays, while the Non-Reverse is unbound rosewood with dots.  

VII: The Non-Reverse Firebird VII has three mini-humbucking pickups, offering the most extensive range of sound in the lineup. The rosewood fretboard remains unbound with dot inlays. The hardware is all gold-plated, including the deluxe lyre maestro vibrola and tune-o-matic bridge. The design of the Non-Reverse VII is simpler than the Reverse VII. This allowed for cheaper production, as this model rang at $379.50, whereas its predecessor was a whopping $500. 

The fretboard is the main difference between the Reverse and Non-Reverse Firebird VII. The Reverse featured a bound ebony board with block inlays, while the Non-Reverse is still unbound rosewood with dots. 

The Non-Reverse Firebirds, unfortunately, faced the same fate as their Reverse counterparts. Both designs were not commercially popular when they were first manufactured but have since gained a cult following of Firebird Fans. Gibson only produced Non-Reverse birds from 1965 to 1969, shipping them in relatively low quantities. It makes these quite rare…particularly in any custom finish!

Have a Rare Bird to sell? Looking to learn the value of one you own? Itching to buy the guitar of your dreams? Click here to inquire about selling your gear, and click here to visit our Contact page.

The Anatomy Of Gibson’s Reverse Firebirds

Co-Author: Kaitlyn Crisp

Gibson’s Firebird series comprises eight models, two body styles, and dozens of varying appointments. Their Thunderbird basses follow suit with two models, also in two different body styles and appointments. Confused? You’re not alone. Undoubtedly, these models elicit the most questions from customers in our showroom. These questions range from the differences between the body styles to the variations between each model. So, we’re here to break it down with this easy-to-access guide! Hopefully, this will make your vintage guitar shopping experience a bit easier. This particular blog post is set to outline Reverse Style Firebirds specifically – but don’t fret, we’ll dive into more soon!

Gibson launched the Firebird and Thunderbird models in 1963. These guitars and basses were designed by Ray Deitrich, an automobile designer of the era. It is theorized that his design sought to capture the essence of vehicles back then: sleek lines, exaggerated curves, and an iconic logo. Just the same, it is clear they also went for a modern and cutting-edge shape to compete with Fender. Eventually, Gibson landed on their first iteration of the model, now known as the “Reverse” style Firebird.

The Reverse Firebird is a solid mahogany guitar with a neck-through construction. It features two pieces of mahogany glued together to form the neck and center of the body, with two “wings” applied on either side to make up the outer curves. The body construction would later change to a 7 piece laminate by the end of 1963: a five-piece neck and center with two wings. This design offered more structural support for the neck and headstock. These models were available with varying features, referred to as the Firebird I, III, V, or VII. With each number, the appointments grow increasingly embellished, a system that Gibson also used in their thinline ES series. All of these guitars were available in Sunburst as well as various Custom Colors. You’ll also notice that some of the earliest examples lack the Firebird emblem on the pickguard.

The following further breaks down each model’s specs:

I: The Firebird I showcases one single mini-humbucker pickup, which evolved from Epiphone’s New Yorker pickup that Gibson adopted when they purchased the company. The model was available with a stop bar wrap-around tailpiece and a short vibrola with a “spoon handle” term arm. The standard models featured dot inlays on an unbound rosewood fretboard, a raised holly veneer or “step” area on the headstock, and banjo-style tuners. Due to their single pickup, there is only one volume and one tone control. The hardware on the Firebird I is nickel at this time.

III: The Firebird III features the same body construction as the Firebird I, including a bound rosewood fretboard, dot inlays, raised holly veneer on the headstock, and banjo-style tuners. Further than that, the appointments change. Most examples shipped exclusively with short vibratos and metal “spoon handle” trem arms. They feature two mini-humbucker pickups rather than one, along with a three-way selector switch. The four knobs allow for volume and tone controls on each pickup. All of this hardware is also nickel, and the fretboard on the III is bound.

V: With the same body construction as its more simplified variations, the Firebird V is the first in the lineup that begins to feature more upscale trimmings. These features include trapezoid fretboard inlays made of pearloid, along with a long maestro Lyre vibrola with a plastic handle. Even with these upgrades, the V still showcased two mini-humbuckers, a three-way selector switch, and four knobs – just the same as the III. The hardware remained nickel on the Firebird V.

VII: The VII equates to the ES-355 in the world of Firebirds – the top-of-the-line offering being produced for this series. With the same body construction, the VII stands out due to its appointments. It has a bound ebony fretboard, and genuine Mother Of Pearl block inlays, as opposed to the pearloid, trapezoid inlays that you saw on the V. You’ll also see an upgrade from nickel to gold plated hardware here, and a whopping three mini-humbuckers. These guitars were wired similarly to a Les Paul Custom and also had a three-way selector switch and four knobs. Lastly, it featured a gold Lyre Vibrola with a plastic handle.

When shopping for Reverse Gibson Firebirds between 1963 and 1965, be sure to keep these appointments in mind. And remember, there are exceptions to every rule! Gibson, like Fender, was no stranger to making things work for an order when necessary or customizing a guitar for a buyer. When in doubt, ask a specialist to make sure you are buying the best gear possible for you! For more information, check out our follow-up blog on “Non-Reverse” Firebirds and the changes you see compared to the first iteration.

For a quick reference, we’ve made the following images to aid in what to look for:

Gear Breakdown: The Rolling Stones’ First Ed Sullivan Appearance

Though it wasn’t always this way, The Rolling Stones are synonymous with American culture. Despite being from the UK, this iconic group’s music, dance moves, and logo are all instantly recognizable in the United States and around the globe. The Stones entered the US music scene in 1964, an era now commonly referred to as the “British Invasion”, alongside groups like The Beatles and Hermans’ Hermits. 

At that time, The Ed Sullivan Show was the go-to program for up-and-coming artists performing their latest releases. For many, it was their first exposure to true fame and success. The Stones first appeared on Sullivan’s show on October 25, 1964, just a few months after gaining momentum in the United Kingdom. Knowing just how impactful this international exposure could be for their careers, when the show’s production team invited them to perform on October 7, 1964, it was a no-brainer. The Stones performed two songs that evening, both Chuck Berry covers, of “Around and Around” and “Time Is On My Side”. The group fought to be heard over the audience’s screams. In fact, the crowd was so enthusiastic that after the final performance of the evening, the conversation between Mick Jagger and Ed Sullivan was barely audible! It was a smashing success, and though some viewers had found their relaxed and casual style unsettling, the numbers spoke for themselves. Their following Fall tour sold over $1M in tickets. 

Aside from their talent, The Rolling Stones have played some of the most legendary instruments. In this particular Ed Sullivan performance, Brian Jones can be seen playing his prototype Vox MK III “Teardrop” guitar in White. This guitar is known for having a Stratocaster bridge and tremolo block that was cut specifically to fit the thickness of the body. The “Teardrop” was his go-to throughout 1964 and 1965, along with his shaggy haircut!

Bill Wyman’s German-made Framus Star Bass can be seen regularly in the group’s early days of performing, so much so that it is often lovingly referred to as a “Stone-Bass”.

And last, but certainly not least, Keith Richards is seen playing a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard with a Bigsby. Perhaps one of the most desired collectible instruments, the Les Paul had not yet become the holy grail it is today. Richards’ use of the “Burst” during this performance helped push these guitars into the forefront of desirability, where it has stayed for decades.

This trio, along with drummer Charlie Watts, created the perfect background for frontman Mick Jagger. This perfect lineup catapulted them into American music royalty. In total, the group performed on The Ed Sullivan Show a total of six times, each appearance playing another massive hit with some of our favorite guitars and basses…but we’ll talk more about that later 😉

Guitar Highlights: Oscar Moore’s Fender Nocaster

It’s hard to find a guitar more incredible than this. Not only is it the first custom-color Fender made through their factory production line, but it is also the first Fender guitar to receive gold hardware – a true luxury next to Fender’s usual nickel. All of this feels unreal but yet, here it is! This 1951 Nocaster is painted in White. You might wonder why we’re not referring to it as Fender’s Olympic White, and that’s because it’s unlikely that this color existed under that name so early in Fender’s history.

As for this guitar’s owner: legendary jazz guitarist, Oscar Moore. He played alongside Nat “King” Cole in his trio for many years. While Moore had allegedly fallen out of touch with the group sometime around 1947, below he is pictured playing with Cole in 1951. Surely enough, he is using this very Nocaster, looking pristine in its brand-new condition. Though there was very little documentation of Moore playing Fender guitars at this time, this photo was taken by Mr. Leo Fender himself…a rare sighting indeed!

Moore was primarily a Gibson arch top player, but Leo had this guitar made for him with custom appointments that included the White color, gold hardware, and a clear Lexan Pick guard painted with gold leaf on the underside. At the time, Leo was interested in attracting the jazz box crowd to play his guitars. Moore was very popular then and Don Randall, the President of Fender Sales, thought he would be the perfect fit to popularize their new, electric solid-body model. In a letter from 1953, Don Randall writes to Syd Heller of Columbia Music Company about how to attract more jazz players to Fender guitars and quotes Mr. Moore, who said it was the fastest guitar neck he had ever played!

This really is such a special piece with amazing provenance. Aside from its historical pedigree, the guitar has since been featured on the cover of Guitarist Magazine in the UK while it was at the Songbirds Guitar Museum. This spread includes pictures and a full feature on the story of this guitar as well!

This history-filled Nocaster is available for sale now at Well Strung Guitars. Call us for more information – serious inquiries only, please. You can reach us at 516.221.0563 or info@wellstrungguitars.com.

Guitar Highlights: George Fullerton’s 1954 Stratocaster

A few months ago, there we all stood; awestruck as we opened a mint tweed case and thrilled as we studied what was inside. We are honored to have this opportunity, and lucky to write about this very special instrument recently added to our inventory. This is George Fullerton’s 1954 Fender Stratocaster, a one-of-a-kind piece of history. 

George Fullerton was the Vice President of Production for Fender Musical Instruments. This Stratocaster was made as a gift for him, and it is truly like no other. The insane flame on this one-piece Ash body is coupled with an equally flamed maple neck and matching Sunburst headstock. Past its clear physical beauty, this guitar also features a few unique appointments. These pickup covers are original Black bakelite prototypes, and this special control plate positions the volume and tone knobs closer to the edge of the body than a standard production Strat. This plate is made of “camera case” plastic and was designed to allow easier playing for Mr. Fullerton, due to his larger hands. The guitar also features chrome instead of nickel-plated hardware, something that is completely unique to this Fender instrument.

As the story goes, Mr. Fullerton was gifted this guitar by Fender employees for creating the Stratocaster production line, therefore ensuring more hours of employment for those building the new model. Under the pickguard, you will find special markings including Mr. Fullerton’s initials and the production date of the guitar. This Stratocaster is virtually unplayed and still retains its original center pocket tweed case which is also in incredible condition. We are fortunate to have several books that show Mr. Fullerton with this guitar as well as a grainy video of Mr. Fullerton discussing it.

The price of ownership for this museum-quality guitar with bulletproof provenance is not for the faint of heart, but we promise that you will definitely be the only kid on your block that has one! For more information, give us a call at 516.221.0563.

Gibson’s Rare Birds

With the turn of a new decade, Gibson was looking to add a new solid-body electric guitar to their lineup in an effort to keep up with other large companies like Fender. Fender had been successfully targeting a younger generation of musicians; doing so with interesting body shapes, bold and bright custom colors, and a broad array of creative marketing techniques. In the early 60s, the only other solid-body electrics that Gibson produced were the SG and Melody Maker lines (after phasing out the Les Paul body style of course). These were not performing well enough to keep up with the demand being met by Gibson’s competitors. Additionally, the automobile industry of the 60s was booming, so many major manufacturers were pulling inspiration from popular cars. This was not only limited to their bold colors but was also mirrored in the shapes and curves of the automobiles.

Gibson’s Ted McCarty hoped to create an entirely new line of guitars whose curves and custom colors would rival Fender and emulate the aesthetics of the auto industry. This led Gibson to hire a man named Ray Dietrich, an automobile designer, in 1962. Ray was best known for his contemporary automobile designs as the head of design at Chrysler. He was asked to aid in the creation of a guitar that would not be limited by the traditional ways of design and engineering on an electric guitar. The result was four “Reverse” style Gibson Firebirds, as well as two Gibson Thunderbird models in their bass line. The Firebird line consisted of the Firebird I, III, V, and VII. Each model shows more intricate appointments than the previous. The Thunderbird Bass was offered as the Thunderbird II and IV, where the II featured one pickup and the IV featured two.

The series debuted in 1963 and was the brand’s first neck-through-body design. It featured an asymmetrical shape and a mahogany neck that ran all the way through the body, with two “wings” on either side. It was a radical change from Gibson’s typical guitar appearance. It was punchy, young, and above all, uniquely different. Firebirds and Thunderbirds were offered standard in a Sunburst finish, however, Ted McCarty also added an option of 10 custom color finishes. A lot of the custom colors that Gibson used closely mirrored those offered by Fender, some even being made by the same paint company. Gibson debuted the series with a starting price on the Firebird I of $189.50, all the way to $445 for the Firebird VII. This pricing was for the standard finish. If you wanted to add a custom finish, you automatically added a $15 increase to your total.

Finding an all-original Gibson “Reverse” Firebird in a custom color is an extremely challenging feat. One thing to note, Gibson actually has their red colors flipped on their official color chart. Meaning, in the image above it is clearly printed that Ember is a darker color than Cardinal. However, in reality, Ember is lighter and brighter (think Fender’s Fiesta Red) and Cardinal is deeper and darker (think Fender’s Dakota Red).

Unfortunately, sales of this guitar were poor and only about 3,000 variations of the original Firebird were produced from 1963 to early 1965. In early 1965, the original Firebird design began to transition. These transitional models are rare but several different types exist. One of the odd, transitional guitars we’ve seen even features banjo-style tuners like you would find on the “Reverse” headstock, but the headstock is actually “Non Reverse” in shape. The most well-known feature of these transitional guitars is dubbed the “Platypus”. The name was coined due to the headstock. Unlike the original Reverse headstock design, which featured a two-layered headstock with a holy veneer, this new headstock was flat, like the bill of a Platypus. The Platypus-style Firebird also features 6 in-line tuners rather than banjo-style.

There are a very limited number of these unique pieces floating around in the vintage guitar world, making them not only hard to find but also highly valuable pieces for collectors and players alike. This short run of “Platypus” Firebirds eventually transitioned fully into the redesigned “Non-Reverse” Firebird by 1965/66. It was almost unrecognizable from the original, as the design was adapted according to the demand of most players, who said the original was awkward and imbalanced. It no longer featured the neck-through-body design, rather it had a solid body and a set neck much like the SG. It also lost its banjo-style tuners, replacing them with the standard Kluson tuner seen on most electric guitars at the time. While most appointments on the guitars remained the same from the old models to the new ones, they did make some adjustments to better suit the instrument. These appointments included adding an additional P-90 to the Firebird I, the III had three black P-90s, the V had two mini humbuckers, and the VII featured three mini humbuckers as well as a suite of gold hardware. This guitar remained in production through 1969 until it took its final (but with the reissues and custom shops not so final) bow from the Gibson line.

Fender’s Summer of Love

As many of you know, the origin of the Fender Telecaster dates back to 1951. Leo Fender revolutionized guitar building and music with the introduction of the first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar ever. Flash forward to the summer of 1967: The Summer of Love; where the colors were bright and the styles were psychedelic. CBS-era Fender guitars were bold to begin with, but in 1968 they did the unimaginable…

After its founding in 1857, The Borden Company introduced its brand mascot, Elsie the Cow, in 1936. Elsie was an American icon, who gained mass recognition in advertising campaigns throughout the nation. While The Borden Company was predominantly known for its production of food products such as processed snacks and dairy, the company later expanded as Borden Chemicals to include some industrial products – plastics, resins, and wallpapers. They were also known for their production of Elmer’s & Krazy Glue. All the while and aside from their seemingly exponential growth, Borden Chemicals was about to be written into Fender’s musical instrument history without even knowing it.

You might think that there is no correlation between Borden and Fender, but in this case, you thought wrong. During the 1960s, the world was going through a major cultural change. The Summer of Love and the “flower power” trend was taking over the pop culture scene by the later years of the decade. During this time, the political climate was dark and the music scene was rebelling, albeit peacefully. People ached for something bright and Fender was looking to put something new and exciting out on the market. It was then, in July of 1968, that Fender officially announced their newly available “Blue Flower” and “Paisley Red” Telecasters & Telecaster Basses.

The unexpected tie between these two manufacturing giants came in the form of this self-stick, decorative “Cling-Foil”. Fender applied this sparkling aluminum to the front and back of Telecasters and Telecaster Basses before finishing them with a coordinating “sunburst” color (pink for the Paisley Red and Blue for the Blue Flower). Lastly, each body was sprayed with a clear polyester lacquer. Originally, this product was advertised as being able to be used on furniture or appliances, but Fender sought out a more creative approach.

We were lucky enough to come across a new-old-stock roll of the Paisley finished Cling-Foil from an old shop in California. Seeing this material in its natural state with a true silver background just goes to show just how much these guitars age. Looking through the pictures, notice where the silver has turned to gold under the yellowing of the clear coat. 

These extraordinary prints were nothing short of unique, especially on a guitar that was so traditional and simple. These foiled patterns were only available on the Telecaster & Telecaster Bass models, as the solid planks of wood used for the bodies took to the contact paper better, due to their lack of contours. 

While some players of the time (namely James Burton) played the model, the overall success of this finish was less than Fender had hoped. The texture and thickness of the Cling-Foil unfortunately did not maintain the clear finish easily, as the material didn’t have a very stable hold on the paint. Due to these issues, the production of these pieces only lasted about a year. These instruments have become increasingly difficult to come across today, especially in pristine condition. There were only an estimated 75 of each color Telecaster made and only 25 of each Telecaster Bass made. 

We have been lucky enough over the years to procure original Paisley and Floral Telecasters. Since then, Fender has reissued the Telecaster in both Paisley Red & Blue Flower. With modern ambassadors like Brad Paisley playing these instruments regularly on tour, there was no doubt they would become a hit in today’s music scene.

Enjoy a few photos of this stunning Telecaster!