Vintage Original Spec series have been built for over 20 years by the dedicated and talented people in the Gibson custom workshop. Their skill and love of their work is evident in the ultimate playability and feel of what is the most cherished guitar of all time across the globe.

Gibson guitars are all about quality and attention to detail from the choicest bookmatched maple and solid mahogany to the hand linished finish. Gibson’s combine superb craftsmanship with modern technology producing fantastic looks by matching precisely the 17 original designs such as the legendary Sunburst of 1958, ‘59 and 1960, the Les Paul Standard.

Take a quick tour of the Custom Shop and see what they do…

These handcrafted guitars offer unsurpassed comfort of playing with their hand rolled binding that extends out further for increased comfort and maximum playing surface. The beautifully curved heads are set atop the long tenon necks that extend deep into the body where they are seated neatly beneath the neck pickup cavity. These long neck tenons increase the strength and in turn, the durability of Gibson guitars.

The precise fretwork and perfectly cut nuts on every guitar ensure that maximum playability is a given. Fitted with bumble bee capacitors where appropriate, correct body routing, holly head stock veneers rather than synthetic or plastic fibre, (tordis ?)dot markers on side of the neck, ABR1 bridge, light aluminium tail piece, another Gibson first.

The heart and soul of these guitars is in the tone. It all begins and ends with tone. From the growl of a single coil P90 to the rock and roll roar of the humbuckers, another Gibson innovation.

All these elements are built into every custom Vintage Original Spec guitar. They combine to make this Gibson series the most lusted afterg guitars with the most respected tone in the world.

In 1960 the Les Paul Standard still had the flame maple top, sunburst finish, and “Patent Applied For” pickups of its predecessors, but a slim taper neck was added for a decidedly different feel. These final adjustments failed to save the Standard, however, and after 1960 the single cutaway Les Paul was replaced by the thin bodied, double cutaway SG.

The Greatest Vintage Guitars Ever Made… Today
The Gibson Custom Shop proudly introduces the Vintage Original Spec series of historic solidbody guitars. From the 1957 Les Paul Junior to the 1960 Les Paul Standard, the Custom Shop debuts 17 reissue models representing the next step in their journey toward recreating the finest guitars ever made.

A great selection of Vintage Original Spec guitars at guaranteed lowest prices can be found here.

You may not be looking to buy a brand new guitar so if you are looking for a used VOS  try finding one at an e-Bay auction.

The founder of Gibson guitars, was born 1856 in Chateaugay, New York. His reputation grew from building mandolins to the legendary world famous company of today. Gibson led the way in innovations that are copied by many but surpassed by nobody.

The Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co, Ltd manufactured Gibson instruments to his own design. in Kalamazoo, Michigan until he hired Lloyd Loar in 1919 to bring in newer models. Still in production today, with modifications is the Gibson L5 guitar. The choice of bluegrass players, the Gibson F5 mandolin was introduced in 1922 and soon after Gibson gained the reputation for archtop guitars, particularly with that L-5 model.

The electric guitar came along during the 1930’s and the ES-150, the “Electric Spanish” model, was Gibson’s first offering. Wartime brought manufacturing to a standstill and it was not until 1949 that the ES-175 was introduced which is still in production today. 1951 saw the introduction of the L5CES which is both an acoustic and electric guitar.

Humbucking pickups are probably the most widely recognized innovation of Gibson’s career. Humbucker, so called because they “buck the hum” often experienced with single coil pickups, were first fitted to the reworked Gibson L5CES.

The “Les Paul” series of guitars followed during the 1050’s. The solid body design pioneered by Fender Telecaster, was made into several Les Paul models most notably perhaps the Les Paul Special. The “Byrdland” Thinline series, built for Billy Byrd and Hank Garland, gave rise to the popular ES-350T and ES-225T models then the ES-335 series.

The futuristic Explorer and Flying V came along in 1958 but were a little before their time for many musicians. It was not until the 1960’s that the likes of Eric Clapton popularized them. Meanwhile the double-cutaway body solid guitar, the Gibson’s SG, was in demand.

Since then many greats of rock have enhanced the reputations of both the Les Paul and the SGs, among them Slash, Jimmy Page and Pete Townshend to name just three. Many of these models are now sought after by discerning players and collectors alike and many increase in value year on year but if you hunt around you can still find bargains.
Gibson Gloss Series 1968 Flying V Electric Guitar

Gibson Flying V 1968 High Gloss Electric Guitar; Long live the V! In 1958, Gibson put forth new design ideas and the V has since been a mainstay for the company because it is loved by guitarists everywhere. Deemed futuristic when it first hit the market, this guitar has been revered in the hands of many legendary players. The guitar here is a slightly more modern take on the classic V design, but it still keeps the vintage vibe alive in the hearts of its players.

Gibson guitars, accessories and loads of other gear.  24/7  Check it out!

Looking for a used Gibson? It is always worth looking in the auctions.

The Gibson Les Paul Special is the players guitar, the crème de la crème, the  mother of all guitars. The fantastic sound, the playability and the sheer joy the Les Paul gives is worth every penny you will spend to own one.

Epiphone Les Paul Special II Electric Guitar
If you are looking for classic Les Paul looks and a humbucker sound, it is hard to go wrong with the incredibly affordable Special II. There really hasn’t been a Les Paul deal like this in a long time. Features include a Mahogany neck, a Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, volume and tone control, and chrome hardware.

Technical Info

• Pickups: 2 Open Coil AlNiCo V Humbuckers
• Hardware: Chrome
• Scale: 24.75 in.
• Nut Width: 1.68 in.
• Neck Joint: Bolt
• Neck Material: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Rosewood/Dot
• Binding: None
• Body Material: Basswood

This Custom Shop Historic Series re-creation duplicates the original at its finest. This is the single-cutaway version (there was also a 1960s double-cutaway) with a 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays and nickel hardware.

The Gibson Les Paul Special features a solid mahogany body and neck, 2 P-90 pickups, wraparound tailpiece and 2 volume and 2 tone controls with 3-way switching.

Gibson Custom Historic SG Custom Vintage Original Spec Electric Guitar

The SG Custom replaced the single cutaway Les Paul Custom in 1961. With three “Patent Applied For” humbuckers, gold hardware, multiple binding, and an ebony fretboard to go along with the new thinline body, the SG Custom maintained the standard of elegance set by the original Les Paul Custom.

This guitar is solid as a ROCK ITSELF!

Looking for a used Gibson Les Special ? You may get lucky at the auction, I have in the past!

Gibson SG Special Faded (Worn Cherry or Brown)

The SG Special Faded has a great combination of features and offers fntastic value. You get the dynamic, slim mahogany body and hair-trigger quick neck that have made the SG legendary, but without all the non-essential extras.

The ultra-affordable price tag on this guitar is owed to fewer coats of finish than can be found on the traditional SG Standard and SG Special. This stripped-down finishing process means that not only will you enjoy more resonance but you’ll be the proud owner of an SG that looks straight out of the ’60s. The SG Special Faded is uncivilized,  fierce you will get immense pleasure from it.

While its faded finish makes it look like a classic ’60s or ’70s SG Special, this SG’s AlNiCo II 490R/498T humbuckers give it more output and upper-midrange crunch than those vintage models. Mahogany body, set mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard.

Gibson SG Special Electric Guitar

The SG Special is ready to rock with hot open-coil humbuckers. The original Gibson SG shattered all perceptions of what a guitar should be when it was first introduced in 1961. Today, the SG stands as one of Gibson’s most popular and best-selling guitars. Its distinct twin cutaways, pointed horns, and beveled edges have made it one of the most inspired and iconic designs in the history of guitar making.

The Gibson SG Special Electric Guitar has a body made from multipiece mahogany with a one-piece SG-style neck. Features a 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, 2 humbuckers with 2 volume and 2 tone controls, 3-way pickup selector and a stopbar with Tune-O-Matic bridge.

These are what we might call common sense guidelines to buying an electric guitar. The advice has been taken from professionals.

Obviously you want the guitar or bass you want to buy to not only give you pleasure but to last you for many years. So let’s ensure you are not going to be disappointed.  Here are the guidelines.

• Buy the best you can afford. You will always be looking for the best so start off as high up the quality scale as possible. You will enjoy the playability and dependability that is built into your instrument for years to come.

• Check and expect a lifetime warranty. Any manufacturer worth their salt will provide a lifetime warranty. When looking at used Gibson guitars for sale you should expect that the warranty comes with it.

• Whatever make you choose, check out the credentials of the manufacturer. Essentially their reputation, their experience and ongoing after sales service.

• Consider the value of your new best friend in terms of appreciation. Buying a cheap guitar  is like going on a cheap date. My friend, it will not last and if you try to make it last it will only bring you grief. Enough said!

• Consider the quality of materials used and the craftsmanship employed in producing your guitar. These are irreplacable factors that will not only enhance your enjoyment, they will look after you as long as you look after your guitar.

• Check the electronics. Cheap electronics will result in cheap sounds.Good quality pickups are coated in wax or epoxy to prevent extraneous noise. The double coil humbuckers are the quietest while the single coil pickups tend to allow feedback and hum. Again look for quality.

• The all important neck joint. This is a must. The best neck joints are glued rather than bolted. Bolt on necks will tend to loosen over time and transfer vibration up the neck resulting in loss of tone. Having to support the neck with a toothpick jammed into the loosening joint just does not cut it.

• Nuts and bolts.You certainly do not want your strings rattling around your nuts! So ensure the guitar you intend to buy is has the nuts and headstock designed to have enough downward pressure to keep you free from that problem.

• Pay attention to detail. Assuming you are buying a quality guitar, ensure the manufacturer has paid attention to detail. With a Gibson that is a given but if it a used or vintage Gibson assure yourself that the previous player or owner has given it the care and attention it deserves.

Now you know what to look for and how to buy an electric  guitar lets go and look for a good one !

Gibson Les Paul Studio
You will find a Les Paul Studio at guaranteed lowest prices here. In fact you can purchase over 125,000 different products from their website 24 hours a day. Check it out!

You’ll also find plenty of used Gibson guitars for sale on auction sites like e-Bay

Gibson guitars are among the most sought after guitars for sale in the world but the particular model to suit your budget can be difficult to find and it always pays to shop around.

Gibson guitars are handcrafted to such perfection and with innovative features that they lead the industry and set the standard for others to copy. Take a tour of the Gibson factory to get the feel of the superior quality, passion and talent that goes into the building of each Gibson guitar. It makes their playability and uniqueness  almost priceless.

The angled headstock for example shows Gibson’s industry-changing way of thinking. Every Gibson headstock is carved out of the same piece of mahogany as the neck then fitted with Gibson’s traditional wing blocks.

The adjustable truss rod is another Gibson innovation that revolutionized the guitar. By making it adjustable, the truss rod now allows a guitar to be set up using a variety of string gauges, as well as string heights.

No guitar neck profiles are more distinguishable than the neck profiles employed on the Gibson models of today. The neck is machined in Gibson’s rough mill using wood shapers to make the initial cuts. But once the fingerboard gets glued on, the rest–including the final sanding–is done by hand.

The special features  and the quality of Gibson guitars is what makes them so desireable and somewhat expensive even though they are worth it.

Finding Your Gibson

It pays to shop around and this is a great place I found. They are knowledgeable musicians and they guarantee the lowest prices on Gibson guitars so I suggest you check these guys out right now.

They also do great deals on “Blow Outs” and have great reviews from their many customers on individual guitars and accessories, so take a good look around. You’ll save yourself time and money too!

Used Gibson guitars often fall into the category of either vintage Gibson guitars or collectors Gibson guitars. They are particularly treasured because, apart from the condition or age, it is their individual history which makes them so unique and valuable. It’s the same old story of supply and demand. The supply is shrinking and the demand is increasingly, so again, always shop around before committing yourself.

So what is that worth to you, the buyer? It is worth what you are prepared to pay of course but that may be less that someone else. However, with careful research you will find the right Gibson guitars for sale to satisfy your desires. Read the tips on How to Buy an Electric Guitar