| Gibson–the iconic American-made, and leading instrument brand–has a legacy of making world-class instruments since 1894 when Orville Gibson was crafting archtop mandolins. As a natural extension of Gibson’s passion for its unique instruments and the stories they tell, the history-making Gibson Certified Vintage program–offers collectible vintage guitars authenticated, and certified directly by Gibson, with a new limited lifetime warranty and a certificate of vintage authenticity. All Gibson Certified Vintage guitars are sold via the Gibson Garage in Nashville, TN, call (615) 933-6000; select models will available for purchase via https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Certified-Vintage. Today the Gibson Certified Vintage program premieres the next five models, a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop, 1982 Explorer E2, 1957 Les Paul Special, 1986 EDS-1275, and a 1981 Futura Prototype. Explore Gibson Certified Vintage guitars below and check back for refreshed vintage offerings as each guitar is sold. A world-first, the Gibson Certified Vintage features one-of-a-kind Golden Era blue-chip guitars, to unique, one-of-a-kind prototypes, celebrity-owned guitars, as well as 70s and 80s models directly from the Gibson Vault. All Gibson Certified Vintage guitars sold will come with a detailed letter of appraisal confirming the provenance and history of the instrument, a certificate of authenticity, and exclusive case candy. In an industry first, all guitars will receive a new lifetime limited warranty. Explore the next five guitars to debut in the Gibson Certified Vintage program, available now at: https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Certified-Vintage. 1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard GoldTop |
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| Above: the 1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop. In 1957, when PAF humbuckers replaced P-90 single coils, the Gibson Les Paul’s transformation into the ultimate rock guitar was complete. Sure, the Sunburst finish, larger frets, and more refined neck profile that followed in 1958 and 1959 were hugely significant evolutionary steps. But the sonic alchemy of a humbucking Goldtop is a beautiful thing to behold. It’s a timeless sound that can be heard on countless landmark recordings. This original example from 1957 is in well-played condition, with heavy lacquer checking, forearm wear, and playwear around the back of the neck providing evidence of decades of faithful service. At one point, the guitar was modified with the addition of two phase switches between the volume and tone knobs, but the wiring has since been returned to stock and the holes filled. Following a professional refret by Glaser Instruments in Nashville, plus a set of new tuner tips to replace the crumbled originals, this guitar is ready to rock and comes equipped with a modern Gibson Deluxe Protector Case in addition to its four-latch Lifton original. In recent years, this Goldtop has been owned by Gibson Brands, and exhibited alongside other iconic vintage instruments in the Vault at the Gibson Garage in Nashville. During its time in the Vault, it has been played by numerous celebrity musicians and used as a benchmark for Gibson Custom’s Historic reissue and Murphy Lab programs. Upon purchase, this 1957 Les Paul Standard Goldtop will be available for pickup at the Gibson Garage in Nashville, or shipment to an address in the U.S., starting on July 27,2023. |
| 1982 Explorer E2 in Tobacco Sunburst |
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| Above: the 1982 Explorer E2 in Tobacco Sunburst. The Explorer E2 CMT (curly maple top) was manufactured between 1981-84 and was one of several riffs on the Explorer format to be released by Gibson in the early 1980s. The CMT’s combination of sandwich construction and hot Dirty Fingers humbuckers make it a substantial beast with weighty tones to match, while its spectacular top is beautifully accentuated here by the Tobacco Sunburst finish. This example was discovered in its original case in the Gibson Vault in Nashville, TN, in New Old Stock condition, with the protective plastic still on its pickguard. After more than 40 years in storage, the nitrocellulose finish has begun checking and exhibits some light surface scratches, but otherwise, this is a time-capsule piece in remarkable condition. Upon purchase, this 1982 Explorer E2 in Tobacco Sunburst will be available for pickup at the Gibson Garage in Nashville, or shipment to an address in the U.S., starting July 27, 2023. 1957 Les Paul Special in TV Yellow  Above: 1957 Les Paul Special in TV Yellow. Introduced in 1955 as a mid-level model between the Junior and Standard, the Gibson Les Paul Special is now considered a bona fide classic. Its combination of a pair of P-90 pickups and wraparound bridge is one of the most toneful and versatile in the history of electric guitar design. This superb 1957 example features a TV Yellow finish and is all-original with the exception of a sympathetic refret carried out with vintage-correct fretwire. The guitar was stamped as a second at the factory due to an oversized output jack plate, and this was how it was shipped in the late 1950s. Its original chipboard “Alligator” case is sadly long gone, but the guitar now comes with a 1990s-era brown Gibson hardshell case. In recent years, this Les Paul Special has been owned by Gibson Brands, and exhibitedalongside other iconic vintage instruments in the Vault at the Gibson Garage in Nashville. During its time in the Vault, it has been played by numerous celebrity musicians and used as a benchmark for Gibson Custom’s Historic reissue and Murphy Lab programs. Upon purchase, this 1957 Les Paul Special will be available for pickup at the Gibson Garage in Nashville, or shipment to an address in the U.S., starting July 27, 2023. |
| 1986 EDS-1275 in Alpine White |
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| Above: the Gibson 1986 EDS-1275. Jimmy Page, Slash, Alex Lifeson… for six decades, Gibson’s iconic EDS-1275 doubleneck has captured the imagination of rock stars and fans the world over, and its unmistakable silhouette has graced the biggest stages on the planet. Made in 1986, this stellar example was discovered in its original case in the Gibson Vault in Nashville, TN, in New Old Stock condition, with the protective plastic still on its pickguard. After almost four decades in storage, the guitar’s nitrocellulose finish has begun checking, and there is some discoloration in small areas, along with a small chip in the finish near the heel on the bass side of the 12-string neck. However, it remains a superb example of a Gibson doubleneck from the mid-1980s era and comes complete with its original hardshell case. Upon purchase, 1986 EDS-1275 will be available for pickup at the Gibson Garage in Nashville, or shipment to an address in the U.S., starting July 27, 2023. |
| 1981 Futura Prototype in Ebony |
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| Above: the 1981 Futura Prototype. Following the 1980s fashion for headless electric guitar and bass designs, this radical Futura prototype was made by Gibson’s R&D team, then still based in Kalamazoo, and sent for approval to the marketing team in Nashville. The compact headless design was rejected in favor of Futura and Corvus models with traditional headstocks, and the prototype has remained in the Gibson Vault ever since. As the only headless guitar that Gibson ever produced, this instrument represents a major piece of the company’s history. Other than a small surface crack at the top of the back of the neck near the serial number, it remains in excellent condition and comes equipped with its original black Protector Case. Upon purchase, the 1981 Futura Prototype will be available for pickup at the Gibson Garage in Nashville, or shipment to an address in the U.S., starting July 27, 2023. |
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