A faithful tribute to one of the most radical shifts in Gibson history, the 1961 Les Paul SG Standard Reissue with Bigsby in Cherry Red VOS captures the spirit, style, and sonic power of the original “Les Paul SG” era. Part of the Limited Edition Collection—a limited series of instruments inspired by years of Made to Measure requests and the ingenuity of the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville—this reissue blends vintage-correct specs with subtle enhancements for today’s players and collectors.
Crafted from a single piece of solid mahogany, the body features the iconic SG silhouette with its deeply sculpted horns and lightweight feel. Finished in Cherry Red VOS nitrocellulose lacquer, it evokes the look and vibe of an original from the first Gibson Golden Era. A Bigsby B5 vibrato tailpiece adds expressive capability and vintage flair, while the ABR-1 bridge with nylon saddles ensures smooth tuning, intonation, and classic tone.
The neck is carved from mahogany and joined with a long tenon for maximum sustain and resonance. Featuring the Authentic 1961 Thin D profile, it offers a fast, comfortable feel that’s true to the original design. The rosewood fretboard is bound in single-ply and fitted with 22 medium jumbo frets and aged celluloid trapezoid inlays, delivering a smooth playing surface with vintage character. A 12″ radius and 1.687″ nut width provide familiar playability, while the nylon nut and Kluson Deluxe tuners round out the period-correct details. Another standout feature of this reissue is the headstock, which proudly displays the Gibson logo and crown inlay—both rendered in mother-of-pearl for a touch of elegance and authenticity.
Electronics include a pair of unpotted Custombucker Alnico 3 humbucker pickups, delivering rich, dynamic tone with vintage clarity and bite. Zebra bobbins and True Historic nickel-plated covers add visual appeal, while the traditional two volume, two tone layout with CTS potentiometers and a Switchcraft 3-way toggle pickup selector switch provide reliable, intuitive control. Black Top Hat knobs with silver inserts and dial pointers, along with black plastic parts and control covers, complete the classic look.
Each 1961 Les Paul SG Standard Reissue with Bigsby ships in a reissue hardshell case and represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of Gibson’s transitional history—an instrument that bridges the legacy of the Les Paul with the bold future of the SG.
Gibson Custom Shop 1961 Les Paul SG Standard B5 Bigsby Guitar with Case Features:
- One-piece solid mahogany body
- Cherry Red VOS nitrocellulose lacquer finish
- Mahogany neck with 1961 Thin D profile
- Rosewood fretboard with aged celluloid trapezoid inlays
- Unpotted Custombucker Alnico 3 humbucker pickups
- CTS potentiometers and Switchcraft 3-way toggle pickup selector
- Bigsby B5 vibrato tailpiece
- ABR-1 bridge with nylon saddles
- Kluson Deluxe tuners
- Reissue hardshell case included
