Inspired by Original Drawings From 1957
Gibson’s legendary former president Theodore ‘Ted’ McCarty helped develop some of the most iconic electric guitars ever during the 1950s and early 1960s, including the Les Paul™, ES-335, Flying V™, Explorer™, SG™, and Firebird™ models. He enjoyed sketching new instrument ideas during meetings, and the height of his creative output was in 1957 when he sought to modernize Gibson’s electric guitar designs significantly. On March 18th, 1957, Ted detailed and signed his drawing for a new solid body instrument which was never produced…until now. Gibson Custom Shop is proud to present the “Theodore,” inspired by Ted McCarty’s original drawing and notes. Its unique features include an alder body, scimitar headstock, double Florentine cutaways, and a walnut center strip. The lightweight, balanced construction is extremely comfortable, and the powerful P-90 pickups produce effortless sustain and a rich diversity of tones. This very special Archive Collection run is limited to just 318 total instruments offered in three colors: Natural, Cherry, and Ebony. Each includes a Historic-style brown/pink case, a premium leather strap, a print of the original signed drawing, a 1957-style catalog page print, and a deluxe Certificate of Authenticity booklet.
Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Body Finish Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Material Alder
Body Shape Theodore
Body Styles Double Cut
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 22
Frets Historic Gibson Narrow/Tall
Inlays Pearloid Dot
Joint Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
Neck Material Mahogany
Nut Material Nylon
Nut Width 42.85mm / 1.69in
Profile C
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup Custom Soapbar P-90
Controls 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 500K CTS Audio Taper Potentiometers, Bumblebee Capacitors, Hand-Wired
Neck Pickup Custom Soapbar P-90
Output Jack 1/4" Switchcraft
Pickup Selector 3-Way Switchcraft
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge Wraparound
Control Covers Black
Control Knobs Historic Black Top Hats
finish Nickel
Pickguard 4-ply Black
Pickup Covers Black Soapbar
Strap Buttons 2 - Aluminum
Switch Tip Amber
Switchwasher Historic Black
Truss Rod Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover Historic Stepped 2-ply
Tuner Plating Nickel
Tuning Machines Kluson Six In-Line with Cream Buttons
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories Premium Leather Strap, a Print of the Original Signed Drawing, a 1957-style Catalog Page Print, and a Deluxe Certificate of Authenticity Booklet
Model: CSASTEBVONH1
Case Historic Brown/Pink Hardshell
Headstock Scimitar
Headstock Inlay Gibson Logo in Mother of Pearl
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Gibson Custom Theodore, Ebony
Gibson Custom Theodore, Ebony
Sorry, the Gibson Custom Theodore, Ebony is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only.
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Inspired by Original Drawings From 1957
Gibson’s legendary former president Theodore ‘Ted’ McCarty helped develop some of the most iconic electric guitars ever during the 1950s and early 1960s, including the Les Paul™, ES-335, Flying V™, Explorer™, SG™, and Firebird™ models. He enjoyed sketching new instrument ideas during meetings, and the height of his creative output was in 1957 when he sought to modernize Gibson’s electric guitar designs significantly. On March 18th, 1957, Ted detailed and signed his drawing for a new solid body instrument which was never produced…until now. Gibson Custom Shop is proud to present the “Theodore,” inspired by Ted McCarty’s original drawing and notes. Its unique features include an alder body, scimitar headstock, double Florentine cutaways, and a walnut center strip. The lightweight, balanced construction is extremely comfortable, and the powerful P-90 pickups produce effortless sustain and a rich diversity of tones. This very special Archive Collection run is limited to just 318 total instruments offered in three colors: Natural, Cherry, and Ebony. Each includes a Historic-style brown/pink case, a premium leather strap, a print of the original signed drawing, a 1957-style catalog page print, and a deluxe Certificate of Authenticity booklet.
Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Body Finish Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Material Alder
Body Shape Theodore
Body Styles Double Cut
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 22
Frets Historic Gibson Narrow/Tall
Inlays Pearloid Dot
Joint Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
Neck Material Mahogany
Nut Material Nylon
Nut Width 42.85mm / 1.69in
Profile C
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup Custom Soapbar P-90
Controls 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 500K CTS Audio Taper Potentiometers, Bumblebee Capacitors, Hand-Wired
Neck Pickup Custom Soapbar P-90
Output Jack 1/4" Switchcraft
Pickup Selector 3-Way Switchcraft
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge Wraparound
Control Covers Black
Control Knobs Historic Black Top Hats
finish Nickel
Pickguard 4-ply Black
Pickup Covers Black Soapbar
Strap Buttons 2 - Aluminum
Switch Tip Amber
Switchwasher Historic Black
Truss Rod Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover Historic Stepped 2-ply
Tuner Plating Nickel
Tuning Machines Kluson Six In-Line with Cream Buttons
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories Premium Leather Strap, a Print of the Original Signed Drawing, a 1957-style Catalog Page Print, and a Deluxe Certificate of Authenticity Booklet
Model: CSASTEBVONH1
Case Historic Brown/Pink Hardshell
Headstock Scimitar
Headstock Inlay Gibson Logo in Mother of Pearl
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
