New finishes, pickup configurations, and tonewoods from Gibson Custom Select
It's no exaggeration to state that some of the coolest new guitars on the planet right now are coming out of the Gibson Custom Select program. Our small-batch Gibson Custom Select guitars run the gamut from subtle specification tweaks to exclusive finishes, premium materials, and other unique features. Let’s dig in to some of the most recent drops.
First up is the drop-dead gorgeous guitar you can see in the image above—the 1964 SG™ Standard Reissue, Light Aged in Heather Poly. While there are original examples of an SG Standard from 1964 in Pelham Blue, Heather Poly was more closely associated with the Firebird™ of the time. Both of these finishes were considered custom colors in the 1960s, since the SG Standard normally came in its iconic Cherry finish.
Heather Poly originates from the same color catalog that featured Ember Red, Pelham Blue, Silver Mist, and many other iconic colors. These finishes were intended for automakers of the time, which connects car culture to guitar culture, a richly interconnected history that dates back to the 1950s. This 1964 SG Standard has undergone the Murphy Lab Light Aging treatment, retaining all the standard features of the core model, including a set of Custombucker Alnico 3 pickups, a Maestro™ Vibola™ tailpiece, an ABR-1 bridge with nylon saddles, and an Authentic 1964 neck profile.
1963 SG Special Reissue, Light Aged, TV Pelham Blue Sparkle
Next, we’re introducing a Gibson first: TV Pelham Blue Sparkle, which debuts on the Custom Select 1963 SG Special Reissue. Pelham Blue is one of the most popular custom finishes from Gibson and has been featured on models such as the 1964 SG Standard Reissue, DG-335, and 1963 Firebird V Reissue. This special finish takes that iconic color and combines it with the technique used to create TV Yellow, another of Gibson’s legendary finishes.
To add a little extra spice, this finish features a subtle sparkle treatment, making it truly three-dimensional. On the surface, the sparkle layer and Murphy Lab Light Aging bring character and depth. Just below is the layer of Pelham Blue, and beneath that, the raw beauty of the wood grain—with the mahogany body making both the TV finish and this combination possible. Find out more about the 1963 SG Special Reissue and shop now.
1963 SG Junior Reissue, Light Aged, TV Inverness Green
Another first from Gibson is the TV Inverness Green finish on a Gibson Custom Select 1963 SG Junior. This first-of-its-kind finish uses the same finishing technique as TV Pelham Blue Sparkle but omits the sparkle portion. Inverness Green is another legendary finish that is extraordinarily rare to find on vintage examples, and highly valuable on the vintage market. Adding to its uniqueness, this 1963 SG Junior isn’t part of the standard Gibson catalog—making this Gibson Custom Select guitar a true rarity. And, in case you were wondering, that single Dogear P-90 really snarls but is more versatile than you might think.
Firebird Custom, Flying V Custom, and Explorer Custom Figured Top in Cobra Burst
Usually dressed up in its tuxedo with gold jewelry, the Custom trim level from the Gibson Custom Modern Collection gives a splash of modernity to the storied specifications. The Firebird, Explorer™, and Flying V™ rarely feature a figured maple top due to the size of their bodies, so it took quite some time to source the AAA flame maple. All three of these models share the same aesthetic features, which include the figured maple top, Cobra Burst finish, and Custom appointments from the multi-layered binding to the gold hardware.
J-45 and J-50 50s with Red Spruce and HiFi Pickups
Based on the standard J-45™ 50s, these guitars have been upgraded where it counts. Featuring red spruce tops, red spruce bracing, hide glue construction, and L.R. Baggs™ HiFi pickups, these models strike the perfect balance between traditional and modern features. What is also cool is the customization of the finishes. The J-45 features a slightly different sunburst pattern, based on guitars from the early to mid-1960s. The J-50™ is finished in Antique Natural, which is not currently available in the standard Gibson core catalog. Under the hood, the L.R.Baggs HiFi pickup is the chosen electronics package for many professionals due to its natural tone. These two guitars look the part, sound like they’ve been played for decades, and perform like modern guitars.
1957 Les Paul Junior Reissue, 1958 Les Paul Junior Reissue, and 1963 SG Junior Reissue
In the video above, you'll see virtuoso guitarist JD Simo put one of our trio of cool Custom Select Juniors through its paces—the 1958 Les Paul Junior Reissue, Heavy Aged in Maui Blue. It's joined by a 1957 Les Paul Junior and 1963 SG Junior, and all three are equipped with a single humbucking pickup—the inspiration coming from seeing vintage guitars with very cool modifications.
The Junior platform traditionally features a Dogear P-90 pickup, while the humbucker™ was reserved for the more premium Les Paul™ Standard or SG Standard models. The story behind each of these guitars is that they might have been purchased new in the 1950s or 1960s, modified with a Gibson Patent Applied For humbucker, and given a new paint job in the 1970s or 1980s. They were then played around the world in that condition for the rest of their lives, collecting plenty of battle-scars along the way.
The 1957 Les Paul Junior Reissue features a Cardinal Red finish, which was most commonly found on Gibson Firebird models in the 1960s. The 1958 Les Paul Junior Reissue features a Maui Blue finish, which is somewhat unusual to see on a Gibson guitar due to its pastel hue. Finally, the SG Junior Reissue has an Ebony finish, which accentuates the model’s devilish rock ’n’ roll aesthetic. All three of these guitars are loaded with an uncovered Double Black Custombucker pickup and have received the Murphy Lab Heavy Aged treatment.
Find out more about Gibson Custom Select and shop now—only at Gibson.com and Gibson Garage locations.
