Fast forward 50 years, and the Les Paul of 1958-’60 has become the most prized electric guitar on the planet. But to say “the” Les Paul is actually somewhat misleading: while all of the fewer than 2,000 Les Pauls manufactured in this brief three-year timeframe are exceedingly desirable, they were often quite different guitars, too, varying not only from year to year as the model’s specs evolved, but varying even within the same year of manufacture.

None embodies this “work in progress” so completely as the final issue of the line, the 1960 Les Paul Standard—or, should we say “Standards”—now brought back to life in the Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standards. To accurately present the variations in specifications and finish that original examples from 1960 exhibit, Gibson’s Custom Shop is creating this limited Anniversary model in three versions, each of which embodies in period-correct detail the final three steps along the journey before this hallowed electric guitar was pulled from production.
The End of an Era, the Beginning of a Legend

At the start of 1960, the Les Paul retained the same specs as its predecessor from 1959, although it did receive the official “Les Paul Standard” designation in place of the former “Les Paul Model” (a name that its headstock nonetheless still retained). Among these details were the full, rounded neck profile, top-hat control knobs, and Heritage Cherry Sunburst or Heritage Dark Sunburst finish, and these are the very characteristics with which the Custom Shop has imbued Version 1 of the 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standard, which might be confused for a 1959 Les Paul Model if not for the 1960 serial number stamped into the back of the guitar’s headstock at the dawn of this new decade, and the R0 serial number of this 50th Anniversary model.

Version 2 represents the neck’s transition from full to slim—a progression that was gradual, rather than sudden—in the form of a Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standard with thinner, yet still somewhat rounded and “elliptical” neck profile, based on painstaking research and detailed scans of several transitional ’60s Les Pauls that were studied by the Custom Historic and Engineering team. To represent this alteration visibly, Version 2 will be offered in two classic “faded” ’Burst colors: Light Iced Tea and Sunset Tea Burst. The final version of the Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standard is represented by a guitar with the slim-taper neck for which late-’60 Les Pauls have become famous, along with the double-band tuners and gold top-hat control knobs with the “new” silver inserts that were fitted to these guitars.

Furthermore, Version 3 accurately represents the changes in the finishing process at Gibson in the latter part of 1960, in its more vibrant, colorfast Cherry Sunburst, a finish that stood the test of time somewhat better than many of the sunbursts that preceded it.

In addition to these pertinent details, the Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standards pack all the tonal nuances and unparalleled playability that really helped to make these guitars legendary in the hands of artist like Eric Clapton, who wielded a slim-necked 1960 Les Paul Standard on the most influential blues-rock album of all time, John Mayall Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton, often referred to as the “Beano” album. The time-tested tonewood combination of mahogany and maple, the classic duo of Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, and a pair of Gibson’s lauded PAF-style BurstBucker humbucking pickups all work toward a tonal splendor that no other guitar can equal.

Add to these the Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standards’ long-tenon neck joint, traditionally back-angled headstock, and thin, breathable nitrocellulose finish, and you’ve got a guitar that sings and resonates like no other. A total of only 500 Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standards will be produced in a blend of all three versions. All will include a Custom Shop hardshell case and a 50th Anniversary Certificate of Authenticity.

Body and Finish
Crafted from a book-matched figured maple top and a lightweight one-piece mahogany back, these guitars are finished in low-build nitrocellulose lacquer, and are available in a range of colors to suit each Version, including Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Heritage Dark Sunburst, Light Iced Tea Burst, Sunset Tea Burst and Cherry Sunburst.

In every way, these details represent careful study of several actual 1960 Les Paul Standards that were examined in the course of reproducing the Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standard.

Neck and Headstock
The guitar’s neck and headstock are made in the classic tradition of the original 1960 Les Paul. Carved from a single piece of quarter-sawn mahogany, and topped with a rosewood fingerboard, the design incorporates Gibson’s lauded 17-degree back-angled headstock, which contributes greatly to the instrument’s resonance and sustain.

Pickups and Electronics
The Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standard carries a complement of pickups and hardware that accurately reflect the original equipment on the most desirable Les Pauls ever made.

A pair of BurstBucker pickups captures that highly sought-after “PAF” style tone, while quality CTS potentiometers with “bumblebee” tone caps translate the signal in pure vintage style.

Hardware
As befits a Custom Shop Anniversary Les Paul of this caliber, the Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standard is equipped with Gibson’s most accurate, period-correct reproduction hardware, including Kluson-style tuners, a Tune-o-matic bridge and stop-bar tailpiece both made from the correct metals and plated in nickel, and Gibson’s original aluminum strap buttons, all of which contribute to the vintage look and tone of the instrument.

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Before you rush to the music store, do some research first. Websites like Musicians Friend and American Musical Supply not only show what's available to buy, but many have product reviews from people who have purchased them. Use discretion when looking at reviews. Even though each review represents one person's opinion, they are formed by their experience (good or bad) with either the product, shipping, or the company itself. For example, if there's a bass who has had constant bad reviews on its tone, then chances are you probably won't like it either.

However, if nothing really catches your eye, do some window-shopping at a local music store. If it's new you want, try online stores like the Best Guitar Shop. Then there are places like Bob’s Vintage Guitars that have some new but mostly used (or vintage, however you want to put it) gear just waiting to be sold. Don't be afraid to ask the salesperson for assistance, tell them you want to try out a particular bass or amp. They should be happy to oblige you. You can even bring your own axe or amp to try out, although you may be asked to check it with the staff or else you might get accused of stealing your own gear. Actually, this is the optimal decision, since basses sound different through different amps, and vice versa. You need to know how YOUR stuff sounds through THEIR stuff.

A Little More About Bass Browsing:
There is also the option of having a custom bass designed for you from a skilled luthier (a guitar maker). The cool thing is that you'll have a unique bass that's set up just for you and exactly the way you want it. The downside is that it usually costs you thousands of dollars to get it done. Custom guitars are usually for pro musicians who know exactly what they want. Besides, if you're just starting out, this might not be the best option, especially if you're not sure what you want or what is practical for you.
So when looking for your new bass, you must be discriminating. It's like shopping for a car, you want to test drive it first and see what you like and don't like about it. A good tip is to play it unplugged, placing your ear directly on the side of the body as you play it. If it sounds full and resonant, chances are it will sound great plugged in. If there is hissing or buzzing, be cautious. It could be a simple problem with the action (or how high/low the strings are in relation to the neck and body) and can be fixed with adjustments to the bridge and tension rod (a bar of metal inside the neck that adjusts the bow of the neck). Most instruments from a music shop will be setup correctly and ready to go as soon as it leaves the store, but then there are some that aren't or are unable to setup properly. Most low-end basses will have at least one thing wrong about them, so tread cautiously when shopping around. You must take into consideration your budget as well as your style, comfort, and practicality. For example, if you plan on playing your bass for long periods of time, then a heavy bass will give you much discomfort whether you play it standing or sitting down. And if your dream bass costs as much as a dream vacation to the Bahamas, reconsider the many cheaper options out there. Who knows, there might be a hidden gem of a bass waiting just for you.

A Little about Amps:
Most electric basses can't produce much sound unplugged unless you put your ear to the body and pluck a string. A bass amplifier does exactly what it says, amplifies the sound of a vibrating string over a pickup. Although there are many brands and types of amps, they all should have four parts to them:

Preamplifier - where you plug your cable into the unit. The preamp readies the signal coming from your guitar's pickups and vibrating stings by boosting its voltage (amplitude).

Signal processor - dials, knobs or silders most preamps should have to further modify the signal. It can be as simple as a volume, bass (low), and treble (high) controls, or as complicated as a 12-band EQ (equalizer) with all the bells and whistles thrown in.

Power amp - further increases the voltage level of your signal to where it can power speakers. Because low notes need more voltage to drive them, a bass amp must have tons of output power to cut through. For example, if you jam with a guitar player and you both have 50 watt amps, the guitar amp is always going to overpower you because high notes don't need as much power to let them ring.

Speakers - also called drivers, the speakers turn the powered electrical signal into physical energy. The signal passes through a voice coil that is connected to a resilient cone of either paper or aluminum. As the cone moves in and out, sound waves are produced. There are many combinations of speaker arrangements, the common ones being a single 12-inch speaker (1x12), single 15-inch (1x15), two 10-inch (2x10), and four 10-inch speakers (4x10).

Mostly all guitarists started out playing on a combo amp, with all four sections combined into one convenient unit. For the beginner, in terms of price and portability, it's a good place to start. Picking out wattage is up to you. If you plan on playing only in your room or to show off to a few buddies, never intending on playing with a band, then a combo amp from 10 to 50 watts should be perfect. If you do want to play in a band, then consider a combo amp from 60 to 300 watts. 60 watts is a good practice amp in a small room, however won't be able to cut it on a stage. 300 watts or higher should be able to compete with even the loudest of drums and guitar stacks.

Then there are bass stacks. Most still have the preamp, power amp, and signal processing in one unit (usually called a "head" or "brain"), yet the speakers are contained in their own enclosures (called "cabinets") and can be switched around or added to. Stack systems start from around $500 to $1000 to put together. Please be sensible - don't get a system that won't even fit in your vehicle or onstage or even in your own house.

Of course there are rack systems, where all four components can be switched around and customized, but they usually start at $1000 without even considering the price of the speakers. Rack systems are best left for seasoned pros and semi-pros who know exactly what kind of sound they want to dial in, not for the beginner trying to make up their minds on what they want. Not to say a beginner shouldn't buy a stack or rack system, but when you're starting out, it's best to keep things simple.

What to consider when buying a new amp? Almost some of the same things to consider when buying a new bass. Things like cost, comfort, and practicality. Cost an issue? Most music stores do have layaway plans if you can't afford your gear all at once. Just make sure to keep up with the payment - the moment you miss even one, you risk losing all the money you've already put into it. Since most bass amps are heavy, you must consider all possibilities. For instance, if you just bought a brand new 8x10 cabinet to marry to your brutal 450-watt head but it weighs more than you do and is hard to move around, you can either try to trade it for a smaller one or just go to your local hardware store and buy some casters for it.

There is also the debate between tube amps and solid state amps. Tube amps have a tube(s) to drive them - like dim light bulbs that give off a warmer sound than solid state amps, which rely solely on circuit boards that try to emulate the tube sound. Then there are so-called "hybrid" amps that use tubes and circuits harmoniously. Again, it's all in the preferrence of the musician.

Summing up:
When you've picked out your dream rig, you'll be satisfied knowing you made an informed decision and not bought something on impulse. If you're still debating on what gear you should buy, consult with your local music shops and ask them their opinions on certain models. A good place to ask is also a music repair shop. Ask what brands usually come in to get repaired so you know which brands are reliable and which brands are likely to meltdown. Finding your own unique sound is a musician's Holy Grail, some of them are still looking for the right combination. But when you've found it, or come a step closer to it, it will be utopian bliss. So save up some extra cash, do a little research, test drive some gear, and soon you'll be living the dream.

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Benefits of Buying Vintage Guitars Online
1. Convenience - If you want to get an excellent price on a vintage guitar offline, you may have to spend a lot of time looking.  Antique shops, garage sales, private classified ads and guitar shows all might have the guitar you've been dreaming of.  However, you have to go there to find out.  With online shopping, you'll be able to see in a moment if the guitar for sale is the one you want, and listings are easy to find.

2. Price - Online sellers don't have as much overhead, so they can often offer some great deals.  In addition to this, you also have the chance of finding someone who doesn't know what a treasure they have.  Ebay sellers may offer great vintage guitars at a much lower price than you'd find them offline.  Just be sure to factor in all handling charges and shipping costs when you figure out your vintage guitar budget.

3. Market Size - The Internet exposes you to more guitar listings than you'd ever see without it.  That allows sellers and buyers to find one another, and lets you discover your perfect vintage guitar.  No local market can rival the selection you can find online, even in large cities.

Of course, in many cases, online purchases are sight unseen, until the guitar arrives.  Does that mean you should avoid online buying?  Not at all - it just means that there are a few steps to take and things to ask about before you make your purchase.

Try to find out what kind of condition the guitar is in.  Whether you're buying it as an investment, or because you'd like to play a great old guitar, good condition is important.  Remember that refinishing or repairs, except in special cases, can damage the value and playability of the guitar. 

If you're not sure about the condition of a guitar you see online, ask the seller for photos and details about the instrument.  Pay close attention to the straightness of the neck, bridge angle, and the amount of wear on the guitar.  Some wear will be normal on all older guitars, but it's the type that matters. Avoid a guitar with cracks, warping, or large scratches.

Look for sellers who are accountable in some way.  eBay is an excellent place to buy, since you can report sellers who don't represent themselves properly. Both eBay and Paypal have buyer protection plans to protect you should you receive a guitar that was not accurately described. However, it's also a good idea to make sure you feel right about the deal.  If it seems too good to be true, it might well be!

A little bit of caution is all you need to start reaping the benefits of buying a vintage guitar online, instead of using classifieds and antique stores.  Pay close attention to what you're buying and get as much information as possible.  You've got a great chance of getting a better deal via the Internet, and you'll see a lot more guitars, plus you'll be able to buy them from the comfort of your own home.  It doesn't get much better than that! 

A good place to begin your search for that guitar of your dreams or investment is Bob’s Vintage Guitars. You will find a large selection of vintage guitars at the best prices available anywhere. In addition there is quite a lot of information about vintage guitars, both for the musician and the collector.