The Gibson 1960 Les Paul Special Double Cut Reissue is a great take on a classic, straight ahead solidbody that delivers plenty of tone via a pair of P-90 pickups.

Often referred to as the ‘Les Paul DC’, the Les Paul Special first appeared in 1955 along with the Les Paul Junior, both as lower cost alternatives to the carved-top Les Paul model. Aside from lacking the carved Maple cap and simpler hardware, the Special and Junior construction was similar to the carved-top Les Paul. The body and neck were tropical Mahogany, and the fingerboard Rosewood. The Special received a pair of P-90 pickups and binding for the fingerboard, while the Junior was fitted with one P-90 in the bridge position and no binding. Tuners are simple strip-mounted Kluson Deluxe models with creme plastic buttons, and the bridge is a stop-tail – a repurposed stop tailpiece.

For 1958, both the single-cutaway Special and Junior bodies received two cutaways. The Special was further updated in 1960 for reliability – the neck pickup was moved 1/2 inch towards the bridge. This improved the strength and durability of the neck’s tenon joint.

Here we’re looking at a Gibson 1960 Les Paul Special Double Cut Reissue built during 2007 at Gibson Nashville. It is in very clean good overall condition with almost no wear. In terms of scratches, those are on the pickguard; the pickguard also shows, in some lights, a rectangular fade where one of Gibson’s original stickers had been applied to the now-removed pickguard film. (This is one of the reasons to remove these films from pickguards and cover plate plastics). The nitrocellulose lacquer finish is the classic TV shade, formulated to appear clearly on black & white television sets. This guitar plays well, and has a very comfortable weight. The P-90’s have a great sound, rich and full with lots of presence.

The original Gibson branded hard shell case is included.

Here’s the builder on the Gibson 1960 Les Paul Special Double Cut Reissue:

“The Les Paul Junior and Special were revised in 1958 to have double cutaways and more fingerboard access, but the Special didn’t really hit its groove until 1960, when the lower pickup placement and slim neck taper made it more robust and easier to play than ever. Custom Shop has proudly replicated the Cherry Red and TV Yellow originals in intricate detail with these Gibson 1960 Les Paul Special Double Cut Reissues. They are complete structural and visual clones of the coveted vintage counterparts, but the real magic is in their identical sound and playability. A pair of mean, fiery P-90s create tones ranging from sparkling cleans to crunchy distortion. Anything you throw at it, this Les Paul can handle! “

Gibson 1960 Les Paul Special Double Cut Reissue Specifications: