A great instrument and rarity, the Gibson Collector’s Choice™ #7 1960 Les Paul “Shanks”, based on exhaustive examination of the original piece. From 2010 to 2017, Gibson released 40 Collector’s Choice models, all drawn from original examples.

This Gibson Collector’s Choice™ #7 example was one of 300 built during 2013 at Gibson Nashville and is in excellent condition – but as it reproduces a vintage instrument, it does not look like it did when new in 1960! While not abused, the finish shows wear expected from a guitar that’s been used in performances and studios for decades. There is expected lacquer checking, buckle rash, and similar wear. The ‘Les Paul’ decal on the headstock is there, but very faded.   An example of the attention to detail is that this guitar is equipped with Grover Roto-Matic tuners, but they weren’t the original equipment.  The screw holes and pressure marks from the original Kluson Deluxe tuners are just visible under the Grover casings.

This is a fantastic piece, and demonstrates why the 1958 to 1960 Les Paul Bursts are so sought after. It plays well, has great sound, and a lot of visual appeal.

The original hard shell case with Certificate of Authenticity booklet and other case candy is included.

Here’s the builder on the Gibson Collector’s Choice™ #7 1960 Les Paul “Shanks”:

“All 1958 to 1960 ’Bursts are highly collectible, but a handful of transitional guitars that blend the ever-evolving specs are even more prized. As the chunky, rounded neck profile of the ’59 segued into the slimmer, faster profile of the ’60 Les Paul Standard, a mere handful of fatter ’50s-necked examples slipped into the new model year, and of these, the Les Paul owned by legendary music producer and songwriter John Shanks is known to be as good as it gets.

Gibson Custom is proud to announce the release of the Collector’s Choice™ #7 1960 Les Paul, an exacting recreation of this hit-making, Grammy Award Winning producer’s beloved Les Paul.

As with each guitar in the Collector’s Choice™ series, John has generously allowed the Gibson Custom team intimate access to his prized ’Burst, so that every minute detail necessary to recreate the look, feel, and tone of the original has been captured.

As a result, you get the precise neck profile, top carve, and vibrant finish— with a deep-cherry edge fading ever so slightly to washed-cherry toward the center of the body—as well as every drop of transition ’Burst tone thanks to a pair of accurately reproduced Custom Buckers with Alnico III magnets. In short, the Collector’s Choice™ #7 1960 Les Paul is as close as you’ll come to owning the real thing.”

Gibson Collector’s Choice™ #7 1960 Les Paul “Shanks” Specifications: