May 28, 1958, Gibson Ledger
before the body finish was changed in 1961.
walk toward the main vintage room on your
to stop by and give the guitar a whirl. When
Just another reason this is such a unique find
right. It is estimated that several hundred
Walter shows the instrument to visitors it is as
as these models were sought and played by
people have already stopped by CVG to pay
though he is a proud father, and he even pulls
Duane Allman, Jimmy Page, and Eric Clapton.
their respects to “The Burst.” The current price
out the family photos in the neck pocket of the
Construction of these guitars consisted of a
on the instrument is $625,000, and musicians
case to let you soak in the authenticity. Carter
mahogany body, maple top, mahogany neck
from all over have stopped in to see and take
stated, “Given all the attention that Bursts
with rosewood fingerboard, kluson deluxe
pictures of the guitar.
have received in the past 20 years, I thought
tuners, ABR-1 tune-o-matic bridge, three-
this one was probably lost. On the other hand,
way toggle pickup selector, PAF pickups, and
I asked Walter how he arrived at the current
rare and important instruments are still being
the standard double volume and double tone
price. “We started with the value of a Burst
discovered. In the past year we’ve had the first
electronic configuration. J.D. Simo, a popular
with no story. This one is in great condition. It’s
original flat-head five-string Gibson Granada
Nashville Bluesman, recently shot a video for
documented with a photo, the ledger entry, and
banjo and the first Fender Twin Reverb amp,
Carter Vintage Guitar as he put the ’58 Burst
a sworn statement from the original owner. And
so in that context it wasn’t surprising to see the
through its pace, and the tone is just amazing!
it’s the first of its kind. All of those factors add
first Burst. To actually hold it is another matter
This video can be viewed on their website at
to the value.”
altogether. That was pretty exciting.”
www.CarterVintage.com.
Few non-celebrity guitars have gotten so
An instrument find like this is once in a lifetime,
On Saturday May 28th, exactly 58 years after
much attention from the vintage instrument
and it will definitely cause a number of Gibson
its ship date, a Birthday party and celebration
community
and
Les Paul books and articles to
was thrown at Carter’s with a birthday cake
high profile press.
be updated and revised going
and special party guests to celebrate this
Even
renowned
forward. Once you see and
incredible find. If hasn’t sold yet or if you are
country artist Vince
hear a 1958 “Burst” for yourself
in the market for a one-of-a-kind Gibson Les
Gill, who is usually
it is easy to understand why
Paul in experimental cherry sunburst, you can
a
player,
these guitars, along with the
find it in a locked and lit case on the wall of
couldn’t pass up
’59 and “60, have become the
Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville TN as you
the
30
tele
opportunity
Jul Aug 2016
Walter & Christie Carter with Vince Gill
CollectibleGuitar.com
holy grail of guitars.