mjp Books blog, Michael Phillips

Historical Price-Lists for Gibson Electric Guitars

How Much Does a Guitar Cost?

We all like to complain about the price of things, but you might be surprised to learn that when you adjust for inflation, a good quality electric guitar costs about the same now as a comparable guitar did in the 1950s, 60s, or 70s.

You could argue that a direct comparison isn’t possible since the materials and methods used to build guitars decades ago were not the same as those used now, and that may be true. But it’s the hit on your wallet that we’re comparing here.

Click on any of the vintage prices to see today’s price. The numbers in parentheses are the cost of cases. (Sales tax can’t be included because it was different everywhere, but it added to the cost in most states.)

The numbers come from price lists that I’ve seen and verified. This is mainly a Gibson solid body electric guitar list because that’s where my interest lies. A few Fender numbers have been thrown in for comparison.

If you have any missing information or a price list for a year that isn’t listed here (pre-1980) and would like to add it, let me know in the comment section.

1951 – Fender

1952 – Gibson

  • Les Paul Model (goldtop, P-90s, trapeze tailpiece) – 210 (39.50)

1954 – Gibson

  • Les Paul Custom (pickups: P-90 bridge, Alnico V “staple” neck, Tune-o-matic bridge and stop tailpiece) – 325 (47.50)
  • Les Paul Model (goldtop, P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 225 (21.50/39.50)
  • Les Paul Special (2 P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, translucent “limed” yellow finish)
  • Les Paul Junior (single cutaway, 1 P-90 mounted close to the wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 99.50 (12.50)
  • Les Paul TV model (this first year they were available in 3/4 scale only, single cutaway, 1 P-90 mounted close to the wraparound bridge/tailpiece, translucent “limed” yellow finish on a maple body)

1957 – Gibson

  • Les Paul Custom (transition to 3 humbuckers mid-year) – 375 (47.50)
  • Les Paul Model (goldtop, transition to humbuckers in the second part of the year, Tune-o-matic bridge and stop tailpiece) – 247.50 (42)
  • Les Paul Special (2 P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, translucent “limed” yellow finish) – 179.50 (13.50/42)
  • Les Paul Junior TV (1 P-90, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, translucent “limed” yellow finish) – 132.50 (13.50)
  • Les Paul Junior (1 P-90, wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 120 (13.50)

1958 – Gibson
This year the Juniors and Specials moved from the single cutaway to a double cutaway design, those some single cutaways were made through 1959.

  • Les Paul Custom (3 pickups) – 375 (47.50/zipper case cover, 21.50)
  • Les Paul Model/Les Paul Standard (there were goldtops and sunbursts made this year) – 247.50 (42/zipper case cover, 21.50)
  • Flying V – 247.50 (75)
  • Les Paul Special (2 P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, rubber switch washer this year only, translucent “limed” yellow finish becomes optional) – 179.50 (13.50/42)
  • Les Paul TV (1 P-90, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, translucent “limed” yellow finish) – 132.50 (13.50/42)
  • Les Paul Junior (1 P-90, wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 120 (13.50)
  • Les Paul Junior (3/4 scale, 1 P-90, wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 120 (13.50)
  • Double 12 (12/6 doubleneck) – 475 (75)

1959 – Gibson

  • Les Paul Custom – 375 (21.50/47.50)
  • Les Paul Standard (sunburst) – 265 (42.50)
  • Special (2 P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, neck pickup moved 1/2″ away from neck to improve strength, Les Paul’s name is removed, called “SG Special” in catalog but not yet the future SG shape) – 195 (14.25/42.50)
  • Special (3/4 scale, 2 P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, neck pickup moved 1/2″ away from neck to improve strength, Les Paul’s name is removed, called “SG Special” in catalog but not yet the future SG shape) – 195 (14.25/42.50)
  • Special TV (2 P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, neck pickup moved 1/2″ away from neck to improve strength, Les Paul’s name is removed, called “SG-TV” in catalog but not yet the future SG shape, translucent “limed” yellow finish) – 132.50 (14.25/42.50)
  • Les Paul Junior – 132.50 (14.25/42.50)
  • Les Paul Junior (3/4 scale) – 132.50 (14.25/42.50)
  • Melody Maker D (two pickups) – 135
  • Melody Maker – 99.50 (10.75)
  • Melody Maker (3/4 scale) – 99.50 (10.75)
  • Double 12 (12/6 doubleneck) – 550 (90)

1960 – Gibson

  • Les Paul Custom (3 pickups) – 395 (47.50/30)
  • Les Paul Custom (3 pickups, Bigsby vibrato) – 470 (47.50/30)
  • Les Paul Standard (2 pickups, sunburst) – 265 (42.50/30)
  • Les Paul Special (named “SG Special” in catalog, rhythm pickup up against neck) – 225.50 (42.50/30/14.25)
  • Les Paul Special (3/4 scale, named “SG Special” in catalog, rhythm pickup up against neck) – 195 (42.50/30/14.25)
  • Les Paul TV (named “SG TV” in catalog) – 132.50 (42.50/30/14.25)
  • Les Paul Junior – 132.50 (14.25)
  • Les Paul Junior (3/4 scale) – 132.50 (14.25)
  • Melody Maker D (2 pickups) – 135 (10.75)
  • Melody Maker (1 pickup) – 99.50 (10.75)
  • Melody Maker (3/4 scale, 1 pickup) – 99.50 (10.75)
  • Double 12 (12/6 doubleneck, “Custom-built to order only”) – 440 (90)

1961 – Gibson
All Les Pauls changed to the new SG shape. The SG shape is used for Les Pauls until 1968.

1962 – Gibson

1963 – Gibson
Gibson removes Les Paul’s name from the SG-style guitars late in the year.

1964 – Fender

  • Jaguar (sunburst) – 379.50
  • Jaguar (blonde/custom) – 398.49
  • Jazzmaster (sunburst) – 349.50
  • Jazzmaster (blonde/custom) – 366.97
  • Stratocaster (sunburst, no trem) – 259.50
  • Stratocaster (sunburst) – 289.50
  • Stratocaster (blonde/custom) – 303.97
  • Telecaster – 209.50
  • Telecaster Custom – 239.50
  • Esquire – 169.50
  • Esquire Custom – 199.50
  • Precision Bass (sunburst) – 229.50
  • Precision Bass (blonde/custom) – 240.97
  • Jazz Bass (sunburst) – 279.50
  • Jazz Bass (blonde/custom) – 293.47
  • Twin Reverb – 469.50
  • Champ – 62.50
  • Reverb Unit – 129.50

1965 – Gibson

1966 – Gibson

  • SG Custom (3 humbuckers, Gibson Vibrola) – 455 (42/57)
  • SG Standard (2 humbuckers, Gibson Vibrola) – 305 (42/57)
  • SG Special (2 P-90s, Gibson Vibrola) – 225 (15/24/42/57)
  • SG TV – 165 (15/24/42/57)
  • SG Junior (1 P-90, Gibson Vibrola) – 165 (15/24/42/57)
  • Melody Maker D (2 pickups, Gibson Vibrola) – 174 (12)
  • Melody Maker (1 pickup, Gibson Vibrola) – 136 (12)
  • Melody Maker (3/4 scale, 1 pickup, Gibson Vibrola)
  • Firebird VII (3 mini humbuckers, Gibson Deluxe Vibrola) – 379.50 (30/46)
  • Firebird V (2 mini humbuckers, Gibson Deluxe Vibrola) – 289.50 (30/46)
  • Firebird III (3 P-90s, Gibson Vibrola) – 239.50 (30/46)
  • Firebird I (2 P-90s, Gibson Vibrola) – 189.50 (30/46)
  • Firebird V-12 (12 string)
  • Double 12 (12/6 doubleneck)

1967 – Gibson

1968 – Gibson

1969 – Gibson
Gibson moves to multi-ply (pancake) bodies and three piece necks.

  • Les Paul Custom – 545 (52/73)
  • Les Paul Standard/Deluxe (reissue of the 1956 style Les Paul Standard: goldtop, P-90s, name changed to Les Paul Deluxe mid-year) – 395 (52/73)
  • SG Custom – 495 (52/73)
  • SG Standard – 335 (52/73)

1970 – Gibson

1972 – Gibson

1973 – Gibson

1974 – Gibson

  • Les Paul Recording – 765 (109)
  • Les Paul Custom – 710 (88)
  • Les Paul Custom (cherry sunburst) – 740 (88)
  • Les Paul Custom (left-handed) – 760 (88)
  • Les Paul Deluxe – 580 (88)
  • Les Paul Deluxe (cherry sunburst) – 610 (88)
  • Les Paul Deluxe (left-handed) – 630 (88)
  • Les Paul Special ’55 Reissue (first year, not in catalog, wraparpound tailpiece)
  • L5-S – 985 (110)
  • L6-S – 539 (88)
  • SG Custom (Bigsby) (3 pickup) – 685 (88)
  • SG Custom – 670 (88)
  • SG Standard (Bigsby) – 479 (76)
  • SG Standard (Bigsby) (left-handed) – 529 (76)
  • SG Standard (Bigsby) – 544 (76)
  • SG Standard – 465 (76)
  • SG Special – 425 (72)

1975 – Gibson

  • Les Paul Recording – 699 (109)
  • Les Paul Custom – 710 (89)
  • Les Paul Deluxe – 580 (89)
  • Les Paul Special ’55 Reissue (stop tailpiece)
  • L-5S – 899 (109)
  • Marauder NS – 349 (89)
  • Marauder – 399 (89)
  • L-6S – 499 (89)
  • L-6 Deluxe NS – 359 (89)
  • L-6 Deluxe – 409 (89)
  • SG Custom – 685 (89)
  • SG Standard – 479 (79)
  • SG Special – 425 (75)

1977 – Gibson

    Gibson stops using multi-ply (pancake) bodies in Les Pauls and goes to two piece bodies (joined in the center, with the traditional carved maple top).

1978 – Gibson

  • The Les Paul – 3000 (case incl)
  • Les Paul Artisan – 1039 (99.50)
  • Les Paul Custom 3 PU – 949 (99.50)
  • Les Paul Custom Maple FB – 879 (99.50)
  • Les Paul Custom – 849 (99.50)
  • Les Paul Artist
  • Les Paul Recording – 799 (99.50)
  • Les Paul Pro Deluxe (P-90s) – 789 (99.50)
  • Les Paul Standard – 749 (99.50)
  • Les Paul Deluxe (mini humbuckers) – 699 (99.50)
  • Les Paul 55/78 (remake of a Special, flat top, p-90s, stop tailpiece) – 619 (99.50)
  • Les Paul Special DC (rhythm pickup all the way against neck) – 619 (99.50)
  • SG Custom – 799 (99.50)
  • SG Standard – 589 (99.50)
  • Flying V II – 1299 (case included)
  • Explorer II
  • L-5S
  • L-6S Deluxe NS – 459 (99.50)
  • L-6S Deluxe – 499 (99.50)
  • L-6S Custom
  • RD Artist
  • RD Custom
  • RD Standard
  • Melody Maker Double – 539 (99.50)
  • S-1 NS – 519 (99.50)
  • S-1 – 559 (99.50)
  • Marauder NS – 419 (99.50)
  • Marauder – 469 (99.50)
  • 335-S Standard (Firebrand, solidbody)
  • 335-S Custom (Firebrand, solidbody)
  • The “Paul” Standard (Firebrand) – 599 (109.50/119.50)
  • The “Paul” Deluxe (Firebrand)
  • The “SG” Standard (Firebrand) – 299 (65/119.50)
  • The “SG” Deluxe (Firebrand)
  • Sonex 180 Custom – 449 (65/119.50)
  • Sonex 180 Standard – 375 (65/119.50)
  • Sonex 180 Deluxe – 299 (65/119.50)
  • EDS-1275 12/6 Doubleneck

1979 – Gibson

1980 – Gibson

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