This is the rarest Crestwood variation out there being an early 1961 with factory stop tail, gold parts and dot inlays. It also has the rare 1 XXXX serial number format, ink stamped on the back of the headstock. This is the only one we have seen of this spec and we would be very surprised if you can find another...

Introduced in 1958 along side the Coronet, the Crestwood Custom, as it would be renamed in 1959, featured a 1 ⅜” thickness body with the now all too familiar radiused edges and gold hardware with a pair of New York or later Mini Humbucker pickups. The cherry colour was introduced in 1961 alongside its Gibson siblings.

This particular example has a well faded cherry finish set off beautifully by the gold hardware. The body is in good shape. There is a touch up at the heel where the neck has been repaired by Chandlers. There is also a crack on the top just by the jack socket which has been repaired.

The neck is slim although not to the extent of some early 60s Gibson necks, and is extremely comfortable in the hand. The fretboard is in good condition with its original dot inlays, as are the original frets.

The hardware has had a lot of replacements including the bridge, tailpiece, studs, knobs and poker chip which are all later parts. The tuners are repro Kluson.

The guitar comes with a hardshell case. 

The guitar sounds great, the PAF mini humbuckers giving a different flavour to proceedings. The lightweight construction, easy access to the upper frets and slim but not skinny neck make this a joy to play.

Something a little different without being too off the wall, it is a pretty reasonable price too considering its rarity and might not last long…