1962 Gibson Les Paul/SG Standard, Cherry, Ex-Dan Steinhardt "That Pedal Show"

A superb 1962 Gibson Les Paul/SG Standard, finished in its original Cherry, with wonderful provenance having come directly from Dan Steinhardt of That Pedal Show.

This is a guitar that will be instantly familiar to many players and tone obsessives, having been featured extensively on one of YouTube’s most popular and respected guitar channels. Presented by Dan Steinhardt and Mick Taylor, That Pedal Show has become essential viewing for guitarists interested in tone, pedals, amps and great guitars, with Mick and Dan’s own instruments regularly forming part of the show’s sound. As such, this is not simply a great early-’60s SG Standard, but a guitar with modern musical provenance and a strong association with one of the most influential guitar media platforms of recent years. 

Gibson was still using the Les Paul name at this point, following the redesign from the single-cutaway Les Paul body shape into the thinner, faster and more radical double-cutaway solidbody introduced in 1961. These early Les Paul/SG Standards have become hugely desirable in their own right, combining the elegance of the original Les Paul Standard appointment package with the sharper attack, lighter weight and upper fret access of the new SG body design.

This example retains its original Cherry finish, which still has plenty of vibrancy and depth, paired with the nickel hardware, sideways vibrola and small pickguard creating one of Gibson's best looking 60s solidbody guitars. The two period correct patent sticker pickups deliver an open, articulate and balance sound (as any fan of the TPS will know!) with the locked-off sideways vibrola contributing wonderfully to the overall tone and chime of the guitar.

Structurally, it's had a repaired and dowelled heel break, a known vulnerability on early SG's due to the neck joint design. The repair is stable and well executed, and the guitar feels solid in hand. Importantly, it also plays beautifully, helped by a superb refret carried out by the fine folk at Monty’s Guitars. The result is a guitar that retains all the character and liveliness you want from an early ’60s Gibson, but with modern, robust playability worthy of stage, studio or rehearsal room.

Dan has also made a handful of thoughtful and sympathetic upgrades during his ownership, all aimed at making the guitar more reliable and usable without compromising its vintage character. The sideways Vibrola is fitted with a MojoAxe VibroStop, a clever and reversible mod that allows the guitar to function more like a fixed tailpiece while retaining the original Vibrola look. It is also currently fitted with repro tuners and a new Monty’s Guitars wiring loom, giving the guitar a strong, dependable setup for regular use. The original loom is retained in the case, along with the correct single-line, double-ring Kluson tuners.

Tonally, it has that lively, immediate response typical of the model, with plenty of midrange, clarity and bite, and rich warmth and vocal character. The pickups aren't original to the guitar but are period correct Gibson PAT No. humbuckers. The neck pickup is full, warm and expressive without becoming woolly, while the bridge has the bite, push and definition that makes these guitars such superb rock and blues instruments.  

Overall, this is a fantastic instrument - a highly usable, road-ready, stunning looking vintage Les Paul/SG Standard with some tasteful reversible upgrades and superb provenance. Comes with the original hard case.