Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Guitar Amps
  • Plugin Week 25
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Artist news
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • Drums
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Plugin Week A-Z
  • You Oughta Know
  • Fake AI band
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Wrecking Crew
Recommended reading
Epiphone goes high-end with its Inspired By Gibson Custom 2025 collection: [from left] the '63 Firebird in Polaris White is joined by a 1959 Les Paul Standard, a '64 SG Standard, a 1960 Les Paul Special in TV Yellow and a 1962 ES-335 reissue.
Guitars Epiphone expands and upgrades Inspired By Gibson Custom range with 8 stunning "reissue" electrics
On the left, a Gibson Les Paul Standard Double Cut, solid-bodied, in Vintage Cherry Sunburst, it looks like the archetypical singlecut. On the right, the new Les Paul Parlor, a guitar that applies the LP aesthetic to a small-bodied acoustic.
Guitars Gibson has just unveiled a new Les Paul like no other
Epiphone Jeff Beck Oxblood 1954 Les Paul
Artists Epiphone unveils Inspired By Gibson Custom version of Jeff Beck’s iconic 1954 Oxblood Les Paul
Gibson Marcus King ES-345 in Sixties Cherry: the NC soul/rock phenom's new signature model is based on his 1962 heirloo, Big Red, and offers a slightly different set of specs as his Custom Shop version.
Artists Gibson unveils new signature ES-345 for Marcus King, and it is the evolution of a family heirloom
The Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Widow introduces bold fresh colour burst finishes on the Les Paul Custom – Purple, Red, Indigo and Orange Burst, anyone?
Guitars Epiphone and Guitar Center team up for colourful riff on a cult classic – the Les Paul Custom Widow
PRS 40th Anniversary McCarty SC56 McCarty Sunburst
Guitars PRS pays tribute to a legend of guitar design with the limited edition McCarty SC56
Guitar Center Guitar-A-Thon sale
Guitars Guitar Center’s massive Guitar-A-Thon sale has landed, and it includes $600 off a Gibson Les Paul and a host of exclusive models from Epiphone, Taylor, and more
  1. Guitars

Gibson unveils 120th anniversary models

News
By Rob Power published 30 June 2014

New Les Paul, SG, Exporer and Flying Vs unveiled

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Gibson unveils 120th anniversary models

Gibson unveils 120th anniversary models

Gibson has unveiled a set of new models to celebrate the company's 120th anniversary.

The new models include two new Les Pauls in the form of the Light Flame Top (above) and the Traditional Flame Top, a pair of Flying Vs, an SG and an Explorer.

The Les Paul Standard Light Flame (£2199) features a tasty maple top, '50s profile mahogany nexk, rosewood fingerboard and a BurstBucker Pro with a mini-toggle switch for coil-splitting.

Click through our gallery to see the full range of new models.

For more information visit the official Gibson website.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Gibson Les Paul Traditional Flame Top

Gibson Les Paul Traditional Flame Top

Gibson Les Paul Traditional Flame Top specs

Body: Mahogany - No Weight Relief
Top: Maple – AA, AAA, AAA+
Neck: Mahogany, 60’s Slim taper profile
Fingerboard: Bound Rosewood, Trapezoid Inlays 120th Inlay
Hardware: Chrome Tune-o-Matic, Tone Pros Vintage Style Tuners
Electronics: 59 Tribute Chrome Cover
Plastics: Cream, Amber top hat knobs – no pickguard
Case: Vintage Brown Hardshell

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Gibson Explorer 120

Gibson Explorer 120

Gibson Explorer 120 specs

Body
Species: Mahogany
Adhesive: Franklin Titebond 50

Neck
Species: Mahogany
Profile: .800 / .850
Truss Rod: Standard
Adhesive: Franklin Titebond 50

Neck Fit
Joint: Mortise & Tenon
Adhesive: Franklin Titebond 50
Joint Angle Tolerance: +/- .005"

Fingerboard
Species: Rosewood
Frets: 22
Radius: 12"
Binding: White
Inlays: Acrylic Dot with 120th Banner
Nut/E.O.B: 1.695" / 2.260"

Nut
Material: Tektoid™
Width: 1.695"
Slots: Gibson PLEK System

Headstock
Type: Explorer
Inlay: Mother of Pearl "Gibson" logo
Truss Rod Cover: Black

Tuners
Model: MINI Grover™ Kidney
Tuning Ratio: 14:1
Plating: Chrome

Bridge
Type: Tune-O-Matic
Material: Zamak
Plating: Chrome

Tailpiece
Type: Stop Bar
Material: Zamak
Plating: Chrome

Hardware
Knobs: Black Top Hat with Silver Inserts
Pickguard: 4-Ply, White
Strings: .009 - .046
Strap Buttons: Aluminum End Pins

Pickups
Neck Position: BurstBucker Rhythm Pro
Bridge Position: BurstBucker Lead Pro
Coil Wiring: Machine Wound

Electronics
Potentiometers: 2 Volume Controls
1 Tone Controls
Type: 500K Non-Linear
Switch: Three-Way Switchcraft
Output Jack: Traditional 1/4"

Finish
Heritage Cherry
Sealer: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Process: 7 - 8 mils

Case
Type: Hardshell
Case Exterior: Vintage Brown
Case Interior: Countoured

Accessories
Additional Materials: Truss Rod Wrench, Gibson USA Owner's Manual

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Gibson SG Standard

Gibson SG Standard

Gibson SG Standard

Body
Body: Mahogany
Adhesive: Franklin Titebond 50

Neck
Species: Mahogany Neck
Truss Rod: SG
Joint Angle: 4° (+/- 15 seconds)

Neck Fit
Joint: Mortise & Tenon
Adhesive: Franklin Titebond 50
Joint Angle Tolerance: +/- .005"

Fingerboard
Species: Rosewood
Frets: Fret Over Binding
Radius: 12"
Binding: Cream
Inlays: Trapezoid With 120th Banner
Nut/E.O.B: 1.695 / 2.260

Nut
Material: Tektoid
Width: 1.695
Slots: Gibson PLEK System

Headstock
Inlay: Mother of Pearl "Gibson" & Holly
Truss Rod Cover: B/W Hot Stamp White "SG"
Angle: 17 Degrees

Tuners
Model: Vintage with Perloid Buttons
Tuning Ratio: 14:1
Plating: Nickel

Bridge
Type: Tune-O-Matic
Plating: Chrome

Tailpiece
Type: Stop Bar
Plating: Chrome

Hardware
Pickguard: Multi-ply, Black
Knobs: Black Top Hat With Silver Metal Inserts
Control Plate: Black
Trim Rings: Black
Strings: .009 - .046
Strap Buttons: Aluminum

Pickups
Neck Position: 490R
Bridge Position: 498T

Electronics
Potentiometers: 2 Volume Controls
2 Tone Controls
Type: 500K Non-Linear
Toggle Switch: Three-way Toggle With White Plastic Tip
Output Jack: 1/4" Mono

Finish
Sealer: Nitrocellulose
Heritage Cherry

Case
Exterior: Historic Brown w/Gibson Logo
Interior: Plush
Additional Materials
Additional Materials: Truss Rod Wrench, Gibson USA Owner's Manual

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Flying V 120

Flying V 120

Flying V 120 specs

Body
Species: Mahogany
Adhesive: Franklin Titebond 50

Neck
Species: Mahogany
Profile: .800 / .875, Thin V
Truss Rod: Standard
Adhesive: Franklin Titebond 50

Neck Fit
Joint: Mortise & Tenon
Adhesive: Franklin Titebond 50
Joint Angle Tolerance: +/- .005"

Fingerboard
Species: Rosewood
Frets: 22
Radius: 12"
Binding: White
Inlays: Acrylic Dot with 120th Banner
Nut/E.O.B: 1.695" / 2.260"

Nut
Material: Tektoid™
Width: 1.695"
Slots: Gibson PLEK System

Headstock
Type: Flying V
Truss Rod Cover: White with Hotstamp Gold "Gibson"

Tuners
Model: Grover™ Kidney
Tuning Ratio: 14:1
Plating: Chrome

Bridge
Type: Tune-O-Matic
Material: Zamak
Plating: Chrome

Tailpiece
Type: Stop Bar
Material: Zamak
Plating: Chrome

Hardware
Knobs: Black Top Hat with Silver Inserts
Pickguard: 5-Ply, White
Strings: .009 - .046
Strap Buttons: Aluminum End Pins

Pickups
Neck Position: BurstBucker Rhythm Pro
Bridge Position: BurstBucker Lead Pro
Coil Wiring: Machine Wound

Electronics
Potentiometers: 2 Volume Controls, 1 Tone Controls
Type: 500K Non-Linear
Switch: Three-Way Switchcraft
Output Jack: Traditional 1/4"

Finish: Ebony
Sealer: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Process: 7 - 8 mils

Case
Type: Hardshell
Case Exterior: Vintage Brown
Case Interior: Countoured

Accessories
Additional Materials: Truss Rod Wrench, Gibson USA Owner's Manual

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Flying V History

Flying V History

Flying V History Specs

Body
Species: Mahogany
Adhesive: Franklin Titebond 50

Neck
Species: Mahogany
Profile: .800 / .875, Thin V
Truss Rod: Standard
Adhesive: Franklin Titebond 50

Neck Fit
Joint: Mortise & Tenon
Adhesive: Franklin Titebond 50
Joint Angle Tolerance: +/- .005"

Fingerboard
Species: Rosewood
Frets: 22
Radius: 12"
Binding: Cream
Inlays: Acrylic Dot with 120th Banner
Nut/E.O.B: 1.695" / 2.260"

Nut
Material: Tektoid™
Width: 1.695"
Slots: Gibson PLEK System

Headstock
Type: Flying V
Truss Rod Cover: Cream with Hotstamp Black "Gibson"

Tuners
Model: Grover™ Kidney
Tuning Ratio: 14:1
Plating: Chrome

Tuners
Bridge Type: Tune-O-Matic
Material: Zamak
Plating: Chrome

Bridge
Tailpiece Type: Stop Bar
Material: Zamak
Plating: Chrome

Hardware
Knobs: Black Hat Witch with Silver Inserts
Pickguard: Cream
Strings: .009 - .046
Strap Buttons: Aluminum End Pins

Pickups
Neck Position: '57 Classic
Bridge Position: '57 Classic Plus
Coil Wiring: Machine Wound

Electronics
Potentiometers: 2 Volume Controls 1 Tone
Controls Type: 500K Non-Linear
Switch: Three-Way Switchcraft
Output Jack: Traditional 1/4"

Finish
Aged Cherry
Sealer: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Process: 7 - 8 mils

Case
Type: Hardshell
Case Exterior: Vintage Brown
Case Interior: Countoured

Accessories
Additional Materials: Truss Rod Wrench, Gibson USA Owner's Manual

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Rob Power
Read more
Epiphone goes high-end with its Inspired By Gibson Custom 2025 collection: [from left] the '63 Firebird in Polaris White is joined by a 1959 Les Paul Standard, a '64 SG Standard, a 1960 Les Paul Special in TV Yellow and a 1962 ES-335 reissue.
Epiphone expands and upgrades Inspired By Gibson Custom range with 8 stunning "reissue" electrics
On the left, a Gibson Les Paul Standard Double Cut, solid-bodied, in Vintage Cherry Sunburst, it looks like the archetypical singlecut. On the right, the new Les Paul Parlor, a guitar that applies the LP aesthetic to a small-bodied acoustic.
Gibson has just unveiled a new Les Paul like no other
Epiphone Jeff Beck Oxblood 1954 Les Paul
Epiphone unveils Inspired By Gibson Custom version of Jeff Beck’s iconic 1954 Oxblood Les Paul
Gibson Marcus King ES-345 in Sixties Cherry: the NC soul/rock phenom's new signature model is based on his 1962 heirloo, Big Red, and offers a slightly different set of specs as his Custom Shop version.
Gibson unveils new signature ES-345 for Marcus King, and it is the evolution of a family heirloom
The Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Widow introduces bold fresh colour burst finishes on the Les Paul Custom – Purple, Red, Indigo and Orange Burst, anyone?
Epiphone and Guitar Center team up for colourful riff on a cult classic – the Les Paul Custom Widow
PRS 40th Anniversary McCarty SC56 McCarty Sunburst
PRS pays tribute to a legend of guitar design with the limited edition McCarty SC56
Latest in Guitars
Troy Van Leeuwen of Queens of the Stone Age plays a red/orange Gretsch onstage, and is framed by a triangle of yellow-green stagelights.
“It was the most bizarre musical experience”: QOTSA’s Troy Van Leeuwen on playing Paris's Catacombs
Oasis
Want to learn to play Wonderwall on the guitar? You’re not the only one…
Atlas DSP - Your Final Steps
Atlas DSP, Your Last Steps Review
[Left] Richie Faulkner plays his custom Les Paul Custom while Rob Halford looks on; [right] Late-stage Ozzy-era Sabbath the first time around, with Ozzy cheering on guitarist Tony Iommi
Judas Priest salute the OG metal gods with a cover of Black Sabbath's War Pigs
Fender Chris Shiflett Cleaver Telecaster Deluxe
Meet the guitarist who’s worked his dad’s ashes into his Telecaster
MXR MB301 Bass Synth: the six-knob pedal is pictured in use against a petrol-blue background.
“Thunderous sub-octave, expressive envelope, and lush modulation effects with killer tracking and sustain”: MXR unveils the MB301 Bass Synth – instant funk for your pedalboard
Latest in News
Troy Van Leeuwen of Queens of the Stone Age plays a red/orange Gretsch onstage, and is framed by a triangle of yellow-green stagelights.
“It was the most bizarre musical experience”: QOTSA’s Troy Van Leeuwen on playing Paris's Catacombs
Oasis
Want to learn to play Wonderwall on the guitar? You’re not the only one…
 Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band performs at Pechanga Resort Casino on May 19, 2023
“That’s not how we were. We would never do that”: Ringo has put his foot down over parts of the Beatles biopics
Velvet Sundown in lifejackets
“It’s marketing. It’s trolling”: The Velvet Sundown are an AI-generated ‘art hoax’
Fors Pivot
Pivot is a ‘no-nonsense’ FM synth plugin from the designer of one of our favourite hardware instruments
Lorde
Lorde unmasks the guitar part on her new album that was created using a ‘90s Roland V-Guitar processor

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...