During 1988, Gibson started a "Guitar of the Month/Showcase Edition" program. These guitars were special runs with non-standard colors and utilized EMG pickups. Only 200 of each model were manufactured per month. Instruments included: Les Paul Custom with Ruby finish - March, SG '62 with Blue finish - April, ES-335 with Beige finish - May, LP Standard with Silverburst finish - June, Chet Atkins CE with Vintage Sunburst finish - July, Les Paul Custom Lite with Gold Top finish - Aug., WRC SR-71 with White finish - Sept., SG Custom with Ferrari Red finish - Oct., and U2 - Nov. There were no guitars produced in this series during Jan., Feb. or Dec. Individual Guitar of the Month models in excellent to average condition will be priced similarly to their respective standard models with similar features. NIC examples may be worth a slight premium, depending on the overall desirability of the configuration.
During 1994, Gibson began offering the electric Centennial series models to celebrate Gibson´s 100-year anniversary (1894 to 1994). There were 12 models in the program - and were released at the rate of one new model per month. No more than 101 instruments of each model were produced. Gibson´s plan was to have 100 dealers that year, with each one committed to a package of 12 guitars. Those dealers received a custom made oakand glass humidfied display cabinet at no charge to display each new model. Since the Custom Shop opened in 1994, the only Custom Shop Centennial model was the L-5 CES. The other 11 models were built by Gibson USA, and include the Firebird VII in Vintage Sunburst (Sept.), Flying V in Antique Gold (July), Les Paul Double Cutaway in Heritage Cherry (Jan.), Les Paul Classic Gold Top (Feb.), ES 350T (March), Explorer in Antique Gold (April), EDS 1275 in Ebony (May), ES 335 in Cherry (June), 1957 Black Beauty with 3 pickups (Nov.), L5 in Ebony (Dec.), and a Les Paul Standard in Vintage Sunburst (Oct.). Each instrument in the series retailed for $10,000. The serial numbers run from #1894 to #1994.
All Centennial models feature gold-plated hardware, gold control knobs with raised Centennial logo, a diamond dot over the "i" in the Gibson logo, serial number on tailpiece with numeral ´1´ in diamonds, medallion on the back of peghead with the image of Orville Gibson, an engraved 100th Anniversary banner inlay on the 12th fret, and a Centennial logo on the pickguard. Centennial models came with a black leather-covered case, a gold signet ring with Centennial logo, and a framed 16 x 20 photograph. The Centennial Series was discontinued in 1999.
Current values for the Centennial Series models will vary depending on condition, but the Gibson dealers we polled came up with the following price ranges:
LP Special Double Cutaway - $3,200 - $4,000. LP Classic Gold Top - $4,000 - $5,000. ES 350T - $3,250 - $4,000. Explorer - $4,000 - $5,000. EDS 1275 - $3,200 - $4,000. ES 335 - $4,200 - $5,250. Flying V - $4,000 - $5,000. Firebird VII - $4,000 - $5,000. LP Standard - $2,400 - $3,000. 1957 Black Beauty - $2,500 - $3,300. L5 CES (Custom Shop) - $4,750 - $6,500.
During 1994, Gibson began offering the electric Centennial series models to celebrate Gibson´s 100-year anniversary (1894 to 1994). There were 12 models in the program - and were released at the rate of one new model per month. No more than 101 instruments of each model were produced. Gibson´s plan was to have 100 dealers that year, with each one committed to a package of 12 guitars. Those dealers received a custom made oakand glass humidfied display cabinet at no charge to display each new model. Since the Custom Shop opened in 1994, the only Custom Shop Centennial model was the L-5 CES. The other 11 models were built by Gibson USA, and include the Firebird VII in Vintage Sunburst (Sept.), Flying V in Antique Gold (July), Les Paul Double Cutaway in Heritage Cherry (Jan.), Les Paul Classic Gold Top (Feb.), ES 350T (March), Explorer in Antique Gold (April), EDS 1275 in Ebony (May), ES 335 in Cherry (June), 1957 Black Beauty with 3 pickups (Nov.), L5 in Ebony (Dec.), and a Les Paul Standard in Vintage Sunburst (Oct.). Each instrument in the series retailed for $10,000. The serial numbers run from #1894 to #1994.
All Centennial models feature gold-plated hardware, gold control knobs with raised Centennial logo, a diamond dot over the "i" in the Gibson logo, serial number on tailpiece with numeral ´1´ in diamonds, medallion on the back of peghead with the image of Orville Gibson, an engraved 100th Anniversary banner inlay on the 12th fret, and a Centennial logo on the pickguard. Centennial models came with a black leather-covered case, a gold signet ring with Centennial logo, and a framed 16 x 20 photograph. The Centennial Series was discontinued in 1999.
Current values for the Centennial Series models will vary depending on condition, but the Gibson dealers we polled came up with the following price ranges:
LP Special Double Cutaway - $3,200 - $4,000. LP Classic Gold Top - $4,000 - $5,000. ES 350T - $3,250 - $4,000. Explorer - $4,000 - $5,000. EDS 1275 - $3,200 - $4,000. ES 335 - $4,200 - $5,250. Flying V - $4,000 - $5,000. Firebird VII - $4,000 - $5,000. LP Standard - $2,400 - $3,000. 1957 Black Beauty - $2,500 - $3,300. L5 CES (Custom Shop) - $4,750 - $6,500.