Used 2022 Gibson Custom Shop Archive Collection Theodore – VOS, 318 Pieces Worldwide

A Theodore to Adore

Wildwoodians, this is one sweet guitar! It may look unfamiliar (and you find yourself asking "What the heck is a Theodore?"), but that's because it's an entirely new model! Well, kind of...you see, Gibson president Theodore "Ted" McCarty was one of the driving forces that brought Gibson to the forefront of electric guitar culture in the 1950s, and he did so in part by championing all sorts of futuristic models like the Explorer and the Flying V. This model is based on a concept he came up with that was never put into production. So, it's simultaneously old and new! Though it's certainly a collector's item (only 318 were made!), it also absolutely rips--after all, there are few things in this world better than a Gibson Custom Shop guitar with P-90s! We're proud to showcase this rare bird, and we have no doubt it will inspire some lucky Gibson aficionado to no end!

Pugilistic P-90 Tone

Is there anything better than the sound of a Custom Shop P-90 pickup? There might be, but after sitting down with the Gibson Custom Shop Theodore, I'd be hard-pressed to name any examples (yep, they rip hard enough to cause temporary amnesia!). They're super touch-sensitive: if you play softly, they have a beautiful glassy tone, and when you dig in all sorts of sparkling overtones bloom, creating a beautiful crunch 'n' punch combo. The Theodore's bridge pickup can snarl, jangle, or twang depending on your mood, and the neck pickup is devastatingly thick and rich, although it remains articulate enough for full six-string chords. All in all, the Theodore stands as an exemplar of P-90 tone, and it will inspire you to crank up the volume and play loud!

Condition Report

This Gibson Custom Shop Theodore from the Archive Collection is in beautiful condition, and it shows hardly any signs of use. The only real cosmetic flaw to report is that the VOS finish has been disrupted slightly in a few spots from normal handling. It comes with a certificate of authenticity from the Custom Shop, its original hangtags, recreations of Ted McCarty's concept drawings, and its original hardshell case.