Gibson Certified Vintage Launches Rare and Collectible Guitars

July 24, 2025

Gibson the iconic global instrument brand–has a legacy of making world-class instruments since 1894, when Orville Gibson was crafting archtop mandolins. An extension of Gibson’s passion for its unique instruments and the stories they tell, the history-making Gibson Certified Vintage program offers collectible vintage guitars authenticated and certified directly by Gibson, with a new limited lifetime warranty and a certificate of vintage authenticity.

Today, Gibson Certified Vintage unveils the next collection of guitars: a 1951 Gibson CF-100E, a 1956 Gibson ES-350T, a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop, a 1965 Gibson Everly Brothers J-180, a 1971 Gibson Flying V Medallion #145, and a 1972 Gibson ES-345TDSV.

“This batch is a perfect reminder of why we love doing this,” says Mitch Conrad, Gibson Certified Vintage Manager. “From a 1957 Goldtop that stops you in your tracks, to a 1972 ES-345TDSV that’s just a blast to play, every piece brings something special. The 1956 ES-350T feels like the quintessential vintage Gibson, and the 1965 Everly Brothers J-180 is as cool as flat-tops get. It’s a lineup that shows exactly why vintage Gibson guitars are so collectible, playable, and endlessly inspiring.”

Every month the Gibson Certified Vintage collection offers collectors an incredible opportunity to own extraordinary instruments, sourced and authenticated by Gibson. Gibson Certified Vintage guitars feature one-of-a-kind Golden Era blue-chip guitars, unique, one-of-a-kind prototypes, celebrity-owned guitars, as well as 70s and 80s models directly from the Gibson Vault. An industry first, all Gibson Certified Vintage guitars are sold with a brand-new limited lifetime warranty. All guitars arrive with a detailed letter of appraisal confirming the provenance and history of the instrument, a certificate of authenticity signed by Gibson’s Certified Vintage Manager, Mitch Conrad, and an array of unique extras.

Explore the next guitars to debut in the Gibson Certified Vintage collection below and check back each month for refreshed vintage offerings: https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Certified-Vintage.

Stay tuned for a new Gibson Certified Vintage offering to launch on July 30.

1951 Gibson CF-100E

Serial # FON 8796 34

Introduced in 1950, the CF-100E was Gibson’s first attempt at electrifying a flat-top acoustic guitar. Built with a cutaway mahogany body, spruce top, and a P-90 pickup mounted directly to the top, it was decades ahead of its time, delivering a blend of acoustic resonance and electric clarity that still feels fresh today.

This Gibson Certified Vintage 1951 CF-100E is in great condition for its age, with playwear throughout and a ton of small-body charm. The original “no line” tuners were replaced with a later set of vintage “double line” tuners by the original likely due to the deteriorating plastic buttons common on 1950s Kluson tuners. The guitar was recently serviced by Glaser Instruments, where the bridge and several braces were reglued, and the fretboard was re-fretted. It now plays cleanly with improved intonation and feel. The original tall, gold Speed knobs have cracked (as these early versions often do), but they remain intact and functional.

Resonant, responsive, and undeniably cool, this rare, early CF-100E is an exceptional player and comes with a vintage gray and blue chipboard guitar case. Alongside a certificate of authenticity and a new limited lifetime warranty, enclosed will be a detailed letter of appraisal confirming the provenance and history of the instrument, signed by Gibson Certified Vintage Manager, Mitch Conrad.

1956 Gibson ES-350T

Serial # 24085

This exceptionally cool Gibson Certified Vintage 1956 ES-350T oozes 50s feel and vibe. It’s a clean and lively instrument, with light nicks and dings, even vertical checking, and minimal playwear. The Sunburst finish retains great color and highlights the beautifully figured maple top, while light hardware tarnishing and subtle wear around the treble f-hole and heel speak to its authentic vintage character. The lacquer has flaked away from the Crown inlay, a small but notable visual detail.

A Gibson Custom aged ABR-1 bridge has been installed for improved performance and feel; the original bridge is included in the case and is missing one saddle and its accompanying screw. The guitar retains its original small, skinny frets and plays surprisingly well—proof that this short-scale neck design has a charm all its own. Responsive and full of personality, this ES-350T is asking to be played with a little attitude, whether it’s rockabilly, blues, or Western swing.

This Gibson Certified Vintage 1956 ES-350T comes with its original Lifton brown and pink hardshell guitar case. Alongside a certificate of authenticity and a new limited lifetime warranty, enclosed will be a detailed letter of appraisal confirming the provenance and history of the instrument, signed by Gibson Certified Vintage Manager, Mitch Conrad.

1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop

Serial # 7 3949

Few guitars command the reverence of a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop. Representing the final evolution of the Goldtop before transitioning to sunburst finishes in 1958, the ’57 introduced the legendary Patent Applied For humbuckers and cemented the Les Paul’s role in shaping modern electric guitar tone. With its striking finish, solid mahogany/maple construction, and unrivaled sonic clarity, the ’57 Goldtop remains one of the most iconic and sought-after electric guitars ever built.

This Gibson Certified Vintage 1957 Les Paul Standard Goldtop comes to us from the family of the guitar’s longtime owners and represents everything you could want from this legendary instrument. According to family lore, the grandfather purchased it decades ago from someone trying to raise money for a bus ticket to Miami. Despite spending much of its life in Florida, it remains remarkably clean and well preserved.

Stamped “2” on the back of the headstock, this guitar left the factory as a designated second, yet there’s no obvious blemish or flaw to explain why. It is all original except for a vintage replacement Catalin switch tip and a Gibson Custom ABR-1 bridge (the original is included in the case).

An early example of the model, this Goldtop features brushed nickel covers on a set of “pre-sticker” Patent Applied For pickups–so named because they predate the use of the now-famous Patent Applied For decal. The neck is substantial but not intimidating, and easy to get your hand around, with original frets in great shape that play cleanly. Light checking and mild playwear add just the right amount of character, and there’s no significant greening of the gold finish.

Truly one of the great examples of this iconic model, this ’57 Goldtop comes with an era-correct, 4-latch Lifton brown and pink Les Paul guitar case. Alongside a certificate of authenticity and a new limited lifetime warranty, enclosed will be a detailed letter of appraisal confirming the provenance and history of the instrument, signed by Gibson Certified Vintage Manager, Mitch Conrad.

1965 Gibson Everly Brothers J-180

Serial # 343567

One of the most iconic acoustic signature models Gibson ever produced, the Everly Brothers J-180 combines eye-catching style with performance-ready playability. This 1965 example is exceptionally rare, and it’s in fantastic condition for its age, boasting the full 1-11/16” nut width that enhances both its feel and collectability.

Finished in classic Ebony nitrocellulose lacquer with its signature oversized, double Moustache pickguards, the guitar projects visually as much as it does sonically.Recent work has ensured it’s ready for the stage or studio, with a full re-fret, new bone nut, and regluing of the neck binding, braces, bridge, and pickguard—all performed with care to preserve its originality and integrity. Please note that there is a small amount of original Ebony paint inside the body near the treble waist. This is not uncommon for instruments from this era, and the finish shows no signs of any work having been done.

Whether you’re drawn to this model by the Everly Brothers, Cat Stevens, or simply an appreciation for one of the coolest-looking acoustics Gibson ever made, this instrument delivers vintage tone, history, and standout style in equal measure.

This stunning Gibson Everly Brothers J-180 comes with its original Gibson black and green hardshell guitar case. Alongside a certificate of authenticity and a new limited lifetime warranty, enclosed will be a detailed letter of appraisal confirming the provenance and history of the instrument, signed by Gibson Certified Vintage Manager, Mitch Conrad.

1971 Gibson Flying V Medallion #145

Serial # 624848

The Flying V Medallion is one of the most collectible reissues Gibson has ever produced. Issued in a limited run of approximately 350 guitars in the early 1970s, these distinctive instruments featured a numbered metal medallion on the bass side of the body. With many examples never surfacing on the vintage market, the Medallion V has become a coveted piece for collectors and players alike.

This Gibson Certified Vintage Medallion, marked #145, is a clean and vibrant specimen, finished in a deep, Cherry Red that has aged beautifully. The guitar shows light lacquer checking and only minimal nicks and dings. There is some overspray on the inside of the upper/bass wing (near the strap button). There may have potentially been some finish wear there at some point that was “cleaned up” with some additional lacquer. Smooth and clean work, but visible under a blacklight. The tuners were changed at some point, but the originals were reinstalled. The previous tuners have left the typical slightly oversized ring on the front of the headstock. It’s minimally visible, but present. The bottom treble corner of the pickguard is missing, but otherwise the guitar remains complete and correct, with its original T-Top pickups delivering tight lows, biting mids, and clear highs. The Medium D neck has a comfortable feel, and the original frets show only light wear.

This is a standout vintage Flying V–rare, resonant, ready to play, and it comes with its original black and purple Medallion guitar case. Alongside a certificate of authenticity and a new limited lifetime warranty, enclosed will be a detailed letter of appraisal confirming the provenance and history of the instrument, signed by Gibson Certified Vintage Manager, Mitch Conrad.

1972 Gibson ES-345TDSV

Serial # 897449

This Gibson Certified Vintage 1972 Gibson ES-345TDSV isn’t just a beautifully preserved semi-hollow-it’s a guitar that begs to be played. With its lively, resonant tone and unmistakable vintage vibe, this is one of those instruments that’s hard to put down.

Finished in a rich Cherry nitrocellulose gloss, this ES-345 is clean throughout with only light lacquer checking and subtle signs of play. It features a unique Varitone configuration, with the transformer mounted centrally, cutting through the centerblock and giving the guitar a more open, responsive voice reminiscent of an ES-330. It’s a subtle detail with a big impact on tone and feel.

The original T-Top pickups dish out everything from smooth jazz to raw blues with clarity and punch, and the stereo output and Varitone circuit open the door to an even bigger range of tonal textures. The split parallelogram inlays, gold-embossed pickup covers, and gold hardware give it all the visual class you’d expect from a top-tier 70s Gibson.

This Gibson Certified Vintage 1972 ES-345TDSV comes with its original black and pink Gibson hardshell guitar case. Alongside a certificate of authenticity and a new limited lifetime warranty, enclosed will be a detailed letter of appraisal confirming the provenance and history of the instrument, signed by Gibson Certified Vintage Manager, Mitch Conrad.

About Gibson:

Gibson, the leading iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for over 130 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand, MESA/Boogie, the home of tone, KRK, behind great music for over 30 years, and Maestro, the founder of effect pedals. Gibson is dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by all Gibson brands. Explore more at Gibson.com, Gibson App, and on Gibson TV, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and visit us at the Gibson Garage Nashville and the Gibson Garage London.