Another glamour shot of the 1961 Custom model. Many early 60’s models have a very dark edge
on the sunburst. This model has the two piece maple neck that is reminiscent of the late 50’s. The PAF
pickups on this model have 4 philips mounting screws on the back of each pickup that are nickel rather
than brass.....I have seen this on many PAFs from the late 50's....these could be original but older pickups.
BELOW: Incredible warm + woody tone. Minty fresh 1963 BK Regular with original single line
Kluson tuners, two patent number pickups, and original black/yellow Gibson-logo case.
Another minty fresh Barney Kessel Custom: This 1963 model has its “original” case…it
looks like it left the Gibson factory with what is normally paired with the Epiphone archtop
models: a gray case with blue lining. This 1963 has an ABR-1 WIRELESS bridge that is
more normally seen in the late 50’s to very early 60’s…..’63 is the latest I have seen the
wireless bridge. The wireless abr-1 has the foundry circle next to the lettering.
Below -- As good as it gets…..The back of the ’63: as good a flame as you could hope for on
any Les Paul
‘burst!
Below: (Left to Right) 1963 and 1961 BK Regular models, showing the contrast between a
faded finish and one that retained its original dark edges. The ’61 models tend to retain their
original color to a much higher degree. A change in the red paint around '63 may be responsible.
Below: This dead mint 1961 sold recently for 9400.00, with original mint case and all paperwork.
This may have been the world record for a BK model! Double PAF pickups and zero play wear
made this a collector’s dream. (Once again…note the dark edges on the finish of these early
examples!) Scroll down to see the headstock: a typical Regular model has the Keystone headstock
inlay and parallelogram fingerboard markers. Interestingly, this truss rod cover is blank…usually the
early sixties models –both Regular and Custom- bore the designation “CUSTOM” on the truss rod
cover. For that reason, some people erroneously market a Regular model as a Custom.