60s Knobs

[RDeNatale]

One of the differences between the 50s and 60s original Standards is the knobs. The 60s Original comes with reflector knobs.

I’m beginning to think that a majority of 1960 Standards had the 59 style knobs though. The reflector knobs seem to only be on serial numbers somewhere above
“0 7xxx”.

Clapton’s Beano Burst is believed to be an early production 1960 and it had the 50s style knobs.

The gallery in “The Beauty of the Burst” has 8 1960 Guitars and only one, with serial #0 7448 , has reflector knobs. There are also 7170, and 7615 with the earlier style knobs, and 7615 was presumably built after 7448.

Now the knobs might have been switched, but I’m wondering if the style of knob might have been kind of “pot luck” like the bobbin colors in the PAFs.

 

[mudface]

Beauty of the Burst is a great book but hardly the soul source for a gallery of 1960 burst or any year burst for that matter.

Check out .....
>> burstserial.com <<.

Click on....
>> Albums 1960 <<

There is a wall of 1960 bursts to look at. Click on any of those serial numbers and there is usually a load of pics.

The numbers are sequential and you can probably estimate when the knob changed occured. Though I'm sure some may have had their knobs changed.

 

[delawaregold]

1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard specs:

Early 1960 sunburst Les Pauls are identical to their 1959 cousins, but change was coming. By around serial numbers in the "0 0700" range, the neck contour starts to have a slightly thinner back shape (though this change didn't take full affect until later in the year). Around serial numbers in the "0 2200" range, the sunburst finish changed too. The easily faded 1959 cherry red sunburst morphed to a "tomato soup" red sunburst, which was much less sensitive to sun fading. The change to the tomato soup red sunburst was not fully made until around serial numbers in the "0 7xxx" range. By this time, all 1960 sunburst Les Pauls have the tomato soup finish. Also at the same time, "reflector" knobs (those with metal top caps) replace the "bonnet" knobs (those with clear tops) around serial number "0 7xxx". Finally, white bobbin humbucker pickups also ended about this time. The tuner keystone buttons has changed in 1960 to have two rings. Very late 1960 sunburst Les Pauls have a wider peghead too (as used on the double cutaway SG/Les Paul). The last 1960 sunburst Les Paul serial number known is "011495" (another late 1960 Gibson Sunburst Les Paul is "010838").

LINK:

http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson5.html#lpstd​

 

[CB91710]

I've always looked at the 60's Standard as being a "kinda like"...
The slim taper neck is not as slim as that of the 60s models, and the knobs, tuners, and ABR are likewise not 100% true to the 1960 Standard.
The knobs, like the tuners, were not consistent. I don't think the Grovers even appeared until the '67 reincarnation?
The non-wired ABR was likewise a later development... which solved one problem and introduced another, leading to the Nashville design.

Neither the 50s or 60s Originals are reissues. They aren't supposed to be 100% accurate to a specific year.

 

[mudface]

I think during 1958 thru 1960 and especially 1960 Gibson was trying anything to sell these guitars that no one wanted..... Slimming down the necks, shiny new knobs anything that didn't cost $$$ to slap on this pig.