A lovingly crafted salute to one of the most storied guitars in rock history
Some instruments become iconic because of the records they appear on. Others become iconic because of the person who played them. Keith Richards’ black 1960 Gibson ES‑355 effortlessly ticks both boxes. From the swaggering sessions of Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main St. to countless stadium tours from the late ’90s onward, the guitar has become a permanent extension of Richards himself.
To celebrate that legacy, Gibson Custom has unveiled the Keith Richards 1960 ES‑355 Collector’s Edition, an extraordinarily detailed recreation limited to just 100 guitars worldwide — each one bearing an f‑hole label hand‑signed by Keith Richards. And in a significant moment for local collectors, Australia will receive 1 piece only of this limited edition run, and it is available exclusively through Mooloolaba Music.
Highlighted Features
- Limited Collector’s Edition
Only 100 guitars exist worldwide. Each includes an f‑hole label personally hand‑signed by Keith Richards, making this one of the most exclusive and historically meaningful Custom Shop releases to date. - Based on Scans of the Original Guitar
The Keith Richards 1960 ES‑355 Collector’s Edition was recreated using advanced 3D scanning technology, identical materials, and period‑correct techniques. Every contour, angle, and characteristic has been meticulously reproduced. - Murphy Lab Aging
Metal parts, plastic components, and the Ebony nitrocellulose finish have been aged by Murphy Lab artisans to match the wear and character Keith’s original guitar developed over decades of recording sessions and world tours. - Thoughtful Extras
Each guitar arrives in a Gibson Protector Series hardshell case, complete with a strap and Certificate of Authenticity, reinforcing its place as a serious collector’s piece.
A Recreation Rooted in Historical Accuracy
Gibson’s Nashville Custom Shop approached this project with the intent of building as faithful a replica as possible. That process begins with the body: a multi‑ply bound three‑ply maple/poplar/maple construction supported by red spruce bracing, just like the 1960 original. A weight‑relieved maple centre block helps strike the right balance between semi‑hollow resonance and on‑stage stability, reducing unwanted feedback without compromising sustain.
The accuracy extends to the smallest structural details. The Custom Shop team studied the guitar’s internal architecture, finish checking, and decades of wear marks, all of which have been recreated with Murphy Lab’s trademark precision.
Neck Profile Derived Directly from Keith’s Guitar
The neck is a standout detail in this recreation. Rather than approximating a 1960 ES‑series profile, Gibson used 3D scans of Keith’s actual ES‑355 to capture its exact shape. The resulting Custom Keith Richards profile measures:
- .801″ at the 1st fret
- .905″ at the 12th fret
- 1.625″ nut width
These dimensions reflect the subtle wear patterns and playing feel of a guitar that’s seen thousands of hours of use. The neck is paired with a bound ebony fingerboard featuring mother‑of‑pearl block inlays and Medium Wide fret wire, matching Keith’s original setup down to the millimetre.
Electronics That Honour the Era
Gibson chose a pair of unpotted Custombucker pickups with Alnico 5 magnets, leaning into the slightly microphonic edge that defines many early ES‑series tones. These pickups are wired via CTS 500k audio taper pots and paper‑in‑oil capacitors for a historically accurate response. The result is an open, dynamic character — one that rewards touch sensitivity and recalls the unmistakable jangle, bite, and midrange growl that underpin so many Stones riffs.
Hardware Aged to Perfection
From the Bigsby B7 vibrato tailpiece to the Grover Rotomatic tuners with Milk Bottle buttons, every piece of hardware on this Collector’s Edition has been carefully selected and aged. Murphy Lab’s finish work reproduces the specific lacquer checking, surface wear, and patina that Keith’s guitar accumulated over decades of use in studios and on some of the world’s biggest stages.
The Ebony nitrocellulose finish receives the same treatment, allowing the guitar to look and feel like a well‑loved instrument rather than a brand‑new reproduction.
A Rare Chance to Touch Rock History
While the limited production run and signed label place this ES‑355 firmly in collector territory, it remains every bit a player’s instrument — resonant, lively, and full of character. Whether admired as a historical artefact or explored as a musical tool, it represents one of Gibson’s most ambitious recreations to date.
Australia will receive 1 piece only of this limited-edition run and it is available exclusively through Mooloolaba Music. https://www.mooloolabamusic.com.au/
