How Much Does a Guitar Cost?
You might be surprised to learn that when you adjust for inflation, a good quality electric guitar costs about the same now as a comparable guitar did in the 1950s, 60s, or 70s.
Click on any of the 759 vintage prices to see today’s price. The cost of cases are in parentheses. Gibson had different sales regions, so these prices could vary by $10 or so in different regions. This is primarily a Gibson solid-body electric guitar list because that’s where my interest lies. I threw in a few Fender numbers for good luck.
1951 – Fender
1952 – Gibson
1954 – Gibson
- Les Paul Custom (pickups: P-90 bridge, Alnico V “staple” neck, Tune-o-matic bridge, and stop tailpiece) – 325 (47.50)
- Les Paul (gold top, P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 225 (21.50/39.50)
- Les Paul Special (2 P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, finish is called “limed mahogany”)
- Les Paul Junior (single cutaway, 1 P-90 mounted close to the wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 99.50 (12.50)
- Les Paul TV (this first year they were available in 3/4 scale only, single cutaway, 1 P-90 mounted close to the wraparound bridge/tailpiece, finish is called “limed oak,” though the wood is maple) 119.50
1955 – Gibson
- Les Paul Custom (pickups: P-90 bridge, Alnico V “staple” neck, Tune-o-matic bridge and stop tailpiece) 360
- Les Paul (gold top, P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece) 235
- Les Paul Special (2 P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, finish is called “limed mahogany”) 169.50
- Les Paul Junior (1 P-90 mounted close to the wraparound bridge/tailpiece) 99.50
- Les Paul TV (now full scale, 1 P-90 mounted close to the wraparound bridge/tailpiece, the finish is called “limed oak,” though the wood is mahogany) 119.50
1957 – Gibson
- Les Paul Custom (transition to 3 humbuckers mid-year) – 375 (47.50)
- Les Paul (gold top, transition to humbuckers in the second part of the year, Tune-o-matic bridge and stop tailpiece) – 247.50 (42)
- Les Paul Special (2 P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, “limed” yellow finish) – 179.50 (13.50/42)
- Les Paul Junior TV (1 P-90, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, “limed” yellow finish) – 132.50 (13.50)
- Les Paul Junior (1 P-90, wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 120 (13.50)
1958 – Gibson
This year the Juniors and Specials moved from the single cutaway to a double cutaway design, though they made some single cutaways through 1959.
- Les Paul Custom (3 pickups) – 375 (47.50/zipper case cover, 21.50)
- Les Paul/Les Paul Standard (they made gold tops and sunbursts this year) – 247.50 (42/zipper case cover, 21.50)
- Flying V – 247.50 (75)
- Les Paul Special (2 P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, rubber switch washer this year only, “limed” yellow finish becomes optional) – 179.50 (13.50/42)
- Les Paul TV (1 P-90, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, “limed” yellow finish) – 132.50 (13.50/42)
- Les Paul Junior (1 P-90, wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 120 (13.50)
- Les Paul Junior (3/4 scale, 1 P-90, wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 120 (13.50)
- Double 12 (12/6 doubleneck) – 475 (75)
1959 – Gibson
- Les Paul Custom – 375 (21.50/47.50)
- Les Paul Standard (sunburst) – 265 (42.50)
- Special (2 P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, neck pickup is moved 1/2″ away from neck to improve strength, it’s called “SG Special” in the catalog but it’s not yet the future SG shape) – 195 (14.25/42.50)
- Special (3/4 scale, 2 P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, neck pickup is moved 1/2″ away from neck to improve strength, it’s called “SG Special” in catalog but it’s not yet the future SG shape) – 195 (14.25/42.50)
- Special TV (2 P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, neck pickup is moved 1/2″ away from neck to improve strength, called “SG-TV” in catalog but not yet the future SG shape, “limed” yellow finish) – 132.50 (14.25/42.50)
- Les Paul Junior – 132.50 (14.25/42.50)
- Les Paul Junior (3/4 scale) – 132.50 (14.25/42.50)
- Melody Maker D (two pickups) – 135
- Melody Maker – 99.50 (10.75)
- Melody Maker (3/4 scale) – 99.50 (10.75)
- Double 12 (12/6 doubleneck) – 550 (90)
1960 – Gibson
- Les Paul Custom (3 pickups) – 395 (47.50/30)
- Les Paul Custom (3 pickups, Bigsby vibrato) – 470 (47.50/30)
- Les Paul Standard (2 pickups, sunburst) – 265 (42.50/30)
- Les Paul Special (named “SG Special” in catalog, rhythm pickup up against neck) – 225.50 (42.50/30/14.25)
- Les Paul Special (3/4 scale, named “SG Special” in catalog, rhythm pickup up against neck) – 195 (42.50/30/14.25)
- Les Paul TV (named “SG TV” in catalog) – 132.50 (42.50/30/14.25)
- Les Paul Junior – 132.50 (14.25)
- Les Paul Junior (3/4 scale) – 132.50 (14.25)
- Melody Maker D (2 pickups) – 135 (10.75)
- Melody Maker (1 pickup) – 99.50 (10.75)
- Melody Maker (3/4 scale, 1 pickup) – 99.50 (10.75)
- Double 12 (12/6 doubleneck, “Custom-built to order only”) – 440 (90)
1961 – Gibson
All Les Pauls changed to the new SG shape. They used the SG shape for Les Pauls until 1968.
- Les Paul Custom (3 pickups, Gibson Vibrato) – 425 (30/47.50)
- Les Paul Standard (2 pickups, Gibson Vibrato) – 290 (30/47.50)
- Les Paul Special (2 P-90s) – 225.50 (15/24/30/47.50)
- Les Paul TV (1 P-90) – 157.50 (15/24/30/47.50)
- Les Paul Junior (1 P-90) – 157.50 (15/24/47.50)
- Melody Maker D (2 pickups) – 147.50 (12)
- Melody Maker (1 pickup) – 109.50 (12)
- Double 12 (12/6 doubleneck, “Custom-built to order only”) – 600 (90)
1962 – Gibson
- Les Paul Custom – 440 (50)
- Les Paul Standard – 295 (50)
- Les Paul Special – 225.50 (16/25/50)
- Les Paul TV – 157.50 (16/25/50)
- Les Paul Junior – 157.50 (16/25/50)
- Melody Maker D – 157.50 (12.50)
- Melody Maker – 119.50 (12.50)
- Melody Maker 3/4 scale – 119.50 (12.50)
- EDS 1275 doubleneck (called “Double 12” in the catalog, 12 string/6 string) – 600 (90)
- EMS 1235 doubleneck (called “Double Mandolin” in the catalog, 6 string/mandolin) – 600 (90)
- EBSF 1250 doubleneck (called “Double Bass” in the catalog, 6 string/bass featuring a built-in “Fuzztone”) – 680 (90)
1963 – Gibson
Gibson removes Les Paul’s name from the SG-style guitars late in the year. First year for Firebirds. For an extra $15 you could order a Firebird in Cardinal Red, Heather, Inverness Green, Ember Red, Polaris White, Pelham Blue, Frost Blue, Kerry Green, Silver Mist, or Gold Mist.
- Firebird VII (3 mini humbuckers, Gibson Deluxe Vibrola) – 445 (46)
- Firebird V (2 mini humbuckers, Gibson Deluxe Vibrola) – 325 (46)
- Firebird III (2 mini humbuckers, Gibson Vibrola) – 249.50 (46)
- Firebird I (1 mini humbucker) – 189.50 (46)
1964 – Gibson
- Les Paul Custom (3 humbuckers, Gibson Vibrola) – 480 (57)
- Les Paul Standard (2 humbuckers, Gibson Vibrola) – 230 (67)
- Les Paul Special (2 P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 240 (15/24/57)
- Les Paul TV (1 P-90, wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 165 (15/24/57)
- Les Paul Junior (1 P-90, wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 165 (15/24/57)
- Melody Maker D (2 pickups, wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 165
- Melody Maker (1 pickup, wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 127.50 (12)
- Melody Maker (3/4 scale, 1 pickup, wraparound bridge/tailpiece) – 127.50 (12)
- Firebird VII (3 mini humbuckers, Gibson Deluxe Vibrola) – 500 (46)
- Firebird V (2 mini humbuckers, Gibson Deluxe Vibrola) – 360 (46)
- Firebird III (2 mini humbuckers, Gibson Vibrola) – 280 (46)
- Firebird I (1 mini humbucker) – 215 (46)
- EDS 1275 doubleneck (called “Double 12” in the catalog, 12 string/6 string) – 685 (90)
- EMS 1235 doubleneck (called “Double Mandolin” in the catalog, 6 string/mandolin) – 685 (90)
- EBSF 1250 doubleneck (called “Double Bass” in the catalog, 6 string/bass) – 765 (90)
This was the last year the Doubleneck bass (an EB-3 bass and an SG guitar) had a built-in “Fuzztone.” Fewer than 30 were made between ’62 and ’64.
1964 – Fender
- Jaguar (sunburst) – 379.50
- Jaguar (blonde/custom) – 398.49
- Jazzmaster (sunburst) – 349.50
- Jazzmaster (blonde/custom) – 366.97
- Stratocaster (sunburst, no trem) – 259.50
- Stratocaster (sunburst) – 289.50
- Stratocaster (blonde/custom) – 303.97
- Telecaster – 209.50
- Telecaster Custom – 239.50
- Esquire – 169.50
- Esquire Custom – 199.50
- Precision Bass (sunburst) – 229.50
- Precision Bass (blonde/custom) – 240.97
- Jazz Bass (sunburst) – 279.50
- Jazz Bass (blonde/custom) – 293.47
- Twin Reverb – 469.50
- Champ – 62.50
- Reverb Unit – 129.50
1965 – Gibson
- Les Paul Custom – 480 (57)
- Les Paul Standard – 330 (57)
- Les Paul Special – 240 (42/70)
- Les Paul TV – 165 (15/24/57)
- Les Paul Junior – 165 (15/24/57)
- Melody Maker D – 165 (12)
- Melody Maker – 127 (12)
- Firebird VII – 500 (46)
- Firebird V – 360 (46)
- Firebird III – 280 (46)
- Firebird I – 215 (46)
1966 – Gibson
- Les Paul Custom (3 humbuckers, Gibson Vibrola) – 455 (42/57)
- Les Paul Standard (2 humbuckers, Gibson Vibrola) – 305 (42/57)
- Les Paul Special (2 P-90s, Gibson Vibrola) – 225 (15/24/42/57)
- Les Paul TV – 165 (15/24/42/57)
- Les Paul Junior (1 P-90, Gibson Vibrola) – 165 (15/24/42/57)
- Melody Maker D (2 pickups, Gibson Vibrola) – 174 (12)
- Melody Maker (1 pickup, Gibson Vibrola) – 136 (12)
- Melody Maker (3/4 scale, 1 pickup, Gibson Vibrola)
- Firebird VII (3 mini humbuckers, Gibson Deluxe Vibrola) – 379.50 (30/46)
- Firebird V (2 mini humbuckers, Gibson Deluxe Vibrola) – 289.50 (30/46)
- Firebird III (3 P-90s, Gibson Vibrola) – 239.50 (30/46)
- Firebird I (2 P-90s, Gibson Vibrola) – 189.50 (30/46)
- Firebird V-12 (12 string)
- EDS 1275 doubleneck (called “Double 12” in the catalog, 12 string/6 string)
1967 – Gibson
- Les Paul Custom – 455 (42/70)
- Les Paul Standard – 305 (42/70)
- Les Paul Special – 225 (15/24/42/70)
- Les Paul TV – 179.50 (15/24/42/70)
- Les Paul Junior – 179.50 (15/24/42/70)
- Melody Maker III – 199.50 (24/42/70)
- Melody Maker D – 179.50 (24/42/70)
- Melody Maker – 154.50 (24/42/70)
- Flying V – 345 (68)
- Double 12 (12/6 doubleneck)
1968 – Gibson
Les Pauls return to original shape. The SG shape is retained in the SG line.
- Les Paul Custom (2 humbuckers) – 545 (52/73)
- Les Paul Standard (reissue of the 1956 style Les Paul Standard: gold top, P-90s) – 395 (52/73)
- Melody Maker III (SG shape) – 214.50 (17.50/28/53/73)
- Melody Maker D (SG shape) – 199.50 (17.50/28/53/73)
- Melody Maker (SG shape) – 169.50 (17.50/28/53/73)
- Flying V – 375 (68)
- Firebird VII – 445 (37.50/52)
- Firebird V – 325 (37.50/52)
- Firebird III – 259.50 (37.50/52)
- Firebird I – 219.50 (37.50/52)
1969 – Gibson
Gibson moves to multi-ply (pancake) bodies and three piece necks. Gibson enters what is called “The Norlin Era” (1969-1984). Since the mid-1940s Chicago Musical Instruments Company (CMI) had a controlling interest in Gibson. In 1969 a Panama-based holding company, Ecuadorian Company Limited, acquired a majority of CMI shares. The companies merged and were renamed Norlin Corporation.
- Les Paul Custom – 545 (52/73)
- Les Paul Standard/Deluxe (reissue of the 1956 style Les Paul Standard: gold top, P-90s, name changed to Les Paul Deluxe mid-year) – 395 (52/73)
- Les Paul Professional
- Les Paul Personal
- SG Custom – 495 (52/73)
- SG Standard – 335 (52/73)
1970 – Gibson
- Les Paul Personal – 675 (90)
- Les Paul Custom – 595 (55/80)
- Les Paul Pro – 510 (42.50)
- Les Paul Deluxe – 450 (55/80)
- SG Custom – 565 (19/29/59/80)
- SG Standard – 375 (19/29/59/80)
- SG Special – 325 (19/29/59/80)
- SG Junior – 250 (19/29/59/80)
- Melody Maker D – 250 (19/29/59/80)
- Melody Maker – 225 (19/29/59/80)
1971 – Gibson
- Les Paul Recording – 650 (60/80/90)
- Les Paul Custom – 595 (60/80)
- Les Paul Deluxe – 475 (60/80)
- SG Custom – 565 (60/80)
- SG Deluxe – 395 (60/80)
- SG Pro – 345 (19/29/60/80)
- SG 250 – 279.50 (19/29/60/80)
- SG 200 – 259.50 (19/29/60/80)
- SG 100 – 229.50 (19/29/60/80)
1972 – Gibson
- Les Paul Recording – 675 (90)
- Les Paul Custom – 615 (60/80)
- Les Paul Standard (reissue of 1954 Les Paul Standard: gold top, P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece)
- Les Paul Deluxe – 495 (60/80)
- L-5S – 895 (85)
- SG Custom – 595 (20/30/65/80)
- SG Standard – 415 (20/30/65/80)
- SG Special – 365 (20/30/65/80)
- SG Deluxe – 415 (19/29/60/80)
- SG Pro – 365 (19/29/60/80)
- SG III – 299.50 (19/29/60/80)
- SG II – 279.50 (19/29/60/80)
- SG I – 249.50 (19/29/60/80)
1973 – Gibson
- Les Paul Recording – 695 (99)
- Les Paul Standard (reissue of 1954 Les Paul Standard: gold top, P-90s, wraparound bridge/tailpiece)
- Les Paul Deluxe – 525 (60/65/80)
- L-5S – 895 (100)
- L-6S – 495 (80)
- SG Custom – 620 (23/35/63/69/80)
- SG Standard – 440 (23/35/63/69/80)
- SG Special – 385 (23/35/63/69/80)
- SG III – 310 (21/33/60/65/80)
- SG II – 290 (21/33/60/65/80)
- SG I – 259 (21/33/60/65/80)
1974 – Gibson
- Les Paul Recording – 765 (109)
- Les Paul Custom – 710 (88)
- Les Paul Custom (cherry sunburst) – 740 (88)
- Les Paul Custom (left-handed) – 760 (88)
- Les Paul Deluxe – 580 (88)
- Les Paul Deluxe (cherry sunburst) – 610 (88)
- Les Paul Deluxe (left-handed) – 630 (88)
- Les Paul Special ’55 Reissue (first year, not in catalog, wraparound tailpiece)
- L5-S – 985 (110)
- L6-S – 539 (88)
- SG Custom (Bigsby) (3 pickup) – 685 (88)
- SG Custom – 670 (88)
- SG Standard (Bigsby) – 479 (76)
- SG Standard (Bigsby) (left-handed) – 529 (76)
- SG Standard (Bigsby) – 544 (76)
- SG Standard – 465 (76)
- SG Special – 425 (72)
1975 – Gibson
- Les Paul Recording – 699 (109)
- Les Paul Custom – 710 (89)
- Les Paul Deluxe – 580 (89)
- Les Paul Special ’55 Reissue (stop tailpiece)
- L-5S – 899 (109)
- Marauder NS – 349 (89)
- Marauder – 399 (89)
- L-6S – 499 (89)
- L-6 Deluxe NS – 359 (89)
- L-6 Deluxe – 409 (89)
- SG Custom – 685 (89)
- SG Standard – 479 (79)
- SG Special – 425 (75)
1977 – Gibson
Gibson stops using multi-ply (pancake) bodies in Les Pauls and goes to solid two-piece bodies (joined in the center, with a multi-piece carved maple top).
- The Les Paul – 3000
- Les Paul Custom – 799
- Les Paul Recording – 759
- Les Paul Standard – 699
- Les Paul Deluxe – 649
- Les Paul Signature – 499
- L5-S – 1079
- SG Custom – 749
- SG Standard – 539
- L6-S Custom – 539
- L6-S Deluxe – 439
- S1 – 499
- Marauder Custom – 539
- Marauder – 399
1978 – Gibson
- The Les Paul – 3000 (case incl)
- Les Paul Artisan – 1039 (99.50)
- Les Paul Custom 3 PU – 949 (99.50)
- Les Paul Custom Maple FB – 879 (99.50)
- Les Paul Custom – 849 (99.50)
- Les Paul Artist
- Les Paul Recording – 799 (99.50)
- Les Paul Pro Deluxe (P-90s) – 789 (99.50)
- Les Paul Standard – 749 (99.50)
- Les Paul Deluxe (mini humbuckers) – 699 (99.50)
- Les Paul 55/78 (remake of a Special, flat top, p-90s, stop tailpiece) – 619 (99.50)
- Les Paul Special DC (rhythm pickup all the way against neck) – 619 (99.50)
- SG Custom – 799 (99.50)
- SG Standard – 589 (99.50)
- Flying V II – 1299 (case included)
- Explorer II
- L-5S
- L-6S Deluxe NS – 459 (99.50)
- L-6S Deluxe – 499 (99.50)
- L-6S Custom
- RD Artist
- RD Custom
- RD Standard
- Melody Maker Double – 539 (99.50)
- S-1 NS – 519 (99.50)
- S-1 – 559 (99.50)
- Marauder NS – 419 (99.50)
- Marauder – 469 (99.50)
- 335-S Standard (Firebrand, solid-body)
- 335-S Custom (Firebrand, solid-body)
- The “Paul” Standard (Firebrand) – 599 (109.50/119.50)
- The “Paul” Deluxe (Firebrand)
- The “SG” Standard (Firebrand) – 299 (65/119.50)
- The “SG” Deluxe (Firebrand)
- Sonex 180 Custom – 449 (65/119.50)
- Sonex 180 Standard – 375 (65/119.50)
- Sonex 180 Deluxe – 299 (65/119.50)
- EDS-1275 12/6 Doubleneck
1979 – Gibson
- The Les Paul – 3199 (case incl)
- Les Paul 25/50 Anniversary – 1499
- L-5S – 1149 (99.50)
- Les Paul Artisan – 1019 (99.50)
- Les Paul Artisan 3 PU – 1119 (99.50)
- Explorer II – 949 (119)
- Les Paul Custom – 899 (99.50)
- Les Paul Custom Maple FB – 939 (99.50)
- Les Paul Custom 3 PU – 999 (99.50)
- Les Paul Pro Deluxe (P-90s) – 839 (99.50)
- Les Paul Standard – 799 (99.50)
- Les Paul Deluxe (mini humbuckers) – 749 (99.50)
- Les Paul Special DC – 659 (99.50)
- Les Paul Recording – 675 (99.50)
- Les Paul 55/79 (remake of a Special, flat top, p-90s, stop tailpiece) – 659 (99.50)
- Les Paul DC – 659 (99.50)
- The Paul – 529 (99.50)
- RD Artist – 919 (99.50)
- RD Custom – 819 (99.50)
- RD Standard – 699 (99.50)
- SG Custom – 849 (99.50)
- SG Standard – 629 (99.50)
- L-6S Custom – 629 (99.50)
- L-6S Deluxe – 529 (99.50)
- Melody Maker – 569 (99.50)
- S-1 NS – 549 (99.50)
- S-1 – 599 (99.50)
- The “SG” – 499.50 (99.50)
- Marauder – 499 (99.50)
- EDS-1275 12/6 Doubleneck
1980 – Gibson
- Les Paul Artisan – 1099 (99.50/119.50)
- Les Paul Custom – 949 (99.50/119.50)
- Les Paul Pro Deluxe – 889 (99.50/119.50)
- Les Paul Standard – 849 (99.50/119.50)
- Les Paul Deluxe – 799 (99.50/119.50)
- Flying V II – 1299 (case included)
- L-5 S – 1249 (119.50/129.50)
- Sonex 180 Custom – 449 (65/119.50)
- Sonex 180 Standard – 375 (65/119.50)
- Sonex 180 Deluxe – 299 (65/119.50)
- The “Paul” Standard (Firebrand) – 599 (109.50/119.50)
- The “SG” Standard (Firebrand) – 299 (65/119.50)