Gibson Mary Ford Les Paul Standard | Review

Gibson Mary Ford Les Paul Standard | Review

MSRP: (UK) £2,599 / (US) $2,999

To honour the legacy of Mary Ford, Gibson presents the Mary Ford Les Paul Standard—a stunning recreation of a unique 1958 custom model. Combining vintage aesthetics with versatile tonal options, this guitar is more than a tribute; it's a celebration of innovation and artistry. Nick Jennison tells us more about this truly special homage.

Although arguably best known for her long-running musical partnership with her then-husband Les Paul, Mary Ford was a highly accomplished guitarist in her own right, capable of keeping pace with the hottest player of the era (Les!) while also possessing one of the most celebrated voices of the time. Through their TV and radio shows, Ford and Paul brought the electric guitar into countless American households and legitimized the instrument in the eyes of an entire nation.

The Gibson Mary Ford Les Paul Standard is a recreation of a one-off instrument custom-ordered for Mary Ford in 1958—right around the time when Gibson was transitioning the instrument's specs from the Gold Tops of the early '50s to the Bursts of '58–'60. It sports a unique floral pickguard and matching armrest, alongside an unusual combination of a Gold Top finish with cherry back, neck, and sides—reminiscent of the finish found on the Bursts that followed shortly thereafter.

It also features a neck profile that's closer to a '57 than the famously meaty '58 Burst necks. It's slim but not '60s slim and comes with small, vintage-profile frets. Even without the unique aesthetic touches, this guitar represents a critical developmental period in Gibson's history—a fitting tribute to an artist as influential as Mary Ford.

"Yes, yes, it's very interesting," I hear you say, "but is it any good?" Yes, indeed, dear reader. Superb, in fact. Despite sporting the "hotter" Burstbucker 2 & 3 set, this guitar excels at producing beautiful, balanced clean tones. There's plenty of transient clarity and extended, airy highs, but with the poise and subtle compression of a good PAF. For jazz, the neck pickup is stunning, while the bridge pickup offers ample twang for country yet remains meaty enough for classic rock bark. Overdriven blues lines sting, and the tone controls provide a highly usable, vocal sweep that makes slide tones come alive. It even performs admirably with high-gain shred tones—though playing such styles on the signature guitar of such a dignified musician feels almost sacrilegious!

The Gibson Mary Ford Les Paul Standard is not only a fitting tribute to a hugely important Gibson player but also a snapshot of a pivotal moment in the company's history. It's a thorough, detailed recreation of a guitar that bridges the Gold Top and Burst eras, and it stands as a beautiful, toneful instrument in its own right.

For more information, please visit:

Gibson.com