Gibson Theodore Standard Electric Guitar Ebony

The Gibson Theodore Standard electric guitar brings a mid-century design to life through the vision of past Gibson president Ted McCarty. Drawing on McCarty’s original 1957 sketches, this guitar’s unique double-cutaway body and scimitar headstock offer distinguished looks not found in any other instrument. With ’57 Classic and Classic Plus pickups, Theodore provides the smooth, articulate humbucking tones of the era—perfect for blues, rock and more. The Gibson Theodore Standard pays tribute to a visionary, resurrecting a lesser-known shape for new generations of guitarists to play.

Body Based on 1957 Drawings by Ted McCarty

The Theodore Standard’s distinctive "tulip" shape comes directly from sketches and plans drafted by Ted McCarty in 1957 during his tenure as Gibson president. Previously only available as a limited-edition Custom Shop model, this historic design is now accessible to all players. Its graceful double Florentine cutaways and contoured edges provide unfettered access to all 22 frets, and the mahogany construction gives the guitar a traditional and balanced sound typical of other pervasive Gibson models, like the iconic Les Paul and SG. Playability takes center stage on the Theodore Standard, letting you fully explore its vintage-inspired voice.

’57 Classic Humbuckers

A pair of specially voiced humbuckers equip the Theodore Standard with exceptional tonal range equally suited to everything from blues and jazz to hard rock. The ’57 Classic neck pickup conveys sweet, “rounded” tones, while the hotter ’57 Classic Plus bridge pickup provides all the crunch and cut needed for aggressive rhythm or lead work. Used together, they yield a marvelously articulate clean voice. In classic Gibson fashion, the 3-way pickup selector lets you toggle between the individual pickups or combine them with ease. This deceptively versatile pickup configuration gives you the sonic palette for a variety of musical requirements.

Honoring Ted McCarty’s forward-thinking vision while including modern playability enhancements, the Gibson Theodore Standard brings vintage inspiration to today’s players. Its comfortable feel and versatile sound make it a guitar you’ll want to play for hours on end, and its eye-catching shape is sure to be a standout in your collection. Feel free to put the Gibson Theodore Standard through a test jam at your local Guitar Center, and see what makes this ’57 as relevant as ever.