A blend of historical authenticity, modern playability, and beautiful aesthetics alongside the Mary Ford Collection of lifestyle products
Gibson has announced the release of the Mary Ford Les Paul™ Standard, bringing to the public a recreation of one of the rarest models in the company’s history. Originally crafted in 1958 exclusively for legendary guitarist and vocalist Mary Ford, this iconic instrument is now available for musicians and collectors. There’s also a new Mary Ford Collection of lifestyle products honoring Ford and her unique place in music history.
Check out the video below from Gibson TV to see Epiphone signature artist Emily Wolfe discuss Mary Ford’s legacy in music and put the new Gibson Mary Ford Les Paul Standard through its paces in a beautiful exclusive performance.
The original 1958 instrument on which the new model is based was a one-of-a-kind Les Paul Goldtop, featuring unique design elements influenced by the ES-295 hollowbody. Notably, it included an ES-295-style cream pickguard adorned with gold floral art and a matching armrest—features rarely seen on Les Paul models. The new Mary Ford Les Paul Standard faithfully recreates these distinctive details, offering a blend of historical authenticity and modern playability.
This reissue stands out with its classic Goldtop finish paired with a Vintage Cherry back, an uncommon combination that really makes the gold finish pop. Body construction is more typical for a Les Paul Standard, with a mahogany body and maple cap, while it boasts a mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard and a SlimTaper™ profile for comfortable playing.
The guitar is equipped with Gibson’s acclaimed Burstbucker™ pickups—a Burstbucker 2 in the neck position for warm, clear tones and a slightly hotter Burstbucker 3 in the bridge position for bright, punchy leads.
Image: The floral pickguard design is joined by a matching armrest
When asked about aspects of the guitar that stand out, Epiphone signature artist Emily Wolfe remarked, “The neck is amazing. It’s so easy to play, and something about the way this guitar is built makes me want to play old standards from the Les Paul and Mary Ford show.
“The exciting thing is that the personality of this guitar can transfer over into more gritty rock as well, which is what I’m used to playing. This guitar has the soul of Mary, and it feels spiritual to play. The armrest and floral artwork are beautiful and pay such tribute to the elegance of Mary’s style and career.”
The Mary Ford Les Paul Standard comes with a hardshell case and offers a rare opportunity to own an instrument that pays tribute to a pioneering artist and captures a unique piece of Gibson’s history.
Alongside the new Mary Ford Les Paul Standard, the Mary Ford Collection includes a vintage-inspired unisex tee from premium Nashville clothing brand imogene + willie featuring the slogan, “Mary Ford was a badass,” a handcrafted bandana featuring exclusive artwork, and an American-made Oxford pennant, all designed to pay tribute to one of the most beloved musicians of the 20th century.
Trailblazer and music icon
Born Iris Colleen Summers on July 7, 1924, Mary Ford began her career as a vocalist and honed her guitar skills during her high school years. Her partnership with Les Paul, the renowned guitarist and inventor, propelled them to become one of the most celebrated musical duos of the 1950s.
Together, they sold over six million records in 1951 alone, achieving 16 top ten hits between 1950 and 1954. Their innovative use of multitrack recording and overdubbing showcased Mary’s rich vocals and technical prowess, leaving a lasting impact on modern music production.
Check out the Mary Ford Les Paul Standard today, and explore the Mary Ford Collection on Gibson.com.
