Pete Townshend Signature Models

The Who guitarist **Pete Townshend** was known to play (and subsequently destroy) batwing style SG Specials until they were discontinued in 1971 and he moved on to different guitars. Since then, because he used SG Specials on some of their classic albums, he has become associated with the guitar and as a result, Gibson began working with him to create signature models. His first signature was a Custom Shop limited run of 250 units released in July of 2000. The serial numbers used the format "PT XXX". In 2001, a standard production USA model was released. These were essentially reissues of a batwing-era SG Special, but without the vibrola, as Townshend would typically remove them. **Note:** Beware sellers trying to blur the line between the USA and Custom Shop versions.

In 2011, for the 50th Anniversary of the SG, Gibson released a new signature model, this time with an angel wing pickguard, which Townshend was also known to play, although less frequently.

## 2000 Custom Shop

This model uses the body design of the Historic Standard. Includes flight case and regular Historic style case.

* Average weight: 7 lbs

**Body:**

* Solid Honduran Mahogany body
* One-piece construction
* Historic deep beveling
* Angled heel
* Tapered horn tips
* Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
	+ Aniline dye
	+ No grain filler, satin sheen

**Neck:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
* Slim Taper C profile (.830 / .920")
* Set-in construction
	+ Joins body at 22nd fret
* Indian Rosewood fretboard
	+ Pearloid dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Medium Open Book headstock
	+ Holly veneer
	+ Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
	+ Townshend signature decal
	+ 17o pitch
* 22 frets
* 24 5/8" scale
* Nylon nut
* 1 11/16" nut width

**Binding:**

* Single-ply, neck
* Fret-edge binding
* Thinner style
* Cream color

**Electronics:**

* Two "Soapbar" P-90s
	+ AlNiCo V magnets
	+ ~7.3K Ohms DCR
	+ Black plastic covers
* 3-way switch
* 2 Vol, 2 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Nickel hardware
	+ Aged
* Grover Rotomatic tuning machines
	+ 12:1 ratio
	+ Manufactured by Ping
* 3-ply "Batwing" pickguard
	+ Wide bevel angle
* Bell shaped truss rod cover
	+ 2-ply, wide bevel angle
* Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
* Compensated aluminum wraparound bridge/tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Faded Cherry

## 2001-2003 USA

    This model uses the body design of the 1991-2012 USA Standard.

* Average weight: 7 lbs

**Body:**

* Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
* Nitrocellulose lacquer finish
	+ Satin sheen

**Neck:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
* '50s Rounded profile (.830" / .965")
* Set-in construction
	+ Joins body at 19th fret
* Indian Rosewood fretboard
	+ Acrylic dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Open Book headstock
	+ Gibson logo decal
	+ Townshend signature decal
	+ 17o pitch
* 22 frets
* 24 5/8" scale
* 1 11/16" nut width

**Binding:**

* Single-ply, neck
* Cream color
* Thicker style
* Fret-edge binding

**Electronics:**

* Two "Soapbar" P-90s
	+ AlNiCo V magnets
	+ ~7-8K Ohms DCR
	+ Black plastic covers
* 3-way switch
* 2 Vol, 2 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Chrome hardware
* Grover Rotomatic tuning machines
	+ 14:1 ratio
	+ Manufactured by Ping
* 5-ply "Batwing" pickguard
* Bell shaped truss rod cover
	+ 2-ply b/w
* Black Reflector knobs
* Compensated wraparound bridge/tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Mahogany Red Satin

## 2011 50th Anniversary

    Includes hardshell case with "Who" stencil.

* $2,129 MSRP
* $1,389 Street

**Body:**

* Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
* Nitrocellulose lacquer finish

**Neck:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
* Slim taper profile (.800" / .875")
* Set-in construction
	+ Franklin Titebond 50
	+ Joins body at 19th fret
	+ 4 degree pitch
* Indian Rosewood fretboard
	+ Acrylic dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Narrow Open Book headstock
	+ Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
	+ Silkscreened 50th Anniversary logo
	+ 17o pitch
* 22 frets
* 24 5/8" scale
* Corian nut
	+ Cut by Plek machine
* 1 11/16" nut width

**Binding:**

* Single-ply, neck
* Fret-edge binding
* Thicker style

**Electronics:**

* Two "Soapbar" P-90s
	+ AlNiCo V magnets
	+ ~7-8K Ohms DCR
	+ Black plastic covers
* 3-way switch
* 2 Vol, 2 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Chrome hardware
* Grover Rotomatic tuning machines
	+ 14:1 ratio
	+ Manufactured by Ping
* 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
* Bell shaped truss rod cover
	+ 2-ply b/w
* Black Reflector knobs
* Wraparound "Lightning Bar" bridge/tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Alpine White