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Full-length view of a left-handed Pelham Blue SG with a white pickguard, gold hardware, Bigsby tremolo, and four black control knobs.
01 / 32Full-length view of a left-handed Pelham Blue SG with a white pickguard, gold hardware, Bigsby tremolo, and four black control knobs.
The Pelham Blue SG's body and neck are visible, featuring a white pickguard, three gold humbuckers, and a gold Bigsby vibrato.
02 / 32The Pelham Blue SG's body and neck are visible, featuring a white pickguard, three gold humbuckers, and a gold Bigsby vibrato.
Close-up of the black headstock with mother-of-pearl inlays, gold tuners, and visible finish checking.
03 / 32Close-up of the black headstock with mother-of-pearl inlays, gold tuners, and visible finish checking.
Close-up of the guitar's headstock and upper fretboard, showing gold tuners, mother-of-pearl block inlays, and binding.
04 / 32Close-up of the guitar's headstock and upper fretboard, showing gold tuners, mother-of-pearl block inlays, and binding.
Close-up of the dark fretboard with rectangular mother-of-pearl inlays, showing some fret wear and the Pelham Blue body below.
05 / 32Close-up of the dark fretboard with rectangular mother-of-pearl inlays, showing some fret wear and the Pelham Blue body below.
The back of a Pelham Blue SG Custom, showing a matte finish, light wear, and a cream-colored control cavity cover.
06 / 32The back of a Pelham Blue SG Custom, showing a matte finish, light wear, and a cream-colored control cavity cover.
The back of the Pelham Blue headstock and neck, showing six gold tuners with trapezoid buttons and visible wear on the finish.
07 / 32The back of the Pelham Blue headstock and neck, showing six gold tuners with trapezoid buttons and visible wear on the finish.
The guitar's Pelham Blue neck and headstock are viewed from behind, showing gold tuning pegs and a shiny, worn finish.
08 / 32The guitar's Pelham Blue neck and headstock are viewed from behind, showing gold tuning pegs and a shiny, worn finish.
Pelham Blue SG Custom in its case, showing the body, gold Bigsby, two gold humbuckers, and four black control knobs.
09 / 32Pelham Blue SG Custom in its case, showing the body, gold Bigsby, two gold humbuckers, and four black control knobs.
Pelham blue SG Custom in its open case, showing the full body with three gold humbuckers, Bigsby, and white pickguard.
10 / 32Pelham blue SG Custom in its open case, showing the full body with three gold humbuckers, Bigsby, and white pickguard.
Close-up of a Pelham Blue SG with a cream pickguard, gold Bigsby, three gold humbuckers, and four black control knobs.
11 / 32Close-up of a Pelham Blue SG with a cream pickguard, gold Bigsby, three gold humbuckers, and four black control knobs.
A close-up of a Gibson letter of authenticity, detailing the guitar's Pelham Blue finish, left-handed orientation, and Bigsby tailpiece.
12 / 32A close-up of a Gibson letter of authenticity, detailing the guitar's Pelham Blue finish, left-handed orientation, and Bigsby tailpiece.
A printed letter dated 12/6/2023, titled "Hi Shai," describing John "Brooklyn" Bellissimo's early career as a photographer.
13 / 32A printed letter dated 12/6/2023, titled "Hi Shai," describing John "Brooklyn" Bellissimo's early career as a photographer.
A white sheet of paper with black text, partially obscured by a black textured surface at the top.
14 / 32A white sheet of paper with black text, partially obscured by a black textured surface at the top.
Black and white photo of Jimi Hendrix playing a white SG Custom, with a drummer and another guitarist behind him.
15 / 32Black and white photo of Jimi Hendrix playing a white SG Custom, with a drummer and another guitarist behind him.
Jimi Hendrix playing a white Gibson SG Custom on stage, with a drummer and another guitarist visible in the background.
16 / 32Jimi Hendrix playing a white Gibson SG Custom on stage, with a drummer and another guitarist visible in the background.
Black and white photo of two musicians on stage, one playing a light-colored SG, the other a dark-colored hollow body.
17 / 32Black and white photo of two musicians on stage, one playing a light-colored SG, the other a dark-colored hollow body.
Two men on stage playing electric guitars, one in overalls smiling at his instrument, the other in the background.
18 / 32Two men on stage playing electric guitars, one in overalls smiling at his instrument, the other in the background.
Pelham Blue SG body, angled from the neck, shows three humbuckers, a Bigsby vibrato, and four black control knobs.
19 / 32Pelham Blue SG body, angled from the neck, shows three humbuckers, a Bigsby vibrato, and four black control knobs.
Close-up of three tarnished silver-colored humbucker pickups with exposed gold pole pieces and braided wire.
20 / 32Close-up of three tarnished silver-colored humbucker pickups with exposed gold pole pieces and braided wire.
Close-up of the guitar's body, showing the neck joint and pickup cavity with exposed wood and worn Pelham Blue finish.
21 / 32Close-up of the guitar's body, showing the neck joint and pickup cavity with exposed wood and worn Pelham Blue finish.
Close-up of the guitar's control cavity, revealing four pots, two orange capacitors, and wiring against the Pelham Blue finish.
22 / 32Close-up of the guitar's control cavity, revealing four pots, two orange capacitors, and wiring against the Pelham Blue finish.
Close-up of the guitar's lower body, showing the metallic Pelham Blue finish with fine checking, cream pickguard, and gold humbuckers.
23 / 32Close-up of the guitar's lower body, showing the metallic Pelham Blue finish with fine checking, cream pickguard, and gold humbuckers.
Close-up of the Pelham Blue body, showing the gold Bigsby vibrato, cream pickguard, and finish checking near the lower bout.
24 / 32Close-up of the Pelham Blue body, showing the gold Bigsby vibrato, cream pickguard, and finish checking near the lower bout.
Close-up of a Pelham Blue SG with a cream pickguard, three gold humbuckers, a gold Bigsby, and four black control knobs.
25 / 32Close-up of a Pelham Blue SG with a cream pickguard, three gold humbuckers, a gold Bigsby, and four black control knobs.
Close-up of the guitar's upper body in Pelham Blue, showing light wear and wood grain through the matte finish, with a glossy edge.
26 / 32Close-up of the guitar's upper body in Pelham Blue, showing light wear and wood grain through the matte finish, with a glossy edge.
Close-up of the guitar's lower horn in metallic Pelham Blue, showing light wear and a gold strap button.
27 / 32Close-up of the guitar's lower horn in metallic Pelham Blue, showing light wear and a gold strap button.
Close-up of the guitar's lower body, showing the Pelham Blue finish with visible checking and light scratches, resting on a black leather surface.
28 / 32Close-up of the guitar's lower body, showing the Pelham Blue finish with visible checking and light scratches, resting on a black leather surface.
Close-up of the guitar's Pelham Blue back, showing the cream control cavity cover, a gold strap button, and finish wear.
29 / 32Close-up of the guitar's Pelham Blue back, showing the cream control cavity cover, a gold strap button, and finish wear.
Close-up of the guitar's back, showing the neck joint and upper horn in Pelham Blue with light wear and a gold strap button.
30 / 32Close-up of the guitar's back, showing the neck joint and upper horn in Pelham Blue with light wear and a gold strap button.
Close-up of the guitar's upper body and neck heel in Pelham Blue, showing a strap button and light finish wear.
31 / 32Close-up of the guitar's upper body and neck heel in Pelham Blue, showing a strap button and light finish wear.
Black and white photo of Jimi Hendrix playing a dark SG Custom, angled left, with a white pickguard and three pickups.
32 / 32Black and white photo of Jimi Hendrix playing a dark SG Custom, angled left, with a white pickguard and three pickups.

Gibson

1968 Gibson SG Custom Pelham Blue Factory Bigsby Left-Handed 1 of 2 Ever Made Jimi Hendrix w/OHSC

$325,000.00

Available

  • Year1968
  • ConditionExcellent
  • StoreSherman Oaks
  • CaseOHSC
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Specifications

Instrument

Year
1968
Model
Gibson SG Custom Pelham Blue Factory Bigsby Left-Handed 1 of 2 Ever Made Jimi Hendrix
Finish
Pelham Blue
Condition
Excellent
Store
Sherman Oaks
Handedness
left

Measurements

Nut width (in)
1.57
Neck depth, 1st fret (in)
0.8
Neck depth, 12th fret (in)
0.99
Weight
7lbs

Construction

Frets
Original Frets In Very Good Condition

Case

Case
OHSC

Description

This is one of two left-handed Gibson SG Custom guitars ever produced in this configuration. In May of 1968 two of these SG Customs shipped from the Gibson factory. Right from the start we have an incredibly rare axe. 

Also In 1968, Jimi Hendrix was at a jam at Ungano’s in New York. He was playing with Elvin Bishop and B.B. King. He was playing a left-handed Pelham Blue Gibson SG Custom with a Bigsby.

We reached out to the family of famed photographer John Bellissimo regarding the photos he took that night. We were able to procure original black and white prints from this jam. Since the photos are black and white we did run the photos through a colorizing program to be sure the guitar is blue. The results are unmistakably Pelham. These original prints will be included with the guitar. 

Back in this era these Gibson guitars were far more handbuilt than they are today. The positioning of the pickup selector (Poker Chip) varies on most of these vintage SG’s. The positioning of this “poker chip” matches that of the photos and this guitar in particular. This is a very important "thumbprint" that helps identify the guitar.

643 Les Paul Standards were made in 1959. Only Two of these SG’s were ever made, period. This guitar may not be as popular as a 1959 Les Paul, but it's certainly more rare!

Until that other Pelham Blue SG Custom with a Bigsby surfaces a question will always remain. Is this THAT one? Without a doubt it is 50/50. 

Included with the guitar:

A letter from Gibson confirming the guitar. It also shows their handwritten ledger from May of ’68. - A letter from Thomas L. Bellissimo, brother of John Bellissimo, the photographer of the prints. His letter gives some back story on John’s role in taking the photos. - Lastly, the original black and white photos of that jam.

This guitar can be viewed in person by any serious interested party by appointment only. 

A Video About This Guitar/Story Is Posted On Our YouTube And Instagram

1968 Gibson SG Custom In Pelham Blue Factory Bigsby

Original Pelham Blue Finish Showing Light Playwear, Small Nicks, And Scratches 

Original Electronics

Original Gold Hardware Showing Some Tarnish 

A Few Of The Nylon Saddles Have Been Replaced

Neck Depth: .8" At The 1st Fret - .99" At The 12th Fret

Comes With The Original Gibson Hardcase Shown In The Photos

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