For me this falls into the category of “lost material” you often get with artists like Prince and Hendrix. There’s probably a damn good reasons the designs were lost, and material doesn’t get released.

Sounds good in your hands 😘

You can always expect Gibson to make $1000 guitar and price it out to $5000.

I'd love to see this guitar in a more accessible version. I would love to have a guitar like this.

I really like this type of guitar. I really dig the aesthetics. I am working on my bitterness that this is being priced at $5000. That straight up blows in my opinion. Why are the simple double horned P90 Gibsons like this and the LP Special DC always so expensive? I mean I get it, Gibson invented this stuff (if you can actually say that.. Fender did of course). But these days a “plank” guitar is pretty straightforward with all the computerized machinery that Gibson has at hand. Why not make it accessible to 50 players for each 1 that would also love to make some more brilliant Gibson musical history. This was supposed to be an affordable student model. Sure Gibson will have buyers for this at $5000 each, but I bet worldwide they would have more fan appreciation and loyalty if it was reasonably priced. Should it really be more than $1499? Feels greedy. Why not make it accessible to your Everyman/ Everywoman player. Sorry Theodore, I’m not sure they’re truthfully honoring the intent of your vision.

So great to meet you at Rick’s gig! Thanks so much for joining the night. Hope your RVing will give you tons of fun and inspiration!

I wouldn’t buy this over an LP special, but I’m glad it exists anyway. I think it’s great that Gibson is leaning into their history. They’re one of the few brands that do their best work when they’re focusing on the past.

That guitar looks and sounds awesome. If they ever released a standard USA run of them, I would probably buy one.

"Leo Fender was always downgrading us. Which is why I was so fond of him. He was going around the country saying that Gibson was a stodgy old company. That we'd never had a new idea in our lives, and that we were still making things like we did 50 years ago" Wow. Not much has changed.

Thanks for crediting the great players who brought those iconic guitars to life. Without them those guitars, although great, wouldn't have had the impact they have.

Awesome collab with Keith and man, you guys did the Theodore some justice here!

Cool story, but there were only two things that I truly loved about this…. The INCREDIBLE sound that you get out of a Guitar with P90’s, and your take on CCR’s Ramble Tamble…. I’m a huge Rhett Shull fan, but an even bigger Creedence fan. Would love to hear a full version of that cover!! Great video as always

I had just watched Five Watt World's Stingray short history, then clicked this notification. I did a full-on mental needle scratch when I heard Keith's voice again. This was a great video. Weirdly attractive guitar. How cool you got to show it off for Gibson. Congrats!

Spot on as far as explaining how an SG feels compared to a strat. I play SG guitars mainly, but I own a lot of strat style guitars, and every time I pick one up after not playing one for a while I feel like the guitar is so small compared to the shifted and stretched feel of an SG. But if you like to solo closer to the bridge, I feel the SG allows for players to do this more comfortably then a strat IMO. But I play both, as they both serve a purpose and tone that I desire.

Great to Keith and receive his input - love his work and yours 😊

That is a gorgeous double-cut Gibson! A nice modern compliment to the forever classic SG! Now we need ES-125 thickness SEMI-HOLLOW BODY Gibson SGs and The Theodore !!!

Very cool idea and execution. I personally prefer the McCarty to the Theodore but it's great to see Gibson tastefully trying something new/old.

Great video as usual, Rhett. The way a guitar feels might not technically influence its sound, but it changed how you play. Strats and SGs are so darn comfortable that it affects my playing. On my tele, the discomfort of it makes me really dig in and not jump around the neck so much

Beautiful playing Rhett!!!I love the modern double it Les pauls.sad they only lasted one year!!!

This is a guitar that I shouldn't love yet I do. I think it somehow speaks to both the vintage Les Paul special me and the 80s shred me at the same time. I'd buy an epiphone version in a heartbeat. This would seriously sell.

Maybe I'm wrong but this story is too good and beautiful to be true... and we tend to believe what we want to believe. I find hard to believe that more than 60 years after the drawing somebody at Gibson opens a drawer or a closed box in a warehouse and magically finds a perfectly conserved scrap of paper with a Ted McCarthy sketch. There are some missing links here... Are Gibson marketing guys embellishing the true history a bit? My best bet is that that paper with the design has been in Gibson archive for decades and someone had the idea to release the guitar..but he needed a good story to sell it.

I love your demo settings!! Your sound is unique yet familiar.

I love how honest you were about liking the shape. I know for a fact since I watch your dipped in tone podcast your not a big fan of the weird body shapes. And Zach is. Zach from mythos would love this thing.

Nice collaboration! I immediately liked the look of it a lot.

Such a cool shape, Kurt Ballou needs to get his hands on one of these

Thanks for the insight of this incredible sounding instrument.

Familia Gibson headstock, new but old body design, looks awesome and sounds awesome! Great video Rhett!

They need to make it in a neck thru version like the Firebird. That walnut stripe would look sweet running the entire length of the guitar. I really like the lines on it though. And the fact that it sits closer for your fretting hand. I'd rock one given the chance. Nicely done Gibson.

Digging the CCR.....never would've thought you were a fan!

I'm usually on top of these "we thought about it, but ehhhh" axes like the Moderne... but I've never seen this. GORGEOUS guitar.

Not in love with the price, but in love with almost everything else about it. Way to go, Gibson! And you, that period-sounding riffage around 3:00 completely cements the vibe. Finally, great observation there about body/neck shapes: I find that with my Epi SG I am often a whole step above where I think I am, having played an LP for most of my life!

About 30 years ago, when I was at Michigan State, I saw one of the prototypes of the Flying V at a music store called Elderly Instruments (they are still there and still selling some great vintage gear). I can only say it was well out of my price range as a grad student!

I bet Zach is shaking his head when he found out that you're ok with the Theodore and hate on the Frank Brothers design... 🤣

I didn't think much of it from the drawing but the physical object, the tulip shape, looks really nice, I like it.

Interesting guitar and history. Had to check it wasn’t April 1st before continuing to watch the video. But there’s rarely much new under the sun and while others have pointed out similarities with Teisco guitars, my first thought was the Rickenbacker Combo 400 model, closely followed by the Gretsch Corvette. For modern comparisons, how about the Tokai Talbo and the Frank Brothers’ instruments? Curious ...

Hi Brett, This was not only a great video but what a great story. I do like the way that his design looks. Like you said , the tulip design. Excellent evaluation. Stay safe and well and keep Rocking. Signed John Gregory Zepbass from Munster Indiana.

You're a very exceptional guitarist Rhett.

Great show. Very cool

It’s cool to see five watt world on this video as well. I love their mini documentaries on guitars.

This rules, sounds great too, Id love to see more of these out there. Also new camera slider? Which one do you use I was looking to grab one???

5k is a lot, but not if you consider the limited run and how much it will go for in the near future. Love how light weight they are also, big plus for me when looking at guitars acoustic or electric.

Happy Birthday! Mine is coming up on March 30!

Really cool guitar, and I love the collab with 5 Watt World.

Loving the intros. Keep it up.

I've seen similar guitars being made by independent makers with varying differences like carved tops and different electronics. Still interesting to see it brought to life by Gibson. Great playing as always!

Can we just appreciate that Rhett chose to play Ramble Tamble for this video?! My all-time favorite CCR song. 🤘🤘🤘

Looks like a tulip 🌷. With the headstock blowing in the wind.

Rickenbacker introduced a "tulip" shaped guitar at the 1956 NAMM, the Combo 400. The shape never really caught on.

That guitar looks sick. I’d love to see what it would look like with their standard headstock.

I heard somewhere, I think from a guitar teacher, that an electric guitar body just serves to hold the pieces together. But as you stated, it’s important how they are held together. How it all works together. I’d like to try this guitar. Don’t know how with such a limited production but, we’ll see.

It’s so strange how I both love and hate this thing. It’s like the Fender Meteora in that regard, at first sight it’s like “wtf is this” but progressively grows in public opinion

It’s nice to see Keith show up in your video. I guess I’m in the minority when I say that I actually think this is a cool guitar and would like to have one

That's a cool guitar Rhett! I liked it straight away. I like the tulip design, like an old Kay ET200 I used to play, except that I'm sure this works quite a bit better. If it's well balanced and has a strong neck joint, it's better than an SG.

Thanks for your insight!

The first time seeing this guitar I absolutely hated the look. Somehow it grew on me so fast I had to get myself one. Freaking love it!!

Awesome video. I can't imagine what would've happened if the 'Theodore' was released then

Ramble Tamble! Great CCR rendition Rhett!

🎸I Love it 💯, when I first saw the shape I didn't know If I liked it at first but when i saw it had kind of a smallness to it, I loved it.. I thinks it's very cool... Plus I love the warm Tone it has.. I Hope you enjoy it Rhett and keep it💯🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

I really like the shape. It’s like the middle of an Animorph of the Les Paul into an SG. The market is so saturated by of Les Paul, Tele, and Strat shaped bodies, that it’s nice to see something unique that isn’t off-putting. I hope Gibson takes off with this design and makes a more accessible version. Maybe one with an adjustable bridge? Hell, I’d love to have one by Epiphone.

Cool ass guitar aside, that riffing at 2:51 was naughty af. Great work as always dude

Love your vids

Love the hockey stick neck/headstock. Should stay in tune good. It's cool. Sorta looks like an art deco design with that pickguard ...

Love it. Looks classy. Eastwood version, where you at?

Cool! Based on the sketch they took several liberties; pick guard, toggle switch, headstock, body and perhaps the pickups (mini-humbuckers?*). The body more round at edge based on the pick guard bracket in sketch. Perhaps 3 piece laminate neck-thru with walnut strip tail to nut? *I am aware mini-humbuckers weren't on Gibson's until '68, but the sketch looks like he was cooking them up.

Nice Rickenbacker/Fogarty Ramble Tamble riff! 🙂

My initial impression was the guitar looks eerily similar to the Epi Coronet. I nearly bought one of these (the latter) new in 1974 because of its incredible sound and playability (small hands and arms like famous user, Steve Marriott) but decided against it mostly on aesthetics and they just weren’t common. Any hint that the Coronet was inspired by this?

My first reaction was how have I playing as long as I have and never seen this guitar! It immediately reminded me of the tulip guitars that Tiesco put out.

Looks like one of those Teiscos with a tulip shaped body. Cool guitar!

2:50 Ramble Tamble by CCR. Cosmos Factory was the first album I ever bought. Love it.

Crazy...just got the email from Gibson about it...and now there you are playing one✌

I really enjoyed your playing on this video. Do you get to keep the guitar? I wonder, looking at the Theodore, just how different is it from the SG? Thanks.

Reminds me of the Teisco Tulip in a way, just with more tone! 🙌🏻🎸

Great history and an interesting guitar to add to a collection. I only wish I had gotten the modern V from a few years ago.

Really cool playing on this one

Interesting story, great sounding pickups, and lovely playing as always - but I kind of understand why this axe stayed a sketch up until now :) compared to other classic Gibson models, it’s a bit of a sore thumb.

Nice video. Maybe show the backsides of the guitar/headstock and display more of the construction details?

THAT IS ONE KOOL GUITAR RHETT!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Such a cool guitar. I think they should have made the headstock more like the drawing, but it still looks good with the hocker stick style. I think the drawing had it a bit more wider.

I love the tulip shape and P90 setup. I'd buy one if they went into regular production.

Hey Rhett, I dig your channel. I would like to see a piece on EVH Wolfgang guitars.

Love to hear reverb before distortion on the intro play (at least it’s what I think it is), I think it’s an underated sound and new bands like Fontaines DC are getting the most out of it.

2:50 goosebumps! That's my favorite CCR song!

hey rhett, love your vids. I was wondering if youd be keen to a do a history of fretboard woods, with new materials starting to be used I would be interested like pau ferro instead of ebony and rosewood.. why that happened? does it feel different..? cost basis? thanks either way, great content.

I love the design of this!! But I wish there was a more budget version

I don't play but that looks really comfortable for you to play. I like the way the lower curve sits on the leg.

i’ve never been a big fan of gibson look. except some of their more odd guitars but this is the Gibson for me! i love the look and the sound it sounds like a gibson but it has the anesthetic i’m looking for if j were to play one for what i play. other than that i would like the SG. hope they make this more accessible

First, your style of playing made those P90's sing perfectly. I am a huge fan of the 1960's Teisco look and sound. That Tulip body is awesome and obviously I love those P90's. What I do not like is "only 318 built for the rich and famous." As a hobby guitar builder, I want to get my hands on a Teisco body and neck, a rebuilder. We'll see what happens.

Never thought I’d hear that CCR song in a video of yours

Ahh, the Rickenbacker tulip haha

"Ramble Tamble". Yeah! love it!

Mine's coming in on Wednesday (3-23) and I'm super excited about it. You're literally buying a body design that shouldn't even exist drawn by McCarty 65 years ago that could've easily been balled up, thrown away, and forgotten. More interesting is this may be the first design that ever featured the hockey stick-esque headstock. It's very intriguing because most people would've seen the design and said "oh, that's cool. I wonder what that would've been like?" but Mat Koehler and Gibson actually made it into reality and I truly appreciate them for it. It's not the first time a company has taken an old blueprint and actually produced it. More recently G&L went through Leo's files and found a design from 1969 they decided to make, the Espada. The Theodore being limited to only 318 units is going to make this a collector's dream which unfortunately will put it in the scalper's market especially if it never makes it into standard production. I expect these to fetch insane numbers in the near future. As far as the original concept goes I am going to go out on a limb and say I believe this was supposed to have the Epiphone "New York" Mini-Humbuckers since it was designed around the time of the Epiphone acquisition and McCarty was given the task of using Epiphone's remaining inventory. The pole pieces are clearly not centered and are opposing each other just like the Epiphone pickups did. I also like Ted's original pickguard design better as it was supposed to sit on a bracket, elegantly joined the fretboard, and accented the Tulip cutaway. I don't think the toggle being located on the cut would've effected playability as I have a Melody Maker with a switch in the same place and it is one of my favorite guitars. Another thing to note is everyone bringing up routing for the toggle; this route could've easily been achieved without detrimenting the back of the instrument by routing the alder prior to gluing it to the walnut center strip, running the wiring through the pickup cavities, and securing the switch with top mount screws assuming that is what the black spot on the bottom of the poker chip was supposed to be. I think the only mod they did that I like better is the knob placement but overall I am happy just to see the body shape in existence. Theodore is a fitting name but Tulip, despite being a Teisco guitar in the 60's, would've been a better name. Another very interesting thing to note is the Teisco Tulip itself as the right cut is an identical match to this one. I wonder if someone affiliated with Gibson saw this design, went to Teisco, and changed it a bit to avoid McCarty taking legal action and if that is the reason why the "Theodore" was never produced as they didn't want it to be seen as a copy or too similar to the Rickenbacker 950 Tulip. It's not the first time we've seen a Gibson concept produced in Japan, look at when Ibanez made the Moderne in the 1970's. I have so many questions about the Theodore but that's half the lore to it and why I believe it's $4,999 price point is justifiable as this is as true to McCarty's concept than we ever could've known and I thank Gibson for giving us a glimpse into unknown history.

Looks like a child's drawing of a tulip. I call it "The Dutchie".

Dig the Ramble Tamble-such a tight band, the tempo change is masterful.

Totally reminds me of an old Tokai….or dare I say a less refined version of a modern day Frank Bros. (I know you love those 😉). Still sounds like a P90 Gibby regardless and it’s cool to find something kicking around that no one thought would come about. Realky makes ya wonder what the others look like. Hope you’re well my dude, all my love to you and the family.

Man,that Theodore sounds great!!!doesn't hurt that Rhett's playing it.🤘😜👍

Awesomely played I must say what a unique beautiful Gibson guitar,any Lefty’s in this particular model??

Keith has an amazing voice. Any and all guitar documentaries should strive to have Keith play a role. Very interesting video. I’m not a fan of this guitar (reminds me of Jughead’s hat), but it’s cool that Gibson made it.

thumbnail update actually worked for me haha

Cool scale sounds. Is that a particular scale? I'm a beginner in this game but definitely hooked and learning!

Very cool! Nice story.