Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Sister Rosetta's most recognizable guitar is easily her iconic Gibson Les Paul (SG) in white with 3 low-output PAF style humbuckers and old-style Maestro vibrato. In 1961 , Gibson rebranded a rejected Les Paul model as the now famous "SG (Solid Guitar) Custom Model". It quickly gained popularity and--as a result of further rebranding and improvements--underwent numerous changes in the early 1960's. These gradual changes allow us to confirm the exact year and model: a 1962 Gibson Les Paul SG. The Maestro vibrato was replaced by the vibrola in 1963 and the "Les Paul Custom" logo was moved from the head to the pickguard (just above the neck pickup) in 1962.

A vintage Les Paul SG Custom (very similar to Sister Rosetta's) was put on exhibit by The Metropolitan Museum of Art with the following technical description:

Mahogany body and neck, ebony fingerboard; 24 ¾ in. scale; white lacquer finish; set neck with mother-of-pearl block inlays and ivoried binding; headstock with inlaid mother-of-pearl Gibson logo, split-diamond design, five-ply white and black binding; three PAF humbucking pickups, three-way selector switch, two volume and two tone controls; gold-plated side-action vibrato system with folding arm, tune-o-matic bridge, Grover tuners, and pickup covers, three-ply white and black plastic pickguard marked "CUSTOM" at end of fingerboard, black and clear plastic knobs with silver caps

Sister Rosetta shining in the stage with her Gibson L-5, a very classic model of Jazz guitar very popular in that days.

Tharpe can be seen in this photo playing a Gibson Les Paul Goldtop.

In 1964 during the blues fad in in the UK spearheaded by the stones, yardbirds and bluesbreakers, Sister Rosetta toured Europe as part of the Blues and Gospel Caravan alongside greats like Muddy Waters. I could not recall the date, but I have seen footage from this tour (she owns that SG Custom, ya gotta hear it) and I know this picture is from that concert. Wikipedia states that "a concert, in the rain, was recorded by Granada Television at the disused railway station at Wilbraham Road, Manchester in May 1964. The band performed on one platform while the audience members were seated on the opposite platform." In this still from the aforementioned concert Tharpe can be seen playing her White SG Custom through a Vox ac30 amplifier that was obviously rented for the tour.

Because the footage and stills were black and white it is impossible to tell whether it was a copper panel ac30 with brown diamond fret cloth or a grey panel with black diamonds....

If I recall 1964 was a transitional year cosmetically and the amp in question may not have been a brand new model. Judging by her tone I suspect she may have had a 62 or earlier model as she does not sound like she is through a top boost channel, but also does not sound like she is playing through an ac30 bass model. Though with such a grainy recording I could just be talking smack here. As a Philadelphian guitarist I am a real Rosetta Tharpe kinda guy and as a vox lover I just really wanna figure it out!

In this photo, Tharpe is visible playing (possibly green) Gretsch G6117 Double Anniversary.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe is seen playing a 1932 National Triolian Resonator Guitar in a photo from Premier Guitar.

Here she is seen playing a white Gretsch Tennessean

Sister Rosetta Tharpe is often thought of as the godmother of rock and roll. She was an incredible gospel musician that pushed boundaries, eventually inspiring rock classics like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley. Here she is on tour in England with Muddy Waters in the early '60s, playing her incredible Les Paul SG Custom into an AC30.

From VOX USA.

In this photo, Tharpe can be seen playing a Gibson Barney Kessel guitar.

Tharpe can be seen playing a Gibson ES-330 in this photo.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a pioneering figure in gospel and rock music since 1938, is known for her dynamic performances and diverse guitar collection. Among the instruments she played is the Gibson Les Paul Goldtop with a Trapeze Tailpiece. A photo from Wegow clearly shows her with this iconic guitar, highlighting its role in her influential career.

In this video at minute 00:34 you can see an old Gibson GA-8T.