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 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

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.