Gibson Honors Trailblazing Music Icon, the One-And-Only Mary Ford with a Les Paul Standard in a Stunning Goldtop finish

Mary Ford and Les Paul pose with their Gibson Les Paul guitars.

Photo credit: Les Paul Foundation.

Download assets for the Mary Ford Les Paul Standard, credit Gibson HERE.

Explore the Mary Ford Collection HERE.

Watch/share Gibson’s short documentary, "The History of Mary Ford" HERE.

Trailblazer and Music Icon, Gibson is proud to honor the One-And-Only, Mary Ford.

NASHVILLE, TN (November 12, 2024) As it celebrates 130 years of music history, Gibson, the iconic and leading global instrument brand, continues to shape sound across generations and genres of music for over a century, becoming one of the most relevant, played, and loved music brands around the world. In the 1940s and 50s, when women were consigned to managing their family homes, Mary Ford, who would have celebrated her 100th birthday in 2024, was a trailblazing music icon. An accomplished guitarist, vocalist, and actress who was one of the biggest recording artists of the early 1950s, Gibson is proud to honor Mary Ford with the release of the new Mary Ford Les Paul Standard. The Mary Ford Les Paul Standard in Goldtop finish is available worldwide now at authorized Gibson dealers and on www.gibson.com. As part of the new Mary Ford Collection, Gibson is offering an Oxford Pennant, a bandanna, and a t-shirt from Nashville-based design brand imogene + willie, view the Mary Ford Collection: HERE.

“I am thrilled that Mom is receiving this recognition for her talents,” says Mary Colleen Wess (daughter of Mary Ford and Les Paul). “I wish she was still with us to enjoy this wonderful honor, which she so richly deserves. Thank you so much, Gibson!”

Through her successful early career in country music and her connections with Gene Autry and Eddie Dean, Mary Ford–who was born Iris Colleen Summers on July 7, 1924–developed a musical partnership with the Gibson icon Les Paul that led to their marriage in 1949. In 1951 alone, the duo sold over six million records, and between 1950 and 1954, they recorded a string of 16 top-ten hits that showcased Mary’s rich, smooth voice, complex, perfectly executed harmonies that she sang along with herself through multi track recording and overdubbing (a groundbreaking recording technique for the time), while her versatile guitar playing seamlessly blended country, jazz, and pop.

Explore the Mary Ford Les Paul Standard from Gibson HERE, and view the full Mary Ford Collection HERE.

Mary Ford Les Paul Standard from Gibson. Photo credit, Gibson.

In 1951, Mary and Les influenced the design of the ES-295 hollowbody with a custom order, which Mary often used. In 1958, it is believed that one Les Paul™ Goldtop model with an ES-295-style floral pickguard and matching armrest was created at the request of Mary Ford. Now, Gibson is honored to release this Mary Ford Les Paul Standard, based on that one-of-a-kind original guitar. The Goldtop finish is accented by a Vintage Cherry back—a rarity for a Goldtop model. In addition to the cream and gold floral pickguard and armrest, it also features a mahogany body with a maple cap, a mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard and SlimTaper™ profile and is powered by a pair of Burstbucker™ pickups, with a Burstbucker 2 in the neck position and a Burstbucker 3 in the bridge position. A hardshell guitar case completes this offering that honors one of the most pioneering, beloved and innovative artists of the 20th century.

Watch/share Gibson’s short documentary “The History of Mary Ford” –a celebration of her fearless innovation, creative genius, technical prowess, and the timeless influence of a woman who helped redefine the boundaries of music, HERE.

Gibson’s short documentary, “The History of Mary Ford,” features Gibson artist Emily Wolfe performing one of Les Paul and Mary Ford’s hit songs titled “Sitting on Top of The World” on the new Mary Ford Les Paul Standard guitar from Gibson.

Click on the image to watch the Mary Ford short documentary.

Mary Ford

Photo credit: Les Paul Foundation.

Mary Ford and Les Paul working in the studio

Photo credit: Les Paul Foundation.

Mary Ford and Les Paul in a Gibson advertisement with their Gibson Les Paul guitars.

Image credit: Gibson archives.

Mary Ford Les Paul Standard from Gibson. Photo credit, Gibson.

Close-up of the body of the Mary Ford Les Paul Standard from Gibson. Photo credit, Gibson.

Front headstock image of Mary Ford Les Paul Standard from Gibson. Photo credit, Gibson.

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About Gibson:

Gibson, the leading iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for 130 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand, MESA/Boogie, the home of tone, KRK, behind great music for over 30 years, and Maestro, the founder of effect pedals. Gibson is dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by all Gibson brands. Explore more at Gibson.com, Gibson App, and on Gibson TV, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and visit us at the Gibson Garage Nashville and the Gibson Garage London.