Behold the latest curated, authenticated, and certified instruments from the Gibson Certified Vintage program
Gibson has revealed its first selection of Gibson Certified Vintage instruments for 2025, offering collectors and enthusiasts an unprecedented opportunity to own rare, authenticated treasures from the company’s storied past. This array is largely prototypes from the 1980s, the dawn of shred.
Mitch Conrad, Gibson Certified Vintage Manager, says, “Our legacy is rich with innovation, and this collection showcases a fascinating era of unique, experimental designs. One standout is the Q Series Prototype—the missing link between the Victory and Q Series guitars, with features from both instruments and an unreleased Gibson vibrato system. For the first time, fans have the chance to own these wildly cool prototypes, direct from the Gibson Vault.”
Back in 2024, Gibson introduced other notable Certified Vintage drops, including vintage Epiphone models and some lovely ES™ instruments to close out the year. Gibson’s meticulous certification process ensures every instrument is authenticated to the highest standards. Each certified vintage guitar also comes complete with exclusive extras that elevate the entire ownership experience. Dive into the latest offerings in more detail below.
1983 Gibson Q Series Prototype
This prototype bridges Gibson’s early 80s Victory Series and the later Q Series, combining a Victory-style body with a Q Series neck and headstock. It features an HSS pickup configuration, a prototype Gibson roller bridge and vibrato system, and a rough-cut pickguard, indicating its early developmental stage.
A “Gibson Original Prototype” decal on the back of the headstock confirms its pre-production status. The guitar shows light wear on the body and headstock but remains clean overall, retaining its original roller bridge, vibrato, Gibson-branded Schaller tuners, and Dirty Fingers™ bridge humbucker™. It ships in its original black Gibson rectangle case.
1983 Gibson Challenger Prototype
This rare prototype reflects Gibson’s early 80s aim to deliver an affordable, player-focused guitar without compromising craftsmanship. Modeled after a solid maple Les Paul™ body, it has a bolt-on maple neck and a single-pickup configuration.
The absence of a silkscreened Gibson logo and the impressed “PROTO” stamp on the back of the headstock confirm its pre-production status. It shows light nicks, dings, and finish checking, and retains its original Schaller Wraparound bridge, Gibson Deluxe tuners, and Challenger bridge pickup. It ships in its original Gibson first-generation Protector case.
1984 Gibson Q200 Prototype
Built during a time of rapid change in music and guitar design, the Q200 Prototype embodies Gibson’s response to the faster, heavier sounds of the 1980s. It features a sculpted mahogany body, 24.75” scale length, and dual pickups for versatility, with a rounded headstock differing from later “scimitar” designs.
A “Gibson Original Prototype” decal on the back of the headstock affirms its pre-production status. The guitar exhibits very light checking and slight yellowing but remains in excellent condition, retaining its original Kahler® Flyer bridge, Gibson-branded Schaller tuners, a P-90 neck pickup, and a Dirty Fingers humbucker in the bridge position. It ships in its original black Gibson rectangle case.
1984 Gibson Q300 Prototype
Another product of Gibson’s 80s design exploration, this Q300 Prototype features a mahogany body, 24.75” scale length, and a triple-P-90 pickup configuration for clarity and punch. The “Gibson Original Prototype” decal on the headstock confirms its pre-production status, and it includes a vibrato cavity that was slightly enlarged and then filled for a more secure fit. This example represents Gibson’s continued drive to refine its Q Series instruments with performance-focused hardware and electronics.
1985 Gibson Explorer XPL Prototype
Updating the classic Explorer™ for the mid-80s rock and metal scene, the Explorer XPL Prototype sports a sculpted three-piece mahogany body, maple top, and a Cherry Sunburst finish. A “Gibson Original Prototype” decal on the headstock confirms its pre-production status, and the guitar displays checking throughout.
Despite lower frets, it still plays well and retains its original Dirty Fingers pickups, Grover® Mini Rotomatics® tuners, and Tune-O-Matic™ bridge with a Stop Bar tailpiece. It ships in its original black Gibson rectangle case.
1985 Gibson Spirit II XPL Prototype
From the Gibson Vault, this rare Spirit II XPL Prototype highlights Gibson’s 80s experimentation with faster playability and high-performance electronics. Built with a mahogany body and glued-in neck, it is equipped with humbuckers for classic Gibson warmth and clarity.
The “Gibson Original Prototype” decal confirms its pre-production status, and it shows checking, finish wear around some tuners, and a partially rubbed-off logo. Original features include a Schaller Wraparound 455 bridge, Grover Mini Rotomatics tuners, and gold Speed knobs, and it ships in a Gibson Premium Softshell case.
1986 Gibson US-1 Prototype
Designed to appeal to modern rock and fusion players, the 1986 US-1 Prototype combines Gibson craftsmanship with sleeker, high-performance features. Its poplar body with Chromyte (balsa) added has a maple top and back, resulting in a lightweight yet resonant instrument. The neck has a 25.5” scale and is adorned with split-diamond inlays.
The “Gibson Original Prototype” decal confirms its status, and the guitar has minimal checking, light nicks, and dings. The middle pickup was rewound by Gibson Pickups Product Manager, Jared Brandon, and it retains its original Grover Mini Rotomatics, Tune-O-Matic bridge, and coil tap button. It ships in its original black Gibson rectangle case.
1987 Gibson U-2
Responding to the late 1980s demand for speed and modern hardware, the U-2 catered to players favoring Floyd Rose®-style vibrato systems. This early version shares features with the US-1, including a raised Flying V™-style headstock logo and a sharper scimitar headstock.
It shows light nicks, dings, and finish checking, with a neck pickup rewound by Jared Brandon. Retaining its original licensed Floyd Rose vibrato, Grover Rotomatics, and black Speed knobs, the U-2 embodies Gibson’s high-performance design ethos of the era. It ships in its original black Gibson rectangle case.
