Introducing the Leo Scala Master Artisan Theodore Retroliner Gold Mist AbsintheA Unique, Original Master Artisan Guitar With a Distinctive, Creative Spirit
Gibsons legendary former president Theodore Ted McCarty, helped develop some of the most iconic electric guitars ever during the 1950s and early 1960s, including the Les Paul, Flying V, and Explorer. He enjoyed sketching new instrument ideas during meetings, and the height of his creative output was in 1957 when he sought to modernize Gibsons electric guitar designs significantly. On March 18, 1957, Ted detailed and signed his drawing for a new solid body instrument which was never produced until the Gibson Custom shop introduced a limited run of this model, named Theodore in honor of Ted, which was released on March 18, 2022 – exactly 65 years from the day that Ted originally sketched out the design. Since then, Gibson has also introduced a Theodore model as part of its USA-built core lineup.
Having created a single Theodore Retroliner model as part of one of his previous Master Artisan releases in cooperation with Gibson Custom, Master Artisan Leo Scala has now created a new series of ten Master Artisan interpretations of the Gibson Theodore. Like their Leo Scala-crafted predecessor, each one is distinctive, individual, and absolutely one-of-a-kind. Leo took the Theodore and added his own creative touches to the design and created gorgeous works of art that are designed to play and sound as good as they look. He started by imagining that the Theodore was actually released in 1957 or 1958, and like some other Gibson models, was subtly revised and changed over the years with different pickup configurations and custom colors and then subjected to the finish and playing wear that comes with the longtime use of a well-loved guitar; thus creating the non-existent past of a vintage designa contemporary of the Flying V and Explorerthat was never made until very recently.
Leos approach to their aesthetic was to combine classic looks with hot rod-inspired elements, along with the thoughtful details that are a hallmark of his work. The Theodore Retroliner Gold Mist Absinthes nitrocellulose lacquer finish was hand-applied and meticulously hand-aged by the Master Artisan, as was the aged hardware. He used classic and custom finish colors, relic treatments, and added his own unique artistic elements. Leos custom coloration process for the plastics actually infuses the color into the parts, so the colorations wont rub off with use. McCartys original drawing inspired the pickguard shape. It incorporates elements of the ES-335 and Les Paul Special pickguards. It also brings a similarly angled accent to the Theodore Retroliners body that the angled scimitar headstock gives to the other end of the guitar.
The hot rod ethos applies to more than just appearances. Not only does Leo bring elements of the hot rod aesthetic to these Theodore Retroliners, but he also brings a hot rod-style performance approach to each guitar. The pickupsthe engines of the Theodore Retrolinersare Leo Scala custom hand-wound Retrophonic models, with a Patent Applied For-style humbucker in the bridge position and a Soapbar P-90 in the neck. Each pickup is one-of-a-kind and unique, with different magnet types and strengths and differing amounts of winds on the bobbins, and each pickup pair was specifically made to work together; the middle position of each guitar has a unique sound, and both pickups, including the Retrophonic Soapbar P-90, are height-adjustable so that Leo could adjust their positions for optimal performance and tone. Each Theodore Retroliner is a unique guitar that wont sound quite like any other guitarincluding another Theodore or Theodore Retroliner.
Other performance enhancements include modifications to the ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and Bigsby B7 vibrato tailpiece. The bridge has a custom dog bone base that prevents it from moving when you use the Bigsby, and the Bigsby itself has been modified so that the arm can rotate fully, allowing you to position the vibrato arm over the strings so that you can palm and manipulate it while simultaneously picking. Additionally, the Bigsby B7 is mounted so that it is pulled out and angled at the back (where its rounded) so that you can use the end of the Bigsby as a stand.
Playability is crucially important to performance, and Leo made sure this Theodore Retroliner handles like a dream. The comfortable C-profile neck was shaped and rounded per Leos customizations to give it a well-played-in feel, and Leos custom oiled neck finish is incredibly smooth in the hand and fast-playing. While truly a work of art, this isnt just a show guitar that is designed to sit in a display case; its meant to be used to make music, and considerable care has been given to optimize its sound, feel, and playability. This very special Master Artisan-built Theodore Retroliner Gold Mist Absinthe is a one-of-a-kind example of this exciting model. As a unique work of playable art, it holds a lifetime of music and inspiration thats just waiting to be explored and enjoyed.
THE LEO SCALA THEODORE RETROLINER GOLD MIST ABSINTHE
FULLY FUNCTIONAL, UNMISTAKABLY GIBSON, ONE OF A KIND. EVERY DETAIL OBSESSIVELY CONCEIVED, CUSTOMIZED, AND HANDMADE. INCLUDING THE SOUND.
Alder Body with Walnut Center Strip
Mahogany Neck; C-Profile with Leo Scala Custom Oiled Finish. Shaped and Rounded Per Leos Customizations to Give it a Well-played-in Feel
Indian Rosewood Fretboard
22 Historic Gibson Narrow/Tall Frets
Finish Hand Lacquered and Custom Aged by the Master Artisan
Kluson Six In-Line Tuners with White Oval Buttons
Master Artisan Aged Hardware
Custom Aged Pickguard, Control Cover, and Switchwasher
Black Top Hat with Silver Insert Knobs with Dial Pointers
Black Pickup Selector Switch Cap
Raised Metal Gibson Headstock Logo
Custom-infused Plastics Colors That Wont Wear Off with Use
Bigsby B7 Vibrato with Leo Scala Modifications
ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic Bridge with Custom Dog Bone Base; Remains Steady When Using the Bigsby
Leo Scala Custom Hand-wound Retrophonic Vault 59 Patent Applied For-style Bridge Pickup with Alnico 2 Magnet, 8.45 k DC Resistance
Leo Scala Custom Hand-wound Retrophonic Soapbar P-90 Neck Pickup with Dual Alnico 5 Magnets, 7.9 k DC Resistance
50s-style Wiring, 550k VIPots Potentiometers, and Custom Bumblebee Capacitors
Custom G&G Hardshell Case with Leo Scala-Aged Hardware and Embroidered Gibson Logo Inside
Custom-made Certificate of Authenticity Box from Leo Scala
Unconditional Satisfaction Guarantee
