Mary Ford and Les Paul's 1961 Gibson SG Sells for $90K on "Pawn Stars"

News
By published

The Pawn Stars guys couldn't believe their luck when the nephew of singer Mary Ford walked into their shop with a piece of history: a cream 1961 Gibson SG that was once owned by guitar innovator, and Ford's ex-husband, Les Paul.

The nephew even brought paperwork that documents Paul's on-again, off-again relationship with Gibson.

"You're getting history here," said the nephew, and that history cost Pawn Stars' Rick and Corey Harrison a cool $90,000. That was the price he had in mind, and he wasn't backing down.

For more about the guitar, watch the video here (Sorry -- we couldn't embed it in the story this time).

Damian Fanelli
Damian Fanelli
Editor-in-Chief, Guitar World

Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.

More about electric guitars
Heritage Guitars Custom Shop Core Collection H-137: pictured here in TV Yellow, this LP Special-a-like is a seriously fun and well put together single-cut.

“If you’re in the market for a single-cut on steroids with vintage charm, this is the one to wield”: Heritage Guitars Custom Shop Core Collection H-137 review
Joe Satriani Bananas Private Collection 2025

“When I saw it, I couldn’t believe how cool it was”: Joe Satriani is selling one of his rarest guitars – an ultra-ambitious Ibanez Y2K Crystal Planet prototype
Shane Fontayne playing a blue Stratocaster guitar onstage in 2019

“I remember watching when The Edge started Where the Streets Have No Name. When Bono came out, I swear I saw a halo around his head!” Shane Fontayne on being mentored by Mick Ronson, joining the Boss' Other band and playing Stairway for Jimmy Page
See more latest
Most Popular
Left- Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen performs on stage at Concord Pavilion on July 9, 2015 in Concord, California; Center-Ted Nugent performs at DTE Energy Music Theater on August 31, 2019 in Clarkston, Michigan; Right-Billy Gibbons of Billy F. Gibbons and the BFG's performs at Blue Note Hawaii on January 17, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawaii
“Who doesn't want to hear the recording of Ted Nugent and Eddie Van Halen jamming?” Ted Nugent's colossal archive includes sessions with EVH, Billy Gibbons and the Mothers of Invention
Fender Stratocasters propped up against a wall in a guitar store
“It went wrong since Corona”: Bax Music, one of Europe’s largest musical instrument retailers, files for bankruptcy and ceases operations
American singer Chaka Khan performs on stage during the Montreux Jazz Festival Miami at The Hangar at Regatta Harbour on March 01, 2025 in Miami, Florida
“If you’re youngish, cute-ish and can play that axe, you’re for me”: Chaka Khan is holding open auditions to find a new guitar player – but she’s got some very specific requirements
Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders performs onstage at the 2023 Ohana Festival held at Doheny State Beach on October 1, 2023 in Dana Point, California
“I walked in and said, ‘Can I get that guitar, the one at the end there?’ He looked at the name on the credit card and then looked up at me”: Chrissie Hynde on that one time she bought her own signature guitar off the shelf
Andy Summers of the Police performs on stage at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois, July 23, 1984 / Robert Fripp of King Crimson at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, June 22, 1984
“I wasn’t into King Crimson at all. Definitely not my kind of music”: How Andy Summers formed one of the 1980s’ most unlikely guitar partnerships with Robert Fripp – despite not being especially keen on some of his work
Sterling by Music Man Joe Dart signature bass
“Affordable versions of the three best basses I've ever held in my hands”: Sterling by Music Man completes its trilogy of Joe Dart signature models with a trio of made-to-order basses that cost less than $500
Fake Stryman HolySky pedal
“Blurs your bassist so the mix stays focused on where it really matters”: From feline fuzz pedals to Bootsy Jooce, the April Fools Day guitar gags are out in full force this year – and we've rounded up the best
Trump Guitars
“After his successful election, we sell this kind of guitar in the U.S. We once got an order with 12,000 guitars”: New documentary appears to confirm that Trump Guitars are being manufactured in China
Donner Hush-I Pro
“The all-in-one music creation companion”: Donner’s HUSH-I PRO offers built-in FX and onboard IRs – and it could be the ultimate travel guitar
Joe Satriani Bananas Private Collection 2025
“When I saw it, I couldn’t believe how cool it was”: Joe Satriani is selling one of his rarest guitars – an ultra-ambitious Ibanez Y2K Crystal Planet prototype