1959 Gibson Melody Maker: The First-Year Single-Cutaway Student Solidbody

The 1959 Gibson Melody Maker is the first year of Gibson’s budget student solidbody, a single-cutaway, single-pickup slab-mahogany guitar styled after the Les Paul Junior but noticeably thinner. As the launch year and the start of the rarer single-cutaway era, clean, all-original 1959 examples sit near the top of the Melody Maker range. Edgewater Guitars buys vintage Gibson solidbodies nationwide with free, no-pressure appraisals. Call or text (440) 219-3607.

Last Updated: July 2026

What Makes the 1959 Gibson Melody Maker Significant?

• First year of production: Gibson launched the Melody Maker in 1959 as an affordable, entry-level solidbody, and it quickly became one of its best-selling guitars through the 1960s.

• Single-cutaway slab body: the original body shape, a thinner take on the Les Paul Junior silhouette, discontinued after 1961.

• Narrow single-coil pickup: a single narrow single-coil pickup, distinct from the wider P-90 used on other Gibson budget guitars of the era.

• Mahogany body and neck, rosewood board: simple, honest, workhorse construction.

• The rarer of the two 1959-1960 configurations: Gibson also introduced the two-pickup Melody Maker D late in 1959, but full-volume production of that variant did not begin until 1960, so most true 1959s are the original single-pickup guitar.

What Is a 1959 Gibson Melody Maker Worth? (2026 Reference Value)

Edgewater has not yet completed a purchase on a 1959 Melody Maker that we can cite as a real paid figure, so the range below reflects our estimate of what a fair, honest buyer typically pays for a clean, all-original example, once you account for the inflated asking prices you will often see in online listings.

Reference value for a clean, all-original 1959 Melody Maker: $1,400-$2,100.

Replaced pickups, a refinish, or repairs move that figure down significantly. See our full Melody Maker value guide for how other years and the two-pickup D variant compare.

How to Identify a 1959 Gibson Melody Maker

Confirm the single-cutaway slab body and single pickup first, then verify the year with our Gibson serial number lookup and our Melody Maker dating guide.

Sell Your 1959 Gibson Melody Maker

Edgewater Guitars buys vintage Gibson Melody Makers nationwide with free, no-pressure appraisals and fair, honest offers. To sell yours, request a free estimate.

Is a single-cutaway Melody Maker worth more than a double-cutaway?

Generally yes. The single-cutaway body was only produced from 1959 into 1961, making it the rarer and more sought-after configuration compared to the double-cutaway that followed.

How much is my 1959 Melody Maker worth?

A clean, all-original 1959 Melody Maker is generally worth $1,400 to $2,100 as a reference point. Replaced pickups, a refinish, or repairs move that figure down. Send photos for a specific, honest appraisal.

See also: Melody Maker value guide and our Melody Maker dating guide.