The “Giffin Outlaw Guitar Collection”, a fascinating array of unauthorized Gibson Custom Shop guitars, built in secret by Roger Giffin and Brett Allen from 1988 to 1990, will be sold in a seven-day auction on ANALOGr.com starting October 20, 2026. An invite-only private viewing event will be held in Los Angeles on October 24.
Brett Allen (l) and Roger Giffin with the Outlaw Collection
The collection has been the subject of rumors for years. These are not factory-authorized models, and the Gibson marks on the headstock were not company-approved.
Yet these are true Custom Shop instruments defined by their uniqueness and experimental construction. The most notable pieces include four hollow-body Les Paul's, purpose-built to capture a Gretsch-like resonance, which feature full internal carving and specialized, remote-mounted bridges to eliminate feedback from the highly resonant tops. The collection also includes two Les Paul baritones, one of which featured 1954 P90 pickups. Other rarities include a Goldtop 12-string Les Paul, requiring a custom 12-way intonated bridge for studio precision, and a flashy custom Les Paul with three P90s, finished in an eye-popping Gretsch gold sparkle.
The story behind the Outlaw guitars:
In 1988, master luthier Roger Giffin became head of Gibson’s West Coast Custom Shop in Los Angeles. He was already renowned for a client list that included Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Eddie Van Halen, David Gilmour, Paul McCartney, Pete Townshend, and Keith Richards. In LA Giffin met Brett Allen, a guitar tech for AC/DC and Paul Simon and owner of Brett Allen Studio Rentals.
The two shared a singular, subversive vision: to create one-off Gibsons that deliberately shattered Gibson's established design constraints. Operating in secret after hours and on weekends, Giffin tapped into Gibson's Nashville wood stash and parts supply to clandestinely build the "Outlaw Collection."
“All of the guitars were made by me,” says Giffin. “They were done kind of outside of regular work hours. They would give me anything I asked for basically.”
These instruments were a direct rebellion against the company line, incorporating forbidden elements like Gretsch sparkle finishes and experimental hollow-body constructions. Their unauthorized work could have cost them their careers, a danger so real that Allen stashed the entire collection hidden under his bed for decades before finally unveiling these guitars.
The auction includes these featured lots and estimates:
- 1989 Gibson Les Paul Baritone, Giffin-built #1: $75,000–$150,000
- 1990 Gibson Les Paul 12-String Standard Goldtop, Giffin-built: $25,000–$50,000
- 1989 Gibson Les Paul Full Hollowbody with f-holes, Cherry Red: $25,000–$50,000
- 1990 Gibson Firebird V, Pelham Blue (1963 replica), Giffin-built: $25,000–$50,000
- 1989 Gibson Flying V, all gold (1976 replica), Giffin-built: $25,000–$50,000
- 1989 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop (1956 replica), Giffin-built: $25,000–$50,000
- 1989 Gibson Les Paul Jr. (1958 replica), Giffin-built: $25,000–$50,000
- 1989 Gibson Les Paul Baritone, Giffin-built, second ever built: $25,000–$50,000
- 1989 Gibson Les Paul Gold Sparkle Triple P-90: $25,000–$50,000
- 1999 Giffin Baritone Acoustic, #1 of 4 built: $10,000–$20,000
- 1989 Gibson Chet Atkins SST Bass, Goldtop, Giffin-built: $10,000–$20,000
- 1989 Gibson Chet Atkins SST, Goldtop, Giffin-built: $10,000–$20,000
The Giffin Outlaw Guitar Collection goes to auction beginning October 20, 2026. Space at the private viewing on October 24 is limited. Text 323-600-5715 to reserve a spot and get location details. To bid on the collection visit The Outlaw Custom Shop Guitar Collection.
Giffin Outlaw Guitar Collection
The “Giffin Outlaw Guitar Collection”, a fascinating array of unauthorized Gibson Custom Shop guitars, built in secret by Roger Giffin and Brett Allen from 1988 to 1990, will be sold in a seven-day auction on ANALOGr.com starting October 20, 2026. An invite-only private viewing event will be held in Los Angeles on October 24.
