Gibson 1987 Les Paul Standard '60 RI "Duran Duran" Artwork by Patrick Nagel & Painted by Greg Rich ©1990

Gibson 1987 Les Paul Standard '60 RI "Duran Duran"

Custom Shop Original

Painted by Greg Rich ©1990.

Artwork by Patrick Nagel.

EMG style passive pickups & Black Hardware.

Painted and signed by Greg Rich with Patrick Nagel's illustration used by Duran Duran for the 7-inch Japanese Single "My Own Way" released in November 1981 by Toshiba-EMI.

Patrick Nagel

Nagel's first attempt, known as "NC 9", was rejected for the LP album RIO, but was used for the picture sleeve of the 7" single "My Own Way" in Japan. This unique image has also finally been considered for the inner booklet of the 2001 gatefold cardboard CD remaster RIO Album.

Patrick Nagel signed the illustration for Duran Duran LP "RIO" released in May 1982. The "RIO" album became a gold record in the United States on March 1st 1983, a platinum record on April 26th 1983, and then a double platinum record.

Still in the United States, it ranked 6th on the Billboard 200 on June 5th, 1983. "RIO" will stay on the Billboard 200 for 129 weeks - almost two and a half years!!!

Patrick Nagel (November 25, 1945 – February 4, 1984) was an American artist and illustrator. He created popular illustrations on board, paper, and canvas, most of which emphasize the female form in a distinctive style, descended from Art Deco and Pop art.

He is best known for his illustrations for Playboy magazine and the pop music group Duran Duran, for whom he designed the cover of the best-selling album Rio, which has been acclaimed as one of the greatest album covers of all time.

Patrick Nagel

Greg Rich

Greg Rich's Era at Gibson (1987-93)

Greg Rich was hired by Gibson Guitar to manage the banjo division of its custom shop in Nashville, TN. Rich was only 31 years old at the time. Gibson entrusted him with the complete responsibility for custom and artwork, repair and manufacturing details.

During Rich’s tenure, Gibson’s sagging reputation was restored to its former glory.

Rich produced high-end, elegantly crated instruments to artists demanding specs.

Rich then went on to form Rich & Taylor, Dream Guitars. Rich handled the final stage of the guitars’ creation-finishing, engraving, binding-that turned the instruments into unique art.
His work has been profiled in half a dozen national magazines and almost as many art books.

The list of celebrities for whom he has designed or built guitars is quite literally star-studded: Gene Autry, Clint Black, Garth Brooks, James Burton, Little Jimmy Dickens, Holly Dunn, Stonewall Jackson, John Jorgenson, Paul McCartney, Sonny Osborne, Dolly Parton, Earl Scruggs, Frank Sinatra, Slash, Hank Snow, George Straight, Marty Stuart, Travis Tritt, Steven Tyler, Roy Rogers, Porter Wagoner, Hank Williams Jr. and many more.
Steve Evans and Ron Middlebrook feature Greg’s guitars in their book “Cowboy Guitars”.

Greg is truly is a legendary designer and luthier. Many of his creations are featured in galleries and museums as well as in the collections of the world's foremost instrument aficionados.

As a woodworker, engraver, painter and freehand artist, Greg has pushed the limits of design (and sometimes taste) with his elaborate creations. He’s never been one to follow trends, consider boundaries or repeat himself with his work.

You can admire another exceptional guitar by Greg Rich on guitarmotel by clicking on the following link:

https://guitarmotel.net/guitar/fender-1997-stratocaster-aluminum-egyptian-masterbuilt-by-greg-rich/

Please also have a look at this very interesting video regarding Greg Rich who was Inducted in 2021 for Design & Manufacture in the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQkJ8oCNx8Y