Learn the History of the Gibson Les Paul with Oda

The Gibson Les Paul.
It exudes a powerful presence among electric guitars and remains beloved by many musicians today as the very epitome of the electric guitar. Its history is long, and it is no exaggeration to say that modern music would not exist without this instrument.

While Les Pauls may look similar at first glance, their specifications and design philosophies actually vary significantly depending on the model and era. Standard, Custom, Junior, Special, etc.—each has its own distinct role and character.

Delving deeper into its history reveals the evolution of Gibson as a manufacturer, with the changing music scenes and production systems of each era strongly reflected in the guitars. The maturation of the 1950s, the transition of the 1960s, and the streamlining of the 1970s—the Les Paul has always been in a state of flux.

Guitars that share the same name yet possess entirely different personalities. By understanding these differences, you’ll be able to more clearly identify the one that’s right for you.

Gibson’s Founder

Orville H. Gibson

1856: Born in New York State as the son of John Gibson, a British immigrant

1902: Founded The Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Company, Limited in Kalamazoo

　Orville, a mandolin maker, adopted a carved top and back structure similar to that of a violin rather than the bowl-back (lute-style) design that was mainstream at the time, and this is said to have become the foundation of Gibson guitar design philosophy.

1918: Died (aged 62)

　After his death, Gibson developed archtop guitars, laying the foundation for the company’s current status as a guitar manufacturer.

His name was Les Paul

Les Paul (Lester Williams Polfus)

1915: Born in Wisconsin
1930s: Active as a jazz and country guitarist
1937: Les, holding a Super 400, appears in a Gibson catalog
1941: Created an experimental solid-body guitar, commonly known as “The Log,” by mounting pickups on a 4x4-inch square timber
1951: Signed an endorsement contract with Gibson. Agreed to “never play any guitar other than a Gibson in public” and to “serve as a consultant for Gibson”
1952: The Les Paul Gold Top is released
1963: Contract with Gibson ends. For a time, the name “Les Paul” disappears
1980s–1990s: Relationship with Gibson was restored. Models supervised by him and signature models were released
2009: Passed away (aged 94)

The Background of the Les Paul Guitar’s Creation

In the 1930s and 1940s, hollow-body and archtop guitars were the mainstream. The tide turned in the 1950s.
In the 1950s, influenced by the success of Fender’s Telecaster, Gibson also planned to enter the solid-body electric guitar market.
They signed a contract with Les Paul, who was both a musician and an engineer, leading to the debut of the Les Paul Model—the beginning of a legend.

Les Paul Standard

The quintessential Les Paul. This model can be considered the archetype of the Les Paul.

Main Specifications
・Maple top + mahogany back
・2 humbuckers
・Rosewood fingerboard

The flame maple burst finish is iconic. It combines the crisp attack of maple with the rich, resonant low-to-midrange of mahogany. It strikes a perfect balance between richness and sustain, making it the quintessential embodiment of the "Les Paul sound."

1952

Birth of the Original Les Paul

Body: Maple top / Mahogany back
Neck: 1-piece mahogany
Pickups: P-90

Gibson's first solid-body guitar.
It was released in 1952 as Les Paul’s signature model.
Originally a Goldtop

Photo shows a replaced tailpiece

Fun Fact♪ "Why was it gold?"

It originates from a gold-finished hollow-body guitar that Gibson made just once in 1951. This guitar was commissioned by Les himself; reportedly, it was a gift for a friend who was bedridden in the hospital.

1954

A 1954 model featuring a bar bridge

1956

The '56 model, featuring the Tune-O-Matic saddle and equipped with P-90 pickups, can be considered the definitive form of the Les Paul

1957

Body: Maple top / Mahogany back
Neck: 1-piece mahogany
Pickups: P-490 (= P.A.F.)

It is equipped with a humbucking pickup (P-490) developed by Seth Lover. Because the P-490 bears a "PATENT APPLIED FOR" sticker indicating that a patent was pending, it is commonly referred to as a "PAF."

Fun Fact♪ "Seth Lover"

Joined Gibson in 1945. The humbucker was developed to address noise issues with the P-90.
For more details on Seth Lover, click here

That covers the Goldtop.
For detailed information on Les Paul models from 1954 to 1958, see this article!
Column: "Vintage Guitar, Chapter 2: Gibson Les Paul"

1958–1960

During the Goldtop era, the model was often listed in catalogs simply as "Les Paul Guitar." Starting with the Sunburst model released in 1958, the model name "Les Paul Standard" began to be used. The term "Burst" commonly refers to the Les Paul Standard models manufactured between 1958 and 1960. These guitars were produced in very limited numbers and are highly sought-after.

Fun Fact♪ "The Guitar Heroes Who Sparked the Les Paul Craze"

When discussing the Les Paul, the presence of the guitar heroes who defined their eras is absolutely essential. For example, Eric Clapton, who created the "Burst" legend in the 1960s. The exquisite tone he produced when paired with a Marshall amp left a lasting impression on guitarists of that time. And we mustn’t forget Jimmy Page, who famously played his Bursts—affectionately known as "No. 1" and "No. 2."Fast forward to the late 1980s. In an era dominated by flashy component guitars, it was Slash of Guns N' Roses who reignited the Les Paul's popularity by playing it with a low-slung stance.

Without them, the Les Paul’s standing today might be completely different.

1961

Body: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Pickups: Humbuckers
Changed to SG shape.

Encouraged by the strong sales of the Les Paul Junior and other manufacturers’ solid-body guitars, Gibson decided to make bold changes to the Les Paul model. Production of the single-cut Les Paul Standard was temporarily discontinued at this point.

In 1963, due to the termination of the contract with Les Paul, the model name was changed to SG.

Fun Fact♪ "Model Names"

The model name "SG" stands for Solid Guitar. Incidentally, the "ES" in models like the ES-335 stands for Electric Spanish, and the "EB" in models like the EB-2 stands for Electric Bass.

1968

The Les Paul Standard makes a comeback.

Body: Maple top / Mahogany back
Neck: Mahogany
Pickups: P-90
This is the first reissue model to recreate the ‘56–‘57 Goldtop.

Fun Fact♪ “The Inspiration Behind the Les Paul Revival”

In 1967, Keith Richards and Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, who had attended one of Les’s solo concerts, visited him in his dressing room and reportedly told him, “Many guitarists admire you, and they’re buying up the legendary 1950s Les Pauls.”

This prompted Les to contact Gibson, and Les and Gibson signed a new contract.

Early 1970s

With the introduction of the Les Paul Deluxe (discussed later), it disappeared from the regular lineup, though it continued to be manufactured as a custom model.

  *Only 25 units of the 1971 model were shipped

1976

Body: Maple top / Mahogany-maple laminate (= pancake body) Neck: 3-piece maple

Models equipped with humbuckers—which had been made to order since around 1974—were officially listed in the catalog as the Les Paul Standard.

The Sunburst finish was also revived, and starting in 1978, color variations such as Natural and Wine Red began to be offered.

Fun Fact♪ "The 'Norlin Era' That Tickles the Hearts of Enthusiasts"

From around 1969 to 1986, when Gibson’s parent company was “Norlin,” we guitar enthusiasts affectionately refer to this era as the “Norlin Era.” Features such as the pancake body, the volute designed to reinforce the back of the neck, and the three-piece maple neck are hallmarks of this era. Although it was a time of streamlining aimed at mass production and improved durability, the hard, tight sound unique to this period remains deeply popular today as an indispensable characteristic of 1970s rock!

1979

Les Paul Standard CMT
Body: Curly Maple Top / 1-Piece Mahogany Back
Neck: 3-piece maple

Around this time, as the popularity of vintage guitars rose, a flood of reissue models began to appear.

This model was produced in limited quantities at the Kalamazoo factory and features a curly maple top.

Fun Fact♪ "Kalamazoo"

Kalamazoo is the name of a city in Michigan, USA. It served as Gibson’s headquarters from the 1890s, when the company was founded, until the mid-1980s.In the early 1980s, a new factory began operations in Nashville, Tennessee. To modernize production methods, the Kalamazoo factory was closed in 1984, and the move to Nashville was completed. Incidentally, the skilled craftsmen who remained at the Kalamazoo factory and left Gibson continued making guitars under the Heritage Guitars brand.

1980

Les Paul Heritage 80 Standard
Body: 2-piece maple top / 1-piece mahogany back
Neck: 3-piece mahogany

A Standard model bearing the "Heritage" name, designed to return to the roots.

1982

Les Paul Standard 82
Body: Flamed maple top / 1-piece mahogany back
Neck: 1-piece mahogany

The Standard 82 was released as part of the Heritage lineage. The Heritage series was discontinued around 1983, and the Kalamazoo factory closed around 1984.

This series, representing a return to the roots, would later evolve into the Custom Shop/Historic Collection described below.

The photo shows the left-handed model

1987

Les Paul Standard ‘59 Reissue
A reissue that was revived as a model faithful to the ’59 style.

1993

The Gibson Custom Shop was established, and the “Historic Collection” series was launched. With this, the Les Paul Standard was positioned as the basic model.

Photo shows a 1993 model

2000s

Les Paul Standard Plus
Featuring a chambered body. The model was transformed into one incorporating the latest technologies, such as advanced hardware.

The photo shows a 2007 model

Fun Fact♪ "The Never-Ending Battle Between the Les Paul and 'Weight' (Weight Relief)"

When you think of a Les Paul, the first thing that comes to mind is “heavy!” (lol). Actually, Gibson has been battling this weight issue for years.

In the early 1980s, they introduced “Traditional Weight Relief” (commonly known as “Swiss Cheese”), which involved hollowing out the wood inside the body in a circular pattern.Since then, various innovations have been introduced over the years, such as the "chambered structure," which creates large cavities, and "Modern Weight Relief," which removes wood in slit-like patterns based on acoustic calculations. The fact that weight and natural resonance vary by model year is one of the interesting aspects of choosing a Les Paul.

2015

G-Force auto-tuner comes standard.

2019–

The lineup has been reorganized into the Original Collection and Modern Collection, featuring models based on specific eras such as the 50s and 60s.

Les Paul Custom

The Les Paul Custom debuted as a higher-end model than the Les Paul Standard.

Key Specifications
・Ebony fingerboard
・Block inlays
・Binding
・Most are black (Black Beauty)

Known affectionately as the "Black Beauty" for its luxurious finish and ebony fingerboard. The ebony fingerboard gives the sound a slightly sharper attack. Compared to the Standard model with a rosewood fingerboard, it has a more defined tone. It offers not only a premium look but also a slightly more modern sound character.

Fun Fact♪ “Black Beauty”

The drum manufacturer Ludwig also has a product with the same name!
Click here for details

1954

The Les Paul Custom is born
Body: One-piece mahogany
Neck: One-piece mahogany
Pickups: P-480/P-90

In contrast to the gold-top Standard model, this version debuted with a premium specification featuring a black finish and gold hardware. It was equipped with a P-480 (Alnico V) in the front and a P-90 in the rear, and featured a solid mahogany body, a one-piece mahogany neck, and an ebony fingerboard.

1956

No cosmetic changes other than the top hat knobs.

Fun Fact♪

This article introduces the 1956 Les Paul Custom that arrived at TCGAKKI.
Column: "1956 Gibson Les Paul Custom"

1961

Like the Standard, the model was redesigned with an SG shape. While specifications such as the three pickups, position marks, headstock inlays, and gold hardware were carried over, the color underwent a major transformation from black to white. The model name was also changed to SG Custom in 1963, just like the Standard.

Fun Fact♪ "Why? From Les Paul to SG"

In 1963, following the termination of the endorsement contract with Les Paul, the model name was changed from "Les Paul" to "SG." Since this was a transitional period, some instruments from this era still feature the "Les Paul" name on the truss rod cover.

1968

The Return of the Les Paul Custom
Body: 2-piece maple top / 1-piece mahogany back
Neck: 1-piece mahogany
Pickups: Humbuckers (sticker-numbered)

As the popularity of the Les Paul model grew, it was equipped with two humbuckers, just like the Standard. Unlike the 1950s models, the body featured a maple top and mahogany back.

1969

Body: Maple top / Mahogany-maple laminate (= Pancake body)
Neck: 3-piece mahogany

Specifications were updated, similar to other models. Changes included a larger headstock, a revised Gibson logo, and the addition of a neck volute. Because the ‘68 and ‘69 models were produced during a transitional period, individual guitars with mixed specifications are occasionally found.

Fun Fact♪ "Pancake Body"

A body with a laminated structure—where thin maple sheets are sandwiched between layers of mahogany—is commonly referred to as a “pancake body.” This design was used until around 1976.

1972

Les Paul Custom ’54
The 1954 reissue model was released. It featured a one-piece mahogany body, and the P-480 pickups were also reissued.

1974

Colors other than black became standard options even for the Custom model.

1975
Body: Pancake
Neck: 3-piece maple
Pickups: Stamped numbered

Following the move to the Nashville factory, specifications were revised alongside a review of each production process. The major difference is the maple neck. Additionally, the pickups transitioned from sticker-numbered to "engraved numbered," where the patent number Bass is directly stamped onto the plate.

1984

Body: 3-piece maple top / 1-piece mahogany back
Neck: 1-piece mahogany

In the 1980s, gorgeous specifications such as custom colors and flame tops began to be released as part of the regular lineup.

The photo shows the Pearl White color

1986

Riding the wave of the vintage boom, Gibson began reviving traditional specifications. While the mahogany neck made a comeback, the body top was made of maple, bringing it closer to the specifications of around 1968.

1990

A clear distinction was established between the Premium Line, which pursued a vintage aesthetic, and the Regular Line, which focused on modern playability.

1990s and beyond

Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom models became commercially available, and the Custom models in the regular line were gradually replaced by those from the Custom Shop.

  Pictured is a 1998 Historic Collection 1957 Les Paul Custom  

2004

Production of the standard line was discontinued after 2004.

  Pictured is a 2003 model  

Fun Fact♪ "The Depletion of Ebony and 'Richlite'"

The ebony fingerboard is synonymous with the Les Paul Custom, but for several years starting around 2012, securing high-quality wood became difficult due to environmental protection regulations (such as the Washington Convention), leading to a period when an artificial material called “Richlite” was used. It’s an eco-friendly material made by bonding paper fibers with resin, and it actually has a smooth playing feel and a hard, crisp tone very similar to ebony. Since this is a specification you’ll often encounter when searching for recent used Custom models, be sure to keep it in mind!

Les Paul Deluxe

The Les Paul Deluxe debuted shortly after the Les Paul body style was revived in 1968.

With a maple top and mahogany back, its specs are similar to the Standard, but its most distinctive feature is the mini humbucker. Smaller than a standard humbucker, it offers slightly lower output but excellent clarity and a well-defined tone. It excels at separation in clean and crunch tones, making it a perfect match for 70s rock, which is why it gained such popularity.

1969

Les Paul Deluxe Released Body: 3-piece maple top / Pancake body (mahogany-maple-mahogany) back
Neck: 3-piece mahogany
Pickups: PU-120 (mini humbucker)

The Deluxe model debuted as a replacement for the Standard. It features a mini humbucker, which is smaller than a standard humbucker.

  The photo shows a 1972 model  

Fun Fact♪

The mini humbucker, which fits into a P-90 cavity, was originally developed for Epiphone.

1975

Body: 3-piece maple top / pancake body back
Neck: 3-piece maple neck

Like other models, it transitioned to a maple neck.

  The photo shows a model with replaced pickups

1977

Like other models, the pancake body was discontinued and replaced with a 1-piece mahogany back.

  The photo shows a 1978 model

From the 1980s onward

1985
Discontinued.

1992
A reissue model of the Les Paul Deluxe was released. Production ended in 1997.

1999
The 30th Anniversary model was released.

  Photo shows a 1999 model

Les Paul Junior

The Les Paul Junior, introduced in 1954, was originally designed as an affordable version of the Standard. Its most notable feature is that it is equipped with a single P-90 pickup. Its bold yet crisp sound was beloved by some of rock 'n' roll's most iconic guitarists.

1954

Body: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Pickup: P-90
Single-cut. Features a simple stopbar bridge. The simple controls are another feature that makes this guitar easy for beginners to handle.

  Photo shows a 1955 model

  Photo shows a 1955 model

Fun Fact♪

1955
The pale yellow "TV Finish" made its debut.

This color was designed to match the appearance on black-and-white televisions of the time. The Junior in this color was given the model name "Les Paul TV" to distinguish it from the Les Paul Junior, though the main specifications are the same.

1958

The design was updated to a double cutaway. The finish changed from the previous sunburst to cherry red. The P-90 pickups and bar bridge were retained.

  The photo shows a 1959 model

1961

SG Junior
Like other models, it adopted the SG shape.

  The photo shows a 1965 model

Fun Fact♪

The SG name began to be used in 1960, with the "Special" and "Junior" models preceding it.
What makes it a bit confusing is that while the body shape evolved from single cutaway → double cutaway → SG shape, the timing of the model name changes didn’t always align. There are even 1960 double cutaway models listed in catalogs as “SG Special.”

Les Paul Special

The Les Paul Junior, introduced in 1954, was originally designed as an affordable version of the Standard. Its defining feature is that it is equipped with a single P-90 pickup. Its bold yet crisp sound was loved by guitarists who came to represent rock 'n' roll.

1955

Body: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Pickups: 2 x P-90
Positioned as the mid-range model in the Les Paul series. TV Yellow debuted as the standard color.

  The photo shows a 1955 model with a Bigsby modification

  The photo shows a 1956 model

Fun Fact♪

The SG name began to be used in 1960, with the Special and Junior models preceding it.
What makes it a bit confusing is that while the body shape evolved from single cutaway → double cutaway → SG shape, the timing of the model name changes didn’t always align. There are even 1960 models with a double cutaway shape that are listed in the catalog as “SG Special.”

1959

The double cutaway model was introduced about six months after the Junior. The cherry red color option was added around the same time as the Junior. There was also a minor design change in which the pickup selector switch was moved to the lower left of the front volume knob. (Later, perhaps for better usability, it was moved back near the bridge.)

1961

SG Special
Like other models, it adopted the SG shape.

  The photo shows a 1964 model

1974

Les Paul 55
Released as a reissue of the single-cutaway era.

It is not a complete replica; instead, it features a Tune-O-Matic-style bridge and modern specifications.

Production ended in 1981.

1976

Les Paul Special Double Cutaway

A reissue from the double-cutaway era. Unlike the aforementioned single-cutaway reissue, this model has a straightforward name.

  The photo shows a 1977 model

And much more! Models bearing the Les Paul name

Les Paul Studio

Introduced in 1983, another iconic model: the "Les Paul Studio." Many of you might say, "This was my first Les Paul!" While it cuts costs by omitting decorative elements like body binding, it faithfully retains the Standard’s basic construction of a maple top and mahogany back. True to its name, it’s a no-nonsense, practical guitar focused on "studio recording work."

Les Paul Personal/Professional/Recording

The Lineage of Experimental Les Pauls

In 1969, Gibson introduced the “Les Paul Personal,” a model that stood apart from conventional Les Pauls.

Equipped with low-impedance pickups, this series featured controls—such as EQ and a Decade switch—that differed significantly from standard Les Pauls. The Professional model was released in 1970, followed by the Recording model in 1971.

Characterized by a design that heavily incorporates Les Paul’s experimental elements and prioritizes studio use and sonic versatility.

Les Paul Signature

While the Les Paul itself was originally released as a signature model for Lester William Polsfas, a guitar bearing the "Les Paul Signature" name was released in 1973.

This is a hollow-body version equipped with low-impedance pickups. Bill Lawrence, who is also famous as a pickup maker, was involved in its development, and it was developed based on the ES-335.

It’s a model that combines the best of both the ES-335 and the Les Paul in terms of looks and sound!

  1973–1975 Les Paul Signature

Fun Fact♪ "Bill Lawrence"

Bill Lawrence, whose name is also the brand name, actually worked at Gibson from 1968 to 1972.

Column : "Bill Lawrence: Unbound by Preconceptions"

Written by: Oda (in charge of TCGAKKI and Bass)

In charge of the electric Bass section at TCGAKKI. Having played in major-label bands, he draws on his extensive experience to offer insights and promotions specifically from a musician’s perspective. His main Bass is a Fender CS Jazz Bass.

A Word from the Author:
Even though we simply call them "Les Pauls," the range of models is vast. I’ve put together a rough summary of the evolution each model has undergone.

Almost all of the photos featured here are of instruments that have been in stock at TCGAKKI. It may sound like I’m tooting my own horn, but I feel this is an article I could only write now, having built up over 35 years of history.

▶︎Read the full article here

Learn with Oda♪ Fender Trivia
Leo Fender and the Birth of MUSIC MAN

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