Origins and Launch
Guitarist and inventor Les Paul collaborated with Gibson engineers in 1951 to create a production solidbody model. The first Les Paul Model, later called the Goldtop, shipped in 1952 with P-90 pickups and a trapeze tailpiece.
Design Evolution
In 1957 Gibson switched to humbucking pickups and introduced the black-finished Les Paul Custom. The 1958–1960 sunburst Standard featured a thinner neck profile and became the most sought-after vintage variant.
Hiatus and Reissues
Production ended in 1960 but resumed in 1968 with the Les Paul Deluxe and later the Standard reissue. Modern lines include the Traditional, Studio, and Custom Shop Historic series that replicate original specs.
Notable Artists
Jimmy Page used a 1959 Standard for Led Zeppelin recordings, while Slash’s main guitar is a 1980s Gibson Les Paul Standard modified with Seymour Duncan pickups.
