| Les Paul vintage Gibson guitars were first | | | | Most Les Paul Gibson vintage Gold Tops have a |
| produced in 1952. These guitars were the | | | | gold colored maple top with natural back, a |
| first solid body electric that Gibson had | | | | few guitars were made that had the gold |
| made. The 1952 version of the Les Paul | | | | finished all over. |
| vintage guitar has a gold top nitro-cellulose | | | | |
| lacquer finish, and no serial number. This | | | | In 1954 Gibson launched the Les Paul Custom |
| Gibson was designed by Les and included | | | | vintage guitar. The Les Paul Custom has an |
| Kluson tuners, a pair of P90 pickups, and | | | | ebony fretboard, with elaborate bindings on |
| retailed for $210. | | | | the guitar body and headstock. Among some |
| | | | guitarists this Gibson vintage acquired the |
| These Gibson vintage guitars were simply | | | | name 'black beauty' because of its gold |
| called 'Les Paul' models, and later became | | | | plated hardware and black finish. |
| known as Gold Tops because of the finish. | | | | |