| Les Paul vintage Gibson guitars were first produced | | | | fretboard, with elaborate bindings on the guitar |
| in 1952. These guitars were the first solid body electric | | | | body and headstock. Among some guitarists this |
| that Gibson had made. The 1952 version of the Les | | | | Gibson vintage acquired the name 'black beauty' |
| Paul vintage guitar has a gold top nitro-cellulose | | | | because of its gold plated hardware and black finish. |
| lacquer finish, and no serial number. This Gibson | | | | The Custom was the first fitted with a tune-o-matic |
| was designed by Les and included Kluson tuners, | | | | bridge and tailpiece.The Les Paul Junior has a flat, |
| a pair of P90 pickups, and retailed for $210.These | | | | uncarved mahogany |
| Gibson vintage guitars were simply called | | | | body with no binding. The Junior guitar is equipped |
| 'Les Paul' models, and later became known as | | | | with a single P90 pickup, along with an old wraparound |
| Gold Tops because of the finish. Most Les Paul | | | | combined bridge/tailpiece. Some Les Paul Juniors |
| Gibson vintage Gold Tops have a gold colored | | | | were referred to as Les Paul TV models because of |
| maple top with natural back, a few guitars were | | | | their blond/yellow finish instead of a sunburst. |
| made that had the gold finished all over.In 1954 Gibson | | | | On stage live these TV models always attraction |
| launched the Les Paul Custom | | | | attention. |
| vintage guitar. The Les Paul Custom has an ebony | | | | |