Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop

“Gibson Les Paul model. Designed by Les Paul — produced by Gibson — and enthusiastically approved by top guitarists everywhere.” — Original Gibson advertisement circa 1952

Gibson’s introduction of the Les Paul model in 1952 laid the template by which all other electric guitars would be measured, but it would still undergo several key modifications before developing into the iconic version widely known today as the Les Paul Standard. One of the most significant changes to the Les Paul model was the addition of the new Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece in 1956, replacing the trapeze and wraparound tailpieces that had adorned earlier versions. The Goldtop models proved instantly popular with a growing legion of electric blues players, most notably B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, and Tiger Haynes, and today is one of the most revered and copied pieces of guitar hardware ever developed.