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The Les Paul Guide

This document provides a guide to identifying the year of manufacture for Gibson Les Paul guitars from 1952 to 1961. It details the specifications and features that changed year to year such as pickup types, finishes, and serial numbers.

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Alvaro
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© © All Rights Reserved
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627 views13 pages

The Les Paul Guide

This document provides a guide to identifying the year of manufacture for Gibson Les Paul guitars from 1952 to 1961. It details the specifications and features that changed year to year such as pickup types, finishes, and serial numbers.

Uploaded by

Alvaro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Les Paul

Guide

1952-1961
Disclaimer
This guide is to help you identify the manufacture
year of the Les Paul models from 1952 up until 1961
when they changed the Les Paul model shape. It's
worth noting that the SG model we know today was
the updated version of the Les Paul model and named
Les Paul up until early 1963.
The following are NOT the only ways to find out the
year of a Les Paul model from that period, and it's
worth mentioning that in every year there were
transitioning points that these guidelines don't
necessarily apply. An example would be a Gold Top
Les Paul from 1958.
It's not really common to see a Gold-Top from 1958,
but these can indicate that it was either a custom
order at Gibson or it was an early model before they
transitioned to the Burst finish. We can see these
transitions throughout the years.
1952
No "Poker Chip"

P-90 Pickups

Trapeze Bridge

Gold Finish

Speed Knobs

No Serial Number
1953
Toggle Switchplate
"Poker Chip"

P-90 Pickups

Wraparound Bridge

Gold Finish

Speed Knobs

Serial Number
Starts with "3"
1954
Toggle Switchplate
"Poker Chip"

P-90 Pickups

Wraparound Bridge

Gold Finish

Speed Knobs

Serial Number
Starts with "4"
1955
Toggle Switchplate
"Poker Chip"

P-90 Pickups

Tune O'Matic Bridge


And Tailpiece

Gold Finish
Top Hat Style Knobs

Serial Number
Starts with "5"
1956
Toggle Switchplate
"Poker Chip"

P-90 Pickups

Tune O'Matic Bridge


And Tailpiece
Gold Finish

Top Hat Style Knobs

Serial Number
Starts with "6"
1957
Toggle Switchplate
"Poker Chip"
PAF Humbucking Pickups
(Patent Applied For)

Tune O'Matic Bridge


And Tailpiece

Gold Finish
Top Hat Style Knobs

Serial Number
Starts with "7"
1958
Toggle Switchplate
"Poker Chip"
PAF Humbucking Pickups
(Patent Applied For)

Tune O'Matic Bridge


And Tailpiece
Burst Finish
Plain Maple Top
Top Hat Style Knobs

Serial Number
Starts with "8"
1959
Toggle Switchplate
"Poker Chip"
PAF Humbucking Pickups
(Patent Applied For)

Tune O'Matic Bridge


And Tailpiece
Burst Finish
Bookmatched Flamed Top
Top Hat Style Knobs

Serial Number
Starts with "9"
1960
Toggle Switchplate
"Poker Chip"
PAF Humbucking Pickups
(Patent Applied For)

Tune O'Matic Bridge


And Tailpiece
Burst Finish
Bookmatched Top
Top Hat Reflector
Style Knobs

Serial Number
Starts with "0"

Double Ring
Tuners
1961
New Body Shape

PAF Humbucking Pickups


(Patent Applied For)

Non-wire ABR-1 Bridge

Sideways Tremolo
Tailpiece

Top Hat Reflector


Style Knobs

"Les Paul"
Truss Rod Cover

Double Ring
Tuners
Gibson Les Paul
1952-1961
We hope you liked this
guide about one of the most
iconic electric guitars!

We are still learning ourselves. If you'd like


to help improve this guide with anything
you would add or change, don't hesitate to
contact us at info@vintageguitarnerds.com

©Vintage Guitar Nerds. Do not sell this guide in any way or


format. Legal action will be taken if you try to profit by this guide.

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