Gibson Original Collection Les Paul Standard ’50s

Back to Where it All Began

Back in 1952 when Gibson was putting the finishing touches on his first signature model guitar, Les Paul insisted that it come with a gold finish to emphasize its first-place quality (and because it looked stylish, of course!). Though the Les Paul Standard wore many finishes in the ensuing years, all of those original fifties Les Pauls established a gold standard of excellence. Now, Gibson USA pays tribute to those fantastic fifties Gibsons with an inspired entry in their Original Collection: the Les Paul Standard '50s model, available in nitrocellulose lacquer Goldtop, Cherry Sunburst, and Tobacco Burst finishes.

The Fifties Formula

The Les Paul Standard '50s follows the tried-and-true Les Paul formula for excellence to a T. A maple cap adorns a mahogany body to continue one of the most legendary tonewood relationships in the history of lutherie. Mahogany produces a warm, midrange-forward tone with a bit of natural compression, while maple adds in extra treble cut and enhances articulation. Together, they give these fifties-inspired beasts a robust, full voice with incredible sustain.

Gibson has also outfitted the Les Paul Standard '50s model with a gloriously chunky rounded neck profile just like its vintage forebears. If you like your necks on the bigger side, it doesn't get much better than this! And, just like a fifties Les Paul, it wears a nitrocellulose lacquer finish, which allows for maximum resonance.

'Bucker Brigade

Two of Gibson's stellar Burstbucker pickups build upon the inspiring foundation laid by the tonewoods. Burstbuckers take their inspiration from the famous "Patent Applied For" (or "PAF") pickups designed by Seth Lover for Gibson in 1955. They do an excellent job of recreating the vintage magic of the originals.

Specifically, the Les Paul Standard '50s features a slightly-underwound Burstbucker 1 in the neck position and a hotter Burstbucker 2 in the bridge. So, the neck position is pure vintage creaminess: broad, throaty midrange, rich low-end, and sweet, singing trebles. By contrast, the bridge position has more focused snarl, punch, and rasp in the midrange to go with taut, muscular lows and sizzling highs. In other words, these guitars nail the classic sound of the Gibson Les Paul.

A True Original

The Les Paul Standard '50s taps into the original wellspring of Gibson tone, and the results are truly inspiring. They are brimming with the spirit and sound that compelled thousands of Gibson aficionados to plug in, turn up, and play loud. We know that they will provide you with a lifetime of delight as they inspire you to reach new heights on your fretboard journey.