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Gibson Les Paul Gold-top, 1952
Manufacturer
Gibson Brands, Inc.
Associated name
Les Paul
Date1952
Mediumrosewood; metal; plastic
DimensionsOverall (HWD) (body): 5 3/8 × 100 in. (13.716 × 254.001 cm)
overall1 (body overall): 100 in. (254.001 cm)
overall2 (neck): 38 1/8 in. (96.774 cm)
overall3 (overall): 100 3/8 × 82 13/16 × 33 × 7 in. (255.017 × 210.312 × 83.82 × 17.78 cm)
overall1 (body overall): 100 in. (254.001 cm)
overall2 (neck): 38 1/8 in. (96.774 cm)
overall3 (overall): 100 3/8 × 82 13/16 × 33 × 7 in. (255.017 × 210.312 × 83.82 × 17.78 cm)
Credit LineMoPOP permanent collection
Object number1996.191.1.A
Text EntriesThe Les Paul Goldtop was Gibson’s first solidbody electric guitar, and it responded to the modular practicality of Fender’s Broadcaster guitar with its own efficient design, while retaining the traditional hand-crafted elegance that Gibson was known for. Its carved, violin-influenced top and blend of heavy mahogany and light maple woods were striking in appearance, and the rock-solid guitar produced a beautiful tone with notes that hung on forever—the legendary Les Paul “sustain.”
Groundbreaking guitarist Les Paul (1915-2009) collaborated with Gibson in designing this guitar. He suggested the gold color because it gave the impression of being “rich, expensive, the best, and superb.” Later, he improved the design of the Goldtop models by replacing Gibson’s “trapeze” bridge/tailpiece (featured on this instrument) with his own “stud” design.
Les Paul and Gibson both benefited from this model; his fame as a guitarist helped sell the guitar for Gibson, and for the use of his name, Les Paul received a cut from all the Goldtops that were sold.
Carved 3-piece non-matching maple top, mahogany back and neck, 2 P-90 pick-ups with cream-colored covers (soapbars), trapeze bridge/tailpiece combination with strings looping under the bridge, single-bound top, single bound rosewood fingerboard, trapezoid inlay, pearl logo, Kluson tuners, plastic tulip-shaped tuner buttons with single ring near tuner shaft, yellow silk-screened model name, no serial number, nickel-plated metal parts, gold top finish.
CopyrightThe organization that has made the Item available reasonably believes that the Item is not restricted by copyright or related rights, but a conclusive determination could not be made. For more information, see http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NKC/1.0/
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