The First Viable Gibson Les Paul
| Posted in Guitar
Born out of a collaboration between Gibson and Les Paul, and in answer to Fender’s introduction of the first solid electric, the Telecaster, the first Gibson Les Pauls with the distinctive gold finish were shipped in 1952 but were nearly a complete flop.
The ‘Goldtop‘, as it became known, was shipped with a trapeze shaped bridge and tailpiece where the strings were wrapped under the bridge section. This meant the player could not damp the strings with his palm, a huge problem for any guitarist.
The solution was found by fitting a simple ‘wrapover’ combination bridge and tailpiece; so basic that the the only adjustment for intonation was two grub screws at the back. Because this set the strings up higher, the angle of the the neck to the body had to be changed from 1 degree to 3. Problem solved and the Les Paul was on its way.
This 1953 example, which I have owned for over 20 years, has all the distinguishing features for the year, extra large neck, Gibson logo set lower on the headstock and skinny frets that make it hard to bend strings.
It’s probably not in good enough condition to be considered classic collectible; there are signs of a major repair to the bodywork under the bridge and it’s pitted all over with scuffmarks, dings and scratches. It looks like one of the previous owners wore some pretty hefty rings. However, it is original, which is what counts as far as vintage guitars are concerned and has the distinguished gold/green patina so typical of old Goldtops.
1953 was a productive year for Gibson with 2245 Goldtops shipped, which makes it the most common fifties Les Paul apart from the Juniors.
Plugged in it’s a dirty low-down growling beast of a thing, untamed and unbridled, in fact with no refinement at all…wonderful.
Tags: Gibson