A second Les Paul model was introduced in 1953.
Called the Les Paul Custom, this black guitar with gold-plated hardware was dubbed the "Black Beauty".
Various bridge and tailpiece designs were added in 1953 and 1954, including the popular Tune-o-matic bridge.
The Goldtop and Custom models continued without significant changes until 1957.
In 1957, P-90 pickups were no longer offered on Les Pauls.
New humbucker pickups designed by Seth Lover in 1955 (U.S. Patent 2,896,491) debuted on Les Pauls in 1957.
This innovation in pickups became the flagship pickup design most associated with Gibson.
Many other guitar companies followed suit, outfitting their electrics with versions of the humbucking pickup.
A second Les Paul model was introduced in 1953. Called the Les Paul Custom, this black guitar with gold-plated hardware was dubbed the "Black Beauty". Various bridge and tailpiece designs were added in 1953 and 1954, including the popular Tune-o-matic bridge. The Goldtop and Custom models continued without significant changes until 1957. In 1957, P-90 pickups were no longer offered on Les Pauls. New humbucker pickups designed by Seth Lover in 1955 (U.S. Patent 2,896,491) debuted on Les Pauls in 1957. This innovation in pickups became the flagship pickup design most associated with Gibson. Many other guitar companies followed suit, outfitting their electrics with versions of the humbucking pickup.
Gibson Les Paul