In 1969, Gibson's parent company (Chicago Musical Instruments) was taken over by the conglomerate ECL.
Gibson remained under the control of CMI until 1974 when it became a subsidiary of Norlin Musical Instruments.

These ownership changes, often called the "Norlin Era", caused Gibson products of the time to decline in quality.
Les Paul designs were altered and a reinforced upper neck volute to decrease headstock breaks was added.
Neck woods were changed from one-piece mahogany to a three-piece maple design.
The body was also changed from one-piece mahogany with a maple top to multiple slabs of mahogany with multiple pieced maple tops.
This is referred to as "multipiece" construction, and sometimes incorrectly referred to as a "pancake" body.
The expression "pancake body" actually refers to a body made of a thin layer of maple sandwiched between two slabs of mahogany, with a maple cap.
The grain of the maple was placed at 90 degrees to that of the mahogany.
The "pancake"-like layers are clearly visible when looking at the edge of the guitar.
This process is also known as "crossbanding", and was done to make use of less expensive and more readily available thinner mahogany.
Crossbanding was phased out by 1977.

In this era, Gibson began experimenting with new models, such as the Les Paul Recording.
This guitar was generally unpopular with guitarists because of its complex electronics.
Less noticeable changes included, but were not limited to, optional maple fingerboards (added in 1976), pickup cavity shielding, and the crossover of the ABR1 Tune-o-matic bridge into the wide "Nashville" bridge.
During the 1970s, the Les Paul body shape was incorporated into other Gibson models, including the S-1, the Sonex, the L6-S, and other models that did not follow the classic Les Paul layout.

In January 1986, Gibson again changed ownership and began manufacturing a range of varied Les Paul models.
The 1980s also saw the end to several design characteristics, including the volute and maple neck.
However, because of consumer demand, the Gibson Les Paul guitar is available today in a wide array of choices, ranging from guitars equipped with modern digital electronics to classic re-issue models built to match the look and specifications of the guitar's earliest production runs from 1952 to 1960.

As of 2017, Gibson offers several variations of the Les Paul guitar with differences in features, electronics and finishes.
For example, the modern Standard offers split- coil pickups which offer a wider range of sounds.
The 'Traditional' model offers more the more basic features of guitars available during the period 1950s to 1980s and the 'Classic' model offers yet other features. '
Special' and 'Studio' models have a more basic level of finish and Les Pauls are offered at different prices.
These models are marketed as 'Gibson USA' guitars, capitalising on their American heritage.

In 1986, to respond to the high demand for vintage models, Gibson formed a Custom Shop division.
Originally, the Custom Shop began producing accurate reproductions of early Les Pauls, as well as one-offs.
Today, the Custom Shop produces numerous limited-run "historic-spec" models, as well as signature artist models.
The first Custom Shop artist guitar was the 1996 Joe Perry Les Paul, and today, several artist models are offered "reliced" or "aged" models are made in the Custom Shop to replicate vintage models that have seen much use.
In 1969, Gibson's parent company (Chicago Musical Instruments) was taken over by the conglomerate ECL. Gibson remained under the control of CMI until 1974 when it became a subsidiary of Norlin Musical Instruments.
These ownership changes, often called the "Norlin Era", caused Gibson products of the time to decline in quality. Les Paul designs were altered and a reinforced upper neck volute to decrease headstock breaks was added. Neck woods were changed from one-piece mahogany to a three-piece maple design. The body was also changed from one-piece mahogany with a maple top to multiple slabs of mahogany with multiple pieced maple tops. This is referred to as "multipiece" construction, and sometimes incorrectly referred to as a "pancake" body. The expression "pancake body" actually refers to a body made of a thin layer of maple sandwiched between two slabs of mahogany, with a maple cap. The grain of the maple was placed at 90 degrees to that of the mahogany. The "pancake"-like layers are clearly visible when looking at the edge of the guitar. This process is also known as "crossbanding", and was done to make use of less expensive and more readily available thinner mahogany. Crossbanding was phased out by 1977.
In this era, Gibson began experimenting with new models, such as the Les Paul Recording. This guitar was generally unpopular with guitarists because of its complex electronics. Less noticeable changes included, but were not limited to, optional maple fingerboards (added in 1976), pickup cavity shielding, and the crossover of the ABR1 Tune-o-matic bridge into the wide "Nashville" bridge. During the 1970s, the Les Paul body shape was incorporated into other Gibson models, including the S-1, the Sonex, the L6-S, and other models that did not follow the classic Les Paul layout.
In January 1986, Gibson again changed ownership and began manufacturing a range of varied Les Paul models. The 1980s also saw the end to several design characteristics, including the volute and maple neck. However, because of consumer demand, the Gibson Les Paul guitar is available today in a wide array of choices, ranging from guitars equipped with modern digital electronics to classic re-issue models built to match the look and specifications of the guitar's earliest production runs from 1952 to 1960.
As of 2017, Gibson offers several variations of the Les Paul guitar with differences in features, electronics and finishes. For example, the modern Standard offers split- coil pickups which offer a wider range of sounds. The 'Traditional' model offers more the more basic features of guitars available during the period 1950s to 1980s and the 'Classic' model offers yet other features. 'Special' and 'Studio' models have a more basic level of finish and Les Pauls are offered at different prices. These models are marketed as 'Gibson USA' guitars, capitalising on their American heritage.
In 1986, to respond to the high demand for vintage models, Gibson formed a Custom Shop division. Originally, the Custom Shop began producing accurate reproductions of early Les Pauls, as well as one-offs. Today, the Custom Shop produces numerous limited-run "historic-spec" models, as well as signature artist models. The first Custom Shop artist guitar was the 1996 Joe Perry Les Paul, and today, several artist models are offered "reliced" or "aged" models are made in the Custom Shop to replicate vintage models that have seen much use.
Gibson Les Paul