1941 CE
Les Paul creates The Log
Les Paul creates 'The Log', a solid-body electric guitar prototype made from a 4x4 pine block with Epiphone parts. #modern #culture
Chronological Storyline (46 Milestones)
1946 CE
Gibson rejects Les Paul's design
Les Paul approaches Gibson with his solid-body design; Gibson initially rejects it, calling it a 'broomstick with pickups'. #contemporary #culture
1950 CE
Fender Telecaster introduced
Fender introduces the Telecaster, the first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar, spurring Gibson to reconsider Les Paul's design. #contemporary #culture
1952 CE
First Les Paul Model Goldtop released
Gibson releases the first Les Paul Model (Goldtop) with a trapeze tailpiece and P-90 pickups. #contemporary #culture
1953 CE
Les Paul Custom Black Beauty introduced
Gibson introduces the Les Paul Custom (Black Beauty) with a mahogany body, ebony fingerboard, and gold hardware. #contemporary #culture
1954 CE
Tune-o-matic bridge added to Les Paul
Gibson adds the Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece to the Les Paul, improving intonation and sustain. #contemporary #culture
1957 CE
Humbucking pickup PAF introduced
Gibson introduces the humbucking pickup (PAF), created by engineer Seth Lover, on the Les Paul, reducing noise and creating a warmer tone. #contemporary #culture
1958 CE
Les Paul Standard Sunburst finish released
Gibson changes the Les Paul finish to Sunburst (Standard), featuring a maple top and PAF pickups; becomes the iconic 'Burst'. #contemporary #culture
1960 CE
Les Paul redesigned with double-cutaway body
Gibson redesigns the Les Paul with a thinner, double-cutaway body (SG shape), but retains the Les Paul name until 1963. #contemporary #culture
![Les Paul SG 1961](<iframe src="https://assets.pinterest.com/ext/embed.html?id=37154765671869749" height="455" width="236" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" ></iframe>)
1961 CE
Les Paul name removed leading to SG
The redesigned Les Paul (SG) is released; Les Paul disapproves and asks his name removed, leading to the SG model in 1963. #contemporary #culture
1961 CE
Redesigned Les Paul SG released
The redesigned Les Paul (SG) is released; Les Paul disapproves and asks his name removed, leading to the SG model. #contemporary #culture
1966 CE
Clapton's 'Beano' Les Paul stolen
Eric Clapton's iconic 1960 Les Paul Standard, used on the legendary Bluesbreakers album, is stolen from a rehearsal space and never recovered. #contemporary #culture
1968 CE
Les Paul Custom and Goldtop reissued
Gibson reissues the Les Paul Custom and Goldtop in response to growing demand from blues-rock guitarists like Eric Clapton. #contemporary #culture
1969 CE
Les Paul Deluxe with mini-humbuckers
Gibson introduces the Les Paul Deluxe with mini-humbuckers, a transitional model during the Norlin era. #contemporary #culture
1969 CE
Jimmy Page acquires 'Number One' Les Paul
Jimmy Page purchases a 1958 Les Paul Standard from Joe Walsh. This guitar, dubbed 'Number One', becomes his primary instrument for Led Zeppelin. #contemporary #culture
Aug 1, 1970 CE
Duane Allman records 'Layla' with Les Paul
Duane Allman uses his 1957 Les Paul Standard to record the legendary guitar solos for Derek and the Dominos' 'Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs'. #contemporary #culture
1970 CE
Peter Green's 'Greeny' modified out-of-phase
A repairman accidentally reverses the magnet on Peter Green's 1959 Les Paul, creating the iconic out-of-phase middle position tone heard in Fleetwood Mac. #contemporary #culture
1971 CE
Keith Richards tunes 'Micawber' to five strings
Keith Richards removes the lowest string from his 1953 Les Paul Custom, creating his signature five-string open G tuning used on countless Rolling Stones hits. #contemporary #culture
1971 CE
Billy Gibbons acquires 'Pearly Gates'
ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons purchases a 1959 Les Paul Standard in Texas. He names it 'Pearly Gates' and it becomes his lifelong main touring and recording guitar. #contemporary #culture
1974 CE
Gary Moore purchases Peter Green's 'Greeny'
Irish blues-rock guitarist Gary Moore purchases Peter Green's famous 1959 Les Paul Standard, using it extensively throughout his career for his signature tone. #contemporary #culture
1974 CE
Les Paul Recording model released
Gibson releases the Les Paul Recording model with low-impedance pickups and extensive controls, designed for studio use. #contemporary #culture
1976 CE
Les Paul Pro Studio introduced
Gibson introduces the Les Paul Pro (later renamed Les Paul Studio) as a more affordable, stripped-down version. #contemporary #culture
1976 CE
Ace Frehley's smoking Les Paul incident
During a KISS concert, Ace Frehley's custom Les Paul, equipped with internal pyrotechnics, malfunctions and shocks him, causing him to miss several shows. #contemporary #culture
1977 CE
Ibanez Artist Les Paul-inspired model
Ibanez introduces the Les Paul-inspired Artist model, featuring a set neck and dual humbuckers, gaining popularity in rock. #contemporary #culture
1978 CE
Tokai LS-50 Les Paul copy lawsuit
Tokai releases the LS-50 Les Paul copy, sparking a lawsuit from Gibson; Tokai later licenses the design. #contemporary #culture
1980 CE
Greco high-quality Les Paul copies
Greco (Japan) produces high-quality Les Paul copies, including the EG series, popular among budget-conscious players. #contemporary #culture
1982 CE
Les Paul Standard Heritage series
Gibson launches the Les Paul Standard 'Heritage' series, reissuing the 1958-1960 specs with improved manufacturing. #contemporary #culture
1983 CE
Weight relief holes introduced
Gibson introduces weight relief holes to the body to manage the weight of heavy mahogany slabs. #contemporary #culture
1983 CE
Les Paul Custom Lite chambered body
Gibson introduces the Les Paul Custom Lite, a lighter-weight version with a chambered body. #contemporary #culture
1985 CE
Knopfler records 'Money for Nothing' riff
Mark Knopfler uses his 1958 Les Paul Standard through a Laney amp to record the iconic, heavy distorted riff for Dire Straits' hit 'Money for Nothing'. #contemporary #culture
1986 CE
Les Paul Studio for working musicians
Gibson releases the Les Paul Studio, a no-frills model with a solid body and standard electronics, aimed at working musicians. #contemporary #culture
1990 CE
Jimmy Page's 'Number Two' Les Paul stolen
Jimmy Page's second primary Les Paul, a 1959 Standard used extensively on tour and in the studio, is stolen from a tour truck and remains missing for decades. #contemporary #culture
1990 CE
Historic reissue series begins
Gibson begins the 'Historic' reissue series, accurately reproducing 1950s Les Pauls with period-correct details. #contemporary #culture
1993 CE
Les Paul Classic reissue introduced
Gibson introduces the Les Paul Classic, a reissue of the 1960 Standard with a slim neck profile and '57 Classic pickups. #contemporary #culture
1993 CE
Epiphone Les Paul Standard in Korea
Epiphone, owned by Gibson, begins manufacturing the Les Paul Standard in Korea, offering an affordable alternative. #contemporary #culture
1994 CE
Gibson releases first Slash Les Paul signature
Gibson introduces the first Slash signature Les Paul Standard, featuring a unique 'Appetite' burst finish and Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro pickups. #contemporary #culture
2003 CE
Les Paul Supreme high-end model
Gibson releases the Les Paul Supreme, a high-end model with a carved maple top, chambered body, and AAA flame maple. #contemporary #culture
2008 CE
Les Paul Standard revamped with weight relief
Gibson revamps the Les Paul Standard with weight relief, locking tuners, and a new PCB board for electronics. #contemporary #culture
2012 CE
Les Paul Modern with coil splitting
Gibson introduces the Les Paul Modern, featuring a slim taper neck, compound radius fretboard, and push-pull coil splitting. #contemporary #culture
2014 CE
Kirk Hammett acquires Peter Green's 'Greeny'
Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett purchases Peter Green and Gary Moore's legendary 1959 Les Paul Standard, bringing the iconic out-of-phase guitar to heavy metal. #contemporary #culture
2015 CE
Standard updated with G-Force tuners
Gibson updates the Standard with G-Force tuners and a brass zero fret nut. #contemporary #culture
2015 CE
Les Paul Standard controversial update
Gibson controversially updates the Les Paul Standard with a wider neck, G-Force tuner, and brass zero fret nut. #contemporary #culture
2019 CE
Original Collection Les Paul Standard
Gibson, under new ownership, releases the 'Original Collection' Les Paul Standard with vintage specs and no weight relief. #contemporary #culture
2019 CE
Original Collection vintage specs
Gibson releases the 'Original Collection' returning to vintage specs and no weight relief. #contemporary #culture
2020 CE
Gibson Launches Les Paul Special and Junior
Gibson launches the Les Paul Special and Les Paul Junior in the Original Collection, honoring the 1950s designs. #contemporary #culture
2023 CE
Gibson Releases Les Paul Standard 60s and 50s
Gibson releases the Les Paul Standard '60s and '50s with BurstBucker pickups and nitrocellulose finishes. #contemporary #culture