Serial Number 81131

This Les Paul is among the last with the original gold-colored finish (the finish changed to cherry sunburst later that year). This guitar shows all the improvements that were made up until 1958. These include the stop tailpiece (1954), the Tune-o-matic bridge (1956), and Patent Applied For (PAF) humbucking pickups (1957).

The humbucking pickup was well received when it came out in the 50s, but didnt reach its full potential until the heavier rock and blues players of the late 60s discovered its capabilities. The PAF pickups used on late 50s and early 60s Gibsons are still considered the best sounding humbuckers today.