Les Paul (regular production, non-Custom Shop) subcategories have been arranged in the following sequence: Les Paul - Early Mfg. & Standard Models, Les Paul Custom Series, Les Paul Deluxe Models, Les Paul Low-Impedance Series, The Paul Series, Les Paul Variations - Misc., Les Paul Anniversary Models, Les Paul Signature Series, Les Paul Classic Premium Plus vs. Les Paul Reissue: Evolution of the Les Paul (An Overview), Les Paul Classic Series, Les Paul - XR Series, Les Paul Double Cutaway (DC) Series, Les Paul Studio Series, Les Paul Special Series, and Les Paul Junior Series. The Les Paul model debuted in 1952, and was Gibson´s first production solid body electric guitar. Because of the almost endless variations that have been produced over the years, this model has become a field unto itself.
Early models are without binding around the fingerboard and do not have a plastic ring around the selector switch. It has been noted that some of the early models have the Gold finish continuing on the sides and back in addition to the top. The original Gold Top finish is prone to a greenish hue around the lower bouts of the instrument where the player´s arm(s) rubbed off the clear and/or color coat. Because the color coat was originally mixed with bronze powder, the exposure of the bronze with air will produce a green oxidation (the same type of oxidation that occurs on the metal parts occasionally when the finish is rubbed off). Horizontal weather checking striations are also normal on original Gold Top finishes.
Early models are without binding around the fingerboard and do not have a plastic ring around the selector switch. It has been noted that some of the early models have the Gold finish continuing on the sides and back in addition to the top. The original Gold Top finish is prone to a greenish hue around the lower bouts of the instrument where the player´s arm(s) rubbed off the clear and/or color coat. Because the color coat was originally mixed with bronze powder, the exposure of the bronze with air will produce a green oxidation (the same type of oxidation that occurs on the metal parts occasionally when the finish is rubbed off). Horizontal weather checking striations are also normal on original Gold Top finishes.