The Gibson Les Paul Sunburst is a classic electric guitar that is considered by many to be one of the most iconic and sought-after guitars of all time. The original Les Paul model was first introduced by Gibson in 1952, and it quickly became popular among musicians for its thick, rich tone and its sustain.
The Sunburst finish, introduced in 1958, was a combination of a deep red color on the outside of the guitar, which gradually faded to a golden yellow in the center. This finish was achieved by spraying the guitar with different shades of nitrocellulose lacquer and then buffing it to a high gloss. With two humbucking pickups, an adjustable bridge and a stop tailpiece, the model was priced between the earlier Gold Top and Custom models, and was designated the Les Paul Standard.
The Les Paul Standard in the Sunburst finish actually did not sell all that well. Estimated production for the period 1958-1960 numbers only around 1600 units. Not until later in the 1960s, when it was seen used by Eric Clapton during his Bluesbreakers period, Jeff Beck, Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac and, notably, Jimmy Page, did it begin to gain more notice and wider popularity. Gibson responded by reintroducing the model in 1968.
The Les Paul tone the model is known for is achieved through its solid mahogany body and neck, its carved maple top and its two dual-coil, humbucking pickups. The humbucking pickups were designed by Gibson engineer Seth Lover, and they were intended to eliminate the hum and noise that were common in single-coil pickups.
Despite the iconic status it would later achieve, the Les Paul model was redesigned in 1961 with an entirely revamped, stylized double-cutaway body. Although the "Les Paul" designation remained, it was different enough from his original vision that Paul himself requested his name be removed from the guitar.
Fortunately, the new model survived the drama, and was rebadged simply the "SG", standing for "solid guitar". It would come to be embraced by players such as Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath and Angus Young of AC/DC.
The Les Paul Sunburst has been used by many legendary guitarists over the years, including Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Slash. It has also been featured on countless classic recordings, including Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" and Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine".
Today, the original Gibson Les Paul Sunbursts remain highly sought-after among collectors and musicians alike, so surviving examples in very good condition are rare and command six-figure prices. GIbson, however, has made several reissues over the decades, so players are still able to acquire the model somewhat affordably, relatively speaking.
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