A direct descendant of the Les Paul Model of 1952, its immediate predecessor was the gold-top Les Paul Standard with Patent Applied For, or PAF, humbucking pickups. The sunburst is distinguished from the latter guitar primarily by its reddish sides and back, its often more carefully matched maple top pieces, and its stock cherry sunburst finish. At today's prices, how much are these seemingly minor variations worth? Often thousands of dollars. What has made this straightforward electric so special to a legion of rock guitarists from Mike Bloomfield and Eric Clapton to Gary Richrath and Billy Gibbons? What makes it so expensive - sometimes costing twenty or even forty times its original retail price of $247.50? Sound, beauty, rarity, playability, the quality of workmanship; The sunburst shines in all categories.
Some faded, some still dazzling, sunbursts assert unique personalities through a variety of shaded yellow, subtle burnt oranges, brilliant cherry reds, and rich reddish browns. The figure of the maple tops also varies from plain to a dramatic, almost quilted curl that ripples like ocean waves, or to the "tiger striping" shown here on an immaculate 1959 model with its pickup covers removed to reveal highly desirable double cream coil PAFs...
Also included on the poster is a collection of memorabilia, promo materials - from the sublime to the ridiculous - and photos of important or unusual instruments, all reflecting the guitar's rich heritage.
1. An early Gretsch Synchromatic acoustic arch-top, with "cat's-eye" soundholes and a multi-level Synchromatic bridge. The Music Shop, Grant's Pass, OR / Rick Madsen
2. Gibson Style O. This very unusual body style was introduced in 1908, and the model depicted here dates to about 1919. Spitzer's Music, Hayward, CA / Jon Sievert.
3. An original late-1920's metal-body National Tri-Plate Style 4 Chrysanthemum: note triple soundcones and T-bar bridge support.
4. A label from Gibson's Nick Lucas Special, an extra deep flat-top and the company's first artist guitar.
5. A very rare left-handed Gretsch White Falcon Stereo, about 1975. Guitar Trader, Red Bank, NJ
6. The late country superpicker Jimmy Byrant poses with the Voxmobile, late 1960s.
7. Kay Barney Kessel Jazz Special, one of three Kay Kessel models introduced in 1957. Spitzer's / Sievert.
8. 1968 Guild A600 B acoustic-electric, purchased from Guild founder Al Dronge: maple body, checker trim, gold plating, Peter Budd.
9. Martin's first style 45 prototype, a 00-42 with special pearl trim, vine inlays, and a bowl mandolin pickguard, 1902. Martin Guitars.
10. Joe and Rose Lee Maphis in concert; Joe is holding Mosrite's first doubleneck, custom-built by company founder Semie Moseley.
11. Mid-1950s Fender brochure.
12. Former Gibson president Ted McCarty and Les Paul (with guitar) at a mid - '50s New York trade show. Mr. McCarty helped design the original Les Paul guitar, the tune-o-matic bridge, the ES-335, the Flying V, the Explorer, and Gibson's stud tailpiece.
13. Epiphone Deluxe acoustic arch-top, with Frequensator tailpiece and cloud inlays. Steve Soest / Thel Rountree
14. Stella flat-top with stenciled flowers, made by Harmony. Matt Umanov / John Peden.
15. Mid - 1930s Gibson L-C, or Century, with pearloid fingerboard and pearl and rosewood inlays. Wooden Music, Chicago / Anne Goodman
16. A late '60s ad for the Coral Kilowatt amp stack, made by Danelectro.
17. Melobar stand-up acoustic steel guitar: its slanted fingerboard is labeled with instructional guidelines.
1982 Vintage Gibson Les Paul Sunburst Guitar Poster available at www.GuitarPulp.com
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