The successful sales of the solidbody Les
Paul model launched in 1952 convinced
Gibson to expand the solidbody line to
include a variety of models aimed at players from beginner to professional. This
led to the introduction of the low-priced,
flat-bodied, single-pickup Les Paul Junior,
and the high-priced, elaborately appointed Les Paul Custom in July of 1954. By
1955 the Les Paul line also included the
Les Paul TV and the Les Paul Special.
The Les Paul TV was the same as a
Junior except for having a bright “limed
mahogany” finish (some early TVs had
maple bodies) instead of the regular
sunburst. The Les Paul Juniors and TVs
may have been inexpensive student
guitars, but they were playable and well-built to encourage beginners to stick
with the instrument and eventually want
to move up to more expensive Gibsons.
In July of 1958, the TV and Junior models received a radical makeover. A new
double-cutaway shape was introduced
that allowed a player full access to the
fingerboard. The Junior’s color changed
to transparent cherry, while the TV’s
limed mahogany became a brighter
yellow. Attractive tortoise pickguards
rounded out the new color scheme. By
1960, the TV lost the “Les Paul” portion
of its name, becoming instead the SG
(solid guitar) TV. This name predated the
pointed cutaway SG shape that came
along in 1961.
More detailed information on Gibson Les
Pauls can be found in
The Early Years of
the Les Paul Legacy 1915-1963 by Robb
Lawrence, and in
Gibson Electrics The
Classic Years by A.R. Duchossoir.
Dave's Guitar Shop
Daves Rogers’ collection is tended to by
Laun Braithwaite and Tim Mullally.
Photos and words by Tim Mullally
Dave’s collection is on display at:
Dave's Guitar Shop
1227 Third Street
South
La Crosse, WI 54601
davesguitar.com