How much is a Gibson Les Paul worth?

Finding out how much is a Gibson Les Paul worth begins with accurate identification. As a Gibson guitar buyer, I start with with most important parts of identification first, then work my way down the list until I've assessed every aspect of the Les Paul. Gibson Les Paul values are subjective, but there will be general agreement on Les Paul values of the same model, year of manufacture, features, condition, and originality among guitar buyers. 

Gibson Les Paul guitars from the 1950s can be worth between $6,000 and $400,000 depending on the exact year, model, and features. You can send pictures to a vintage guitar expert for help with valuation using the form below: 

The value of a vintage Les Paul depends on the following:

1. Identify the exact Les Paul model There were 5 different models in the 1950s.

2. What year was it made? Older is not always more valuable.

3. Important features including figure, color, pickups, and bridge style.

4. Condition and Originality: Original finish and parts are always best.

I'm always on the hunt for the nicest examples of all models of original Les Paul guitars made in the 1950s and early 1960s. If you've inherited a vintage Gibson Les Paul and are curious about how much I would value your guitar then you can contact me here: sell a Gibson. Or if you'd like help with using the serial number to find the year then check out the Les Paul Serial Number lookup. 

1. Find out how much a Les Paul is worth - start with identifying the correct model (there were 5!)

The first part of finding the value of an original Les Paul is to accurately identify the model. Gibson introduced five different Les Paul models during the 1950s: Les Paul Junior, Les Paul TV, Les Paul Special, Les Paul Standard, and Les Paul Custom. The values for each model range wildly depending on which model 1950s Les Paul you have. Some of them will have the model name underneath the Les Paul signature on the headstock of the guitar, but the Les Paul Custom has a large split diamond pearl inlay instead of the model name. The Cherry Sunburst 1958, 1959, and 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard is the most valuable model. 

Les Paul Standard - Goldtop (1952-1957 P-90s, humbucking pickups in 1957) or Sunburst (1958-1960 with humbucking pickups) - Most Valuable

Les Paul Custom - Black finish with gold parts, P-90 pickups (1953-1957) or humbucking pickups (1957-1961)

Les Paul Special - TV Yellow or Cherry Red with two P-90 pickups

Les Paul TV - TV Yellow with one pickup

Les Paul Junior - Sunburst or Cherry Red with one P-90 pickup -- Least valuable

2. Les Paul Values depend on the exact year of manufacture.

After you determine the correct Les Paul model, the next step to find out how much your instrument is worth is to determine what year it was made. You can get help with finding the year by serial number here: Les Paul Serial Numbers. When trying to find out how much a Les Paul is worth, it's important to compare Les Pauls from either the same year or same year range with matching features. The Les Paul Standard varies in worth by year more than the other models by far. A Gibson Les Paul Standard from 1959 is worth almost 10x the value of the same model made during 1952. 

You can send pictures of your Gibson Les Paul here for help with valution: Les Paul Values Form.

Most valuable Les Paul years in descending order: 

1959, 1958, 1960, 1957: The Standards and Customs from these years typically have humbucking pickups and are the most desirable. This is the most valuable time period for the Les Paul guitars. Humbucker guitars from these years can be worth $50,000 to $400,000. Contact me if you are looking to sell one: Les Paul Values Form.

1956, 1955, 1954: Les Pauls from these years have either the Tune-O-Matic bridge or wrap tail and are considered to be excellent playable guitars. This is the second tier of value. Goldtops and Customs are typically worth $25,000-$70,000

1953, 1952: Les Paul Models (Goldtops) from these years often have neck angle problems which make them less comfortable to play. They are still valuable guitars which can fetch $20,000 - $35,000. 

1961, 1962, 1963: It's a little known fact that even though the body style changed to what we call the SG, it was still called the Les Paul Standard until 1963. These can be worth $15,000 - $30,000. 

1968, 1969: The Les Paul line returned in 1968 with the goldtop Standard and black Custom. True 1968 Les Paul guitars are very desirable. They can be worth $10,000 - $30,000. 

3. Les Paul Values often depend on specific features. 

Gibson Les Paul collectors are looking for certain features which correspond to generally agreed upon values for Les Paul guitars. The two most important features that affect value are finish color and pickup style. Each Les Paul model changed differently over time, but the most significant change is the transition from gold finish or goldtop to Cherry Sunburst on the Standard model in 1958. A late 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard is worth nearly double the value of an early 1958 Les Paul Standard with gold features.

Important features list from most to least valuable:

1. Finish style: The Cherry Sunburst finish is the most important feature of 1950s Les Paul. The Gold finish, Limed Mahogany, and Sunburst (dark) finishes were also available on different models.

2. Bridge style: The Tune-O-Matic bridge is the most desirable, then the wrap tail, then the trapeze style bridge. 

3. Pickup: The Humbucking pickup is the most collectible of Les Paul pickups, but wasn't standard until 1957. The P-90 pickup (and AlNiCo V pickup) was standard before the humbucker. 

The pickup style and bridge style also heavily influence the value of a 1950s Gibson Les Paul. Gibson introduced a new pickup in 1957 they called the humbucking pickup. This became the most popular sound for rock and roll, but only Les Pauls from the last few years of production have them. The bridge style also became more refined in 1956. Gibson introduced the Tune-O-Matic style bridge on the Custom in 1954 and the Les Paul Model in 1955. Les Paul guitar players found the tighter intonation and tuning stability to be far more valuable than the early style bridge. 

Have a 1950s or 1960s Les Paul? Get in touch: Contact John.

4. How condition and originality affect Les Paul Values

The fourth step in determining the value of a 1950s Les Paul guitar is to compare the condition and originality of the instrument to similar examples currently offered for sale. I put this section last since this is the most subjective part of evaluating a vintage guitar. You may wish to have an experienced guitar dealer evaluate your Les Paul since clean condition means different things to different people and replacement parts are often difficult to spot. 

Have a 1950s or 1960s Les Paul? Get in touch: Contact John.

Clean condition: All else being equal, most collectors are willing to pay a higher price for a guitar with little wear. Guitars with little prior playing time are typically worth more than guitar with loads of wear (even if that looks very cool!

Repairs: Some repairs are more important to guitar collectors than others. The repair which most heavily affects the value of a Les Paul is a headstock crack/repair. A refret will also affect the value of your guitar if the work is not done in the way the factory did it. Planed fret boards, frets over top of the binding, and fretboard chip out will certainly affect a buyer's interest. 

Originality: The originality of the finish and parts are also extremely important to your Les Paul's value. A refinish, however accurate, will diminish its value at least 50% when compared to an original. Some parts are more important than others, but the most important parts are the pickups.  

Frequently Asked Questions about Les Paul Values:

Here are some of the most common questions about get about the value of vintage Gibson Les Paul guitars:

Q: Why is the 1959 Les Paul so sought after?: The 1959 Gibson Les Paul is so sought after because of the desirable neck profile, the aesthetically pleasing Cherry Sunburst finish, the Humbucking pickups, and the limited production numbers. Gibson's neck profiles were much fatter from 1952 - 1958, then became much slimmer in early 1960. The perfect "medium fat" profile was made only for about 13 months but primarily in 1959. The Cherry Sunburst finish was only offered from 1958 through 1960. The Humbucking pickup was offered starting in 1957. 

We love 1950s Gibson Les Pauls: Sell a Gibson guitar. 

Q: Why are vintage Les Pauls so expensive? A: In short, vintage Les Paul values are so high because of supply and demand. The demand for these instruments has vastly exceeded the supply for so long that the prices continue to climb.

1950s Gibson Les Paul Timeline

1952: The first Les Paul Model was introduced this year with a goldtop finish, wrap under trapeze bridge, and two cream covered P-90 pickups. Example: 1952 Les Paul

1953: The wrap under bridge was updated to the wrap over, often called wrap tail bridge. Example: 1953 Les Paul.

1954: The black finished upscale Custom and Sunburst finished student Junior are introduced. 

1955: The Les Paul Special and Les Paul TV Model are introduced. Both feature the muted yellow finish Gibson called Limed Mahogany, but the TV has only one pickup like the Junior. The Goldtop's wrap tail bridge was updated to the Tune-O-Matic (ABR-1) bridge introduced on the Custom two years earlier: 1956 Les Paul. 

1956: The Junior, TV, and Special's bridge pickup is shifted forward and bridge post bushings are doubled in length. Many made prior to the change suffer from leaning posts.

1957: The Humbucking pickup is introduced on the Goldtop (Standard) and Custom. 

Have a 1950s or 1960s Les Paul? Get in touch: Contact John.

1958: The Cherry Sunburst finish replaces the formally gold finished Goldtop (1958 Les Paul). The Junior, TV, and Special's single cutaway body style is updated to the double cutaway. The Cherry Red finishes replaces the Sunburst on the Junior and is now offered on the Special. 

1959: Jumbo frets become standard across the Les Paul line. The neck profiles begin to slim from the mid 1950s 0.90"-1" to 0.85" - 0.95". The Special and TV Models drop the Les Paul name and begin the SG line (body style doesn't change yet).

1960: Neck profiles continue to slim down to 0.80" - 0.90". The red dye in the Cherry Sunburst finish changes to a brighter red which doesn't fade as easily. The volume and tone knobs now have a circular foil cap (reflector knobs). 

1961: The classic SG body style now replaces the carved top single cutaway Standard and Custom as well as the double cutaway Junior, TV, and Special. The Les Paul name is retained on the Standard, Custom, and Junior until 1963. 

1964-1967: No Les Paul guitars made. 

1968: The Les Paul line is reintroduced with a new Standard and a Custom.

Gibson Les Paul Buyer

I am actively looking to buy all models of the Gibson Les Paul from each year in the 1950s and 1960s. If you're curious about how much I would value your Les Paul then you can contact me here: Sell a Gibson. I can help you identify the exact model, find the year by serial number, and identify important features. I may be the guitar buyer you're looking for.