What’s My Gibson Les Paul Worth? A Model and Year Vintage Value Guide
If you're the owner of a real vintage 1950s Gibson Les Paul - congratulations! You've got a very valuable vintage guitar, but how does one find out exactly how much its worth? This guide contains not only ballpark ranges of value for each year of the old Les Paul guitars, but also the information you need to identify what model you have.
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I'm John Shults - I've spent the last 16 years buying, selling, and collecting the vintage guitars I've always dreamed of: Gibson Les Paul guitars from the original run from 1952 until 1963. The guide below is written to help you get a holistic view of what a guitar collector sees in your guitar: the exact model, the year it was made, the features which affect its value, and from there - the chart of values for each year and model of the Les Paul.
1. Vintage Les Paul Values by Model – Identification Guide
Use this graphic to identify which of the 5 different 1950s Les Paul models you have. The model identification is the most significant factor which determines how much your Les Paul is worth. After you've identified your model, scroll past the graphic and click on the model name for more infomation.
Click the model name that matches your guitar. Use the chart above to identify your Les Paul model.
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(659) 208-7374
. The Standard is first and most popular of the Les Paul models. The original Les Paul Model was introduced in 1952 and was continually updated each year until its discontinuation in 1963. Initially introduced as simply the Les Paul Paul model, it became the Standard in 1956 once the four other models were introduced.
Goldtop (1952–1957 P-90s, humbucking pickups in 1957) or
Sunburst (1958–1960 with humbucking pickups) – Most Valuable
Contact me here if you're looking to sell: John@truevintageguitar.com or
(659) 208-7374
. Contact me here if you're looking to sell: John@truevintageguitar.com or
(659) 208-7374
.
The fancy black finished Les Paul Custom was introduced in late 1953. This spectacular model featured
two pickups from 1953 - 1957, but was updated to three humbucking pickups in 1957. This configuration lasted until 1961 when the model was updated to the SG body style and white finish.
Contact me here if you're looking to sell: John@truevintageguitar.com or
(659) 208-7374
. Gibson introduced the Les Paul Special in 1955 to bridge the gap between the single pickup Junior and much fancier Standard. It featured two P-90 pickups, a one piece slab Mahogany body, and single cutaway until 1958. The double cutaway LP body style supplanted the single cut style mid year. The Special officially lost the "Les Paul" signature in November of 1959, but many still bear it into 1960.
TV Yellow or Cherry Red with two P-90 pickups
TV Yellow Single cutaway with one pickup or TV Yellow double cutaway
Sunburst or
Cherry Red with one P-90 pickup – Least valuable
Les Paul Standard: Gold or Sunburst
Year and Model
Estimated Value
1952 Les Paul Standard $20,000 – $32,000 1953 Les Paul Standard $20,000 – $32,000 1954 Les Paul Standard $25,000 – $45,000 1955 Les Paul Standard $35,000 – $65,000 1956 Les Paul Standard $35,000 – $65,000 1957 Les Paul Standard $40,000 – $125,000 1958 Les Paul Standard $100,000 – $165,000 1959 Les Paul Standard $200,000 – $400,000 1960 Les Paul Standard $150,000 – $300,000 1961 Les Paul Standard $15,000 – $25,000 1962 Les Paul Standard $15,000 – $25,000 1963 Les Paul Standard $15,000 – $25,000 Les Paul Custom: Black or White
Year and Model
Estimated Value
1953 Les Paul Custom $25,000 – $45,000 1954 Les Paul Custom $25,000 – $45,000 1955 Les Paul Custom $25,000 – $45,000 1956 Les Paul Custom $25,000 – $45,000 1957 Les Paul Custom $40,000 – $75,000 1958 Les Paul Custom $45,000 – $75,000 1959 Les Paul Custom $50,000 – $80,000 1960 Les Paul Custom $45,000 – $75,000 1961 Les Paul Custom $15,000 – $25,000 1962 Les Paul Custom $15,000 – $25,000 1963 Les Paul Custom $15,000 – $25,000 Les Paul Special: Yellow or Cherry Red with Two Pickups
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Year and Model
Estimated Value
1955 Les Paul Special $8,000 – $15,000 1956 Les Paul Special $8,000 – $15,000 1957 Les Paul Special $8,000 – $17,000 1958 Les Paul Special $5,000 – $17,000 1959 Les Paul Special $5,000 – $10,000 1960 Les Paul Special $5,000 – $10,000 Les Paul TV: Yellow With One Pickup
Year and Model
Estimated Value
1955 Les Paul TV $8,000 – $15,000 1956 Les Paul TV $8,000 – $15,000 1957 Les Paul TV $8,000 – $15,000 1958 Les Paul TV $8,000 – $18,000 1959 Les Paul TV $8,000 – $18,000 1960 Les Paul TV $8,000 – $17,000 Les Paul Junior: Sunburst or Cherry Red with One Pickup
Year and Model
Estimated Value
1954 Les Paul Junior $6,000 – $11,000 1955 Les Paul Junior $6,000 – $11,000 1956 Les Paul Junior $6,000 – $11,000 1957 Les Paul Junior $6,000 – $11,000 1958 Les Paul Junior $5,000 – $9,000 1959 Les Paul Junior $5,000 – $9,000 1960 Les Paul Junior $5,000 – $9,000
Click your model name above to view the range of values and information about your vintage Les Paul.
I buy, sell, and appraise vintage Gibson guitars:
Contact John here.
Call us at 659-208-7374 or fill out this form. You can text pictures directly to this number or email to John@truevintageguitar.com.
2. Les Paul Values by 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: Date Your Les Paul by Serial Number and More. 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 to me here to find out how much it's worth: 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. Features Which Determine a Les Paul's Value
This section helps explain how the features of a Les Paul are the third most important part of finding how much it's worth. Sometimes guitars of the same model and year may have slightly different features - and hugely different value. Gibson Les Paul collectors are looking for certain features which correspond to generally agreed upon values for Les Paul guitars. The three most important features that affect value are the finish color, bridge style, and pickup style.
A. Finish style: Goldtops, Sunburst, Cherry Reds, and TV Yellows
While each model has its own finish style, the most important finish which affects value is the Standard's transition from the Goldtop to the Cherry Sunburst in 1958. The transition began in the Summer and Fall of 1958, so about half of the 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard are gold and half are Cherry Sunburst. Guitar collectors love the Cherry Sunburst finish because of both its striking appearance as well as the fact that it exposes the Maple cap underneath the finish. Many of these Maple caps exhibit wild wood grain that captivates the viewer. The allure of the Cherry Sunburst finish is so great that it's the reason that these guitars are referred to by collectors as "Bursts". A late 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard in Sunburst is generally worth about double that of a comparable earlier 1958 Les Paul with Goldtop finish.B. Flame and Figure:
Does the depth and amout of figure in the wood on a Cherry Sunburst Les Paul really affect its value? Absolutely! All else being equal, the figure of the wood on face of the body of a Cherry Sunburst Les Paul can swing its value by at least $20,000.C. Bridge and Tailpiece style: Trapeze, Wrap Tail, Tune-O-Matic, Stop Bar, and Bigsby
The bridges - or metal piece in the center of the body which sets the string height and may also anchor the strings - were updated a few times throughout the 1950s. The Tune-O-Matic bridge is the most desirable, then the wrap tail, then the trapeze style bridge.D. Pickup Style: P-90 or Humbucker
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. Since this condition is subjective, 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.
Condition:
All else being equal, most collectors are willing to pay a higher price for a guitar with little wear. When a guitar is played heavily, the frets wear down, it's more exposed to light, and the hours of being handled often results in more nicks/dings/scratches. The condition will be a significant factor in the value of most vintage Les Pauls, but there's an excetion for Les Paul Standards made in 1958, 1959, and 1960. Condition is often a less significant factor in its value than the wood figure and the amount of fade of the Cherry Red.Repairs:
Some repairs are more important to guitar collectors than others. The most common and significant repair which affects the value of a vintage Les Paul is a headstock break or neck repair. The one piece Mahogany neck is is weak in the area between the headstock and the fretboard and the string tension exacerbates the problem. A repaired headstock will affect the value of any vintage Gibson by about 50%.Other common repairs which affect the value of a vintage Les Paul are a refret, oversized tuners, and other changed parts. Refrets can vary in quality, so not all are equal. My opinion is that a factory style refret with retained nibs and no planing is more valuable than worn original frets. Conversely, a refret with oversized frets, planed fretboard, and no binding nibs will decrease its value.
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 Vintage Les Paul Values
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.
Why are vintage Les Pauls so expensive?
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.
Do you buy Les Paul guitars?
Yes; I buy vintage Gibson Les Paul guitars from the 1950s and 1960s: Sell a Gibson. I buy nice examples of every Les Paul model made from 1952 until 1963. You can sell your vintage Les Paul to me from any country in the world. Note: I do not buy reissue guitars.
I have three collections of guitars: one small collection that will never be sold, one collection that I'll sell eventually but not right now, and one collection of vintage guitars which are for sale now. My primary income is from dealing vintage guitars, but I am also a guitar collector. My shop is a bit unique since I only work with vintage guitars - I don't sell accessories or new guitars of any kind. I specialize in vintage guitars from Gibson and Fender made during the 1950s and 1960s.
How can I sell my vintage Les Paul without shipping?
I travel worldwide to buy the vintage Les Paul guitars I've always dreamed of. I've bought vintage guitars on 5 different continents so far. If you are considering selling a 1950s Gibson Les Paul then feel free to contact me and send pictures. I'd be happy to have a look.
Appraisals for vintage Les Paul guitars
Contact me for an expert appraisal of your 1950s or 1960s Gibson Les Paul guitar. Every vintage guitar has its own story to tell - and its own unique features which determine how much its worth. I'm a 16 year veteran guitar collector, appraiser, and dealer who's bought vintage guitars on 5 different continents (in person). My appraisals come with both dedicated study and personal experience.
About Me: John Shults; Vintage Guitar Collector
If you had asked me at 5 years old what I wanted to be when I grow up, I'd have told you that I wanted to be an archaeologist. Collecting vintage guitars is not exactly that, but the same passion that drove me then is still there: I love old things, guitars, and music. That passion lead me to endless study, worlwide travel, and relentless saving to be able to buy the guitars I've always dreamed of: Gibson and Fender guitars made during the golden era of the 1950s and 1960s. The Gibson Les Paul guitars are the originals on which the last 70 years of guitar making are built. This website is intended to honor that tradition and help people find the value of their cherished family heirloom guitar.
