1956 Gibson Les Paul
The 1956 Les Paul is the last true P-90 gold-top before humbuckers transformed the model. An excellent player's instrument with the refined ABR-1 bridge and the raw, cutting tone of P-90s.
Current Market Value
Excellent
$35,000–$55,000
Very Good
$22,000–$35,000
Good
$14,000–$22,000
Fair
$7,000–$14,000
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
Specifications
| Body Wood | Mahogany (body), Maple (carved top) |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood |
| Scale Length | 24.750" |
| Frets | 22 |
| Pickup Config | HH |
| Bridge | ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic, stop tailpiece |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe single-ring |
| Finish Options | Gold Top |
| Est. Production | 920 |
Pickups & Electronics
Two P-90 soap-bar pickups. Final full year of P-90 equipped Les Paul Standards.
What Changed in 1956
Final full year of P-90-equipped Les Paul Standards before the introduction of PAF humbuckers in 1957. Some late 1956 models may have transition features.
Collector's Notes
The distinction between late 1956 (P-90) and very early 1957 (PAF transition) can be subtle — verify pickup date codes carefully.