In reaction to market demand, Gibson Guitar president Ted Mc Carty brought guitarist Les Paul into the company as a consultant.

Les Paul was a respected innovator who had been experimenting with guitar design for years.

The Les Paul was designed by Gibson president Ted Mc Carty, factory manager John Huis and their team, along with guitarist/inventor Les Paul.

Along with Fender's Telecaster and Stratocaster, it was one of the first mass-produced electric solid-body guitars.At this time, Gibson instruments were marketed toward an older, jazz-oriented audience rather than young burgeoning guitarists.As a result, over the three-year period of production, only c. These Les Pauls were considered to be too heavy and old-fashioned, and they initially did not find favor amongst guitarists.In 1957, humbucking pickups were added, along with sunburst finishes in 1958.The sunburst 1958–1960 Les Paul – today one of the best-known electric guitar types in the world – was considered a failure, with low production and sales.