DATE :
Monday, April 28, 2025
1957 Gibson Les Paul Special: The Golden Era Working Musician's Guitar
1957 Gibson Les Paul Special: The Golden Era Working Musician's Guitar
Why the 1957 Les Paul Special Matters
The 1957 Gibson Les Paul Special represents a pivotal moment in electric guitar history—the final year of the original single-cutaway design that would disappear for nearly a decade. The Les Paul Special retained its single cutaway body style and tv yellow finish until the transition to the double cut body style in 1958. This makes 1957 examples particularly significant, as they capture the essence of Leo McCarty's original vision before Gibson's radical redesign in 1958.
What makes the 1957 Les Paul Special extraordinary:
The last year of the classic single-cutaway silhouette before the double-cut redesign
Perfected manufacturing processes with three years of refinement since the model's 1955 introduction
Prime example of Gibson's "working musician's guitar" philosophy—professional features without luxury appointments
Legendary TV Yellow finish that became synonymous with rock and roll rebellion
The sweet spot between the student-level Junior and the premium Standard models
Historical Context: Gibson's Middle Child Comes of Age
By 1957, Gibson had clearly established the Les Paul hierarchy with the Junior, Les Paul TV Model, Les Paul Special, Les Paul Model (goldtop), and Les Paul Custom from least to most expensive. The Special occupied the crucial middle ground—offering professional versatility without the premium price tag of the carved-top models.
What Was Happening at Gibson in 1957: Gibson was experiencing unprecedented growth in solid-body electric guitar production. The company had refined their manufacturing processes significantly since the chaotic early days of solid-body production. 1957 marked the year that humbucking pickups were introduced on the goldtop Standard and Custom models, though the Special retained its beloved P-90 pickups.
The "TV Yellow" Phenomenon: Legend has it that the famous "TV Yellow" color of the Les Paul Special was named for its vivid appearance on black & white televisions in the 1950s. Whether this origin story is accurate or not, the TV Yellow finish became one of the most recognizable guitar finishes in rock history.
Musical Landscape of 1957: Rock and roll was exploding, and working musicians needed affordable, reliable electric guitars. While the Les Paul Standard was marketed toward jazz players and the Custom toward high-end professionals, the Special found its home with the emerging generation of rock, blues, and country players who needed dual-pickup versatility at a reasonable price.
Current Market Value (2025 Update)
The 1957 Les Paul Special market has experienced steady appreciation over the past decade, driven by both collectors and players who appreciate the model's unique tonal characteristics and historical significance.
Key Value Factors:
Originality: All-original examples command significant premiums over modified instruments
P-90 Pickups: Original black soapbar P-90s are crucial—vintage Gibson P90 pickups from 1957 Les Paul Specials can sell for $625+ as pairs
Wraparound Bridge: Original wraparound tailpiece adds substantial value
Finish Condition: The TV Yellow finish is prone to fading and checking, with unfaded examples being particularly valuable
Documentation: Original case, receipts, or provenance significantly increase value
Why Edgewater Pays More: At Edgewater Guitars, we consistently pay 30-40% more than typical guitar shops because we understand the true market value of these historically significant instruments. Our expertise in authentication ensures you receive fair compensation for genuine vintage Gibsons.
Detailed Identification Guide
Serial Numbers
Like most Gibson Les Paul guitars from 1957, its serial number began with a 7 prefix to indicate 1957 followed by 4 digits after a space. The typical format is "7 XXXX" where the four digits represent the specific guitar's production number.
1957 Serial Number Ranges:
Early 1957: 7 0100 - 7 3000
Mid 1957: 7 3000 - 7 6000
Late 1957: 7 6000 - 7 9500
Neck Dating
The most reliable dating method is the pencil-written date on the neck heel (visible when the neck is removed). 1957 necks typically show dates like "1-57" through "12-57" indicating month and year of manufacture.
Potentiometer Codes
Original Centralab Pot Dating to 36th Week of 1957 is typical for this year. The pot codes follow this format:
137XXXX: Centralab manufacturer code (137)
XXYY: Week (XX) and year (YY) - so 3657 = 36th week of 1957
Visual Identifiers Specific to 1957
TV Yellow "Limed Mahogany" Finish: The Limed Mahogany finish synonymously associated with "TV Yellow" is absolutely superb
Black P-90 Soapbar Pickups: Two single-coil P-90 pickups with black plastic covers
Wraparound Bridge/Tailpiece: Single piece aluminum wraparound bridge and tailpiece
Dot Inlays: Simple dot position markers (no fancy trapezoids)
Bound Fingerboard: Cream binding around the rosewood fingerboard edge
Single-Cutaway Body: The classic Les Paul silhouette that would disappear in 1958
Body and Hardware Specifications
Body: solid Mahogany body with flat top and no top carve
Pickguard: Cream plastic with five mounting screws
Toggle Switch: Located on the upper bout (moved to the control area in 1958)
Control Layout: Two volume, two tone controls with standard Gibson wiring
Tuners: Kluson single-line strip tuners with plastic buttons
Detailed Physical Specifications
Weight and Dimensions:
Typical Weight: 8.0-9.0 lbs (lighter than carved-top Standards)
Body Thickness: 1.75" (solid mahogany slab)
Scale Length: 24.75" (standard Gibson scale)
Neck Specifications:
Profile: full C carve and a smooth taper up the neck
Nut Width: 1 11/16" (standard for the era)
Fretboard Radius: 12" (flatter than modern Gibson standards)
Fret Wire: Small vintage-style frets (most have been refretted over the decades)
Neck Joint: Set neck construction with hide glue
Electronics:
Pickups: Two black P-90 "soapbar" single-coil pickups
Pickup Resistance: bridge pickup around 8.16k ohms, neck pickup around 7.75k ohms
Wiring: Standard Gibson 2-volume, 2-tone with 3-way toggle
Capacitors: Bumblebee capacitors (.022 μF typical)
Potentiometers: 500k audio taper Centralab pots
Tonal Characteristics: The P-90 Magic
The 1957 Les Paul Special offers a distinctive tonal character that bridges the gap between single-coil brightness and humbucker warmth:
Sound Profile: Known for a unique mixture of warmth, body, and single-coil bite, the P-90 pickups of the Les Paul Special have an appealing and distinctive response that can remain clean or can readily push an amp past the break-up threshold.
Pickup Characteristics:
Neck Position: Warm, woody tone perfect for jazz, blues, and rhythm playing
Bridge Position: Cutting, aggressive tone that cuts through any mix
Both Pickups: Balanced, full sound ideal for chord work and melodic playing
Why The Wraparound Bridge Matters: This Les Paul Special is ripe with acoustic energy - incredibly resonant with excellent sustain and a distinct attack that only a wraparound tailpiece seems to impart. The direct coupling of strings to body through the wraparound bridge creates enhanced sustain and harmonic complexity.
Amplifier Interaction: The original P90 pickups are strong and well balanced, with great snap and a chirpy top end with great natural compression. This is especially evident when pushing it into a cranked up amp.
Common Issues & Modifications
When evaluating a 1957 Les Paul Special, watch for these common issues:
Typical Problems
Tuner Button Deterioration: the crumbling tuner button syndrome affects many vintage Gibsons
Switch Jack Wear: The 3-way toggle switch often requires replacement
Pot Replacement: Original Centralab pots may have been replaced over decades
Bridge Post Issues: Many made prior to the change suffer from leaning posts
Common Modifications That Affect Value
Bigsby Vibrato Addition: Period modification that requires drilling
Pickup Replacements: Modern P-90s significantly reduce value
Refinishing: TV Yellow is often refinished due to wear and fading
Hardware Replacement: Non-original tuners, bridge, or controls diminish value
Authentication Red Flags
Wrong Serial Number Format: Should be "7 XXXX" format for 1957
Incorrect Pickup Covers: Should be black soapbar style
Wrong Bridge Type: Should be aluminum wraparound, not Tune-O-Matic
Headstock Logo Issues: Should have "Gibson" in correct 1950s script
Why Players and Collectors Value This Model
Playing Characteristics
For rockers in particular, this thicker and aggressive tone definitely conjures some real primal urges, but the Les Paul Special truly has enough of a varied response that it has found its way into the hands of a wide array of players across genres.
What Makes It Special:
Versatility: Two pickups provide tremendous tonal range
Playability: Comfortable neck profile and excellent fret access
Reliability: Simple, robust construction that stands up to decades of use
Character: Distinctive tone that cuts through any mix
Collector Appeal
Historical Significance: Last year of original single-cutaway design
Production Numbers: Relatively limited production compared to Junior models
Condition Rarity: Many were heavily played, making clean examples valuable
Market Recognition: Les Paul Specials are worthy of all of the attention they get, and their consistent rise in the vintage market proves just how formidable an instrument they truly are
Investment Potential
The 1957 Les Paul Special represents excellent value in the vintage guitar market. While not commanding the astronomical prices of Bursts or Black Beauties, these instruments have shown steady appreciation and offer exceptional playing value for collectors and musicians alike.
Selling Your 1957 Les Paul Special
If you own a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Special, Edgewater Guitars offers the premium buying experience you deserve:
Why Choose Edgewater Guitars
Expert Valuation: Our team specializes in 1950s Gibson authentication and valuation
Premium Offers: We consistently pay 30-40% more than local guitar shops
Immediate Payment: No waiting periods or consignment fees
Professional Photography: We document your instrument's unique characteristics
Secure Transactions: White-glove service for high-value vintage instruments
Our Authentication Process
We understand the nuances of 1957 Les Paul Special identification:
Serial number verification and cross-referencing
Pot code analysis for date confirmation
Original finish and hardware authentication
Pickup originality assessment
Documentation of any period modifications
Ready to get a professional valuation? Call us at (440) 219-3607 or submit photos through our online valuation form. We travel throughout Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and West Virginia for high-value instruments.
Related Resources
Authentication Tools
Additional Reading
Recent Purchase Example
Case Study: Cleveland Collector's 1957 Special
We recently acquired an exceptional 1957 Les Paul Special in TV Yellow from a longtime collector in Cleveland. The instrument featured:
All-original finish with beautiful natural aging
Original black P-90 pickups with perfect resistance readings
Intact wraparound bridge and original hardware
Matching serial numbers and pot codes confirming 1957 manufacture
Our on-site evaluation included professional photography and detailed authentication. We provided an immediate cash offer that exceeded the seller's expectations by $1,500 compared to quotes from local music stores. The transaction was completed within 48 hours with full documentation provided.
Seller Testimonial: "I was amazed by Edgewater's knowledge of my 1957 Special. They knew details about the guitar that even I didn't know. The price they offered was significantly higher than anyone else, and the process was completely professional. I wouldn't hesitate to sell to them again."
Expert Buying Service Throughout the Midwest
Edgewater Guitars specializes in purchasing premium vintage guitars throughout Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and West Virginia. For 1957 Les Paul Specials and other high-value vintage instruments, we provide:
In-person evaluations for instruments valued over $8,000
Secure transportation and fully insured transactions
Same-day decisions on most vintage Gibson purchases
Professional documentation including provenance research when available
Contact Information
Phone: (440) 219-3607
Email: [contact form link]
Service Area: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia
Specialties: 1950s Gibson Les Paul models, vintage Fender instruments, Martin acoustics
Final Thoughts
This '57 is an exceptional example of the 50s slab-bodied staple, plain and simple. The 1957 Gibson Les Paul Special represents the culmination of Gibson's early solid-body electric guitar development—a perfect balance of professional features, distinctive tone, and working musician practicality.
Whether you're a collector seeking an important piece of guitar history or a player ready to experience the magic of vintage P-90 tone, the 1957 Les Paul Special offers something truly special. And when you're ready to sell, Edgewater Guitars provides the expertise, service, and fair pricing that vintage guitar owners deserve.
Don't let your vintage Gibson gather dust—contact Edgewater Guitars today for your free, professional valuation.
