Best Les Paul Colors – Popular Across Gibson & Epiphone!

The Les Paul is a world-renowned guitar, played by guitar legends such as Slash, Jimmy Page, and Eric Clapton.

For me, and most guitar players, the Les Paul epitomizes rock guitar. It’s a much more diverse instrument than that, but the titans of the instrument (its jazz-playing namesake notwithstanding) are classic rock guitar heroes.

Les Pauls have been my main choice of electric guitar since I got an Epiphone Les Paul as a teenager. At this point, it’s the benchmark against which I compare all other guitars. It’s the guitar that feels the most like me.

That first guitar was a Slash signature model, in an eye-catching flame-top tobacco burst. I’ve since added to that collection one in black (which I later sold to a friend) and my favorite guitar of all, my 1990 Les Paul Standard in wine red.

Once upon a time, Gibson offered few, if any, color variations on the Les Paul. These days, they offer more colors than ever! I’ll run through a few of my favorites, and what I like (or dislike) about each color option.

Classic Les Paul Colors

Let’s start with the classics. The famous colors of Les Pauls that spring to mind whenever someone mentions that iconic name.

I’ll take this chance to point out some Les Paul history: once upon a time, there was only the goldtop. After that, the Les Paul Custom, in black, came out, and by the late ’50s the Les Paul Standard in sunburst hit the scene.

Most of the endless sunburst variation colors on the market these days are actually based on the aging that these late ’50s Les Pauls experienced by the time they got to the hands of Page, Clapton, and their contemporaries.

Goldtop

The Goldtop was the first Les Paul ever released, back in 1952. Although it may not be the most popular colorway anymore, it certainly made an impression back in the day and continues to look great now.

In fact, the color was so iconic that the Les Paul standard finished in that dazzling gold soon came to be referred to as the ‘Goldtop,’ cementing the Les Paul with that color.

A color that exudes luxury and vintage flair, Goldtop has long been a favorite among many legendary guitarists.

The gleaming, metallic gold finish is a bold “fashion” statement, making the Goldtop Les Paul a centerpiece in any guitar collection.

Featured on models like the Gibson Slash “Victoria” Les Paul Standard Goldtop, this iconic finish harkens back to the early days of Les Paul guitars, when the Goldtop was one of the first to be introduced.

There’s an Epiphone Goldtop too, for those on a budget who still want to capture that classic ‘50s look.

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of Goldtop Les Pauls. They show their wear very easily in my experience.

As a teenager, one of my guitar-playing friends had a pristine Goldtop that developed inexplicable black marks on the back. My guitars pick up a little buckle rash, but this was two thick, matte black vertical lines on the back of his prized Les Paul. It turned out that he’d been playing seated in his office chair and grinding the finish against the arms of the chair!

With a finish like gold, every little ding and scrape is really obvious. I’ll be the first to admit that my guitars look like they’ve been heavily used.

However, on a goldtop, I’d always err on the side of caution too much to really relax into playing the guitar.

Sunbursts

The Goldtop may have reigned supreme throughout most of the ‘50s, but when the sunburst model was released in 1958, it soon took over in popularity.

Sunburst is a classic colorway, available on many different guitars made by countless different companies, but none pulled it off quite as well as Gibson (and Epiphone).

Upon release in 1957, the only sunburst on offer was a red cherry burst. That’s the color I always think of when I think of a Les Paul. It’s the “Beano” burst as played by Eric Clapton, and the sunburst as wielded by Jimmy Page in The Song Remains The Same, but to me, it’ll always be the bright, saturated color of Ace Frehley’s signature Les Paul.

Over time, the finish on these guitars faded and changed, leading players to name the subtle differences in various colors themselves.

The red and yellow of the original burst would either lighten or darken over time, depending on both factory conditions and what the guitar was exposed to post-factory.

This spawned a range of sunburst colors, including my favorite yellow-to-black “tobacco” burst, the faded yellow “lemon burst” as played by Gary Moore, and the subtler whiskey tones of bourbon and vintage bursts.

To me, the sunburst range of colors really epitomizes the Les Paul. A nice faded burst with a bit of play wear is my favorite color for a guitar. Later models dubbed “cherry burst” offered vibrant coloration due to new paints.

The ’70s-era Les Paul Deluxe, for example, was a much brighter red that looked great under stage lights, and showed up brilliantly on video tape.

Darker Bursts

The vintage sunburst finish is a great twist on the classic cherry sunburst. Substituting the red tones near the edge of the body for a deep black adds sleek, stylish cool to the classic sunburst finish that personally, I much prefer!

Epiphone also offers this worn vintage sunburst model, which gives an aged look to the guitar that only adds to its character.

I’m a big fan of the played-in look of a vintage sunburst guitar. They look great on stage, commanding plenty of classic-rock cool.

Very much in the vintage-burst family of yellow-to-black coloration, the tobacco burst Les Paul has that aged and refined look that some players covet more than anything.

It is quite difficult to distinguish it from a vintage sunburst, but look at the fading color between the lightest area in the middle and the darkest area at the edge. If it’s more brown than yellow, it’s a tobacco burst!

This finish evokes a sense of vintage allure, reminiscent of smoky jazz clubs and late-night blues sessions. It is commonly seen on the Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s and the Epiphone Les Paul Junior.

To me, there are two players who are the kings of tobacco burst Les Pauls. Joe Perry of Aerosmith and Slash.

It checks out that Slash’s own tobacco burst (the “November Rain” guitar as seen in the music video) once belonged to Joe Perry!

This was the color of my first Les Paul, so I have a real soft spot for it. The black edges show finger marks and scuffs, but the overall patina of the finish endures wear very well.

I think the black-and-yellow scheme also looks really cool with a black leather jacket, in photo shoots, on stage, or at rehearsal. That might just be my teenage self trying desperately to imitate Slash, though.

Lighter Bursts

I’ve a serious soft spot for Honeyburst Les Pauls. Before I bought my wine red Les Paul, I was tossing up between it and another 90s model in this sandy, understated finish.

I always loved how this warm, honey-colored finish reveals the beautiful wood grain beneath, offering a classic, vintage appearance that has captivated guitarists for decades. I like seeing the wood beneath the paint: it makes the guitar feel so alive to me!

One of my biggest influences, Dan Hawkins of the Darkness, has long played a honeyburst Les Paul Standard, too. He looks great on stage playing one, although I’d be the first to admit that I’m nowhere near as cool as he is.

Found on models like the Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s and Epiphone Les Paul Classic, this finish has become famous for musicians who desire a visually appealing guitar that retains its traditional charm.

Smokehouse Burst

Yet another burst option is dubbed “smokehouse,” based on those cherry bursts that went darker over years of use, perhaps due to exposure to smoke from cigarettes and possibly other, less legal cigarettes.

I often see this offered on the bare-bones Les Paul Studio model. The Smokehouse Burst color adds an extra flair to this no-nonsense instrument, making it a standout choice for musicians seeking a visually stunning guitar that delivers the exceptional performance and classic Les Paul sound they have come to expect from this iconic series.

It looks cool on stage, to my eye, and offers a subtle variation on the classic Les Paul burst.

Notable Alternative Burst: Satin Iced Tea

The Les Paul Tribute in Satin Iced Tea color is a subtle and sophisticated option for guitarists who appreciate a refined aesthetic combined with vintage-inspired performance.

“Iced Tea” is the name given to the faded look of Jimmy Page’s classic Les Paul.

This finish features a delicate blend of warm brown and amber hues, reminiscent of a calming cup of iced tea, and is accentuated by a smooth satin finish that adds a touch of elegance.

The Satin Iced Tea color perfectly complements the Les Paul Tribute’s focus on paying homage to its heritage. It is an excellent choice for musicians seeking a tasteful instrument that captures the essence of the legendary Les Paul legacy.

The satin finish is nowhere near as durable as a gloss finish, and seems to be a magnet for scratches and dings.

My experience of satin guitars is that they’re buckle rash central!

However, one cool effect of a satin finish is that, with accumulated hours of playing time, the neck will slowly harden into a really comfortable, glossy finish.

Solid Colors

Ebony

What could possibly be chicer than all-black? Nothing, of course! Except maybe all black with a white scratchpad for contrast! Enter: the Les Paul ebony model.

The original black Les Paul, a mid-50s Custom, was actually designed to be played with an all-black tuxedo.

The jazz players of the 1950s who comprised the bulk of Gibson’s market felt that the goldtop was too gaudy to play in a big band, and too gaudy to wear while in a tux.

Available with a black or white pickguard, the ebony-finished Les Paul is a solid favorite among Gibson and Epiphone players alike.

I love the look of an all-black Les Paul Custom. I used to own a black Epiphone Les Paul Custom, which I upgraded with Seymour Duncan pickups and Gibson electronics. The gold hardware made it feel really luxurious, and it looked great on stage. Unfortunately, the glossy black finish really showed finger marks, and it rarely showed up nicely in live photos!

I mostly played that guitar because I wanted to look like Brian Robertson. Of course, his has a cream pickguard and pickup rings, looking more like a pint of Guinness than a man in a tux. Appropriate for Thin Lizzy, I suppose.

The black Les Paul Custom always reminds me of Peter Frampton, Jimmy Page, or Brian Robertson. For a less common look, John Sykes actually played a black Custom with chrome hardware that I always thought looked very cool, especially in the 80s when everyone else was playing gaudy shred guitars.

Alpine White

Classy, sleek, and bright. Perfect for any player who wants to lean away from the grungy stigma and add a splash of color to their band’s line-up.

The alpine white finish is uncommon on Les Paul models apart from white Gibson Les Paul Customs and Epiphone Les Paul Customs.

A friend of mine travels the world with his white Les Paul Custom, playing it in a punk rock band! I used to worry that scuffs and damage would really show up on a white finish. It’s why I don’t have white furniture at home, and why I tend not to wear white on stage.

However, he pointed out that, under stage lights, scuffs and scratches in the guitar finish actually turn up blinding white! The guitar could look like the surface of the moon, but on stage it will look close to pristine.

The white Les Paul Custom, to me, is a very serious instrument. If you pull one out at a gig and you can’t shred, I’ll judge you pretty harshly. Most guitar players I know would.

They aren’t cheap, and they’re something of a testament to the commitment of the player to their instrument.

Really, the player indelibly linked to the white Les Paul Custom is Randy Rhoads. This is true to the point where, when Zakk Wylde joined Ozzy’s band, he had his own white Custom (bought in loving tribute to the dearly departed Rhoads) repainted in his iconic bullseye finish. He didn’t want anyone to think he was trying to imitate Randy!

Pelham Blue

Blue really feels more like a Fender color than a Gibson color to me, but it’s a cool option. Pelham blue may as well be Dave Grohl’s signature color at this point, and that’s not bad company to keep!

These days I’ve seen it mostly on Epiphone Les Pauls.

The Faded Pelham Blue color adds an extra layer of allure to this already remarkable instrument, making it an ideal choice for guitarists seeking a visually striking guitar that delivers outstanding performance and cutting-edge features without sacrificing the legendary Les Paul legacy.

TV Yellow

Only available on this special edition Les Paul is the wonderful TV yellow finish, which is not too dissimilar from Fender’s famous butterscotch Telecaster.

This distinctive color was initially developed for early television broadcasts. The bright yellow hue would appear white on black-and-white TVs without causing glare.

Perfect for guitarists seeking a visually stunning instrument with a rich history and exceptional playability, the TV Yellow Les Paul Special is a must-try for those who appreciate the combination of classic style and modern performance.

Finished with a black scratchplate and hardware, it’s not hard to see why this colorway is popular in both Gibson and Epiphone models.

Sparkling Burgundy Top

I love the top-only paint jobs, where the back and sides of the guitar body are left natural, but this time in sparkling burgundy.

The sparkles might be a bit much for some players. I remember seeing Taylor Swift’s custom sparkle Les Paul at an exhibition in Nashville over ten years ago, and sparkly Les Pauls will always remind me of the Speak Now tour.

Reminiscent of the cherry red finish, which is now more common on the SG, this unique colorway is both dazzling and refined.

Available on Epiphone Les Pauls.

My Favorite: Wine Red

I would be remiss not to include my favorite Les Paul color, and the one that I bought as my main guitar all those years ago.

I love the deep burgundy color of my wine red Les Paul.

I actually picked it because I saw an old concert video of The Who in which Pete Townshend was wielding a wine red Deluxe. Earlier that year, I saw The Darkness live, and Dan Hawkins – at the time, my favorite rock guitar player – was brandishing, as his number two guitar, a deep wine red Les Paul.

I was only in my very early twenties at the time, and with dreams of rock stardom at the forefront of my mind, I didn’t want a guitar that was famously associated with anyone else.

That means that classic bursts were out. Anyone playing a burst would immediately be accused of ripping off Jimmy Page or Slash. A solid color on a Custom would demote me to Randy Rhoads wannabe in white, or a Peter Frampton wannabe in black, having moved my old black Epiphone custom on to a friend to help pay for this purchase.

Wine red, I decided, wasn’t a signature color for any guitar heroes. Pete Townshend played a thousand guitars and Dan Hawkins is best known for his honeyburst Standard.

Surely, when my name was in lights, guitar players of the future would want a wine red Les Paul, so they could be just like me!

Armed with a young man’s ego and a few months’ pay, I went to my local guitar store and put a deposit down on my dream guitar: the 1990 Gibson Les Paul Standard.

I love the look and sound of the recent ’70s Deluxe, complete with vintage-voiced mini humbuckers!

Factors Influencing Color Choice

Personal preference, stage presence, and collectibility are three factors that often influence a buyer’s choice of color.

For example, some guitarists may choose a vibrant color to stand out on stage. Still, you may like a specific finish due to the influence of your favorite guitarist.

Choosing the perfect color for your guitar is a deeply personal decision.

Vintage colors like Honey Burst, Cherry Sunburst, Tobacco Burst, and Goldtop offer a classic, timeless appeal, making them excellent choices for any guitarist.

To me, the color of a guitar really is down to how and where you plan to play it. Flashier bands deserve flashier instruments. More understated bands tend to play more understated instruments.

Ace Frehley is in KISS, so his burst guitars are much more vibrant and saturated (and complete with lightning bolt fret inlays) compared to, say, the more subdued stage presentation and color scheme of Jimmy Page or Eric Clapton’s bursts.

Closing Thoughts

Hopefully, you got some colorful inspiration from this article! Unfortunately, Gibson isn’t known for offering as many colorways as Fender, for example, but what they do offer is definitely unique and well-suited to the Les Paul.

Of course, guitar color is not as important as build quality, materials used, or overall sound, but it does still matter! You’ll play your best if you love your instrument, so make sure you find the perfect color Les Paul for you.

And if you don’t like it, you can always do what Neil Young did, and paint a goldtop black!

Happy playing!