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In response to the rising demand for 1950s-style Les Pauls, the carved-top models were re i n -
t r oduced in 1968. A new model, the Les Paul Deluxe, featuring mini-humbucking pickups
a p p e a r ed in 1969. The Special was revived in the 1970s and the Jr. re a p p e a r ed in the 1980s.
The Flying V, Explore r, and Fire b i r d were also brought back into regular production, as musi-
cal styles began to catch up with these ahead-of-their-time designs.
While the original four Les Paul models continued as the foundation of the line, Gibson off e r e d
new variations, such as the Studio, Classic, and Double-Cut Standard, in order to give musi-
cians all the features they wanted in a Les Paul guitar. In the 50-plus years of the Les Paul,
Gibson has off e r ed more than 100 diff e rent variations. In 2003 Gibson honored Les Paul for
his achievements as a perf o r m e r, re c o r ding innovator, and guitar designer by presenting him
with a special Artist for Eternity Aw a r d .
As Gibson celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Les Paul in 2002, the company rocked the
guitar world once again by introducing the first digital electric guitar. It re p r esents the biggest
advance in electric guitar design since the instrument was invented, and more o v e r, it serv e s
notice that Gibson electric guitars will continue to epitomize the highest levels of Quality,
P r estige and Innovation.