Any difference in tone between a '57 Les Paul Special and a '56 Goldtop

[tjmicsak]

Just wondering how close these two guitars are. Both are Les Pauls and both have P90s.

[Ruraltom]

Well, the goldtop has a maple cap on mahogany and the Special just has a slab of mahogany.... I tend to think of a gold top as being a little richer and deeper and the Special a little twangier.

[hazel-rah]

The maple top will make the '56 brighter. And the top carve makes them feel different. The goldtop will have a two piece bridge system, which is good for intonation but will change the tone and feel, as well.

[GAD]

Don't know about real ones, but I've had reissues of these models. The Special was angrier.

[jp1977]

the special doesnt have the carved maple cap. I like the sound of both guitars but they are a bit different sounding.

[memiller]

Well the '56 is one more vintagey than the '57 so it should have more tone.