In 1955, the competition to develop and market solid body electric guitars that were both affordable and professionally built was heating up. Just three years earlier, Gibson had introduced the incredible Les Paul model with a $249.50 price tag (including case), yet increased competition was triggering the exploration into new directions that would eventually yield a wide variety of new and innovative Gibson products at various price points. Among those new products was the Les Paul Junior single cutaway model in 1955—a stripped-down, affordable alternative to the more expensive Les Paul model. It was given a dark brown color around the guitar’s edge, with a golden sunburst shading in the middle of the body. This finish would eventually become known as Vintage Sunburst.