The Gibson Melody Maker was first launched in 1959 and you won't
find the Les Paul's name anywhere on this little guitar. Granted,
it looks exactly like a Les Paul in many ways and yes... a guitar
novice could easily mistake this 1959 Melody Maker for a 1950's
Les Paul Junior. Both models, the original Melody Maker and the
original Junior, featured dot inlays fretboard markers, white
button tuners, jack positioned on the top and both used
wrap-around bridge/tailpiece units.
This 1st year 1959 Gibson Melody Maker... in its beautiful
factory "Sunburst" nitrocellulose finish, was uniquely built.
It features a single round cutaway very similar to the
Junior. The body is slightly thinner with a 1 3/8" slab body.
It has a 7/8" single coil oblong pickup with a black cover
fitted close to the tailpiece bar, knobs on pickguard and it was
made in a darker sunburst finish then the Junior. From 1959 thru
1961 the Melody Maker had a single cutaway. In 1961 the body
style changed to a double cutaway and the single cutaway model
was discontinued.
Gibson's "Golden Era"... from the late 50's and early 60's... are
best known for the emergence of the company's iconic Les Paul
Standard. But the Les Paul wasn't the company's best-selling
guitar during this historic period. That title belongs to the
legendary Melody Maker. These early '59 Melody Makers are
considered a center-piece for any vintage guitar collection.