The Gibson Les Paul Classic was introduced in 1990 as a reissue based on the 1960 Les Paul. The in 1991 came the figured top Classic Plus version In 1993 the Classic line was extended again with the introduction of the Premium Plus model. Dealers were unhappy with the variability of the figure in the Classic Plus models So the Classic Premium Plus guitars had tops which were better than "plus" tops but not usually as fancy as the '59 reissue tops. The Classic Premium Plus came without a pickguard fitted (it was supplied in the case) but cost $500 more than the Classic Plus when the only real difference between the Plus and Premium Plus was the top.

At the start of 1993 both these models were still almost like '59 reissues for a lot less money. Gibson fixed this in mid 1993 when the decal on the headstock of all Classics was changed from "Les Paul Model" to "Les Paul Classic" and they widened the binding in the cutaway. This stopped a Classic with swapped truss rod cover and pickguard being passed off as a '59 reissue.

Source: Eric Shoaf. Vintage Guitar magazine, May 1998.