The Gibson Les Paul Special was first introduced in 1955 to fill the gap between the Les Paul Junior and the Goldtop. The Special's bound fingerboard and pearl logo placed it above the budget Junior model, although it still had dot inlays. The Special’s two pickups gave it all the available tones of the goldtop and of the Custom models.

Production of the LES PAUL SPECIAL (LPJ2) began in 1989 and ended in 1998

The Les Paul Special 3/4 was made between 1959 and 1961

The Gibson Les Paul Special Double Cutaway (model LPJD) was made between 1993 and 1995. It was based on the Les Paul Special but had a double cutaway body. TV Yellow finish was available as an option. This model was resissued from 1998 onwards as a Gibson Custom Shop model - the Custom Shop 1960 Les Paul Special Double Cutaway.

Gibson reissued their Les Paul Special Double Cutaway, with rounded horns in1976 and production lasted until 1988. The Les Paul Special Double Cutaway had two P-90 pickups (1955 type soapbars), a one piece mahogany body and mahogany neck. The black pickguard had a white revealed edge. Gibson replaced this model in 1988 with the Les Paul Junior Double Cutaway Special.

Production of the LES PAUL SPECIAL SINGLE CUTAWAY REISSUE (LES PAUL 55) began in 1974 and ended in 1981