The guitar introduced into the popular market several features that were
innovative for electric guitars in the mid-1950s. The distinctive body shape,
which has become commonplace among electric guitars, was revolutionary
for the time period, and for the first time a mass-market electric guitar
did not significantly resemble earlier acoustic models. The double cutaway,
elongated horns, and heavily contoured back were all designed for better balance
and comfort to play while standing up and slung off the shoulder with a strap.
The three-pickup design offered players increased versatility and choice in
tone quality over earlier one- and two-pickup electric guitars, and a responsive
and simplified vibrato arm integrated into the bridge plate, which marked
a significant design improvement over other vibrato systems, such as those
manufactured by Bigsby. All of these design elements were popularized and
later became an industry standard due to the success of the Stratocaster.
The Fender Stratocaster is one of the most iconic electric guitar models of all time.

The Les Paul was originally offered with a gold finish and two P-90 pickups.
In 1957, humbucking pickups were added, along with sunburst finishes in 1958.
The 1958–1960 sunburst Les Paul, today one of the best-known electric guitar
types in the world, was considered a commercial failure, with low production
and sales. For 1961, the Les Paul was redesigned into what is now known
as the Gibson SG. The original single-cutaway, carved top bodystyle was
re-introduced in 1968. The Les Paul has been produced in many versions
and editions since. Along with Fender's Telecaster and Stratocaster,
it was one of the first mass-produced electric solid-body guitars.
Due to their versatility, Les Paul electric guitars have been used in a
wide range of music genres, including rock, country, pop, soul, rhythm
and blues, blues, jazz, reggae, punk, and heavy metal.

Like the three-pickup Stratocaster which followed it in 1954, the Telecaster is
a versatile guitar and has been used in many genres, including country, reggae,
rock, pop, folk, soul, blues, jazz, punk, metal, alternative, indie rock, and R&B.
The base model has always been available, and other than a change to the
pickup selector switch configuration, a thinning of the neck, and a few variations
on the bridge design, it has remained mostly unchanged from the 1950s.
Several variant models have been produced over the years including those
with different pickup configurations and electronics, semi-hollow body designs,
and even a twelve string model.