The Gibson Les Paul Electric Guitar

The modern day guitar revolution began in 1952. It was in this year that Les Paul and Gibson teamed up to create the Gibson Les Paul electric guitar. Whether you are aware of it or not, you have no doubt heard this guitar in action. Whether you have gone to a live a show and seen your favorite artist playing it or you have heard it on your favorite albums, this guitar is a staple in the music industry and has been since its creation all those years ago.

The story of the guitar's burth is a little different depending on who you ask. Les Paul is responsible for adding elements to the guitar such as the trapeze-style tailpiece. Les Paul was a very popular Jazz musician at the time. When the guitar was created, Ted McCarty was in charge of Gibson. He claims that the guitar was completely designed and made before Gibson ever approached Les. Gibson did this to get an endorsement for their new guitar from a well known jazz and pop guitar player.

Despite the legendary status the Les Paul has these days, believe it or not, it was rejected when it was first introduced. He submitted a prototype nicknamed 'The Log' only to be turned down. Les Paul's vision was to attach electronics to a solid piece of wood as opposed to the semi-hollow body guitars that were popular at the time. His unique design spurred the industry in a new direction and expanded on the idea of the electric guitar that became wildly popular. Since then, Les Paul's guitar has gained traction with guitarists through the decades to finally rise to icon status.

The rich, storied history of the unique Gibson Les Paul electric guitar still attracts guitar enthusiasts and collectors to this day. Many studio musicians and professionals prefer the tone of the Les Paul. Many notable musicians use this guitar still today. Many famous guitarists have used this guitar: Chet Atkins, Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, The Edge, David Grohl, Eric Johnson, Ted Nugent, Keith Richards and many, many more. It has a rich clientele that continues to grow, making this guitar one of the most landmark electric instruments to hit the market.

Pictures Of Vintage Les Paul Guitars

A lot of people that love Rock-N-Roll and love the music that comes from guitars would probably be surprised to know exactly where the solid body guitar originated from. A major inspiration for the creation of the electric guitar was the Hawaiian music that originated in the 1920s and the 1930s. Hawaiian guitars were played with a metal slide and were amplified acoustically and electrically. Partially inspired by these guitars, the Gibson Les Paul electric guitar and other electric guitars were created in the early 1950s.

The Les Paul guitar was invented by Les Paul (Lester William Polsfuss), the renown American jazz guitarist. Les Paul didn't like how the first electric guitars sounded so he experimented with different designs. As a result of his designs and the inspiration of the Hawaiian guitars, the Les Paul was born. The first prototype was nicknamed "The Log" and was built in 1941.

This innovative approach along with the expertise of Gibson guitar company resulted in the Les Paul. Les Paul signed a contract that he would always play a Gibson guitar and never be seen or photographed with any other type. The contract with Gibson only lasted up until '61 when the company decided to change the design to make it a lighter and thinner instrument with a little more style. Paul didn't like this and refused to allow his name to be used on the guitar which is now called the SG.

You can definitely tell the difference between the Gibson Les Paul and the SG guitar because you can see the history and the function within the original model versus the straight ahead style of the new version. They're both based on the same acoustic and electric standard. Many people appreciate the styles of both guitars but prefer the original because of their respect of the inovative work of Les Paul.

http://gibsonlespaulelectricguitar.com

July 9, 1915 brought the birth of one of the greatest jazz guitarists the world has ever known. This was the day that Lester William Polfuss, who we know as guitarist and inventor Les Paul, was born. Little did his parents know how their little baby would change the guitar world with the Gibson Les Paul electric guitar. Les began showing signs of musical interest and talent at the age of 8 when he took up playing the harmonica. In his teenage years Les started out on the banjo but switched to the guitar as his instrument to master. He certainly succeeded in mastering the guitar and went on to revolutionalize not only guitar design but the face of Rock and Roll.

Les and Gibson Unite

Les became frustrated with the guitar designs of the 30’s and began working on his own design. In '41 he designed one of the first solid body electric guitars and it was given the nick-name of "The Log". This design was recreated by Gibson in the early 50's when they introduced Les to their new guitar design. Les signed a contract with the Gibson Corporation to play this guitar exclusively and that began the era of the Gibson Les Paul electric guitar.

Later this guitar became known as the “Les Paul” sold only in the “Goldtop” version at that time and is highly collectible today. Gibson had Les was under contract and he was to be seen with only a Les Paul in all public appearances and photographs. This colaboration was stopped in 1961 by Les when Gibson changed the guitar design without consulting him. A few years later Eric Clapton brought back the original Les Paul guitar and soon thereafter Les and Gibson reunited with Les at the helm of the designs of his guitars. Today, many early model Les Pauls are sought by guitar players and collectors from around the world. The guitars were a big hit and to add to it all Les was also the key component in creating better pickups that guitar makers still use to compare against their new designs.

Les’s Life and Achievements

Les played in various venues from his teenage years and beyond. Although he retired in the late 60's, Les still gigs frequently in various small venues. In 1948, Les was in an car accident and his elbow was broken and he had his doctor set his elbow in a position that he could still play guitar. In the late 40's Les was married to vocalist Mary Ford and the went on tour together. By 1964 Mary could no longer handle the busy life of touring and they divorced. Les has been recognized and rewarded over the years and he and Mary were both inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Les is a highly respected musician all over the world and his technical advances in the guitar world will live forever.