Hammond Music

Posts Tagged ‘gibson les paul’

Mark Knopfler talks about a Fender Stratocaster

There can’t be many people who’ve not fantasised about becoming a guitar hero. Standing onstage, legs apart thrashing out power chords and blistering guitar solos loud enough to make peoples ears bleed. And there are a number of truly great electric guitars that have stood the test of time.

One of the most famous electric guitars is the Fender Stratocaster. Originally designed way back in 1954 the Fender Strat was the instrument favoured by the late, great Jimi Hendrix. It’s also the instrument chosen by the likes of Eric Clapton and Pete Townsend of the Who. The Fender Stratocaster continues to be as popular today as it ever was and a whole new generation of guitarists are discovering this great, iconic instrument.

Another well known guitar from Fender is the Telecaster. This beautifully simple instrument was first introduced as the Broadcaster in late 1949 and has been in continuous production ever since. There are many talented and well known guitar players who prefer to play Fender Teles. Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones is probably one of the most famous guitarists who chooses to play Telecasters.

If we are talking about classic guitars we must of course mention the fantastic Gibson Les Paul. This is another truly great electric guitar, first made back in the 1950s and in continuous production ever since. Jimmy Page, of Led Zeppelin and Yardbirds fame, is just one guitarist who loves the Gibson Les Paul. Another great guitarist who made the sound of this instrument famous in the song ‘Alright Now’ was the lat Paul Kossoff of the band Free.

Since I’ve given a mention to two Fenders its only fair that I should talk about two great Gibsons. I could have chosen the fantastic ES335, a favourite with many great guitarists, including BB King but instead I have chosen the exceptional Gibson SG. This great electric guitar with its distinctive looks was first introduced in the early 1960s initially to compete with the popular Fender Stratocaster. This is the guitar used by Angus Young of Australian rock band ACDC for all of their well known rock anthems. This great instrument was also the guitar used by Tony Iommi, guitarist with seventies rock band Black Sabbath.

There are just so many great guitars but these four are, without doubt, at the top of the list of great electric guitars of our age.

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.