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Fans of Rock-N-Roll and those who love the music that comes from guitars would probably be surprised to learn exactly where the solid body guitar originated. Believe it or not, the Hawaiian music of the 1920s and the 1930s had a major impact on the invention of the electric guitar. The Hawaiian guitar is played with a metal slide and their sound can be 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.

Lester William Polsfuss who is better known as Les Paul is a famous American jazz guitarist who created the Gibson Les Paul. 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 unique approach coupled with the know-how of the Gibson Guitar Corporation resulted in the Gibson Les Paul electric guitar. Les Paul signed a contract that he would always play a Gibson guitar and never be seen or photographed with any other type. This contract with the Gibson company only lasted until 1961 when Gibson decided to change the design to make it a lighter and thinner instrument with a little more style. Les Paul did not like this and wanted his name off of this Gibson 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. There are many people that appreciate the styles of both guitars but prefer the original due to their respect and acknowledgment of the work that Les Paul put into it's creation.

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July 9, 1915 brought the birth of one of the greatest jazz guitarists the world has ever known. This was the day guitarist and inventor Les Paul was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin. 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 when he took up playing the harmonica at the age of 8. In his teenage years he tried his hand at the banjo but instead chose the guitar as his instrument to master. Les succeeded in mastering the guitar and went on to revolutionalize not only guitar designs and recording techniques 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. Les was under contract with Gibson to be seen only with this guitar for public appearances, and photos. 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. These days, many early versions of the Les Paul are sought by players and collectors worldwide. 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. Les retired in the late 60's but he still gigs frequently in various small venues and he's well into his 90's. 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 married singer Mary Ford and they toured together. In 1964 Mary could no longer handle the busy life they led and they divorced. Les has received many awards over the years and both he and Mary Ford were 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.

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1952 marked the beginning of the modern day guitar revolution. 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 probably experienced this guitar in someway or another. You may have gone to a live a show and seen your favorite musician playing it or you've heard it on your favorite record, 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. There are claims that the guitar was completely designed before Gibson ever talked to Les Paul. 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. Les Paul's prototype was called 'The Log' and it was rejected when he submitted it. His thought was to put electronic pickups onto a solid guitar as opposed to the semi-hollow bodies that were popular then. 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. The unique tone spectrum of the guitar is used by many studio musicians. Many notable musicians use this guitar still today. Some notable users have been: 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.

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