Book Description
Journey through the career of musical giant, milestone guitarist and recording innovator Les Paul, and marvel at the world of cutting-edge guitar design! This book emerged out of author Robb Lawrence's years of research, interviews, extensive vintage archives (including original Les Paul/Mary Ford articles, press photos, music and recordings) and gorgeous original photography. Learn about the "Clunker," the experimental "Log" - the first true prototype of the Gibson solidbody - and the 1951 arched maple top, sharp cutaway models. It's all here: the factory pictures, the designers, the electronics. The stories of the various Goldtops, Seth Lover's Humbucking pickups, the Custom "Fretless Wonder" and the heralded '50s "Sunburst" Standard are told by the insiders and players. Lawrence lovingly describes each model, detailing its physical beauty, workmanship, construction and special musical qualities. You'll read Les Paul in his own words, as well as Michael Bloomfield and Jeff Beck talking about their Les Paul Sunbursts. You'll listen in on the thoughts of veteran Gibson President Ted McCarty, company historian Julius Bellson and electronic designer Walt Fuller. Through these insights and recollections, you'll see how this popular man and his admirers have created the Les Paul Legacy.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Journey through the career of a modern musical giant, guitar innovator Les Paul, and marvel at the world of cutting-edge guitar design. This handsome book emerged out of years of extensive research, interviews and a collection of Robb Lawrence's vintage archives (including original Les Paul/Mary Ford music and recordings) and photography. Learn about the experimental "Log," the first prototype of the solid body, the sharp cutaway, and the arched maple top models. It's all here - the factories, the designers, the electronics. The stories of the Goldtop, Humbucking pickups, the Fretless Wonder are told by the insiders. Each model in its turn is lovingly described, detailing its physical beauty, its workmanship, and its special musical qualities. All the guitars are pictured in full color, conveying the living, breathing feel of them. You'll read Les Paul in his own words and Jeff Beck talking about his Les Paul Sunburst. You'll listen in on the thoughts of veteran Gibson guitar builders like Ted McCarty. Original advertising is reproduced that introduced models like the Les Paul Triumph Bass Guitar. Read from the 1956 catalog about the Une-P-Matic Bridge, which "removes intonation difficulties completely" or the "miracle wraparound tailpiece." Les Paul: The Gibson Solid Body Story is one book you'll keep coming back to: it is a truly historic treasure trove. Full-color illustrations throughout; Hardcover; May; World Rights.