Million Dollar Les Paul

Was the '59 Les Paul the perfect guitar ever made? Fun piece today in the LA Times about a new book called "Million Dollar Les Paul".

In 1958 Gibson introduced an electric guitar called the Les Paul Standard, a solidbody electric with mahogany body, two pickups, and a three-colour sunburst maple top, priced at $280. About 1,500 were made before production ceased in 1960 of what was at the time a not-particularly-successful model. But when guitar heroes such as Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page began to play examples in the 1960s, the legend of the 'burst' began. The guitars became among the most desirable ever made, and to buy one now you'd be looking at paying what it would cost to purchase and furnish a decent sized family home, and put a car in the garage."



"In this exciting history, Tony Bacon examines the "burst" phenomenon from every angle. He begins with the "Les Paul Primer," documenting the guitar's brief production period from 1958 to 1960. He then profiles and interviews everyone from the man who inspired it, Les Paul, to dealers, collectors, forgers, roadies, and, of course, major players like Stephen Stills, Duane Allman, and Jimmy Page. Million Dollar Les Paul also looks at the science, investment history (and increasingly astronomical pricing), and almost mystical appeal of the instrument whose small production numbers — only 1,500 were made — belie its stature as the single most sought-after guitar in the world."