Les Paul's Impact in Pix

[LeftHander]

I think anyone over 40 can attest that at some point you were totally rocking out in the car cranking the tunes and hearing the liquid creamy sustain and meaty fat power of the Les Paul. The playability and sensitivity of the Les Paul opened a new sonic space that forever changed music and our lives.

The instrument that started out as a way for the guitar to be heard in a jazz band and later equipped with double coil electric pickups (The Humbucker) to reduce buzz opened the door to hard rock and set the stage for many memorable times in not only clubs, basements and cars but concert halls and stadiums across the world.

Players soon discovered that the sound of the guitar played through a amplifier with the pre-gain overdriven had a tone unlike any that came before. The distortion became smooth and musical with unique undertones and sustain that took the player's expression to new heights. The solid body prevented uncontrolled feedback and allowed the strings to ring extra long. It was a heavy instrument and when paired with great amplifiers like a Marshall or HIWATT the results were devastating.

Every guitar player at one point lusted for a Les Paul Custom with the flamed maple sunburst paint.

Here are just a few memories for us aging rock fans



Jimmy Page



Ace Frehly



Neal Schon



Duane Allman



Pete Townshend