Interesting LES PAUL article

Subject: RE: Interesting LES PAUL article
From: GUEST
Date: 30 May 02 - 08:36 AM

Les Paul mentioned in one of his bios that he envisioned the guitar that eventually carried his name to incorporate a neck-thru-body design. His prototype was something along the lines of a 4X4 whittled down with the sides glued onto it. Gibson thought this design would be too costly to manufacture and went with the set-neck design used today.

Probably Gibson's Firebird should rightfully carry the Les Paul name, because it is closer in design to how Les envisioned "his" guitar.

Subject: RE: Interesting LES PAUL article
From: Steve-o
Date: 29 May 02 - 05:11 PM

At a pickin' party a while back I played with a guy who spent a lot of time with Les Paul, and who owns some of the most fabulous instruments you've ever seen. I'm an acoustic kinda guy, but if you dig those 'lectric things, call up his home page- his name is Robb Lawrence. Definitely some cool stuff, and quite a guy.

Subject: RE: Interesting LES PAUL article
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 29 May 02 - 02:16 PM

Couldn't agree more; the man was/is a genius, with a great sense of humor and a real positive attitude to music and life in general. Those Chester and Lester records were in regular rotation on my turntable, both for the incredibly tasty picking and the relaxed, congenial vibe these fellows projected. I caught a short film of one of his regular New York gigs a while back; the old guy could still play rings around most of us, with a smile on his face the whole time. Glad to hear he's still at it.

Subject: RE: Interesting LES PAUL article
From: Mooh
Date: 29 May 02 - 10:33 AM

Amazing isn't he? I've got the Chester and Lester recordings in mint condition vinyl. When they were released I tried to turn every guitar player I knew on to them. They were timeless then and are timeless now.

I've often wondered (as a died in the wool gear freak) where music would be today if it wasn't for the contributions of Les Paul and Leo Fender. Maybe it would be more acoustic, or more keyboard, or never mind...what's the point in speculating?

It's a good thing Les Paul is well recorded, his type don't appear in history very often.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Interesting LES PAUL article
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 29 May 02 - 10:03 AM

What a bloody fine picker! Single minded, obsessive, great sense of humour (remember those sessions with the laconic Chet) AND.....he came straight from the folk tradition. His Rhubarb Red cuts (singin', strummin' his L5, and playing great NON cross harmonica.

I'm an absolute idiot for not having gotten down to New York on a Monday night to see him play....but I DO have the recordings.

Thanks Justa, another valuable contribution (even if there's only a few left here to appreciate it)

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: Interesting LES PAUL article
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 28 May 02 - 02:46 PM

Justa,

Thanks, that's a neat article. I must admit, I had just assumed that Les was no longer with us. He sure was a pioneer.

Subject: RE: Interesting LES PAUL article
From: Justa Picker
Date: 28 May 02 - 02:37 PM

I especially liked his comment about:
"I learned a long time ago that one note can go a long way if it's the right one, and it will probably whip the guy with 20 notes."

Subject: RE: Interesting LES PAUL article
From: GUEST
Date: 28 May 02 - 02:28 PM

Oh what I would give to own such a guitar; and have the ability to play it like him...

Subject: Interesting LES PAUL article
From: Justa Picker
Date: 28 May 02 - 02:21 PM

Here.