Unveiling the Million Dollar Les Paul: A Journey into the World's Most Coveted Guitar

The Birth of a Legend

Million Dollar Les Paul: In Search Of The Most Valuable Guitar In The World

by Alan Fraser

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Language	:	English
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Print length	:	288 pages
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In the annals of music history, there are guitars that stand head and shoulders above the rest. The Million Dollar Les Paul is one such instrument, a guitar that has become synonymous with the golden age of rock and roll.

The story of the Million Dollar Les Paul begins in the late 1950s, at the height of the electric guitar craze. Gibson, one of the leading guitar makers of the time, had just released the Les Paul Standard, a model that would go on to become one of the most iconic guitars ever made.

The Les Paul Standard was the brainchild of legendary guitarist Les Paul, who had been working with Gibson to develop a guitar that would meet the demands of the emerging rock and roll sound. The guitar featured a solid mahogany body, a carved maple top, and two humbucking pickups, giving it a rich, full sound that was perfect for the new era of music.

The 1959 Sunburst: A Masterpiece Is Born

In 1959, Gibson released a limited edition of the Les Paul Standard in a sunburst finish. This guitar, known as the "1959 Sunburst," would go on to become the most sought-after Les Paul model of all time.

The 1959 Sunburst was a masterpiece of craftsmanship. The body was made from the finest mahogany, and the top was carved from a single piece of maple. The guitar's finish was a deep, rich sunburst that has become synonymous with the Les Paul. The guitar also featured a pair of powerful humbucking pickups, which gave it a sound that was both clear and powerful.

The Million Dollar Myth

The Million Dollar Les Paul gets its name from a story that has been circulating for decades. According to the story, a wealthy collector offered a million dollars for a 1959 Sunburst Les Paul in the 1990s. While this story is likely apocryphal, it does speak to the incredible value that these guitars have come to command.

Today, a 1959 Sunburst Les Paul can easily fetch over a million dollars at auction. These guitars are highly sought-after by collectors and musicians alike, and they are considered to be some of the finest guitars ever made.

The Legacy of The Paul

The Million Dollar Les Paul is more than just a guitar. It is a symbol of the golden age of rock and roll, and it has been played by some of the greatest guitarists in history, including Slash, Joe Perry, Jimmy Page, and Eric Clapton.

The Les Paul has also been used on some of the most iconic recordings in rock and roll history, including Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" and The Rolling Stones' "Brown Sugar."

The Les Paul is more than just a guitar. It is a work of art, a piece of history, and a symbol of the enduring power of rock and roll. It is a guitar that will continue to be played and cherished for generations to come.