The true story behind Les Paul and his relationship with Gibson and the guitars that bore his name has become quite convoluted over the decades. First, the story about Les Paul and Gibson having a "falling out" is a myth. This was a cover story created to explain why Gibson was no longer using Les Paul's name. The truth was that neither Les Paul nor Gibson wanted Mary Ford up in their business. So, after the 1960 production year, Gibson ceased production of the Les Paul model. Sales were sagging anyway so, the agreement made sense. So, for a very short time, Gibson used Les Paul's name on the newly designed SG, which was a design inspired by the double cut Les Paul Junior. So, for a short time between 1961 and 1962, The SG was produced as the "Les Paul Special". Its true that Les Paul hated the SG design. He felt the neck joint was weak and that the double horn design could injure someone if they ran up the neck too fast. So, Gibson Les Paul had his name removed from the SG model in mid 1962. Afterwards, the guitar was marketed as the "SG" which stood for "Solid Guitar". After their divorce was finalized at the end of 1963, Les Paul began courting Gibson again sometime in 1964. He wasn't in a hurry and neither was Gibson. Nevertheless, around that time, Norlin began talking about buying Gibson, which effected Les Paul's interests in the company. By the time Norlin purchased Gibson, they had finalized a deal with Les Paul and the Les Paul model want back into production in 1968. Anyway, that's the story I was told by someone who actually shook the hand of Les Paul and worked on some of his instruments.
Thanks for sharing that. In our research we did find several versions of the story and there is no doubt that the marital issues between Les and Mary were a factor. Thanks for sharing what you had heard, always nice to have multiple perspective.
That is amazing isn't it? When we think of the Les Paul through our modern lens it is hard to believe that that could have been the case. Thanks for checking out the channel.
The first Les Paul player who got my attention wasn't Eric Clapton, but Mike Bloomfield. I didn't know at the time that Bloomfield did much of his famous work on a Telecaster. The first time I saw him (in 1966) he was playing a Les Paul gold top guitar, and It's what I associated him with. Everybody who played wanted one, and they got hard to find and expensive.
Thanks for posting ! The story I read ca. 40 years ago ( I think it was in Tom Wheeler's Guitar Book ) goes like this ( if I remember correctly ) : when Gibson reissued the Les Paul models in 1968 Michael Bloomfield was a big guitar star in the USA and after he played a Telecaster on the first Paul Butterfield Blues Band album he switched to a 1954 Gold Top he used on the second Butter Album. So Gibson reissued the Gold Top first , not being aware of the fact that Bloomfield by that time had switched to a cherry sunburst LP Standard because of Clapton who played one on the "Beano" album ! Greetings from Hamburg Germany
Thanks for joining the conversation here. It is really interesting to explore the impact that key artists had on guitars over 50 years ago and how that might still impact what is popular today. The guitar industry is full of these butterfly-effects.
Isn't it funny that Clapton himself moved away from the Les Paul the moment he could afford something else than the 2nd hand instruments he had started with? Cream went on the road with an SG, then he moved to an ES-335 then to a Strat'.
I can see the Blues Breakers album being a big influence on Les Paul’s but what about other people like Michael Bloomfield who-in 1965 used a 1954 Goldtop on the East/West album, then switched to Dan Erlewine’s 1959 standard? The first one I saw was Al Wilson’s 1954 goldtop LP 1967 on TV in a Canned Heat song. I thought they were really weird then since I liked Strat’s and SG’s mostly. Like-“that’s a weird guitar why would want one of those?”😆😂
@scotthutchens1556 you are right that there was a batch of great players that picked up those 50" era Les Paul's and started to influence the market. Michael Bloomfield is a great example, agreed. We only end with highlighting Eric Clapton since it would seem that he was pivotal and because he is one of the most unexpected when you look at this story just from a modern perspective. Thanks for checking out our video, and thanks for joining the dialog. 🙏🏼
@@NoFearGuitarGear You’re welcome! It’s true-Clapton was very visible-I myself was only 12 years old in 1966 and never heard of the Beano album until sometime in the 1980’s. I really hated it when he changed to Strats-seemed so unlike his sound having been influenced a lot by Cream back in the day.
Thanks for watching and for your kind feedback. We have some Fender history in the works, they have some interesting and less known stories in their past as well.
I've never understood how the iconoclast who invented The Log ended up designing a single cut parlor guitar. And how an instrument of rebellion is still dominated by the same designs 70 years later.
It is amazing how sticky the hold of the Les Paul, Strat, and Tele are. We study that and all of the history constantly and while we sort of get it, some aspects of that defy explanation. As for Les, the Log, and the Gibson Les Paul, I think Les was more interested in some of the key benefits of a solid guitar at a time where it was so new it was tough to nail. While there are conflicting stories, most believe that Gibson's R&D team designed what we know as the Les Paul and Les signed on to be the endorser, that is why it is more of a departure from the Log and closer to other Gibson's that came before it. The history is all pretty interesting and how the guitar trends change (or don't) is also fascinating. Lots more we can all explore here. More to come. 👀
Great video I never really like Gibson. I still play an Epiphone Casino. Gibson never made a Model, I suppose a 330 is close. I kept this over a Gibson 335.
@@paxchristi2014 No. Its knocked up in a Chinese factory. Gibson may own the Brand, but they have little to do in the making. It uses all Chinese parts. Parts awful, Guitar build fine. Gibson do make an Epi Casino, its USA built, but they want 3k for it!
The true story behind Les Paul and his relationship with Gibson and the guitars that bore his name has become quite convoluted over the decades.
First, the story about Les Paul and Gibson having a "falling out" is a myth. This was a cover story created to explain why Gibson was no longer using Les Paul's name. The truth was that neither Les Paul nor Gibson wanted Mary Ford up in their business. So, after the 1960 production year, Gibson ceased production of the Les Paul model. Sales were sagging anyway so, the agreement made sense.
So, for a very short time, Gibson used Les Paul's name on the newly designed SG, which was a design inspired by the double cut Les Paul Junior. So, for a short time between 1961 and 1962, The SG was produced as the "Les Paul Special". Its true that Les Paul hated the SG design. He felt the neck joint was weak and that the double horn design could injure someone if they ran up the neck too fast. So, Gibson Les Paul had his name removed from the SG model in mid 1962. Afterwards, the guitar was marketed as the "SG" which stood for "Solid Guitar".
After their divorce was finalized at the end of 1963, Les Paul began courting Gibson again sometime in 1964. He wasn't in a hurry and neither was Gibson. Nevertheless, around that time, Norlin began talking about buying Gibson, which effected Les Paul's interests in the company. By the time Norlin purchased Gibson, they had finalized a deal with Les Paul and the Les Paul model want back into production in 1968.
Anyway, that's the story I was told by someone who actually shook the hand of Les Paul and worked on some of his instruments.
Thanks for sharing that. In our research we did find several versions of the story and there is no doubt that the marital issues between Les and Mary were a factor. Thanks for sharing what you had heard, always nice to have multiple perspective.
Very nicely put together. Short and to the point. Really enjoyed watching.
Thanks so much. We appreciate you checking it out.
The holy grail of guitars, the 58-60 burst Les Pauls, were actually not popular during their time. Thats one reason why they are so rare today.
That is amazing isn't it? When we think of the Les Paul through our modern lens it is hard to believe that that could have been the case. Thanks for checking out the channel.
The first Les Paul player who got my attention wasn't Eric Clapton, but Mike Bloomfield. I didn't know at the time that Bloomfield did much of his famous work on a Telecaster. The first time I saw him (in 1966) he was playing a Les Paul gold top guitar, and It's what I associated him with. Everybody who played wanted one, and they got hard to find and expensive.
Thanks for sharing your experience. A few others have shared that Mike Bloomfield was who they associate with the Les Paul. Great input!
Thanks for posting ! The story I read ca. 40 years ago ( I think it was in Tom Wheeler's Guitar Book ) goes like this ( if I remember correctly ) : when Gibson reissued the Les Paul models in 1968 Michael Bloomfield was a big guitar star in the USA and after he played a Telecaster on the first Paul Butterfield Blues Band album he switched to a 1954 Gold Top he used on the second Butter Album. So Gibson reissued the Gold Top first , not being aware of the fact that Bloomfield by that time had switched to a cherry sunburst LP Standard because of Clapton who played one on the "Beano" album ! Greetings from Hamburg Germany
Thanks for joining the conversation here. It is really interesting to explore the impact that key artists had on guitars over 50 years ago and how that might still impact what is popular today. The guitar industry is full of these butterfly-effects.
Isn't it funny that Clapton himself moved away from the Les Paul the moment he could afford something else than the 2nd hand instruments he had started with? Cream went on the road with an SG, then he moved to an ES-335 then to a Strat'.
Agreed! His guitar evolution is interesting. That might be worth a closer looker in a future episode.
He went to fender because Jimi was gone. I bet if Jimi lived he wouldn’t have switched
Not totally. He played Les Pauls on and off in the early 70s .
@@frozendivots1564 Oh, I see. Jimi used to buy up all the 2nd hand Strat's and poor Eric couldn't get one before ;)
@@Leo_ofRedKeep no, he didn’t play them and bought one as a gift for Jimi. Jimi died and Eric kept it.
Mary Ford played a les paul SG her nephew sold at a pawn shop not just any pawn shop but on the show Pawn Stars they shelled out 95,000$ for it
Great insight thanks. So many fun things when you start to dig into guitar history.
I can see the Blues Breakers album being a big influence on Les Paul’s but what about other people like Michael Bloomfield who-in 1965 used a 1954 Goldtop on the East/West album, then switched to Dan Erlewine’s 1959 standard? The first one I saw was Al Wilson’s 1954 goldtop LP 1967 on TV in a Canned Heat song. I thought they were really weird then since I liked Strat’s and SG’s mostly. Like-“that’s a weird guitar why would want one of those?”😆😂
@scotthutchens1556 you are right that there was a batch of great players that picked up those 50" era Les Paul's and started to influence the market. Michael Bloomfield is a great example, agreed. We only end with highlighting Eric Clapton since it would seem that he was pivotal and because he is one of the most unexpected when you look at this story just from a modern perspective. Thanks for checking out our video, and thanks for joining the dialog. 🙏🏼
@@NoFearGuitarGear You’re welcome! It’s true-Clapton was very visible-I myself was only 12 years old in 1966 and never heard of the Beano album until sometime in the 1980’s. I really hated it when he changed to Strats-seemed so unlike his sound having been influenced a lot by Cream back in the day.
What a fantastic video have a wonderful weekend ❤😊 also I am a fender person to be honest ❤😊
Thanks for watching and for your kind feedback. We have some Fender history in the works, they have some interesting and less known stories in their past as well.
I think the two greatest electric guitars are the ‘57 Les Paul Goldtop and the ‘60 Les Paul Special Double Cut in TV Yellow.
You have good taste!
I've never understood how the iconoclast who invented The Log ended up designing a single cut parlor guitar. And how an instrument of rebellion is still dominated by the same designs 70 years later.
It is amazing how sticky the hold of the Les Paul, Strat, and Tele are. We study that and all of the history constantly and while we sort of get it, some aspects of that defy explanation. As for Les, the Log, and the Gibson Les Paul, I think Les was more interested in some of the key benefits of a solid guitar at a time where it was so new it was tough to nail. While there are conflicting stories, most believe that Gibson's R&D team designed what we know as the Les Paul and Les signed on to be the endorser, that is why it is more of a departure from the Log and closer to other Gibson's that came before it. The history is all pretty interesting and how the guitar trends change (or don't) is also fascinating. Lots more we can all explore here. More to come. 👀
The Les paul returned the year I was born 1968 your welcome
I thought gibson was actually gonna discontinue it lol turns our it's a history video about that 😅
Great video I never really like Gibson. I still play an Epiphone Casino. Gibson never made a Model, I suppose a 330 is close. I kept this over a Gibson 335.
Thanks so much! Gibson is not everyones favorite, but man have they impacted many of the most important guitars out there.
Oh man l love the Epiphone Casino!
Your guitar was made by Gibson.
@@paxchristi2014 No. Its knocked up in a Chinese factory. Gibson may own the Brand, but they have little to do in the making. It uses all Chinese parts. Parts awful, Guitar build fine. Gibson do make an Epi Casino, its USA built, but they want 3k for it!
I'll pick a SG over a Les Paul any day!