Les Paul News

Any way you look at it, Les Paul is a living legend.

Better yet, Lester William Polsfuss (later changed to Lester Polsfuss, and then Les Paul) is a national treasure like no other. He’s a rare, class-act-of-a man that comes around once in a lifetime, and anyone who has the pleasure of being in his presence is a better person for it.

At the tender, young age of 94 – which he celebrates today – the incomparable Les Paul is still as amazing as the legacy he continues to grow with every passing year. Of course, he is best known for inventing the modern solid body electric guitar – a glorious instrument that still bears his name today. And he was also the first person to utilize multi-track recording in a studio. Can anyone even begin to imagine where our industry would be today if it wasn’t for these two genius inventions? We sure can’t, and we don’t think you can either. more

Who knows—besides the members of the Scottish band themselves—what Teenage Fanclub were referring to with the title of the final song on the classic Bandwagonesque. Perhaps they didn’t think it was music if it didn’t have lyrics, or maybe it was just too cheerful and simple. Whatever the case, “Is This Music?” surely is music, a terrifically soaring way to end an album that holds up years later—if it didn’t turn out to be as influential as 1991’s other big hype, Nirvana’s Nevermind. more

At the Gibson custom factory in Nashville, Tenn., the famous guitar manufacturer makes its most expensive and exclusive instruments, including an ongoing series of limited-edition replicas of historic Les Paul instruments.

As part of Road Trip 2008, CNET News.com reporter Daniel Terdiman visited the custom factory and got a rare look at how guitars are built with the express cooperation of rock stars like Jimmy Page and Johnny Winter. (The public can visit the company’s regular factories in Memphis and Nashville, but not the custom facility.) … read more

This is a 1952 Gibson Les Paul .It is my guitar. It will always be my guitar. It is not for sale. Your money is worth nothing, people, wake up! You lazy, skepticle bstrds, trying to make big money on fast turn arounds can all eat sht and die!. Get a job! There are people that will work their whole life away, just to try to acquire an instrument like this, and I get to play it everyday. Doesn’t seem fair, does it. The only way you will ever see this guitar, is to buy a ticket, like everyone else, and watch me wear the frets off it. Or, you can hire me for a night ( I’m a sideman, currently working with 6 bands) You see, I work for a living, I make my money with my hands. I’m playing it right now, while your reading this. I will leave this for my grandkids, along with my guns, which like this guitar, they’ll have to pry from my cold, dead, fingers. pick on. read more

On the phone from his home in Mahwah, N.J., the 92-year-old legendary inventor/musician Les Paul is brilliantly focused, full of ideas, healthy despite years of crippling arthritis, brimming with energy and not about to quit his inventing ways. What’s his next project? Read on — you might need it someday… read more

Gibson Guitar’s Custom Shop has introduced the latest addition to its Inspired By series of guitars, a Les Paul Junior created to reflect the modifications and aging of the instrument owned by John Lennon and played by him on August 30, 1972, at the Madison Square Garden concert to benefit the One to One Organization… read more

Last year, 15-year-old Jonathan Jakubowski of Cary, North Carolina emptied out his savings account to purchase a Les Paul he found advertised in the local newspaper. Of his decision to buy a Gibson, Jakubowski explains, “Eric Clapton is my main influence, and he played Les Pauls for a long time.” Intending to purchase the advertised Les Paul Standard, Jonathan and his father visited the seller at his house, where they were persuaded instead to purchasene Organization… read more

Activision, Inc. today announced its exclusive partnership with Gibson Guitar Corp., the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology. As part of the agreement, Activision will feature Gibson’s premium brands and shapes in Guitar Hero III… read more

Gibson Guitar, the world’s premiere musical instrument maker and leader in music technology announced their partnership with the 24th edition of the Chicago Blues Festival in Grant Park. The Chicago Blues Festival, which takes place June 7-10, 2007, is the world’s largest free admission festival of its kind, attracting thousands of fans to Chicago’s lakefront Grant Park. The festival features six stages and almost 100 sets, featuring local, national and international performers… read more

Gibson Guitar, the world’s premiere musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology, is proud to announce that many of the UK’s greatest and best known musicians have already pledged their support and involvement with Gibson Guitartown London. Gibson Guitartown London is a unique charity inspired campaign bringing together the power of music with art to raise money for three chosen charities; The Princes Trust, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy… read more