Birth Of The Gibson Les Paul Custom Guitar

By Timmy Klein

The Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar is one of many variations of the standard and very popular Les Paul. This model is one of the more expensive ones in the Gibson catalogue, and is intended for players or collectors looking for a superior quality instrument. It was designed by notable guitarist and inventor Les Paul, who worked with Gibson to produce the original version in 1952.

The base Les Paul guitar was a response to the Fender Telecaster, which had pioneered the single body electric guitar design that was sweeping the rock, country and blues music scenes. The Les Paul had some differences, such as the strings being attached differently than other guitars. The Les Paul also differentiated itself by coming in many boldly colored designs.

The Les Paul Custom guitar, in particular, was designed to be a more high class looking instrument. It is primarily black in color, which led to the Custom being nicknamed the Black Beauty. When he first pitched the idea, Les Paul likened the design to the look of a tuxedo. The top of the guitar was made form mahogany, whereas the standard LP was made from maple. 1957 brought about the invention of the humbucker pickup, which was then added to the Custom, giving it a thick, warm sound.

Today's Customs also have an ebony fretboard, which gives them a more sharp sound. The frets themselves are also lower than standard frets, giving the Custom a second nickname: the fretless wonder.

The Les Paul Custom guitar has been in the hands of many notable artists since its debut in the 1950s. Guitarists such as Mick Jones of Foreigner, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones have utilize the custom at some point in their careers.

The modern custom costs several thousand dollars brand new. It has branched out from its roots as the Black Beauty and is now available in different colors and finishes including Cherry Sun Burst, Wine Red and others. - 32189

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Don't Be Hating Guild Guitars, Love Them

By Amy Brand

Writing a review of Guild Guitars has been a pleasure. I love these things and have owned several since the 1960's. My first acoustic and first 12-string were both Guilds. They play as well today as they did 45 years ago, in fact, they play better. Talk about something built to last a lifetime... Guild makes just that.

The Company has been producing the finest quality electric and acoustic guitars since 1953 and they're going strong. Once dubbed, "The Stradavari Of Guitars, " Guild has continued to live up to their name for close to sixty years. The list of musicians who choose the Guild brand include Eric Clapton, Richie Havens, Paul Simon and George Benson, among many others.

The first Guild manufacturing facility was located in New York City. Later, when they outgrew these quarters, operations were moved to Hoboken, N. J., just across the river from NYC. Currently residing in New Hartford, Connecticut, the Company continues providing the world with only the most finely crafted guitars made.

Guilds guitars aren't cheap but, as you know, 'good things ain't cheap and cheap things ain't good'. A guitar made in China, by any other name, is still going to seem second-rate. There's no way to fairly compare it to the All-American made-to-last-a-lifetime quality and craftsmanship that is synonymous with the Guild brand.

The Woodstock Rock Festival in 1969 saw the beginning of fame for many of the artists playing the venue. Richie Havens stands out as one of those 'hardly-knows who exploded with popularity after the concert was made into a music album and, later a movie. Richie sat there, center stage, hammering on his Guild D-40 Dreadnought with his rendition of 'Motherless Child' retitled 'Freedom'. It was a moment in history many will always recall, and Guild was there.

Guild Guitars are the best, and just getting better. No matter where you live, one of these fine instruments could be yours and only a few clicks away. Try the best. You deserve it. - 32189

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