Story Of Gibson LP

The Les Paul #1 READ THIS CAREFULLY. It is the entire story of this Les Paul, the finest Les Paul ever mad...

The Les Paul #1 READ THIS CAREFULLY. It is the entire story of this Les Paul, the finest Les Paul ever made by Gibson, bar none! A DETAILED HISTORY OF: THE LES PAUL, REG. #1 By Dennis Chandler, Owner This guitar is #1 in a series of approximately 65. Specifically the first of this series, its actual photograph is pictured on page 80 of "The Guitar Book" written by Tom Wheeler, with a forward by B.B. King. This revised and enlarged edition was published by Harper and Row in 1978. In 1974 Gibson was celebrating two special anniversaries. First, it was 80 years since Orville Gibson founded the company. Second, it was the 20th anniversary of the Les Paul model guitar. To commemorate these events, a limited edition, 20th Anniversary Les Paul Custom guitar was produced. The only difference between the regular production Custom and the limited edition Custom was a 20th Anniversary inlay on the fingerboard. Since it was a special year and the 20th Anniversary Les Paul Custom wasn't very special, Gibson craftsmen and luthiers decided to manufacture the ultimate Les Paul guitar. Discussions were completed in late 1974 and a prototype was designed. The chosen name of this model was The Les Paul. The is pronounced "THEE" signifying a premium and elite designation. In the spring of 1975 construction began on this most unique instrument. This prototype, being #1 in the series was made for Les Paul, as are all of the first guitars in a series honoring an artist. By the time the summer NAMM (National Association of Music Merchandisers) show began in June of 1975, although not yet completely "fine tuned" by Gibson luthiers, The Les Paul prototype was displayed prominently in the Gibson exhibit. A local Cleveland Gibson dealer, Dick Sodja, owner of Sodja Music, was so impressed with the quality, workmanship and special cosmetic features of this guitar that he ordered one for his store on June 23, 1975. Assuming that Reg. #1 would go to Les Paul, Dick Sodja expected to receive one of the custom limited production models. In 1976 Les Paul, along with Chet Atkins, received Grammy nominations for their album titled "Chester and Lester". By March of 1976 The #1 Les Paul was close enough to completion that it was loaned to Les Paul for him to play while appearing live on television for the Grammies. After his performance, (incidentally he did win) the guitar was returned to Gibson for final adjustments and cosmetic completion. Gibson luthiers finished the guitar as Les Paul specifified and it was marked with a Reg. #1... Made 3-26-76; Mother-Of-Pearl oval plate fastened to the reverse side of the peghead. Needless to say, Les Paul was extremely eager to receive this very special instrument. However, for some unknown reason, this guitar was never shipped to Les Paul. Instead, the order placed by Dick Sodja at the 1975 NAMM show was filled with the prototype. On March 31, 1976, The Les Paul, Reg. #1 was shipped to Sodja Music. By the time Gibson realized what had happened, it was too late to correct the error. This guitar remained in the dealer inventory of Dick Sodja, virtually untouched, until October 10,1977. On that date its present owner, Dennis Chandler, purchased it. Les Paul had the opportunity to see and play this guitar again. However, this time it was "loaned" to him by owner Dennis Chandler on September 28, 1980. On that occasion he entertained his fellow patients and medical staff at the Cleveland Clinic just prior to his heart bypass surgery. After the performance, Les mischievously suggested he'd better autograph the guitar before his forthcoming surgery. Turning to his surgeon, the renowned Dr. Floyd Loop, he asked for something to sign the guitar's pick guard with. After unsuccessfully trying out his scalpel, Paul ever the resourceful inventor, resorted to using a small screwdriver handed him by his son, "Les Jr." (a.k.a. "Rusty"). Les was very gracious when he expressed that The Les Paul; Reg. #1 was the only number one of any new Les Paul model not in his own personal collection. He mentioned he got Reg. #25 from Gibson instead. He also said that this Les Paul was extremely valuable and would continue to appreciate. That was in 1980! Documentation includes the original dealer invoice, warranty card, sales receipt, Gibson factory specification sheet, promotional photograph, catalog and price list. This guitar is pictured in the Gibson "White" catalog. Accessories include the Black Beauty Artist Series case. This is no ordinary case. It is a black, plush lined, black leather covered custom case. On the inside of the lid, a satin ribbon bears the "Gibson" script logo. The original unwrapped strap and cord along with an additional rosewood pick guard (without Les Paul's autograph) complete this special package. It is an amazing instrument that should, someday, be in a museum where guitar enthusiasts could see and appreciate it. Until that time it will remain in good hands. UPDATE...... In the past few years Gibson has attempted to re-issue many of the famous "flame top" models of the 50's and early 60's. Some of the tops are quite good. But, The Les Paul #1 has the finest flame top ever seen on ANY Les Paul model. It could be, quite possibly, the best and most remarkable flamed maple used on a Gibson guitar since manufacturing began in 1894. The back, sides, and neck are also similar quality flamed maple. The flame on the back is equal in every way to the flame on the front. Published photos of The Les Paul models numbered and dated after 3/26/76 show nowhere near the cosmetic appearance of #1. The Les Paul, #1 was hand crafted in every way, in every discriminate detail, in the Kalamazoo, Michigan plant where EVERY guitar was CUSTOM SHOP PREMIUM quality. Here are the factory specifications as printed in the Gibson "White" catalog: (keep in mind that these specs are for the production models, #1 is exceptional as far as the term "highly figured" is concerned. That is a complete understatement for #1. Body Specifications: * Maple body with highly figured maple top * Single cutaway * Body bound in beautiful ornate rosewood * Adjustable wide-travel gold-plated Tune-O-Matic bridge (actually #1 has a Schaller bridge) * The new Gibson gold-plated instant adjustment fine tuning TP-6 tailpiece * Beautiful hand carved rosewood finger rest * Two gold-plated Gibson Humbucking pickups with individual volume and tone controls * 3-position toggle switch for pickup selection (individual or both pickups simultaneously) * Hand carved rosewood parts (knobs, toggle switch cover, etc.) * Body size: Length 17 1/4", width 12 3/4", depth 2" Neck Specifications: * Laminated maple construction * Width at fingerboard nut 1 11/16"; * Combination ebony/rosewood fingerboard with ornate Abalone block inlays * Black/rosewood/black/rosewood bound peghead and fingerboard with Abalone side dots * Rosewood head veneer with mother of pearl buttons (machine head knobs) * Gibson truss rod with engraved rosewood/ebony truss rod cover * 22 frets; 24 3/4" scale length THIS IS TRULY A ONE-OF-A-KIND GUITAR. You have read this page because you realize what a special guitar The Les Paul #1 is. Perhaps you are interested in the possibility of being the next owner. If so, use the "Talk To Me" page to inquire. from : http://dennischandler.com/The_Les_Paul_No__1.html