Les Paul, Inventor of Electric Guitar, Passes Away

In summary, musician and inventor Lester William Polfuss, better known as Les Paul, passed away today. He is most famous for his invention of the solid body electric guitar, which he first created in 1941 with a four-by-four block of pine and two pickups. Despite initial skepticism from Gibson Guitars, Les Paul's innovative design revolutionized the music industry and paved the way for the popularization of rock and roll. He also contributed to the development of multi-track recording. Les Paul's legacy continues to live on through his iconic guitars and his impact on music.
  • #1
robertm
291
0
Lester William Polfuss, the inventer of the solid body electric guitar, died today.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/music-obituaries/6024055/Les-Paul.html"

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/regular/6/9/8/393698.jpg
 
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  • #2
He was a delightful person, I was able to see him a few times and own several of his guitars. Sad to see he has died, but he lived a great life. RIP
 
  • #3
I have owned quite a number of the guitars he designed for Gibson. I loved most of them, apart from a 1970 or so "Fretless Wonder". Too hard to do accurate blues bends with frets so low to the keyboard. Even worse, I traded a '59 Strat for it. The Strat had been stripped and refinished, but it was still 10x the guitar that the LP was. Live and learn.
 
  • #4
It's a sad day for Rock and Roll.
 
  • #5
Now how much are Les Paul's going to cost?!?
 
  • #6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UEhDfOftdY
 
  • #7
By 1941, still only 26, Paul had fashioned a workable solid body guitar he dubbed The Log, since it was essentially a four-by-four block of solid pine with a tailpiece, two pickups and a Gibson neck mounted on it. Later, for appearances, he fixed two side wings from an Epiphone guitar so it would actually resemble a guitar.When he approached Gibson Guitars about the commercial potential of The Log, Shaughnessy reports, they told him it was “nothing but a broomstick with a pickup on it.”

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/les-paul/chasing-sound/100/"

http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/780/601603.JPG
 
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  • #8
It should be noted that Les Paul was an innovator, not really an inventor. Electric guitars, in the form of lap steels (Hawaiian guitars) and amplifiers had already been around for about a decade. He, like other guitarists (Eldon Shamblin with Bob Wills, and Charlie Christian with Benny Goodman, for instance) needed amplification to bring the guitar out of the rhythm section and into its own as a lead instrument. Guitar was too quiet in a band setting to compete with horns, so sax, trombone, clarinet, and trumpet were the typical "lead" instruments.
 
  • #9
Multi- track recording was also his baby, he really did change the music world.
 
  • #10
If it wasn't for him, there'd be no metal. Among various other things. rip
 
  • #11
Mmm got my Les Paul out for the first time in a few years, forgot how nice a guitar that is. Mmmm.
 

FAQ: Les Paul, Inventor of Electric Guitar, Passes Away

1. Who was Les Paul?

Les Paul was a musician, songwriter, and inventor known for his pioneering work in the development of the electric guitar.

2. When did Les Paul pass away?

Les Paul passed away on August 13, 2009 at the age of 94.

3. What was Les Paul's most notable invention?

Les Paul's most notable invention was the solid-body electric guitar, which revolutionized the music industry and paved the way for modern electric guitars.

4. How did Les Paul's invention impact the music industry?

Les Paul's invention of the electric guitar allowed for greater amplification and distortion, leading to the development of new genres of music such as rock and roll. It also made it easier for musicians to play and perform live, greatly influencing the way music is created and performed today.

5. What is Les Paul's legacy?

Les Paul is remembered as a true pioneer and innovator in the world of music. His inventions and contributions to the music industry continue to impact musicians and enthusiasts alike, and his name is forever associated with the electric guitar.

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