Million Dollar Les Paul: In search of the most valuable guitar in the world

by Tony Bacon

In 1958, Gibson introduced an electric guitar called the Les Paul Standard, a solidbody electric with mahogany body, two pickups, and a three-colour sunburst maple top, priced at $280. About 1,500 were made before production ceased in 1960 of what was - at the time - a not-particularly-successful model. But when guitar heroes such as Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page began to play examples in the 1960s, the legend of the 'burst' began. The guitars became among the most desirable ever made, and to buy one now you'd be looking at paying what it would cost to purchase and furnish a decent sized family home, and put a car in the garage. So how did that happen? Who are the musicians who play these hallowed instruments and who are the collectors who'll pay hundreds of thousands for them? And is there actually a $1 million dollar Les Paul? Through a series of interviews with players, collectors, guitar-makers, dealers, and others, leading guitar historian Tony Bacon mulled over these questions, and, in Million Dollar Les Paul, he offers some answers. It is a unique book, combining investigative journalism, music history, and a dash of guitar geekery in an almost mystical quest to penetrate the secrets of a hidden world - a world where science and superstition meet, and where the dusty case under the bed just might turn out to hold the guitar equivalent of the Holy Grail.

Genres: Music

288 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2008

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book, if your interests lie in this directions. Almost over-whelming research, quotes from all the 60's guitar players that one would want to hear from on the subject. I could have used a few more pictures of other examples of the guitars mentioned, but all in all, an enjoyable book.

[Xander · Rating 3 out of 5]

A worthwhile read for guitar players--especially Les Paul fanatics.

I found the story of how the first bursts found their way around the embargo and into the hands of Clapton, Page, and Green much more interesting than the speculation as to the current and future value of the guitars. Frankly, the notion that most of the 1958-60 bursts are in the hands of rich collectors and not players saddens me.

The chapter detailing how Gibson missed the mark with 30 years of "reissued" Les Pauls was also fascinating. Gibson seemed to have made every mistake possible in their attempts to cash in on the popularity of those original 1,400 guitars. (Wrong construction, wrong models, wrong pickups, wrong hardware…)

On a side note, this book contained more typos than any book I've ever read. The binding and the paper stock were weird too, giving the book the feel of an uncorrected review copy or something.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book, well researched, about Gibson's Les Paul guitars. Les Paul Model guitars were deveolped by Gibson guitars and Les Paul and the model produced in 1958, 1959 and 1960 are some of the rarest and most valuable guitars in the world today. A good portion of the book discusses the players who have made the Les Paul such an iconic instrument such as Duane Allman, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Peter Green, Keith Richards, Billy Gibbons and Mike Bloomfield. The vintage guitar market is discussed in depth with mulitple interviews with collectors and dealers such as Tom Wittrock and Vic Da Pra. A great book for learning more about the origins and history of the Gibosn Les Paul Model Guitar.

[Jdmguitar · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book but I'm not sure how to think about the fact that people will pay truly outrageous amounts of money for an instrument then rarely, if ever, play it.