What Period Gibson Stopped Making Les Pauls?

[bluesguitar65]

I was informed at one period Gibson ceased production of the Les Paul model. At what period, what years, did this take place?

[pippy]

Sales of the Les Paul had dropped by the end of the '50s and there was a major re-design.

The carved-top LP was changed for the 1961 season to the shape of what is now known as the SG (Solid Guitar).

 

These Les Paul/SGs were still badged as a 'Les Paul' until Gibson's ten-year endorsement deal with Les expired in '62.

 

From '62 the 'Les Paul' ceased to exist as a named model until it was re-introduced, owing to popular demand, in '68.

 

P.

[BigKahune]

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Another interesting bit about this is that during the mid-sixties, the resurgence in the popularity of the LP was brought about from its usage by mostly Brit players.

 

 

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[cjsinla]

1368366677[/url]' post='1373787']

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Another interesting bit about this is that during the mid-sixties, the resurgence in the popularity of the LP was brought about from its usage by mostly Brit players.

 

 

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And Michael Bloomfield in the USA.

[Pin]

And Michael Bloomfield in the USA.

 

Ah, the incomparable Bloomfield. Of all the "stars" who played Les Paul's back in those days, I have always thought Bloomfield was by far the best (Green second).

[pippy]

And Michael Bloomfield in the USA.

Of course. Bloomfield certainly did much to popularise the LP in the States and for that we should all be grateful.

 

There's a lot more to the story than first appears, though.

 

Clapton wanted a 'bucker'd LP after hearing Freddy King's '...Hideaway...' album and, famously, got his first 'burst in time for the 1965 release of Mayall's 'BluesBreakers with Eric Clapton'.

 

Bloomfield - like Clapton in his Yardbirds period - originally used a Telecaster and when he got his LP for the Electric Flag period ('67) and, more notably the 'Super Sessions' the following year, 'The Beano' had already been out for two years.

Mike B was sure to be aware of this album and, with all the others using LPs - such as Green, Beck and (the first UK 'burst-slinger) Keith Richards, demands for the single-cut we all know and love had increased many-fold.

 

P.

[charlie brown]

Interstingly enough....I would have never been interested in a (single cut) Les Paul,

had I not seen Mike Bloomfield, and EC (as well as George Harrison, a bit later) sporting

one. I much preferred the ES 335-45-55's, and SG's to the Les Paul at the time. Of course

I now LOVE Les Paul's, SG's and ES models. But, back then...those guys really did contribute

to a resurge in interest of the earlier Les Paul versions. At least, with everyone I know...

and, knew at that time, as well.

 

CB

[bluesguitar65]

I read somewhere that Keith Richards was the first of the brit players to really got the les paul popular...way before clapton and green. I don't recall where I read this.

[charlie brown]

Yeah, quite possible! Keith used it, alot on their earlier stuff, as well as an early Epi Casino.

much like McCartney's, with the more "Gibson" like headtock shape.

 

My first awareness of Mike Bloomfield, was with Paul Butterfield, and early (electric) Dylan,

and he was using a Telecaster as well, then. So...???

 

CB

[btoth76]

Thank You very much to all of You!

 

Excellent thread with great informations!

 

I was aware of Mr. Bloomfield's, Mr. Clapton's contribution to the renewed interest in Les Pauls, but didn't knew about Keith Richards playing one until the Mick Taylor-era. (I got a 1975 Gibson catalogue with my latest guitar purchase, with Keith Richards on the cover playing an - obviously pre-Norlin-era - Black Beauty.)

 

Thanks again... Bence

[pippy]

I read somewhere that Keith Richards was the first of the brit players to really got the les paul popular...way before clapton and green. I don't recall where I read this.

Might it have been in Tony Bacon's book on the Les Paul, bg?

 

I quote;

"Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones was the first star guitarist to be seen with an old-style Les Paul. He acquired a '59 sunburst Standard, during the group's first US tour, in June '64..."

The group were also shown on TV at this time.

 

It wasn't really 'way before' the others, though. TB goes on to state that Clapton got his, less than a year later, in May '65; Green also got his in '65; Jeff Beck got his in '66.

Jimmy Page, interestingly, had been using his 3-p'up Custom since "..late '64.." but as he was mostly a studio player at this time his influence on the popularity of the instrument wasn't as noticeable.

 

TB goes on to explain how by '66 Clapton (now in Cream) used his second 'burst (which he bought from "..future Police guitarist Andy Summers..") to perfect his 'Woman Tone' most noticeably on 'I Feel Free'.

 

P.

[pippy]

...(I) didn't knew about Keith Richards playing one until the Mick Taylor-era...

Interesting you mention Mick Taylor, Bence.

 

I was trying confirm whether MT had, as I strongly suspect, bought his own '59 by the time he replaced both Clapton and Green in the Bluesbreakers in '67.

 

Looking through his official website I found a picture which I had seen before showing a '59 'burst which I thought to be very beautiful.

I didn't know when I first saw the photo that it was actually Mick Taylor's own guitar!

 

Just for fun here it is;

 

 

P.

[btoth76]

Hello Pippy!

 

I just want to add to Mick Taylor's ownership of an original burst: in the inner cover of the "Sticky Fingers"s album, there's a black-and-white photo of Him playing one. Since Standards came back in 1975, I assume it's from 58-60 era. It might be the same one You posted. Beautiful, indeed!

 

Cheers... Bence

[pippy]

I just want to add to Mick Taylor's ownership of an original burst: in the inner cover of the "Sticky Fingers"s album, there's a black-and-white photo of Him playing one. Since Standards came back in 1975, I assume it's from 58-60 era. It might be the same one You posted. Beautiful, indeed!

Hi Bence.

 

Yes. I have some of the Mick Taylor-era with John Mayall ('67) on vinyl and I'm 99% sure he's playing his Les Paul.

Without pictures or more definite info, though, it's impossible to be 100% sure it's the '59 'burst pictured above.

 

I'm pretty certain I have read something about it somewhere before but I'm buggered if I can find it just now! Quite Frustrating ! ! !

 

P.

[btoth76]

This one is from wiki, - You have probably already read:

 

"Throughout his career, Taylor has used various guitars, but is mostly associated with the Gibson Les Paul. His first Les Paul was bought when he was still playing with The Gods (from Selmer's, London in '65). He acquired his second Les Paul in 1967, not long after joining The Bluesbreakers: Taylor came to Olympic Studios to buy a Les Paul that Keith Richards wanted to sell.[31] On the '72/'73 tours Taylor used a couple of Sunburst Les Paul guitars without a Bigsby."

 

So He had some of them.

 

Also here is something interesting: http://www.richardhenryguitars.com/keith.aspx

 

Cheers... Bence

[pippy]

No, I hadn't read the Wiki entry (shame on me!) and that link you posted is very interesting indeed!

 

So the guitar in the picture in my post is not his second, Mayall-period, one. I wonder what happened to his first (bought in '65) one?.........

 

I do know that one of his '59 'bursts was up for auction three or four years ago in London and that Flight 959, Matt Sear and Roger G Lewis all had a go on it!

I believe one of Roger's friends was heavily involved in founding/organising/promoting/running the event.

 

I had been invited to go along too but, owing to 'family commitments', couldn't attend.

The buggers even posted film clips of them each playing it just to rub salt into the wound.......

 

Not that I'm bitter, you understand?................................

 

P.

[btoth76]

Why not ask Him personally? ;)

 

He will be playing at Hyde Park on 6th and 13th of July...

 

Or: http://www.micktaylor.com/contact/ :D

 

Cheers... Bence

[pippy]

Trying to find out more about the one which was up for auction it turns out that it might have been MT's original '65 purchase.

 

This is an extract from the 2009 official press release from the auction house themselves;

 

"John Scates (the owner/seller) was already an experienced, road hardened veteran of several 60's bands when, in 1968, while performing with an in vogue blues band called Pegasus, he saw an advert in the Melody Maker for a Gibson Les Paul Standard. At the time this desirable yet discontinued model was becoming ever more difficult to get hold of. More in hope than anticipation, John called the number advertised and was surprised to find he was speaking to Mick Taylor, who had only recently taken over as guitarist with The Blues Breakers, replacing Peter Green and later to replace Brian Jones in The Rolling Stones. An appointment was made and John went to Mick's West London flat where he handed over £200 and left with the Les Paul. Although a receipt was made out this has subsequently been misplaced........

 

Pegasus, although not commercially successful, were a tight and musical blues outfit and they soon became the unofficial resident support band at the Marquee where John, wielding his beloved standard, supported bands such as Free; Paul Kossoff played John's standard and loved it so much he offered to trade for a black three pick-up Les Paul, the offer was declined."

 

Intriguingly, might Koss have been offering the 3-p'up Custom he got from Clapton?............

 

P.

[btoth76]

What a story!

 

Now, I am not surprised these instruments became so expensive. They went throught the hands of so many legends.

 

Cheers... Bence

[BigKahune]

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Following along . . .

 

Great stuff guys. . B)

 

 

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[bluesguitar65]

Might it have been in Tony Bacon's book on the Les Paul, bg?

 

I quote;

"Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones was the first star guitarist to be seen with an old-style Les Paul. He acquired a '59 sunburst Standard, during the group's first US tour, in June '64..."

The group were also shown on TV at this time.

 

It wasn't really 'way before' the others, though. TB goes on to state that Clapton got his, less than a year later, in May '65; Green also got his in '65; Jeff Beck got his in '66.

Jimmy Page, interestingly, had been using his 3-p'up Custom since "..late '64.." but as he was mostly a studio player at this time his influence on the popularity of the instrument wasn't as noticeable.

 

TB goes on to explain how by '66 Clapton (now in Cream) used his second 'burst (which he bought from "..future Police guitarist Andy Summers..") to perfect his 'Woman Tone' most noticeably on 'I Feel Free'.

 

P.

 

Yup!! That's the one. [thumbup]