One of the most influential instruments of the past century – the first approved prototype of Paul’s now-iconic Gibson Goldtop electric guitar – is going on the auction block this week.
Lot #1 in what Christie’s calls “The Exceptional Sale,” an auction later this week, is one of the most influential instruments of the past century: Les Paul’s #1 Gibson Goldtop, the first approved prototype, his son Gene says, of his father’s now-iconic electric guitar. Correspondent Anthony Mason said, “It still makes a pretty good first impression – it is stunning. It’s absolutely beautiful.” “And the next part to stunning of how it looked,” Gene Paul said, “is how he played it!” Mason asked, “What did this guitar mean to him?” “Everything,” said Gene. “This was his crowning achievement. This was 30 years of experiments, of his dream, and his obsession with getting Gibson to make it.” Gibson rolled out its first Les Paul in 1952. It was soon embraced by the guitar gods of rock ‘n’ roll: The Eagles’ Joe Walsh, Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, and The Stones’ Keith Richards all played a Les Paul.
