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.
