Monday post today, Or

Sorry-for-the-delay-I've-been-working, or

Gibson Les Paul Guitar part 1 Now!!!

Les Paul, the man

And we start with amazing history, of course! Most of you surely know the guitar. You have seen it millions of times, and heard it, perhaps, a lot more. But to state the truth, very few people know that this guitar owes its name to Les Paul jazz guitarist, born Lester William Polsfuss. He was born on June 9 in 1915 and is still alive! He is known to be perhaps the most important figure in development of contemporary electrical musical instruments and recording techniques (he was one of those to invent m

ultitrack recording). But we are all in a biggest debt to him because of the development of modern solid-body electric guitar, and, in particular, Gibson Les Paul, which he helped to design.

He was born in a place named Waukesha (in Wisconsin). His first instrument was the harmonica, which he began to play at eight. Then, skipping the banjo phase, came GUITAR! By the age of thirteen, Paul was a semi-professional country-style guitarist. His first records (two, actually) were released in 1936.

But Paul wasn't satisfied with the electric guitars of the 1930s and their sound and began experimenting on his own. His first model was called funnily The Log (and, actually, looked funny). He was playing on the on the radio (in particular, in Bing Crosby show). In the late 1940s he and his trio made several recordings on their own.

Then came the time to make HIS OWN GUITAR.

The Les Paul Guitar

He made his solid-body electric guitar in 1941. It was one of the first models, Leo Fender made his independent model at the same time. Gibson Guitar Corporation made a guitar which Les Paul has projected,

they

signed a contract and thus Les Paul Guitar was born. More about the guitar itself see in section two :)

Later he invented multitrack recording, played for various radio programs, had a disciple named Jimmy Page

(you of course know him) and is known to have given Paul McCartney o

ne of his own

vintage left-handed Les Paul. His most important songs include

"Lover"

"How high The Moon"

"Vaya con Dios" (Spanish fo r may God help you, used as a farewell saying)

See part 2 for the guitar and its sound!

Mr. Fender Telecaster

The Wonderful Mr. Fender Telecaster Now!

Let us think a bit about this incomplete list of great guitarists of all times:

Syd Barret – legendary psychedelic icon and original guitarist and Pink Floyd singer

Franck Black of the Pixies

James Burton, whose playing inspired lots of guitarists

Albert Collins, legendary bluesman

George Harrison in his Let It Be sessions and in a legendary rooftop concerts

Jimmy Page, who doesn't need any additional comment on him

Keith Richards of Rolling Stones and many, many others

What does unite them? Of course, you have already guessed the answer. It is Fender Telecaster Guitar!

Invented in the autumn of the 1950 (and named Broadcaster then), Telecaster, shortly named Tele, has become one of the world's most recognised guitars in the world. It bright, clear sound is extremely easy to cognate. And not only the sound – its form, colours and design are marvellous and well-known!

Two (or, may be, three :) ) words about characteristics...

It has a solid body type, bolt-on neck joint type. Fender Telecaster body is usually made of Ash (and you all now its specific, the very Telecaster colour) or Alder, neck is made of maple, fretboard – of maple or rosewood. It has a fixed bridge. Originally it comes in a a blonde colour, but other colours are available because of large variety of model to have been produced.

...And a tiny bit of history!

Telecaster guitar was made by Leo Fender in the 1940s in California. Don't forget that this is the first guitar to make the solid body type extremely popular. Before the appearance of the Telecaster, some individuals and companies have been making such guitars, but none had they effect on the market!

The first model to be produced was called Esquire and appeared in 1950. (Firstly, it was a one-pick up model, but later it was changed for a two-pickup and was named Broadcaster). But the Gretsh company claimed that “Broadcaster” name violated its “Broadkaster” drum line, and Leo Fender decided to change the name, It was called Telecaster, because television was becoming more and more popular those days.

And here comes The Famous Telecaster sound!

The first adjective to express the idea of Tele sound is BRIGHT. One of the secrets lies in the bridge pickup. It can make twice as resistance as the neck one! Telecaster solid body gives the ability to make guitar's strings sound lighter and brighter.'

People and styles

The significance of Telecaster model is hardly to be disputed. Its major contribution is that to the blues, rock, and rock-and-roll music. Some jazz musicians used this model, too. You can here the Tele sound by James Burton (who played with Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson), Danny Gatton, Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, Rolling Stones, The Police, Led Zeppelin, Yes, Pink Floyd and counting...

I think the next daily guitar will be Stratocaster. Or, may be, Les Paul?.. Keep reading, see you Monday!