Gibson Les Paul Guitars

From the beginning we at Sam Ash Music have been fans of Les Paul, both the man and the Solid Body Electric Guitar he developed at the 14th Street New York City Epiphone plant in the 1950s. We have a 50 year history with both. Les Paul made chart topping hits and invented the tools for generations of musicians to make hits. There is something about the Les Paul Guitar that inspires art and awe. Years ago, touring the Gibson factory as a teenager, Richie Ash was so moved by a rack of just-carved Les Paul guitar bodies that he picked one up and kissed it. Nothing else feels like a Les Paul, looks like a Les Paul, or sounds like a Les Paul. When you take your Les Paul Guitar in your arms the word that comes to mind is “ substantial.” Run your hands along its fretted neck and think “smooth and easy.” It’s a real guitar for real guitar players. Today, there is a Les Paul for everyone, from the value priced Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack for new players to the most expensive Gibson Custom Shop guitar for collectors. All you have to do is pick an era, player, or style and we can help you find your Les Paul. Even the National Parks Service has a Les Paul, “The Spirit of America Les Paul” currently on display on Ellis Island with a body made from the steps and doors of the Main Building at Ellis Island with copper inlays from parts of the Statue of Liberty. Duane Eddy got to play it; maybe if you’re really good they’ll let you try it too! Needless to say the Les Paul is one of the guitars that helped the Blues get known around the world.

Eric Clapton played a 1960 Plain Top Sunburst Les Paul Standard model (not a 1959 as some have thought) on the famed John Mayall and the Blues breakers “Beano” album. Mike Bloomfield when he joined the Paul Butterfield Blues Band played a Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard and freaked a generation when he showed up on stage with Bob Dylan when Bob ”went electric” in 1965. But it has become a favorite of all types of players. Al Dimeola played fusion on a Les Paul Custom in Return To Forever when he was only 17. There is a Les Paul Electric Guitar for every style of music. Zakk Wylde, one of the ultimate shredders, has several models ranging from the Epiphone Zakk Wylde Custom Electric Bullseye Guitar to the Gibson Zakk Wylde Les Paul BFG Buzzsaw to the Gibson Custom Zakk Wylde Signature Les Paul. Green Day’s frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong is the proud owner and player of twenty Les Paul Junior Guitars. The Juniors are available in several price ranges from the very affordable Epiphone Les Paul Junior Special to the aptly named Gibson Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Jr. to a 1958 Gibson Custom model. Neil Schon of Journey and Santana fame currently plays the Les Paul Axcess. The Axcess has a minimized heel, so Neil can reach this highest frets with ease, and a Floyd Rose tremolo. Right now about the most famous rock guitar players of all time, Slash has several very successful models attributed to him in both the Gibson versions and Epiphone versions.

We have a Les Paul for your style of music. Why a Les Paul? Balls, pure and simple. It can be sweet and gentle or it can rip your ears off, that is all up to you. There are so many models to choose from and we carry them all because everyone’s taste is a little different just like every Les Paul is a little different. Fat neck, thin neck, vintage pickups, overdrive pickups, nickel, chrome or gold hardware, Epiphone Les Pauls made out of the US, or right in the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville. What type of sunburst or maybe a gold top, Les Paul vintage reissue or the latest in electronics with Gibson Les Paul Robot models. There are Epiphone Prophecy Les Pauls for shredders no frills Gibson and Epiphone Les Paul Studio models designed as an economical choice for the studio musician and of course the incomparable three pickup Black Les Paul Custom available from Epiphone or Gibson.

Figuring the one you want can be a real problem, finding one can’t be easier. Sammy Ash has that particular problem. He has 16 in his collection from his 1955 P-90 gold top right up to his 2010 candy apple red robot. He says that each one speaks a little different to him and he plays different music on each guitar. Between the regular stock models we carry to the special designs to the limited editions you won’t find more Les Paul’s anywhere. Let us show you the selection we have or let us work with you and order your ultimate dream from the Custom Shop. We were the first dealer to carry LP’s on the east coast and we still can’t get enough of them, neither can Sammy.