Les Paul Plays an Electric Tune (circa 1952) page 4

"This figure-eight pattern is created when the string is struck. The number of cycles determines the pitch. For example, if I play the note A on my guitar, there will be 440 cycles per second. The number of cycles always tells the pitch. The size of this pattern tells the amplifier the volume, and the detailed shape tells the tone. Remember, this is all generated from the strings interacting with the magnetic field." I'm blown away by Paul's competence, only to remind myself that not only is he a musician but also an inventor who has already been credited with the first sound-on-sound multi-track recorder.

The next question that pops into my mind is one that any man of such talents should be asked, musician or inventor? Les Paul grins and replies, "Musician. I'm sure. I wouldn't even guess that, I'm a musician. The only reason I invented was either because I wasn't loud enough or was just uncomfortable because you couldn't go down to the store and buy it. There was something missing, so I invented it."

Coincidentally, a man named Leo Fender has also been hard at work developing an electric guitar and people are unsure as to who actually 'invented' it. I urge Paul to give me any juicy details about a feud or a race to see who develops theirs first…but to no avail. "If you would have listened closer to my story, you would know there was no feud. I'm a musician, and I developed something I needed to work. I'm not in it for the competition or glory; I'm in it because no one else had one for me to use. But to answer your question better, there was no competition. We developed our models completely separately from each other. I've been working on my model for over fifteen years. Performing, testing, and developing…perfecting. I've been told that I developed the idea first, but does it really matter? It is all for the better either way."

As I lean back to reflect, I hear the waitress holler, "last round!" I would take this opportunity to fit in a few last questions, but Les Paul has already given me a solid understanding of his solid-bodied electric guitar that I was confused about only hours ago. I was amazed to see that Paul can show such virtuosity in not only his playing, but also his innovation. It humbled me as I thought of what I do when I get an idea for something that might be new and exciting; I imagine my idea, Les Paul invented his, and it has the potential to change modern music. As we grab our jackets to leave, we wish each other luck and I thank him for his cooperation. Les Paul has been testing his solid-bodied electric guitar for over fifteen years, hopefully he prepared his guitar for the final test, the test of time.

Page 1 of Les Paul Plays an Electric Tune
Page 2 of Les Paul Plays an Electric Tune
Page 3 of Les Paul Plays an Electric Tune
Page 4 of Les Paul Plays an Electric Tune