The Gibson Les Paul Special: A Short History

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I need to thank Eddie's Guitars for sharing the exceptionally fine pics of the Rick Beato Signature guitar used in the thumbnail. They had two of them and they sold in minutes.

Keith

[RudBobbins]

And let's not forget this is the guitar used by Paul Westerberg of The Replacements! He played it live on their infamous SNL performance.

[DazedxHipster]

I sold all of my epiphones and squiers to get my 2006 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Special. It’s so versatile and plays like a dream. Best decision I’ve ever made.

[linksayajin]

Being brazilian i was completely caught off guard when you talked about Gilberto Gil. Great research, Keith!

[kmajor]

I thought I knew a lot about these….until now. As always Keith, your videos never ever disappoint and continue to be in the ‘stop everything and watch immediately’ class.

[ChadwickRider]

No auto stop on the winding machines is kinda what made those old models so special... Each guitar was truly unique.

[TheInfamousLegend]

honestly p90s are such amazing pickups to make music with. no matter if it's soapbars or dogears, the tone and sound is just immense

[seanc.]

I got into P90's after playing Les Paul guitars for 25 years. I just never gave them a chance for some reason and then got a TV Yellow LP Special and it changed everything I thought I knew about LP guitars. Absolutely love them!

[janzahalka]

Thanks for mentioning Martin Barre. He's the ultimate reason I picked up guitar few years ago, being 36 years old, following meeting him after one of his shows here in Prague. "Guitars of Martin Barre" would be a great episode... 🙂

[jaybd]

Don’t forget Leslie West - they were his mainstay for many years and really made them sing.

[elliotgoodine]

My favorite LP special player who didn't get a mention: Paul Westerberg of the Replacements. His badly abused (he spraypainted it blue, and carved "For Sale" into the body right below the bridge) 50's special was used on their 1986 SNL appearance, and it's also on the cover of their live album For Sale: Live at Maxwell's.

[timpierceguitar]

Keith this is great! I always learn new things from your videos, and the P90 deep dive on this vid taught me alot! Tim

[paulcoleman]

You really do provide some of the best content on You Tube Keith. It's always a special pleasure when you bring out one of your short history videos. I missed your moustache terribly, but a few seconds with a Sharpie on my monitor screen and all was well...

[seanmckelvey]

I was kind of surprised that Johnny Thunders & Mick Jones didn't get a mention until I did some quick research and discovered that they both used JP Jrs and not Specials. This was a great video though, the LP special is easily one of my top 5 guitars of all time, especially the double cut and "SG" body styles. Good enough for Pete Townshend is good enough for me.

[tomschrein]

I’ve always been a strat guy, 3 years ago I decided to buy a TV yellow LP Special. I can’t say I’m a complete convert but my LP Special gets as much playing time as the Strat. LOVE those P90s!

[bradguitarmanintx]

Mick Abraham (Jethro Tull 1st guitarist, Blodwyn Pig, Mick Abraham's Band) played an SG Special for many years.

[kennethc]

As someone who has never got along with Les Pauls, and hate their feel, this video entertained AND informed me. Hats off, and damn well done.

[druwk]

P90’s in a Mahogany guitar is a magical thing. Local artist and one of my favorites (covers: Punk, R&B, Surf, Rockabilly to Jazz in one show) uses nothing but Juniors, Specials and old P90 equipped Les Paul’s into Fender amps, straight in. One of the best live tones.

[notbraindead]

There's something addictive to Keith's "five watt world" videos. If I start to watch one, I have watch the whole thing.

[aceraspire]

I truly enjoy these guitar histories. This one hit a little closer to home.
I still keep looking for when the episode on Hamer guitars will come up. Soon?
Joel and Paul really did lead the way on what became the 'boutique' realm of guitars. And what they accomplished had a much larger impact on the music industry than many people may realize.

[julianthesmooshyhusky]

Fun fact, marley’s special’s pickup toggle housing was broken when the guitar was dropped, hence the strange oval shaped poker chip that was carved out of an old pickguard. Truly one of a kind.