Customer Reviews

The Early Years of the Les Paul Legacy 1915-1963

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After weathering many delays Robb's book finally sees the light of day and boy, was it worth the wait. Thoughtfully written and impecably researched, this book is to be included among the best guitar reference tomes of Tom Wheeler, Richard Smith, and Nacho Banos.
The biography section in entertaining and informative, but the guitar section is where this book really throws down the goods. Awesomely photographed and interspersed with interviews and info. I have seen and read just about every vintage guitar book and was delighted to view many prototype guitars and details never seen in any book. The wonderful up-close pictures of "Pearly Gates" and "Hot'Lanta" were highlights.
Sections on Les Paul amps, Customs, Juniors, Specials, and 45 pages of '58-'60 Les Paul Sunbursts in all of their glory...it's all here.
Do not hesitate to get this book, you will not be disappointed!
Robb Lawrence has certainly raised the bar with this book and I eagerly await volume II. Bravo Robb!!!!!

This is a wonderfully illustrated and detailed tome on the great Les Paul. If you're fascinated by the man and/or enjoy playing (or even just looking at) the various guitar models bearing his name, you'll love this book. I'm looking forward to the next one (the remainder of the set) which is scheduled for release by the end of the year.

Well, Ive been researching and studying Les Paul guitars and the man, since my first LP guitar in 1971. I read this book cover to cover, including all the fine print in the reproduced Gibson ads of the day. The title "the early years" may confuse some at first-this isn't about ancient history, or ancient music, as the photo of a young Les Paul may infer, but simply about the early years of the guitar's development and production. It does, however, give an great overview of Les Paul as well, which I found crucial in the bigger picture, not only of the guitar, but pop music and Gibson as well. Lawrence's history of Les is really interesting, informative, and inspiring. And, its still relevant, not only due to Les's contributions to recording, but also to the spirit of a marriage of creativity and technological curiosity.

Mr. Lawrence has provided a unique and colorful overview of both subjects. Mr. Lawrence was, as I understand things, Les's west coast gutitar tech. That alone provides credibility and provenance few others have, as well as objectivity apart from Gibson or Les himself. Further, Mr. Lawrence, beyond his luthier background, is a player. Another useful perspective.

Simply, the book has great photographs of the 'original' Les Paul line up, as well as historical development information. It is organized and easy to digest, and, most importantly, a good read. It has pictures of Les Paul guitars, some unique in all the world, none of which I've seen before, anywhere.

Not a technical tome, nor a cork sniffers guide, but rather a superlative tale of history of the instrument. And better still, a tale that appears to give the perspective of the times, i.e. as each model rolled out from Gibson, rather than retroactive or revisionist history and the often hard to sift through lore. The book is aesthetically pleasing as well. I only wish it had a larger format as its content may have been even more dazzling.

For those wondering if they should purchase this book, I own Beauty of the Burst, The Gibson Les Paul Book by Bacon -now titled Fifty Years of the Les Paul-, Tom Wheelers American Guitars, The Gibson, and The Gibson Burst to name only some of those whcih are Gibson related on my guitar book shelf. I used to build guitars and I play too. This is a wonderful book. I would buy it again in a heartbeat at full retail price. You'll learn a lot. You'll enjoy looking at it and reading it, and probably more than a few times. A good price too. Well done and thank you, Mr. Lawrence. I look forward to volume 2.

I really wish it were possible to review products at Amazon without assigning a rating, because pinning a number of stars on The Early Years of the Les Paul Legacy: 1915-1963 is no easy task.

It must be said right off the bat that the book is a veritable treasure trove for fans of Les Paul and the famous solidbody guitar that bears his name. The images alone are worth the price of admission, and the author brings a unique perspective to the book that's deeply appreciated. The book is extremely well-written; there's no denying it.

Unfortunately, though, it's extremely poorly edited. I searched for an editor to blame -- it's hard to fault Robb Lawrence, because even the best of writers need an editor -- but I could find no such credit. As a result, newer fans will often find themselves lost in the course of reading the text. Sometimes lesser-known information is presented matter-of-factly on one page, only to be explained sufficiently four pages (or two chapters) later, as if it were being introduced for the first time. It's as if Lawrence wrote the book in chronological order, then someone else cut-and-pasted paragraphs into chapters by subject, without ever going back to tidy up the text.

Honestly, though, that's the only blemish on an otherwise brilliant and one-of-a-kind book. None of the other texts on Les or the Les Paul model guitar come close. The layouts are unparalleled, the images are simply breathtaking, and the personal anecdotes are priceless.

Seriously, though, Robb? If you're reading this, please find an editor before releasing the second volume! The quality of work you're putting into this project deserves that last 5% of polish.

This is an excellent book with lots of interviews with Les Paul and others who were part of the development of the Les Paul guitar through the early years. The photography is excellent with photos of significant Les Paul guitars. It is a beautiful book with lots of inside scoop for the Les Paul aficionado.

Having known Robb for many years, I've been waiting to see this book for along time. It's a true work of love for a great man and the guitars that bare his name. I've read it twice since I got it and find/learn more each time. I thought I knew alot about Gibson Les Paul's, Robb's book is incredibly detailed on `50's & early `60's Lester's! Great read and gives alot of accounts on what not only Les (& Mary Ford) went thru, but what Gibson went thru with the original line.
I highly reccomend this to anyone who wants to know more about Vintage Gibson's and Les' life! Having met Les years ago, I can say he's one of the nicest, most genuine people I've had the pleasure of meeting. Great to know the backside of the man and his guitars.

The ONLY book better than this one, is its companion volume 2 if you can believe that! These are the ONLY books on the Les Paul guitars you'll ever need to buy. Rob Lawrence goes into meticulous research and detail with all the loving care that all the other books lack. ALL of the photos and graphics are absolutely top quality. The problem with ALL the other books, regardless of the authors--is that they just can't get past the 1958-60 sunburst Les Pauls, Led Zeppelin and Jimmy Page....so they just blow off every single other LP guitar as hardly worth their "scholarship" and research to do any in depth writing about...resulting in a boring, redundant rehash of each others' books practically down to the SAME photos of the same spandex 'n hair metal artists, and the same catalog page reprints.
This book goes into the historic detail and secrets that are missing from all the others, and is the ultimate 'breath of fresh air' in which EVERY variation of the Les Paul model is treated with highest regard and respect. These guitars go FAR beyond heavy metal and blues...and this is the ONLY book to expound on that, along with volume 2! This is also the best biography on Les himself, as Rob Lawrence writes as his close friend and fellow musician--rather than a mere, superficial "vintage instrument" collector or dealer. These are also the only books to expound on the TONAL QUALITIES of the various Les Paul models....another detail ALL the others completely MISS! The Les Paul guitars have so much more to offer than merely being plugged into a stack of maxed-out Marshall amps....they are the ultimate "guitar audiophile" tool for a LOT of serious music OTHER than hard rock, heavy metal and rock-blues. This book is a MUST for any guitarist, and belongs in EVERY guitar player's collection...right alongside volume 2.

GREAT PHOTOS!!! INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT LES PAUL, THE MAN HIMSELF. AND INTERESTING INFO ON ALL THE VINTAGE LES PAULS. BUY IT!!! ITS A KEEPER!!! OUT!!!

Robb has created a masterpiece with this book. Full of details on Les Paul and the history of the Gibson Les Paul guitar. Interviews, stories, chronology, photos - you name it, it's here! A "must have" book for any guitar player/collector/lover. Bravo, Robb!

This book tells the story of the cooperation between Les Paul and Gibson and the constant developments to the guitars that carry his name. The reader also gets to know Les Paul's obsession with sound recording, in which he was a pioneer. Very interesting reading for the Les Paul enthousiast.