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What Did Les Paul Call His Guitar?

Published in Les Paul Guitar History 3 mins read

Les Paul famously called his groundbreaking solid-body electric guitar "The Log".

The Birth of "The Log"

In 1940, the legendary musician and inventor Les Paul embarked on a pivotal experiment that would forever change the landscape of electric guitar design. He revisited earlier concepts, creating a unique prototype instrument specifically named "The Log." This innovative design marked a significant departure from traditional hollow-bodied guitars, addressing the feedback issues that plagued early electric instruments.

Design and Construction

"The Log" was a one-off solid-body electric guitar crafted from an unconventional yet effective material: a common construction component known as a “4×4 stud post.” This robust piece of wood provided the core of the instrument, offering a unique neck-thru design where the neck and central body section were a single, continuous piece. To make it more aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to play, Les Paul attached the hollow body "wings" of a traditional archtop guitar to either side of this solid center.

Why "The Log"?

The simple yet descriptive name "The Log" directly reflected the guitar's solid, unyielding core. Unlike conventional acoustic-electric guitars of the time, which were prone to resonant feedback at higher volumes, "The Log's" dense construction virtually eliminated these issues, allowing for unprecedented sustain and clarity.

Significance and Legacy

"The Log" played a crucial role in the evolution of the electric guitar, serving as a foundational prototype for subsequent designs.

  • Solid-Body Foundation: "The Log" is widely recognized as one of the earliest successful solid-body electric guitar prototypes, laying the groundwork for future iconic designs.
  • Feedback Mitigation: Its design provided a practical solution to the persistent problem of acoustic feedback that plagued amplified hollow-body guitars.
  • Innovation in Material Use: Utilizing a standard construction stud showcased Les Paul's ingenuity in repurposing materials for musical innovation.
  • Direct Precursor: While not mass-produced, "The Log" served as a direct conceptual precursor to the famous Gibson Les Paul electric guitar, which would later bear his name and become one of the most celebrated instruments in music history.

This experimental instrument, born from Les Paul's relentless pursuit of better sound and playability, proved that a solid core was the future for electric guitars, ultimately paving the way for the instruments we know today.

Feature Description
Name The Log
Year Created 1940
Core Material 4x4 stud post (common construction material)
Design Type Solid-body, neck-thru
Purpose Mitigate feedback, enhance sustain

More information on Les Paul's innovations can be found on his Wikipedia page.