Les Paul Model Electric Guitar and Amplifier
The design draws from shapes and features of their earlier arch-top guitars, with associations with Jazz music and formal attire. The tailpiece, the raised pick guard, and the arched top are all features of their famous models which had dominated the market for the last half century. The construction demonstrates their sophisticated tooling and factory set up, and the gold color is intended to communicate luxury and elegance.
The guitar belonged to the Swedish guitarist Peter Svennsson of The Cardigans. He and his father found the guitar on sale in 1995 and fell in love with it and in awe of its pristine collection. Svennsson owned it for nearly thirty years before offering it as a gift to The Met.
Artwork Details
- Title: Les Paul Model Electric Guitar and Amplifier
- Manufacturer: Gibson (American, founded Kalamazoo, Michigan 1902)
- Period: 20th century
- Date: 1952
- Geography: United States
- Culture: American
- Medium:
Neck/Head: Honduran Mahogany; Headstock Veneer: Painted holly; Headstock Decoration: Mother of Pearl; Truss Rod Cover: Plastic; Tuning Machines: Metal; Machine Head Buttons: Plastic; Nut: Bone?; Fingerboard: Brazilian Rosewood; Fret markers: Mother of Pearl; Frets: Nickel silver; Strings: Metal; FB Binding: Plastic; Pick up covers: Plastic; Vol/Tone knobs: Plastic; Soundboard/Top: Honduran Mahogany; Solid Body: Honduran Mahogany
Binding: Plastic; Pickguard: Plastic; Bridge: Metal; Neck side strap button: Metal
End strap button: Metal; Tailpiece: Metal - Dimensions: Scale length: 24.5 in; Total length: 985 mm; Width: 328 mm; Body thickness: 50.8 mm; Body length: 439 mm Nut to 12th; Fret (mm): 311 mm; String spacing at nut: 37.9 mm; String spacing at Saddle: 50.8 mm; Bridge to pickup one: 35 mm; Bridge to pickup two: 148 mm
- Classification: Chordophone-Lute-plucked-fretted
- Credit Line: Gift of Peter Svensson, in memory of his father, Jan-Anders Svensson, 2024
- Object Number: 2024.604a–c
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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