my night with Les Paul

**perris** · June 27th, 2006

first, let me tell everyone before you ask, pictures coming when my friend emails them to me

[edit] three sets of pictures are now loaded in the thread below

I started the day going to a music store called "SAM ash" out here in new York

my mission;

pick up the nicest Les Paul guitar made by Gibson in America that I could find for under 2000 bucks...preferably an old and vintage model, but if need be, a new.

I walked into the store and was inundated with Les Paul's of all themes...there was a "corvette" Les Paul, a "50's" Les Paul, and Les Paul's up the kazoo played by bands and guitarists like Leonard skinnard and tons f other famous guitarists.

all of these guitars ranged from 4 to over ten thousand dollars, and to be honest, they all seemed worth the price but it was more then I wanted to spend

I ask the salesman where the new guitars are, because I think they will be less expensive, and the salesman says "we aren't a Gibson dealer anymore, we don't have new"

I say to myself;

*damn it*

he points me to a whole room of used Les pauls...some from Epiphone, some from other companies, with the Gibson's in a wall away from the others and all by themselves.

the Gibson's are MUCH nicer then any other Les Paul, much better built, much better sounding, far more desirable.

ah me, most of these are over 3000 dollars, but my eye is drawn to the one that I think is far and away the nicest guitar in the room, this one is only 2400 dollars and I CAN'T believe it.

I think if I give cash, I can get it for two including tax, and I ask

no, the best I can do is 2400 including tax and case...this one is only about 4 years old and that's why it's not as expensive as the rest even though it's a better looking instrument

I'm thinking I'm gonna get this guitar, and just as I am about to make up my mind, there is an even nicer piece of wood with a dark dark zebra grain, yellow ivory band, and "bookend" grain (which means the grain was matched when assembled, a rare piece indeed)...it's sort of hiding behind some other stuff and wasn't showing with all the rest which is almost definately why it was still on the wall, it is too nice.

this guitar was only 1600 bucks!...what's up with THAT? (this one is only two years old, that's the reason)

I ask a few musicians to play the Axe cuz I can't believe the price, they all jump at the opportunity, they all love the frigging guitar, everyone said it was easily one of the nicest Les Paul's they've seen.

mine...bing...1500 including tax, case, strap, picks....score!

me and my childhood friend named Mike, someone I know since I'm 5 years old head to Manhattan, a club called the Iridium where we have dinner and show reservations...it's first come first serve for seat location even though you have reservations, we got there about an hour early and we get right up at the stage...a VERY small room and there is not a bad seat in the house...still, mine is the best seat with Les Paul looking over and seeming as if he wants my approval or takes takes pride in my joy.

what an entertainer, I think he made everyone feel exactly how I felt, that he was performing for me

show...excellant...les Paul has young musicians come up and jam with him, he has tons of fun, he's still great with impeccable style and timing, his band is uncanny...an acoustic base, an incredible rhythm guitarist and one of the cleanest, fastest pianists I have ever ever seen

wow

dinner was excellent, I had the fillet mignon...perfect...not bad price either, Mike had the salmon whcih was moist and very nice...dinner and drinks for the two of us was 180 dollars including show.

I find out from the waitress Les only signs after the second show, we were there for the first...she also tells me he hasn't done it in a few months because he gets tired and has to go home.

I'm disappointed, but still, the show is incredible.

I talk my friend into staying for the second show, just in case I can get Les to sign, Mike agrees in all of one second.

well, I start talking with the musicians between the shows and they are all sweethearts, jay, a sit in acoustic base, Lou is the rhythm guitarist, Les Paul's old time pal and long time rythim, guitarist with some sweet licks... the pianist of two years is john.

john asks to see the guitar, he says it's one of the nicest pieces of wood he's seen, asks me how much I paid...when I tell him he says he thinks I can sell it right there at the show for 4 grand...he's going to try to get Les to sign it for me.

the second show?

wow again...

"wasting away again in Margareta ville" Jimmy Buffet is in the audience and is invited up by Les after a few songs into the set...Jimmy sits in, he plays a song and says his guitarist is dying to play with the legend, Les Paul, Les invites him to sit in too

David carradine is there, was supposed to sit in also but is sick and has to leave

I am the first chair right by the stage and this is incredible..we are singing with jimmy buffet, harmonizing the chorus and all is grand in Iridium ville on this wonderfully crisp and clear Monday night in Manhattan.

after the show I get Buffet to sign the guitar and say "the day I played with Les Paul", I get his guitarist to sign also, I get Les Paul's guitarist to sign

bad news though, the agent says Les is not up to it tonight for after the show signing and he signs either everyone's or nobody's so I am out of luck.

bummer

everyone in the place wants to play my Axe, and of course, the pleasure is mine, I let everyone

the pianist (johnny) tells me confidentially to stick around, Les Paul will sign it after everyone leaves.

as the place thins out, the manager won't let us stay, so we head upstairs to wait, outside, about an hour...there is a kid in some band out there ahead of us, looks good , plays good, he's hanging with his Les Paul too

there's also an Asian girl who won one of the events at the world series of poker, she's with her husband and they are waiting too...they have another Les Paul

mine is clearly the nicest of the entire room this night, although Les's personal guitar is more sophisticated being the recoding model with extra electronics, mine is the studio version but it's clearly a nicer piece.

everyone wants to play it...all were there waiting before me and my friend got out, we are all having a ball, telling stories of our lives

about an hour later, Les's assistant starts to load up his van with les's guitars and equiptment...as the assistant comes to the door he sees us with the guitars and smiles, tells us to sit tight, Les will sign for us up here....we are elated

Les finally comes out about an hour later...he looks tired but smiling like we are a gift to him, (or that's what he has us believe he is SUCH a sweetheart)...he recognizes me (I am perris after all), gives me a hug, plays my guitar, tells me he has one with the same wood Finnish and he is genuinely impressed, he plays all the guitars, signs them and hangs out telling us stories about his life, asking about ours for about 20 minutes

what a night, I would be more elaborate, but I have work in the morning and I will only get a couple of hours of sleep.

**falconguard** · June 27th, 2006

I bow in the limelight of Jazz Greatness...most excellent day!

**madmatt** · June 27th, 2006

Perris is OSNN's very own Hollywood inside guy.

**kcnychief** · June 27th, 2006

Perris = Paris Hilton

**Evil Marge** · June 27th, 2006

Never heard of him but it sounds like you had a good time

Is it just me or does Les Paul sound like a drag act?

**perris** · June 27th, 2006

Originally Posted by Evil Marge

Never heard of him but it sounds like you had a good time

Is it just me or does Les Paul sound like a drag act?

les paul invented the solid body electric guitar marge...this is true.

he also invented multi track recording and a host of other items used in the music industry...and he then designed the most desired guitar of all time, the gibson les paul with "humbucking pickups"

he's in his 90's, he is indeed a legend and a treasure

**Kr0m** · June 27th, 2006

Awesome!!
I'm no musician but I love most of the types of music out there... I've definitely heard of Les Paul and his guitars. (I didn't know he was still alive though hehe). Cool story Perris and thanks for the good read!

**Grandmaster** · June 27th, 2006

Perris was also in an episode of Friends. There's an old thread around here where it was confirmed

**perris** · June 28th, 2006

for musicians and anyone that wants to hear the legend in interview live

that was part one

this is part two

you MUST listen to the stories told live by les himself in live interview, live audience

Les Paul is a unique blend of musician and inventor. His performing career started at the age of 13 and by the early 1950s he was the greatest jazz guitarist of his generation. The Les Paul Trio, which included his talented wife Mary Ford, produced such hits as "Tennessee Waltz," "Mockin' Bird Hill," "How High The Moon," and "Vaya Con Dios." He also won a 1977 Grammy with Chet Atkins for the album Chester and Lester.

As an inventor, Mr. Paul's breakthrough creation of the solid-body electric guitar paved the way for electric music made the sound of rock and roll possible. In 1953 while performing with Bing Crosby, he perfected the first muli-track recording machine, allowing separate lines of instrumental music and vocals to be blended together. His many recording innovations--including sound-on-sound, overdubbing, reverb effects, and multi-tracking--greatly accelerated the advancement of studio recording.

**perris** · June 28th, 2006

my friends having troulbe emailing me the pics of the night so they'll come later, here's a few pictures of the guitar

I took these pictures with my phone so forgive the quality, but check out this piece of wood

notice I didn't spoil the face with signatures.

on the side are the other musicians I mentioned, les paul signed in between the machines up top

pokerblogger · June 28th, 2006

Wow, that was an amazing story! Sweet!

**ejn74** · June 28th, 2006

Very Cool Perris. The evening sounds like it will be in unforgetable one.
Guitar looks cool too!!

**perris** · July 1st, 2006

more pics

les paul and a winner of one of the world series of poker tounies, les is signing my guitar, there's jimmy buffet's guitarist playing my axe, and that's the nightclub's world famous sign

then there's les paul feeling me up (I am perris after all)

after that is jimmy buffet on my guitar

**j79zlr** · July 1st, 2006

Very cool perris.

Always preferred strats myself, but I think I'd buy an LP if I could get the namesake to sign it.

**Sazar** · July 1st, 2006

I didn't know what you looked like before m8 but now I do. And I see yer into guys feeling you up

/me runs away

Not a big electric guitar fan myself, prefer accoustics, but that baby looks NICE and you got it signed too so its a definite keepsake.

Nice story bud. Post more pics as you get em

**xsivforce** · July 1st, 2006

What a ****ing night! Awesome axe perris! Wow, would love to have been there for that.

**dreamliner77** · July 1st, 2006

Great story Perris. I still keep meaning to get down there to see LP.

Great looking axe. I prefer the bound LP's myself, but the grain on that one is sweet. Now you just need the Marshall stack to go with it.

**tdinc** · July 2nd, 2006

Now you are Officially an OSNN Legend Perris
Well Done!

**Grandmaster** · July 6th, 2006

Nice pics dude. That's a sexy guitar.

**Sazar** · July 6th, 2006

I can't wait to get to NYC and chill with y'all.

June 27th, 2006	Top \| #1
perris OSNN Godlike Veteran Joined: January 2002 Location: new york Posts: 12,258 Reputation: 4333 Power: 291	my night with Les Paul first, let me tell everyone before you ask, pictures coming when my friend emails them to me [edit] three sets of pictures are now loaded in the thread below I started the day going to a music store called "SAM ash" out here in new York my mission; pick up the nicest Les Paul guitar made by Gibson in America that I could find for under 2000 bucks...preferably an old and vintage model, but if need be, a new. I walked into the store and was inundated with Les Paul's of all themes...there was a "corvette" Les Paul, a "50's" Les Paul, and Les Paul's up the kazoo played by bands and guitarists like Leonard skinnard and tons f other famous guitarists. all of these guitars ranged from 4 to over ten thousand dollars, and to be honest, they all seemed worth the price but it was more then I wanted to spend I ask the salesman where the new guitars are, because I think they will be less expensive, and the salesman says "we aren't a Gibson dealer anymore, we don't have new" I say to myself; damn it he points me to a whole room of used Les pauls...some from Epiphone, some from other companies, with the Gibson's in a wall away from the others and all by themselves. the Gibson's are MUCH nicer then any other Les Paul, much better built, much better sounding, far more desirable. ah me, most of these are over 3000 dollars, but my eye is drawn to the one that I think is far and away the nicest guitar in the room, this one is only 2400 dollars and I CAN'T believe it. I think if I give cash, I can get it for two including tax, and I ask no, the best I can do is 2400 including tax and case...this one is only about 4 years old and that's why it's not as expensive as the rest even though it's a better looking instrument I'm thinking I'm gonna get this guitar, and just as I am about to make up my mind, there is an even nicer piece of wood with a dark dark zebra grain, yellow ivory band, and "bookend" grain (which means the grain was matched when assembled, a rare piece indeed)...it's sort of hiding behind some other stuff and wasn't showing with all the rest which is almost definately why it was still on the wall, it is too nice. this guitar was only 1600 bucks!...what's up with THAT? (this one is only two years old, that's the reason) I ask a few musicians to play the Axe cuz I can't believe the price, they all jump at the opportunity, they all love the frigging guitar, everyone said it was easily one of the nicest Les Paul's they've seen. mine...bing...1500 including tax, case, strap, picks....score! me and my childhood friend named Mike, someone I know since I'm 5 years old head to Manhattan, a club called the Iridium where we have dinner and show reservations...it's first come first serve for seat location even though you have reservations, we got there about an hour early and we get right up at the stage...a VERY small room and there is not a bad seat in the house...still, mine is the best seat with Les Paul looking over and seeming as if he wants my approval or takes takes pride in my joy. what an entertainer, I think he made everyone feel exactly how I felt, that he was performing for me show...excellant...les Paul has young musicians come up and jam with him, he has tons of fun, he's still great with impeccable style and timing, his band is uncanny...an acoustic base, an incredible rhythm guitarist and one of the cleanest, fastest pianists I have ever ever seen wow dinner was excellent, I had the fillet mignon...perfect...not bad price either, Mike had the salmon whcih was moist and very nice...dinner and drinks for the two of us was 180 dollars including show. I find out from the waitress Les only signs after the second show, we were there for the first...she also tells me he hasn't done it in a few months because he gets tired and has to go home. I'm disappointed, but still, the show is incredible. I talk my friend into staying for the second show, just in case I can get Les to sign, Mike agrees in all of one second. well, I start talking with the musicians between the shows and they are all sweethearts, jay, a sit in acoustic base, Lou is the rhythm guitarist, Les Paul's old time pal and long time rythim, guitarist with some sweet licks... the pianist of two years is john. john asks to see the guitar, he says it's one of the nicest pieces of wood he's seen, asks me how much I paid...when I tell him he says he thinks I can sell it right there at the show for 4 grand...he's going to try to get Les to sign it for me. the second show? wow again... "wasting away again in Margareta ville" Jimmy Buffet is in the audience and is invited up by Les after a few songs into the set...Jimmy sits in, he plays a song and says his guitarist is dying to play with the legend, Les Paul, Les invites him to sit in too David carradine is there, was supposed to sit in also but is sick and has to leave I am the first chair right by the stage and this is incredible..we are singing with jimmy buffet, harmonizing the chorus and all is grand in Iridium ville on this wonderfully crisp and clear Monday night in Manhattan. after the show I get Buffet to sign the guitar and say "the day I played with Les Paul", I get his guitarist to sign also, I get Les Paul's guitarist to sign bad news though, the agent says Les is not up to it tonight for after the show signing and he signs either everyone's or nobody's so I am out of luck. bummer everyone in the place wants to play my Axe, and of course, the pleasure is mine, I let everyone the pianist (johnny) tells me confidentially to stick around, Les Paul will sign it after everyone leaves. as the place thins out, the manager won't let us stay, so we head upstairs to wait, outside, about an hour...there is a kid in some band out there ahead of us, looks good , plays good, he's hanging with his Les Paul too there's also an Asian girl who won one of the events at the world series of poker, she's with her husband and they are waiting too...they have another Les Paul mine is clearly the nicest of the entire room this night, although Les's personal guitar is more sophisticated being the recoding model with extra electronics, mine is the studio version but it's clearly a nicer piece. everyone wants to play it...all were there waiting before me and my friend got out, we are all having a ball, telling stories of our lives about an hour later, Les's assistant starts to load up his van with les's guitars and equiptment...as the assistant comes to the door he sees us with the guitars and smiles, tells us to sit tight, Les will sign for us up here....we are elated Les finally comes out about an hour later...he looks tired but smiling like we are a gift to him, (or that's what he has us believe he is SUCH a sweetheart)...he recognizes me (I am perris after all), gives me a hug, plays my guitar, tells me he has one with the same wood Finnish and he is genuinely impressed, he plays all the guitars, signs them and hangs out telling us stories about his life, asking about ours for about 20 minutes what a night, I would be more elaborate, but I have work in the morning and I will only get a couple of hours of sleep. IT'S NOT WHAT YOU'VE DONE IT'S WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO

June 27th, 2006	Top \| #2
falconguard Carbon based lifeform Joined: February 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 3,406 Reputation: 2305 Power: 158	Re: my night with Les Paul I bow in the limelight of Jazz Greatness...most excellent day!

June 27th, 2006	Top \| #3
madmatt Bow Down to the King Joined: April 2002 Location: New York Posts: 13,312 Reputation: 4090 Power: 297	Re: my night with Les Paul Perris is OSNN's very own Hollywood inside guy.

June 27th, 2006	Top \| #4
kcnychief █▄█ ▀█▄ █ Joined: April 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 16,949 Reputation: 4941 Power: 305	Re: my night with Les Paul Perris = Paris Hilton XBOX Live Gamertag: kcnychief

June 27th, 2006	Top \| #5
Evil Marge I Rule Joined: July 2002 Location: Teesside, the land of smog Posts: 6,547 Reputation: 2337 Power: 209	Re: my night with Les Paul Never heard of him but it sounds like you had a good time Is it just me or does Les Paul sound like a drag act? . Google+

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June 27th, 2006	Top \| #6
perris OSNN Godlike Veteran Joined: January 2002 Location: new york Posts: 12,258 Reputation: 4333 Power: 291	Re: my night with Les Paul Originally Posted by Evil Marge Never heard of him but it sounds like you had a good time Is it just me or does Les Paul sound like a drag act? les paul invented the solid body electric guitar marge...this is true. he also invented multi track recording and a host of other items used in the music industry...and he then designed the most desired guitar of all time, the gibson les paul with "humbucking pickups" he's in his 90's, he is indeed a legend and a treasure IT'S NOT WHAT YOU'VE DONE IT'S WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO

June 27th, 2006	Top \| #7
Kr0m OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: December 2001 Location: Turtle Island Posts: 1,390 Reputation: 290 Power: 143	Re: my night with Les Paul Awesome!! I'm no musician but I love most of the types of music out there... I've definitely heard of Les Paul and his guitars. (I didn't know he was still alive though hehe). Cool story Perris and thanks for the good read!

June 27th, 2006	Top \| #8
Grandmaster Electronica Addict Joined: February 2002 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 10,574 Reputation: 2960 Power: 260	Re: my night with Les Paul Perris was also in an episode of Friends. There's an old thread around here where it was confirmed

June 28th, 2006	Top \| #9
perris OSNN Godlike Veteran Joined: January 2002 Location: new york Posts: 12,258 Reputation: 4333 Power: 291	Re: my night with Les Paul for musicians and anyone that wants to hear the legend in interview live that was part one this is part two you MUST listen to the stories told live by les himself in live interview, live audience Les Paul is a unique blend of musician and inventor. His performing career started at the age of 13 and by the early 1950s he was the greatest jazz guitarist of his generation. The Les Paul Trio, which included his talented wife Mary Ford, produced such hits as "Tennessee Waltz," "Mockin' Bird Hill," "How High The Moon," and "Vaya Con Dios." He also won a 1977 Grammy with Chet Atkins for the album Chester and Lester. As an inventor, Mr. Paul's breakthrough creation of the solid-body electric guitar paved the way for electric music made the sound of rock and roll possible. In 1953 while performing with Bing Crosby, he perfected the first muli-track recording machine, allowing separate lines of instrumental music and vocals to be blended together. His many recording innovations--including sound-on-sound, overdubbing, reverb effects, and multi-tracking--greatly accelerated the advancement of studio recording. IT'S NOT WHAT YOU'VE DONE IT'S WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO

June 28th, 2006	Top \| #10
perris OSNN Godlike Veteran Joined: January 2002 Location: new york Posts: 12,258 Reputation: 4333 Power: 291	Re: my night with Les Paul my friends having troulbe emailing me the pics of the night so they'll come later, here's a few pictures of the guitar I took these pictures with my phone so forgive the quality, but check out this piece of wood notice I didn't spoil the face with signatures. on the side are the other musicians I mentioned, les paul signed in between the machines up top Attached Thumbnails IT'S NOT WHAT YOU'VE DONE IT'S WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO

June 28th, 2006	Top \| #11
pokerblogger OSNN Addict Joined: June 2006 Location: Portland Posts: 125 Reputation: 90 Power: 74	Re: my night with Les Paul Wow, that was an amazing story! Sweet! MySpace Layouts \| Poker Blogger \| MySpace Awareness

June 28th, 2006	Top \| #12
ejn74 Folding Master! Joined: February 2005 Location: Western Iowa Posts: 1,135 Reputation: 960 Power: 109	Re: my night with Les Paul Very Cool Perris. The evening sounds like it will be in unforgetable one. Guitar looks cool too!!

July 1st, 2006	Top \| #13
perris OSNN Godlike Veteran Joined: January 2002 Location: new york Posts: 12,258 Reputation: 4333 Power: 291	Re: my night with Les Paul more pics les paul and a winner of one of the world series of poker tounies, les is signing my guitar, there's jimmy buffet's guitarist playing my axe, and that's the nightclub's world famous sign then there's les paul feeling me up (I am perris after all) after that is jimmy buffet on my guitar Attached Thumbnails IT'S NOT WHAT YOU'VE DONE IT'S WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO

July 1st, 2006	Top \| #14
j79zlr Glaanies script monkey Joined: February 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,725 Reputation: 1520 Power: 155	Re: my night with Les Paul Very cool perris. Always preferred strats myself, but I think I'd buy an LP if I could get the namesake to sign it. http://www.j79zlr.com

July 1st, 2006	Top \| #15
Sazar F@H - Is it in you? Joined: April 2002 Location: Between Austin and Tampa Posts: 14,888 Reputation: 4110 Power: 313	Re: my night with Les Paul I didn't know what you looked like before m8 but now I do. And I see yer into guys feeling you up /me runs away Not a big electric guitar fan myself, prefer accoustics, but that baby looks NICE and you got it signed too so its a definite keepsake. Nice story bud. Post more pics as you get em Help to find cures for Alzheimer's, Mad Cow (BSE), CJD, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease, and many Cancers. Folding@Home, is it in you?

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July 1st, 2006	Top \| #16
xsivforce Prodigal Son Joined: February 2002 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 8,542 Reputation: 1410 Power: 225	Re: my night with Les Paul What a **ing night! Awesome axe perris! Wow, would love to have been there for that. I miss you allllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!**

July 1st, 2006	Top \| #17
dreamliner77 The Analog Kid Joined: March 2002 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 4,653 Reputation: 1111 Power: 182	Re: my night with Les Paul Great story Perris. I still keep meaning to get down there to see LP. Great looking axe. I prefer the bound LP's myself, but the grain on that one is sweet. Now you just need the Marshall stack to go with it. "You can fight without ever winning, but never win without a fight." -Neil Peart of RUSH

July 2nd, 2006	Top \| #18
tdinc █▄█ ▀█▄ █ Joined: December 2003 Location: Sterling Heights, MICHIGAN Posts: 3,507 Blog Entries: 19 Reputation: 2905 Power: 168	Re: my night with Les Paul Now you are Officially an OSNN Legend Perris Well Done!

July 6th, 2006	Top \| #19
Grandmaster Electronica Addict Joined: February 2002 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 10,574 Reputation: 2960 Power: 260	Re: my night with Les Paul Nice pics dude. That's a sexy guitar.

July 6th, 2006	Top \| #20
Sazar F@H - Is it in you? Joined: April 2002 Location: Between Austin and Tampa Posts: 14,888 Reputation: 4110 Power: 313	Re: my night with Les Paul I can't wait to get to NYC and chill with y'all. Help to find cures for Alzheimer's, Mad Cow (BSE), CJD, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease, and many Cancers. Folding@Home, is it in you?