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railroad tie guitars

becks bolero

New member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
1,810
hey;

this has been bugging me for a while:

I read les paul's homebuilt guitar, "The Log", that gibson based their LP's on, was built out of an old railway tie for the neck/body, with wings glued on.

I also read he wasn't too impressed with the Gibsons in the '50's.....


anyone know what kind of wood they used for railway ties back then? or anything else about this story?


thx.....
 

LHakim

Active member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
2,113
Railroad ties

BB, I don't remember the complete details, but Les' "log" was a model he created in borrowed space at the old Epiphone factory in the 30's or 40's. He and the owner were friends. He tried to get Gibson interested in it but they weren't biting at that time. That guitar was definetly not the Basis for the Les Paul guitar which was designed in-house by Ted McCarty's R&D team. Although this is somewhat debateble and controversial, it is now undestood that Les' only contributions to the prototype was the addition of the trapeze tp, and gold top. There are other members here who can probably fill in the details.

As for railroad ties aren't they made of oak or pine?
 

Ed Rafalko

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
6,287
Usually pine, but often lots of other hardwoods. I know that telephone poles are creosote-soaked pine, and I am pretty sure that ties are the same material.
 

Spose

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2001
Messages
3,994
all I know is

that stuff will kill you and other living things.

nasty nasty stuff that creosote

don't stand down wind from a burning pile of railroad ties, causes drain bramage:eek:
 

becks bolero

New member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
1,810
creosote

thx for the warning, I never knew about creosote. what else did they use it for? roofing materials? mouthwash?

now that you mention it, it jogged my memory.....I think it was oak, thats why he called it the "log", it weighed so much. if anyone has the 4cd box set of les paul's stuff it's in there somewhere.....


pretty snazzy smilies in here now......:lurk:claw


damn I was trying to make it look like the toilet nabbed one of the talkers.....
 
Last edited:

jono

LPF Recording Artist
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
1,740
the log

if the log was a solid timber with 2 halves of an epiphone semi glued on the sides then it resembles a 335 far more than a Les Paul. Maybe 335's are the true Les Pauls....
 
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