Sunburst—How the Gibson Les Paul Standard Became A Legend

In this outstanding book, Tony Bacon explores one of music's most beloved instruments, and how it became so revered.

By Ara Ajizian

Tony Bacon's Sunburst—How the Gibson Les Paul Standard Became A Legend is a must-read for any Gibson enthusiast, especially those who love the hallowed cherry sunburst LP Standard (or Burst, as it's commonly called) that was produced between 1958 and 1960. That's a given. But really, Sunburst is a book that nearly every musician can enjoy, as it takes the reader on a fascinating journey through music history through the lens of one particular instrument.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that this is a sterile read that consists only of part numbers and other obscure facts. Some of rock's greatest names are part of the history of this instrument, and Bacon does an exceptional job incorporating their stories into the story of the sunbust LP Standard. There's a lineage of great British players that brought about the resurrection of what was essentially a forgotten instrument, relegated to "discontinued" status in favor of the SG.

From Keith Richards to  Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Peter Green and many others, the popularity of the sunburst Standard exploded in the UK as these up-and-coming musicians were finally able to get their hands on the American-made instruments that their heroes played (Britain had a post-WWII embargo against certain American products, including guitars, until 1959). It then spread back over to the States, where blues players like Mike Bloomfield were hip to what their British counterparts were doing and seeking the same sounds. The way Bacon weaves the stories of the players noted for playing a Burst and the instrument itself is nothing short of masterful.

The telling of the tale is just one facet of Sunburst. It's a fantastic reference for collectors and afficionados, documenting details of Bursts owned by famous players, reissue models that have been released over the years, artist models, private collections and much more. And he brings the story of the instrument into the present day through artists like Slash and Joe Bonamassa.

Of course no book on such a gorgeous instrument as the Burst in its many incarnations would be complete without plenty of photos, and Sunburst is brimming with glossy photos that show every intricacy on each subject instrument. Plenty of shots of Bursts in action with their famous owners grace the pages, adding a wonderful visual complement to Bacon's storytelling.

All in all, Sunburst—How the Les Paul Standard Became A Legendary Guitar is well worth its $29.99 pricetag. Whether you're a collector, a music history junkie, a lover of fine instruments or just a musician who loves to play and dream about what could be, there's something for you within these pages.

Sunburst—How the Les Paul Standard Became A Legendary Guitar at Musician's Friend