Discussion Overview
The thread discusses the passing of Lester William Polfuss, known as Les Paul, and his contributions to music, particularly in the development of the solid body electric guitar and multi-track recording. The conversation reflects on his legacy and impact on the music industry.
Discussion Character
- Meta-discussion
- Historical
Main Points Raised
- Some participants express sadness over Les Paul's death, reflecting on his life and contributions to music.
- One participant shares personal experiences with Les Paul's guitars, noting a specific model they found difficult to play.
- Another participant emphasizes the significance of Les Paul's innovations in the context of rock music and multi-track recording.
- A participant points out that while Les Paul was an innovator, electric guitars and amplifiers existed prior to his work, suggesting a distinction between invention and innovation.
- There is a mention of Les Paul's early guitar, "The Log," and its initial reception by Gibson Guitars.
- Some participants speculate on the potential increase in value of Les Paul guitars following his passing.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally agree on Les Paul's significant impact on music, but there are differing views on the nature of his contributions, particularly regarding the distinction between being an inventor and an innovator.
Contextual Notes
Some statements reflect personal opinions and experiences with specific guitar models, which may vary widely among players. The discussion includes both subjective reflections and historical context, with no consensus on the definitions of invention versus innovation.