Lester William Polsfuss, known as Les Paul, was an American jazz, country, and blues guitarist, songwriter, luthier, and inventor. He was one of the pioneers of the solid-body electric guitar, and his prototype, called the Log, served as inspiration for the Gibson Les Paul. Paul taught himself how to play guitar, and while he is mainly known for jazz and popular music, he had an early career in country music. In the 1950s, he and his wife, singer and guitarist Mary Ford, recorded numerous records, selling millions of copies.
Paul c. January 1947
Les Paul playing live, c. 1947
Gibson '58 Reissue Les Paul guitar (2005)
Paul and Mary Ford in 1954
A luthier is a craftsperson who builds or repairs string instruments that have a neck and a sound box.
Modern luthier's workshop, Cremona (2007)
A luthier tunes the bridge of a violin.
Oud luthier on Mohamed Ali Street in Cairo, Egypt
A luthier building classical guitars in Madrid, Spain