The holy grail of Les Pauls up for grabs

Les Paul Black Beauty

This guitar widely believed to be most likely to give collectors a boner is hitting the auction block at Guernsey’s. It’s part of the Tom Doyle collection of which the coveted Les Paul is the top item up for bid. The auctioneer’s website describes the 1953 Black Beauty as the original prototype of the Gibson Les Paul guitar. Which is okay if you agree that the Gold Top version produced a year earlier was so flawed it didn’t count. Both guitar’s were produced with and for Les Paul. Which brings up another largely debated piece of history. Les Paul has been described anywhere from a designer to a celebrity consultant of the Les Paul. Think Air Jordans.

Anyway you look at it the Les Paul has inspired more guitarists than you’ll find at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame post gala brunch. And the Black Beauty is the guitar that Les Paul played and perfected for over two decades. The auction will be held on February 19 after which the Black Beauty could very well become the most expensive guitar in the world.

Place your bid here.