
The story of Jimmy Page’s “Number One” ‘59 Les Paul. In 1969, Jimmy Page acquired what would become his most iconic instrument: a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard. Purchased from Joe Walsh for a modest $500 (with some claiming it was closer to $1200), the guitar was already modified when Page got it, featuring a slimmer neck profile ideal for his quick, fluid playing style. Almost immediately, it became central to his sound, replacing his Fender Telecaster as his main guitar both in the studio and on stage. The Les Paul quickly earned its nickname, “Number One,” as it became Page’s go-to guitar during Led Zeppelin’s meteoric rise. Its thick, sustaining tone was perfect for Zeppelin’s blues-infused hard rock, and it offered the versatility Page needed for everything from soaring solos to complex chord work. He even customized it further, adding wiring tweaks to expand its tonal options.
In 1969, Jimmy Page made a decision that would forever change the course of rock history: he acquired a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard, an […]