Stuff You Should Know Les Paul & Leo Fender Part II
Aug 26, 2021
Discover the fascinating rivalry and collaboration between Les Paul and Leo Fender, pioneers in electric guitar innovation. Hear about Paul Bigsby's significant contributions and the balance between inspiration and imitation in guitar design. The personal journeys of both legends unfold, including Les's miraculous recovery from adversity and a captivating romantic twist involving a museum curator. Explore the cultural significance of iconic guitar models and their impact on rock history, all while enjoying engaging stories of art and adventure.
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Bigsby's Influence
- Paul Bigsby, known for the "whammy bar," built a solid-body guitar for Merle Travis.
- Leo Fender examined this guitar, allegedly reverse-engineering it for his designs.
Fender's Alleged Copying
- Leo Fender borrowed Merle Travis's Bigsby guitar, possibly reverse-engineering its design.
- Similarities between Bigsby's guitar and Fender's later models led to a lawsuit.
Impact of the Precision Bass
- Fender's Precision Bass revolutionized music by making the bass guitar portable and accessible.
- This innovation heavily influenced genres like Motown, funk, and rock.