The secret behind Jimmy Page's iconic "Number One" Les Paul tone lies in the degree of timber removal, approaching the thinness typically observed on Ibanez guitars, revealed by Bare Knuckle founder Tim Mills upon inspection.
In the world of rock music, few guitars are as iconic as Jimmy Page's 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard, affectionately known as "Number One." This vintage instrument, purchased from Joe Walsh in 1969, has become synonymous with Page's distinctive sound, particularly on the solo in "Stairway to Heaven."
The unique tone of "Number One" is a result of its carefully crafted construction and meticulous modifications over the years. The guitar features a solid mahogany body with a carved maple top, providing a warm, rich tone with balanced resonance and sustain. The one-piece solid Honduran mahogany neck, with a "1959 Slim Taper" profile, contributes to its comfortable playability and tonal warmth.
Originally equipped with Seth Lover’s vintage-spec PAF humbuckers, the pickups were modified over time. The bridge pickup evolved from a T-Top to a Seymour Duncan humbucker in the 1990s, delivering a punchy, dynamic crunch integral to the guitar’s fat, sustaining tone. The neck pickup, despite being close to 9k, behaved more like a single-coil due to a discharged magnet and heavily asymmetrical coil windings, contributing to its vocal mids.
Page also installed a push-pull potentiometer to reverse the phase between pickups, allowing for unique tonal variations and a distinctive sound palette employed throughout his career. These modifications, combined with Page's pioneering playing approach—including innovative techniques like using a violin bow, alternate tunings, and effects—make "Number One" a versatile instrument capable of producing orchestral soundscapes.
Recently, Gibson announced a new multi-guitar series with Jimmy Page, with the signature 1971 EDS-1275 double neck kickstarting the collaboration. While there's no news of "Number One" being part of the series, it's expected to be included at some point.
Tim Mills, founder of Bare Knuckle—one of the world's largest independent electric guitar pickup manufacturers—had the opportunity to analyze "Number One." Mills, who considers working for Page his dream client, noted the significant thinness of the neck, which contributes to much of the guitar's tone.
Despite the thinness, the truss rod of "Number One" did not pop out, a testament to the guitar's robust construction. The bridge pickup, a symmetrically wound 8.2k Seymour Duncan installed around the late Seventies, provides a nicely balanced growl.
In conclusion, the distinctive tone of Jimmy Page's "Number One" 1959 Les Paul Standard is a result of its vintage woods and construction, carefully modified pickups and electronics, and Page’s pioneering playing approach. This iconic guitar has influenced rock guitarists for decades and continues to captivate audiences with its richly sustaining, dynamically expressive sound.
- Gibson has teamed up with Jimmy Page to release a new multi-guitar series, with the 1971 EDS-1275 double neck as the initial collaboration.
- Tim Mills, founder of Bare Knuckle, analyzed Jimmy Page's iconic "Number One" 1959 Les Paul Standard, considering it his dream client.
- The signature Seymour Duncan bridge pickup installed on "Number One" around the late 1970s offers a nicely balanced growl.
- Some of the top-tier gadgets and smartphones today incorporate technology that attempts to replicate the rich, sustaining sound of an electric guitar like Jimmy Page's prized Les Paul.
- Other renowned guitar brands like Ibanez, besides Gibson, producehigh-quality electric guitars that resonate with players worldwide, encapsulating the essence of remarkable craftsmanship and exceptional sound.
