DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
B o d y. The solidbody guitar was invented to increase sustain, produce a brilliant tone and
eliminate feedback caused by a vibrating top. These qualities are enhanced by wood with
high density, such as maple. Les Paul would have pre f e rred for his model to have had a solid
maple body, but density translates into weight, and a solid maple Les Paul Model would have
been exceedingly heavy. A compromise was reached, with lighter-weight mahogany used for
the main part of the body and maple used for the top cap. Most of the carved-top Les Pauls
have the combination maple/mahogany body, while the “slab” or flat top models have a solid
mahogany body. Flying V’s, Explorers and Fire b i rds have a solid mahogany body.
Neck and Headstock.
Mahogany is a time-proven material for guitar necks, and the necks
of most Gibson USA models are constructed of a single piece of mahogany. The
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