INTARSIA WOOD ART
Artistic wood creations, handcrafted and proudly made in Canada.
GIBSON LES PAUL - THE SOUND OF LED ZEPPELIN
The legendary 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard that became Jimmy Page's signature instrument and helped define the sound of one of rock's most influential bands.
Quick Facts
Artist:
Jimmy Page
Acquired:
1969
Model:
1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard
Most Famous songs:
• Whole Lotta Love
• Heartbreaker
• Black Dog
• Rock and Roll
• Since I've Been Loving You
The Story
As Led Zeppelin began its meteoric rise, Jimmy Page was searching for a guitar that could deliver the power and sustain he needed on stage. In 1969, guitarist Joe Walsh sold Page a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard. Page immediately took to the instrument, and it soon became known simply as “Number One.”
Number One became Page's primary guitar for Led Zeppelin's recording and touring years, particularly from Led Zeppelin II onward. Its thick, sustaining tone became one of the defining sounds of the band's music and helped establish the Les Paul as an icon of hard rock.
This handcrafted shadow box celebrates not only the guitar itself, but the musician, music and unmistakable era that made Number One one of the most famous electric guitars in history.
Why This Guitar Matters
Jimmy Page's Number One represents far more than a beautiful vintage Gibson. It symbolizes the explosive birth of hard rock and the enormous influence Led Zeppelin had on popular music.
Page's combination of powerful riffs, blues-based playing, experimentation and studio creativity helped redefine what a rock guitarist could do. Number One was the instrument at the center of much of that musical journey, inspiring generations of guitarists to pick up a Les Paul of their own.
The Craft Behind the Tribute
Every Guitar Legends shadow box begins with careful research. Before selecting a single piece of wood, I study the instrument, its history, the musician who played it, and the performances that made it unforgettable.
For Jimmy Page's Number One, I wanted to capture the distinctive sunburst finish, gold hardware, cream binding and unmistakable shape of the original while preserving the character of a guitar that has been played hard and loved for decades.
Each component is individually handcrafted, assembled and finished to create a one-of-a-kind tribute celebrating both musical history and the legendary instrument behind it.
Design Philosophy
Unlike many legendary guitars known for heavy wear and modification, Number One is immediately recognizable through its classic Les Paul silhouette and warm sunburst finish.
My goal was to preserve that familiar appearance while allowing the craftsmanship and natural character of the wood to remain visible. The result is a tribute that reflects both the elegance of the original Gibson and the powerful personality associated with Jimmy Page.
Design Choices
Songs That Define Led Zeppelin
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Whole Lotta Love - One of the defining riffs of hard rock and one of the songs most closely associated with Page's Les Paul sound.
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Black Dog - A complex, rhythmically challenging riff that demonstrates the precision and creativity behind Led Zeppelin's heavier sound.
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Rock and Roll - Pure rock energy. Page's guitar work drives the song with the kind of explosive simplicity that made it an instant classic.
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Heartbreaker - A showcase for Page's aggressive playing and improvisational approach, with the Les Paul delivering the power and sustain that became his trademark.
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Since I've Been Loving You — A powerful blues performance that reveals another side of Page's playing—expressive, emotional and deeply rooted in the blues.
Specifications
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25" by 11"
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Baltic birch backing
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Poplar frame
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Solid hardwood guitar
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Laser engraved artwork
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Hand assembled
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Ready to hang
Every Guitar Legends piece reflects the personality of the instrument and its player.
For Number One, I chose a classic presentation that emphasizes the guitar's distinctive sunburst finish and iconic Les Paul profile. The surrounding elements are designed to reinforce the connection between Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin and the era in which this guitar became legendary.
Number One Through the Years
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1959 – Gibson produces the Les Paul Standard that would eventually become Jimmy Page's Number One.
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1969 – Jimmy Page purchases the guitar from Joe Walsh and quickly makes it his primary Les Paul.
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1969–1970 – Number One becomes closely associated with the recording and touring period surrounding Led Zeppelin II, helping establish Page's legendary Les Paul sound.
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1970s – The guitar becomes one of the most recognizable instruments in rock music as Led Zeppelin reaches the height of its fame.
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2007 – Number One remains part of Page's arsenal for Led Zeppelin's celebrated reunion performance at London's O2 Arena.
Number One wasn't completely original when Page bought it.
When Jimmy Page bought Number One from Joe Walsh, the guitar's neck had already been shaved down to a much thinner profile. The unusual neck became one of the defining characteristics of the instrument and contributed to the way Page played it.
Joe Walsh originally disliked the guitar's thick neck and had it reshaped by a luthier. Years later, that very modification helped make the guitar feel right in Page's hands.
Note From The Artisan
I don't build replicas—I build stories. Every wood species, engraving, photograph, and historical detail is chosen to preserve the legacy of an instrument that helped shape modern music.
My hope is that each Guitar Legend becomes more than a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. My hope is that it brings back the sound, the personality, and the unforgettable moments that made these instruments legendary.