Wizard of Waukesha's ‘No. 1' Guitar To Be Auctioned

WAUKESHA, WI — A guitar known as Waukesha native Les Paul's "No. 1," which changed rock and roll in the 20th century, will be auctioned off in New York.

Christie's auction house announced Wednesday that the earliest approved production model of the famed Gibson Les Paul electric guitar will be featured in its "Exceptional Sale" on Oct. 13 in New York.

The guitar is expected to be sold for between $100,000 and $150,000.

"Along with Les Paul, Gibson Incorporated developed this innovative sold body electric guitar circa 1951-1952 to meet the demanding standards of guitar virtuoso and inventor, Les Paul, who designated this his Number One; the first solid electrified guitar that met with his approval and was the culmination of his lifelong dream," the auction house said in a news release.

Paul, a musician and inventor of the solid-body electric guitar, is a Waukesha native who died in August 2009 at age 94.

Paul praised his mother for her encouragement and his Waukesha teachers and the Waukesha community for its support in his formative years.

Paul's quest for the perfect sound led to the development of the solid body electric guitar, multiple recording techniques and the invention of the eight-track tape recorder.

He is buried in Waukesha at Prairie Home Cemetery.