Wizard of Waukesha's 'No. 1' Guitar Nets Nearly $1 Million

WAUKESHA, WI — A guitar known as Waukesha native Les Paul's "No. 1," which changed rock and roll in the 20th century, was auctioned for $930,000, according to Christie's auction house.

The guitar was expected to fetch between $100,000 and $150,000.

Christie's listed the earliest approved production model of the famed Gibson Les Paul electric guitar. It was featured during its "Exceptional Sale" on Wednesday in New York.

Paul and Gibson Inc. developed the solid-body electric guitar between 1951 and '52 to meet Paul's exacting standards, Christie's said in a news relaese. Paul designated the instrument "No. 1" to reflect its status as the first such guitar to meet with his approval, it added.

Paul was a musician and inventor. He died in August 2009 at the age of 94. Paul praised his mother for her encouragement and his Waukesha teachers and the local community for its support in his formative years.

He is buried in Waukesha at Prairie Home Cemetery.