Les Paul 'Black Beauty' Guitar Going on Auction Block
The 1954 electric guitar that served as the prototype for Gibson's iconic Les Paul models is going on the auction block.
The Paul-designed guitar known as "Black Beauty" features gold-plated hardware. Paul played it for more two decades and made frequent modifications as he refined its sound. Guernsey's is offering it Feb. 19 in New York City. The auctioneer calls it the most significant electric guitar ever made. Its market value will be determined at auction.
 
The famous jazz, country and blues guitarist played it in concerts, recordings and on the "Les Paul and Mary Ford" television show. Paul, whose hits songs included "How High the Moon," died in 2009. He gave the instrument to his friend, guitar technician and builder Tom Doyle of Wantage, New Jersey.
-- The Associated Press

I'll throw down $2 and an alternate mix of Look Into The Sun.

That thing looks to complicate to re-string.
 
Can I drop my bid to $1?
 

Pffft...........that's no JTV.

bapu
That thing looks to complicate to re-string.
 
Can I drop my bid to $1?
 

That's one thing I'd never considered until I got my Riviera w/ its Bigsby.
I thought I hated re-stringing guitars before that. Man...

Try a nylon string. Ooooo scary kids.

yorolpal
Try a nylon string. Ooooo scary kids.

Can't remember - mine was stolen 20 some years ago and never replaced. But from memory, they lasted a whole lot longer.

bapu
I'll throw down $2 and an alternate mix of Look Into The Sun.

That beats my bid... 

yorolpal
Try a nylon string. Ooooo scary kids.

I have one.......not scary, but it sure is a pain........also gets me to practice my patience in stringing it correctly.