“Leo wanted me to be partners with him, for it to be the Fender guitar – the Les Paul Fender”: Les Paul was once approached by Leo Fender to work together on a solidbody electric guitar

The Les Paul is arguably the most recognizable and iconic electric guitar to ever feature in Gibson’s lineup, but had history panned out slightly differently, it might not have been a Gibson model at all – it could have been a Fender.

That sounds totally wild on paper – especially given the fact Gibson and Fender are two of the biggest brands out there, and two historical competitors – but the ‘Les Paul Fender’ actually came rather close to happening… sort of.

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