The FULL Story of Peter Frampton's "Phenix" Les Paul Custom...

[RhinestoneStrat]

Here's a brand new video from Gibson TV featuring Peter Frampton and the full story of his Les Paul Custom that was modified and given to him by Marc Mariana. It was a three pickup 1954 Black Beauty that was modified to look like a 1957 LP Custom.

 

[S. Weiger]

Here's a brand new video from Gibson TV featuring Peter Frampton and the full story of his Les Paul Custom that was modified and given to him by Marc Mariana. It was a three pickup 1954 Black Beauty that was modified to look like a 1957 LP Custom.

Very cool interview, thx for posting.

But I can't help notice the last inlay on his original 1954/55 guitar.. It should be the same size as the second last inlay, but clearly it isn't.
@12:14 - 12:18 there's good close-ups of the last frets.
Wonder if the whole fretboard might have been replaced or reworked at some point, no mention of that in the video..

 

[thin sissy]

Very cool interview, thx for posting.

But I can't help notice the last inlay on his original 1954/55 guitar.. It should be the same size as the second last inlay, but clearly it isn't.
@12:14 - 12:18 there's good close-ups of the last frets.
Wonder if the whole fretboard might have been replaced or reworked at some point, no mention of that in the video..

There was a super long thread on this or the other LP forum years ago where they worked this out. I don't remember the details, but I THINK it was reboarded?

 

[jb_abides]

The OP is an recent excerpt from the longer Frampton "Collection" video posted a while back, if you are interested:

When Marks says, 'I know you've told the story before' see:

Post re-acquisition restoration coverage:

 

[poor man's burst]

At 1'35", Peter Frampton says that Marc Mariana had the Les Paul just back from Gibson where it was refinished and converted to 3 humbuckers. It doesn't seem impossible , to me at least, that it was refinished for more reason than the conversion to 3 pickups.

 

[darkwave]

At 1'35", Peter Frampton says that Marc Mariana had the Les Paul just back from Gibson where it was refinished and converted to 3 humbuckers. It doesn't seem impossible , to me at least, that it was refinished for more reason than the conversion to 3 pickups.

It was discussed on this board previously that the guitar had significant work done before that last tour which included a re-board and a few other things. I was hung up on that last fret marker for a while as well until I heard about that detail.

-Douglas C

 

[poor man's burst]

One can find pictures of Peter Frampton in the 70's with the guitar showing the 21st fret smaller inlay.

PETER FRAMPTON guitariste rock britannique en 1976. Photo Van Houten Photo Stock - Alamy

Télécharger cette image : PETER FRAMPTON guitariste rock britannique en 1976. Photo Van Houten - BXG33C depuis la bibliothèque d’Alamy parmi des millions de photos, illustrations et vecteurs en haute résolution.

www.alamyimages.fr

How we made: Peter Frampton's Baby I Love Your Way

‘There were 8,000 people going nuts for us in San Francisco. The band were on fire. And we ended up with the best-selling live album of all time’

www.theguardian.com

 

[Midnight Blues]

Frampton has been my all-time favorite guitarist since Humble Pie released "Humble Pie Performance Rockin' The Fillmore" and "The Phenix" is my all-time favorite Les Paul. I bought the album when it was released in 1971 and it was his playing on it (which was unlike any of his contemporaries) and the pictures of him on it with that absolutely gorgeous Custom, that made me want to play guitar.

I've seen him numerous times over the years since the early '70s, including two weeks before the show at the Beacon Theatre, in NYC, then also at the Beacon Theatre, the night he played the "Phenix" for first time live and my wife and I have met him on several occasions. He's a gentleman and has always been gracious with his time. I hope that he can continue to play/make music, for many years to come.

 

[jb_abides]

RRHoF Induction Performance, trading licks with Keith Urban.

 

[Midnight Blues]

 

[Bob Womack]

Did the 54-55 black beauties have a maple cap or were they purely mahogany?

Bob

 

[S. Weiger]

Did the 54-55 black beauties have a maple cap or were they purely mahogany?

Bob

They were all full mahogany body in the 50's.

 

[Xpensive Wino]

Did the 54-55 black beauties have a maple cap or were they purely mahogany?

Bob

1968 was the first year with a maple cap, as far as I know.

 

[Wilko]

Very cool interview, thx for posting.

But I can't help notice the last inlay on his original 1954/55 guitar.. It should be the same size as the second last inlay, but clearly it isn't.
@12:14 - 12:18 there's good close-ups of the last frets.
Wonder if the whole fretboard might have been replaced or reworked at some point, no mention of that in the video..

The guitar was completrly re-done during the filming of Sgt. Pepper. New fretboard and inlays. New pickups, etc.

 

[aladdinsane]

Frampton has been my all-time favorite guitarist since Humble Pie released "Humble Pie Performance Rockin' The Fillmore" and "The Phenix" is my all-time favorite Les Paul. I bought the album when it was released in 1971 and it was his playing on it (which was unlike any of his contemporaries) and the pictures of him on it with that absolutely gorgeous Custom, that made me want to play guitar.

I've seen him numerous times over the years since the early '70s, including two weeks before the show at the Beacon Theatre, in NYC, then also at the Beacon Theatre, the night he played the "Phenix" for first time live and my wife and I have met him on several occasions. He's a gentleman and has always been gracious with his time. I hope that he can continue to play/make music, for many years to come.

Just love Frampton’s phrasing. Really unlike anyone else. When he turns the Phenix down a bit in that HOF clip, he gets the best woody tone. An amazing player and guitar.

 

[Midnight Blues]

Just love Frampton’s phrasing. Really unlike anyone else. When he turns the Phenix down a bit in that HOF clip, he gets the best woody tone. An amazing player and guitar.

I could not agree with you more aladdinsane! His phrasing and tone on "Humble Pie Rockin' The Fillmore" is what got me hooked on his playing. I hadn't heard anything like it before nor since. Don't get me wrong, I love(d) Beck, Page and Clapton at that time, but Frampton was completely different and that's what intrigued and inspired me about playing guitar.

After more than 53 years of listening to him and trying to figure out his style, I still can't and I don't think I ever will.

 

[aladdinsane]

I could not agree with you more aladdinsane! His phrasing and tone on "Humble Pie Rockin' The Fillmore" is what got me hooked on his playing. I hadn't heard anything like it before nor since. Don't get me wrong, I love(d) Beck, Page and Clapton at that time, but Frampton was completely different and that's what intrigued and inspired me about playing guitar.

After more than 53 years of listening to him and trying to figure out his style, I still can't and I don't think I ever will.

I know what you mean! I’m not even good enough to attempt it. There’s just something there that goes the extra mile with every phrase. His note choices are just so tasteful and unusual. It’s a beautiful thing!

 

[Midnight Blues]

I know what you mean! I’m not even good enough to attempt it. There’s just something there that goes the extra mile with every phrase. His note choices are just so tasteful and unusual. It’s a beautiful thing!

They really are and it really is. I have no idea how he thinks that way?

 

[roxrob]

Here's a brand new video from Gibson TV featuring Peter Frampton and the full story of his Les Paul Custom that was modified and given to him by Marc Mariana. It was a three pickup 1954 Black Beauty that was modified to look like a 1957 LP Custom.

Isn,t Phenix supposed to be spelled Phoenix?

 

[Midnight Blues]

Isn,t Phenix supposed to be spelled Phoenix?

Yes, but he intentionally spelled it without the "o". The reason escapes me at the moment.