Words and Photos By Keith May
(Originally appeared in Motorcyclist magazine)
“Give me a T-square and a French curve and I can make anything.” –Paul Bigsby
Here’s an obscure trivia question for you. Who created the first modern solid-body electric guitar? If, like most people, you answered Leo Fender or Les Paul, you’d be wrong. The first modern solid-body electric guitar was actually built by tinkerer Paul Bigsby in Los Angeles, California and was delivered to legendary performer Merle Travis in May of 1948. Merle wanted the “sustain” of one of Bigbsy’s much-sought-after lap-steel guitars that could not be achieved with a traditional acoustic guitar. So, Travis provided a sketch and Bigsby made it reality. Bigsby was soon providing similar one-of-a-kind electric guitars for the best pickers of the time.
In the roaring Twenties, Bigsby was a renowned motorcycle racer, partnered in an Indian dealership in Reno, was founding member of the “45 Club,” of Los Angeles which required only that members ride American Iron with at least 45 cubes under the tank. In 1934, Bigsby began organizing his own races in Southern California. Hell, he even wrote articles for The Motorcylist under the alias of Professor Popper. And, if that wasn’t enough for a story of its own, Bigsby was also Chief Engineer at Crocker Motorcycles until 1942. After the war, he had his first, and only child, Mary. He was in his Forties, before turning his creative energies towards music.
In addition to the first solid-body electric, Bigsby re-necked acoustics, manufactured strings, magnetic pickups and eventually created the stout Bigsby Vibrato that has been seen on guitars of every make and played by everyone from The Beatles to U2.
A heavy volume, The Story of Paul Bigsby by Andy Babiuk is stuffed with rich, four-color photos, multiple gate-folds and a CD featuring the gregarious Bigsby discussing his many creations and a life well-lived.
Call (714) 403-3581 or email keithterrillmay@gmail.com
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