Bare Knuckle Founder Uncovers the Hidden Tone Secrets of Jimmy Page’s Iconic ‘Number One’ Les Paul — The Guitar Behind Led Zeppelin’s Legendary Sound…Read more
In a rare and revealing interview, Tim Mills, founder of Bare Knuckle Pickups, has lifted the curtain on the mysterious tonal magic of Jimmy Page’s famed ‘Number One’ — the 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard that powered some of Led Zeppelin’s most iconic riffs and solos.
Mills had the extraordinary opportunity to examine the guitar firsthand and uncovered surprising details that challenge common assumptions about its sound. Most notably, the neck of the instrument — worn thin from decades of use — was shaped to an almost Ibanez-like slimness between the third and ninth frets, creating a unique playing feel and response.
But the most fascinating revelation lies in the pickups. Despite having a neck pickup reading close to 9K ohms — a number typically associated with dark, heavy tones — Page’s Les Paul produced an unexpectedly bright, woody sound, almost reminiscent of a Stratocaster. According to Mills, this sonic character was likely due to an aged, partially discharged magnet and asymmetric coil windings — quirks that made the guitar unmistakably one-of-a-kind.
This deep dive into ‘Number One’ comes at a time of renewed interest in Jimmy Page’s gear, with Gibson having recently released reissues of his EDS‑1275 double-neck and SJ‑200 acoustic models. While fans continue to hope for an official reissue of the famed Les Paul, Gibson has yet to confirm any such plans.
For now, the mystique of ‘Number One’ endures — not just as a relic of rock history, but as a living example of how character, wear, and imperfection can shape the voice of a generation.
