I meant to say Clapton may have followed Bloomfield's choice of a Les Paul as Clapton (and Bloomfield) started on Teles and moved to the 'bursts a few years later. I've read and witnessed Bloomfield playing one before others. Not trying to say Eric learned how to play the blues from Mike.

And of the Kings, let's not forget Freddie.

sonoman, you are right on about the amps and effects. Mesa Boogie started the proliferation of stacked pre-amps that gave Carlos his tools and changed everything about saturated tone at less than Marshall stack volumes.

Freddie King: what a man. Have You Ever Loved A Woman, Hideaway, and others Eric copped (or topped) were deep, deep blues. Son House is still the deepest I ever saw, but, man, there were some giants playing in those days. I converted my wife from the Lettermen to Muddy Waters! Red tele, pompadour, attitude for days. Ain't that a man! Mercy......

I spell M...

A, child, N. McKinley Morganfield: sounds like a stock broker, but he was the living bridge between Johnson and Patton and Blind Lemon and the electric blues that helped move pop music from Pattie Page and Pat Boone to Chuck Berry and Little Richard. Good golly!

Funny this came up, as recently I was about to sell my Les Paul for a Strat. I've had my Les Paul since 1998 when I bought it brand new. I was playing Jimmy Page and Cream riffs at that time so that's what really motivated me to get one. Recently though, I fell in love with a '57 reissue Strat that played and sounded great. But I play more British blues type licks which lend themselves to Les Pauls and overdriven amps. After 2 round trips to the music store that is 70+ miles away (one way), I realized I'm actually more of a LP guy than strat.

I will buy a strat soon, though. I just won't sell the Gibson to do it! One thing is for sure: the Strat is much more comfortable to hold - standing or sitting. And the countoured body fits so nicely against your body. I also think strats are more versatile.

Of course my favorite bluesman, Freddie King, used a goldtop Les Paul in the early years with single-coil P-90s - more bark-like than humbuckers.

Freddie's Gold Top Les Paul looked about the size of a violin when he played it. And man oh man could he play that Les Paul. But his ES seemed to fit him a bit better.

Was listening to the Stevie Ray/Albert King CD this afternoon, and while Albert's axe wasn't a Les Paul, it was interesting to hear the contrast between Stevie's Strat and Albert's V. The playin was pretty interesting too

I thought with Blues it was more about the player and less about the stick. Although,I can't imagine Jimi,Eric,or Stevie without their Strats and BB without his Gibson.

I like the sound of my 61 RI SG or 59 LP RI thru a Sonny Boy Blues. Strats and Teles are good too thru that pedal but nothing like the Gibson buckers. The 61 SG has 57 pups and I think it sounds great until I get the 2004 59 LP RI out with the burstbuckers....game,set, match.

Cowboycamper, check out the early 60's LP/SG on Eric Schoenberg's site. I was in there last week and that is one clean vintage axe. Can't help but think of Clapton from the Cream years when I see one of those, even without the psychedelic paint job. Then again, Derek Trucks seems to be making a name for himself playing slide on one these days. Close your eyes when Derek plays and you can see Duane

Cowboycamper, I agree a 61 RI SG sounds great with those 57 pickups. Neck PU is very mellow and bluesy... bridge is more fiery. But a LP with Burstbuckers simply has a much meatier tone. Makes it difficult to go back to the SG when you've still got the sound of the LP ringing in your ears.

Tom, I saw Derek Trucks with Clapton in Houston this past spring. Never having had the good fortune to hear Duane Allman live, I can say that I was completely spellbound by Trucks. He is the Real McCoy.

Mike, man I'm envious. I did see Duane a few times, but I definitely want to check out Derek Trucks live, but so far no chance. The guy can flat out play, regardless of any comparisons with Duane (hey, its kinda all in the Allman Bros. family anyway, Butch Trucks being his uncle). Speaking of family, imagine the tunes getting played at Derek's house, seeing that his wife, Susan Tedeschi, can sing a bit.

PETER GREEN. One of the best blues players ever. Played a Les Paul. In fact, I think it just sold for $250K.

I can't believe there was 2 pages of posts and no mention of Peter Green.