He was one of my heros. I own a 79 Les Paul Custom, wine red, and it's just beautiful.
My father has a brother-in-law that has a music store in Charlotte, NC. Somehow Dad and him got hooked up on one of Les Paul's personal guitars. My Dad got to play it along with Chet Atkins personal guitar as well. Some people have all the luck.
Les will be missed by many. I heard Les and Jimmy Buffett on XM radio doing a bit that was recorded in 2006. Nice to hear that.
Tank