Historic reissues or norlin-era LPs

raph · 03-19-11, 11:30 PM

There hasn't been a thread about these yet... Norlin-era reissues, period-correct with pancake bodies and volute.

Gorgeous guitar, actually.

Bob Womack · 03-20-11, 05:20 AM

Mmmm... I'd prefer the "vestigial volute" of the early '70s, but beautiful guitar.

Bob

raph · 03-20-11, 11:47 AM

Bad thread title, should have been "Historic reissues of norlin-era LPs"

Does this mean 70s pancake body Les Pauls are going to become "collectible"? Not necessary like the late 50s bursts, but collectible nonetheless?

Ryan Givhan · 03-20-11, 12:40 PM

pretty guitar. but i'll pass on the pancake body, personally.

dylanR · 03-20-11, 01:13 PM

For all the bashing the randy rhoads custom shop guitar got for being a norlin reissue i thought it played and sounded pretty damn good

Electric Lloyd · 03-20-11, 01:44 PM

Really?

Why?

Not all, but most of those guitars are sub-par to any Historic. I would hope that the Norlin Reissues are better constructed guitars than the originals. That wouldn't be too hard to do. I don't mean to offend any happy Norlin era LP owners! I have owned about twenty over the years. Only three of 'em did I consider really nice guitars. Just my 2 cents...

Todd68 · 03-20-11, 02:12 PM

I think part of the problem is that the 50s reissues are reproductions of guitars that cost big money. I can't afford a real '59 and I haven't found one at a yard sale, so I go for the reissues. A "vintage" Norlin era guitar is not an expensive guitar to begin with. Odds are the CS will cost more than the originals. Wouldn't you just grab the real thing and save a few bucks?

latestarter · 03-20-11, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd68

I think part of the problem is that the 50s reissues are reproductions of guitars that cost big money. I can't afford a real '59 and I haven't found one at a yard sale, so I go for the reissues. A "vintage" Norlin era guitar is not an expensive guitar to begin with. Odds are the CS will cost more than the originals. Wouldn't you just grab the real thing and save a few bucks?

This was my thought as well. Maybe the odds of getting a good one is a little better though

jalevinemd · 03-20-11, 06:30 PM

What is a "pancake body?"

Todd68 · 03-20-11, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalevinemd

What is a "pancake body?"

Layers of wood glued together.

http://www.chookfest.net/emil/gear/img/LPpancake.jpg

raph · 03-21-11, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd68

I think part of the problem is that the 50s reissues are reproductions of guitars that cost big money. I can't afford a real '59 and I haven't found one at a yard sale, so I go for the reissues. A "vintage" Norlin era guitar is not an expensive guitar to begin with. Odds are the CS will cost more than the originals. Wouldn't you just grab the real thing and save a few bucks?

By the "real thing", I think you mean a norlin-era guitar.

I agree with you that the modern CS is probably a better quality instrument than most norlins, though.

jimmyace2006 · 03-21-11, 07:45 AM

No waffleback tuners? My guess is that they do not have the same flat frets that were used in the 70s. And they probably do no thave the same comfy medium neck profile.

latestarter · 03-21-11, 09:51 PM

It's been said a million times on this forum alone, there were some very good Norlin LPs. I won't part with mine. There were some shitters too.

Herohat · 03-22-11, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyace2006

No waffleback tuners?

All this talk about Waffles and Pancakes is making me hungry!

Les-Zombie · 03-22-11, 05:03 AM

Some good norlins but alot more shitty norlins than good, i personally would rather have a custom shop lp than a norlin, i dont care about the real thing, norlins are hyped up and popular now because they are more affordable in the vintage market, i remember when you couldnt give away a norlin for next to nothing and they was considered the worst of the gibson, i guess now that vinatge prices are higher and people cant afford the 50s and 60s stuff they will make themselves believe the norlins are great, the norlins i played sucked and i only played one i ever liked. Just because they are vintage and more affordable doesnt erase the shitty history they had.

Litcrit · 03-22-11, 05:46 AM

I grew up with Norlins and I've owned and played dozens. Some were not particulary resonant, and those tended to have a tight focused tone, not bad for RnR. Everyone of them I owned was at least professional quality and could stand up to daily gigging and years of use. If you don't know what I mean by pro quality, try daily gigging a sub-par guitar, left in a truck nightly, exposed to extreme temperature variations: you'll learn which guitars can take the abuse and which can't. Norlin LPs can take it. My main beef with them was the weight: 6 nights a week of 4 set gigs with a 10 pounder does a number on your shoulder...
Currently I still have some Norlins ('buckered Goldtop deluxes, couple of BB customs) as well as a couple of R8s. Technically the R8s are better built, but the Norlins (yes, Pancake bodies and all...) actually hold their own quite well and I still dig them....I just don't take them out for long gigs without an SG or light-weight spare.

Reissue them? Why? There are tens of thousands of good-condition originals out there for less than the price of new guitars.

The Shifter · 03-22-11, 06:20 AM

I had many a Norlin LP BITD. They were cool, and vintage-y what with finish checking and all. But big ass headstock, and a shallow headstock pitch angle? No thanks, I'll take the Historic any damn day.

Rare Form · 03-22-11, 06:45 AM

I prefer the reissues. A reissue of a Norlin makes no sense. I have what I suspect to be their first Norlin Reissue in the Alex Lifeson 1976 355. They did not do the volute correctly on that one, but looks like they are getting it right now. The only thing I can say with the Lifeson vs Norlin era 355s and Les Pauls I have played is that the Lifeson is a much better built guitar. Perhaps these Norlin reissues will be as well, but not better than the current line up of reissues IMO. Not by a long shot.

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03-19-11, 11:30 PM	#1
raph Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 104	Historic reissues or norlin-era LPs There hasn't been a thread about these yet... Norlin-era reissues, period-correct with pancake bodies and volute. Gorgeous guitar, actually.

03-20-11, 05:20 AM	#2
Bob Womack Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Between Clever and Stupid Posts: 814	Re: Historic reissues or norlin-era LPs Mmmm... I'd prefer the "vestigial volute" of the early '70s, but beautiful guitar. Bob __________________ "It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' " Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring My little site: THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM

03-20-11, 11:47 AM	#3
raph Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 104	Re: Historic reissues or norlin-era LPs Bad thread title, should have been "Historic reissues of norlin-era LPs" Does this mean 70s pancake body Les Pauls are going to become "collectible"? Not necessary like the late 50s bursts, but collectible nonetheless?

03-20-11, 12:40 PM	#4
Ryan Givhan Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington Kentucky Posts: 2,603	Re: Historic reissues or norlin-era LPs pretty guitar. but i'll pass on the pancake body, personally. __________________ my band: www.reverbnation.com/moonshinesunday

03-20-11, 01:13 PM	#5
dylanR Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 160	Re: Historic reissues or norlin-era LPs For all the bashing the randy rhoads custom shop guitar got for being a norlin reissue i thought it played and sounded pretty damn good __________________

03-20-11, 01:44 PM	#6
Electric Lloyd Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,480	Re: Historic reissues or norlin-era LPs Really? Why? Not all, but most of those guitars are sub-par to any Historic. I would hope that the Norlin Reissues are better constructed guitars than the originals. That wouldn't be too hard to do. I don't mean to offend any happy Norlin era LP owners! I have owned about twenty over the years. Only three of 'em did I consider really nice guitars. Just my 2 cents... Last edited by Electric Lloyd : 03-21-11 at 08:05 PM. Reason: spelling

03-20-11, 02:12 PM	#7
Todd68 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,403	Re: Historic reissues or norlin-era LPs I think part of the problem is that the 50s reissues are reproductions of guitars that cost big money. I can't afford a real '59 and I haven't found one at a yard sale, so I go for the reissues. A "vintage" Norlin era guitar is not an expensive guitar to begin with. Odds are the CS will cost more than the originals. Wouldn't you just grab the real thing and save a few bucks? __________________ Testing...Testing...Louder! - John Henry Bonham - Japan 1971

03-20-11, 06:30 PM	#9
jalevinemd Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 527	Re: Historic reissues or norlin-era LPs What is a "pancake body?"

03-21-11, 07:45 AM	#12
jimmyace2006 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,662	Re: Historic reissues or norlin-era LPs No waffleback tuners? My guess is that they do not have the same flat frets that were used in the 70s. And they probably do no thave the same comfy medium neck profile.

03-21-11, 09:51 PM	#13
latestarter Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,433	Re: Historic reissues or norlin-era LPs It's been said a million times on this forum alone, there were some very good Norlin LPs. I won't part with mine. There were some shitters too. __________________ Never forget that you are unique, like everybody else.

03-22-11, 05:03 AM	#15
Les-Zombie Formerly zakkwylde74 Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 954	Re: Historic reissues or norlin-era LPs Some good norlins but alot more shitty norlins than good, i personally would rather have a custom shop lp than a norlin, i dont care about the real thing, norlins are hyped up and popular now because they are more affordable in the vintage market, i remember when you couldnt give away a norlin for next to nothing and they was considered the worst of the gibson, i guess now that vinatge prices are higher and people cant afford the 50s and 60s stuff they will make themselves believe the norlins are great, the norlins i played sucked and i only played one i ever liked. Just because they are vintage and more affordable doesnt erase the shitty history they had.

03-22-11, 05:46 AM	#16
Litcrit Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,919	Re: Historic reissues or norlin-era LPs I grew up with Norlins and I've owned and played dozens. Some were not particulary resonant, and those tended to have a tight focused tone, not bad for RnR. Everyone of them I owned was at least professional quality and could stand up to daily gigging and years of use. If you don't know what I mean by pro quality, try daily gigging a sub-par guitar, left in a truck nightly, exposed to extreme temperature variations: you'll learn which guitars can take the abuse and which can't. Norlin LPs can take it. My main beef with them was the weight: 6 nights a week of 4 set gigs with a 10 pounder does a number on your shoulder... Currently I still have some Norlins ('buckered Goldtop deluxes, couple of BB customs) as well as a couple of R8s. Technically the R8s are better built, but the Norlins (yes, Pancake bodies and all...) actually hold their own quite well and I still dig them....I just don't take them out for long gigs without an SG or light-weight spare. Reissue them? Why? There are tens of thousands of good-condition originals out there for less than the price of new guitars.

03-22-11, 06:20 AM	#17
The Shifter Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Memphis Posts: 2,707	Re: Historic reissues or norlin-era LPs I had many a Norlin LP BITD. They were cool, and vintage-y what with finish checking and all. But big ass headstock, and a shallow headstock pitch angle? No thanks, I'll take the Historic any damn day. __________________ Music

03-22-11, 06:45 AM	#18
Rare Form Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: MD- Holding a note and reaching for a Guiness! Posts: 1,041	Re: Historic reissues or norlin-era LPs I prefer the reissues. A reissue of a Norlin makes no sense. I have what I suspect to be their first Norlin Reissue in the Alex Lifeson 1976 355. They did not do the volute correctly on that one, but looks like they are getting it right now. The only thing I can say with the Lifeson vs Norlin era 355s and Les Pauls I have played is that the Lifeson is a much better built guitar. Perhaps these Norlin reissues will be as well, but not better than the current line up of reissues IMO. Not by a long shot.