Calling all 1968 / 1969 Les Paul Owners.

moonweasel · Jul 30, 2005

If you dont mind, Im trying to start a database of this era guitar. Id to have real data instead of just my horrible memory to help paint a picture of the 68/69 transition.

Even if you used to own one, if you at least have the serial and remember the neck construction, that will be fine.

If you could post any of the following info, Id appreciate it. If you arent sure about any of this, just say so. For example, Id rather get "I dont know" for a tenon than the wrong info. Also, if you dont feel like looking at the pot codes, etc, just post what you know offhand. You dont have to answer all of them.

1) First three digits of serial only.
2) 3pc or 1pc Neck?
3) GT or Custom?
4) If GT, P-90s or MHB?
5) 1 pc or pancake body?
6) Long tenon, transitional tenon, short tenon?
7) center seamed top? (y/n)
8) Pot codes if you have them.

Remember if you cant tell, just put "I dont know".

1) 559
2) 1
3) LPC
4) n/a
5) 1
6) lt
7) y
8) dec.68

Chef Greg · Jul 30, 2005

1) 565 (wide headstock)
2) 3pc
3) GT
4) P-90
5) 1 pc
6) tt
7) y
8) dunno.

Wilko · Jul 30, 2005

There is a popular misconception that a 69 body is one piece. I say no, because there is an extra layer of maple just under the top.
I think it would be valuable to have that info added to a database.

1. 514xxx (small headstock)
2. 1pc
3. GT
4. P90
5. 1pc
6. lt
7. y
8. 7/68

1. 530994 (Gruhn's calls this the first number used in 69--small headstock)
2. 1pc
3. GT
4. P90
5. 1pc
6. lt
7. y
8. 11/68

rays44 · Jul 30, 2005

1) 558XXX
2) 1
3) LPC
4) h/b
5) 1 pc.
6) long
7) center seam
8) n/a
9) dotted i

Regarding Wilko's suggestion, I'd like to see a photo of what the maple seam looks like. I looked in the routes and did not see it.
You might also want to include dotted i's. Great job.

Red Baron · Jul 31, 2005

1) 517 (small headstock)
2) 1
3) GT
4) P-90s
5) 1
6) lt
7) y
8) don't know
9) dotted i

MIKE20 · Jul 31, 2005

...could add flower pot to the list...

Wilko · Jul 31, 2005

I was just thinking that the crown inlay would be a good thing to track. Very rare. (Flower Pot is the thing on L-5s and was not on Les Pauls)

MrMike · Jul 31, 2005

1) 844xxx
2) 3
3) GT
4) MHB
5) 1 pc
6) tt
7) n
8) 1376934
9) no dot

moonweasel · Jul 31, 2005

Thanks guys, keep em coming. Seriously need to hit the sack right now. Just got back from a wedding gig.

garywright · Jul 31, 2005

1) 818
2) 3
3) Custom
4) n/a
5) 1
6) st
7) no
8) 12-68
9) undotted i

BigMikeD · Jul 31, 2005

Early '69 LPC.
-----------------
1. 561xxx
2. One piece neck.
3. Custom.
4. HBs (Pat. stickers—low/mid 7s).
5. One piece body? (Can't find evidence of maple layer between top & body.)
6. Long Tenon.
7. Center seam.
8. 12/68
9. Undotted "i".
10. ABR-1 w/nylon saddles, lightweight TP, steel studs & bushings, witch-hat knobs.
11. 10 lbs. approx.

rays44 · Jul 31, 2005

gentlegiant said:
1) 818
2) 3
3) Custom
4) n/a
5) 1
6) st
7) no
8) 12-68
9) dotted-i

Isn't that odd to have a 3 pc neck,short tenion and non center seam top on a '68?

moonweasel · Jul 31, 2005

12-68 are the same pots I have. Although I dont have a dotted 'i'.

To me, a definite picture of the 5xx,xxx series has been emerging since Ive been looking.

The 8xx,xxx series I dont have a clue on. Hopefully we will here soon.

moonweasel · Jul 31, 2005

BTW, if anyone needs this info in the future, Im compiling as we go. Just drop me a line at hotm ail . com

moonweasel · Jul 31, 2005

Wilko, have you heard of any GTs or Customs with a serial other than 5xx,xxx and 8xx,xxx through the end of 69?

Wilko · Jul 31, 2005

rays44 said:
Isn't that odd to have a 3 pc neck,short tenion and non center seam top on a '68?

With that pot dat and those features it's pretty clearly a 1969.

I've only seen 500,000 numbers on Goldtops and a few 800,000 on Customs.

Tom Wittrock · Jul 31, 2005

moonweasel said:
1) First three digits of serial only.
2) 3pc or 1pc Neck?
3) GT or Custom?
4) If GT, P-90s or MHB?
5) 1 pc or pancake body?
6) Long tenon, transitional tenon, short tenon?
7) center seamed top? (y/n)
8) Pot codes if you have them.

#1
1) 516xxx
2)1 pc
3)GT
4) P-90s
5)1 pc
6) ?
7)yes
8) ?

#2
1)524xxx
2) 1 pc
3) GT
4) P-90s
5) 1 pc
6) ?
7) yes
8) ?

#3
1) 529xxx
2) 1 pc
3) GT
4) P-90s
5) 1 pc
6) ?
7) ?
8) ?

#4
1)558xxx
2) 1 pc with wide headstock
3) GT
4) P-90s
5) 1 pc
6) ?
7) ?
8) ?

#5
1) 529xxx
2) 1 pc
3) GT
4) P-90s
5) 1 pc
6) ?
7) ?
8) ?

#6
1) 513xxx
2) 1 pc
3) GT
4) P-90s
5) 1 pc
6) ?
7) ?
8) ?

#7
1) 537xxx
2) 1 pc
3) GT
4) P-90s
5) 1 pc
6) ?
7) ?
8) ?

#8
1)513xxx
2) 1 pc
3) GT
4) P-90s
5) 1 pc
6) ?
7) ?
8) ?

#9
1) 539xxx
2) 1 pc
3) GT
4) P-90s
5) 1 pc
6) ?
7) ?
8) ?

#10
1) 558xxx
2) 1pc w/wide head
3) GT
4) P-90s
5) 1 pc
6) ?
7) ?
8) ?

#11
1) 537xxx
2) 1 pc
3) GT
4) P-90s
5) 1 pc
6) ?
7) ?
8) ?

#12
1) 530xxx
2) 1 pc
3) GT
4) P-90s
5) 1 pc
6) ?
7) ?
8) ?

Some of the 68GTs I have owned.

Yardbird Mac · Jul 31, 2005

Wilko said:
I was just thinking that the crown inlay would be a good thing to track. Very rare. (Flower Pot is the thing on L-5s and was not on Les Pauls)

I had a 68 with the crown inlay and nylon bridge saddles. I assume these were some of the very first of the (then) newly reissued Les Pauls? 'Still wish I hadn't sold that guitar!!!!!!!!!!!! :bonk

Wilko · Jul 31, 2005

Yardbird Mac said:
I had a 68 with the crown inlay and nylon bridge saddles. I assume these were some of the very first of the (then) newly reissued Les Pauls? 'Still wish I hadn't sold that guitar!!!!!!!!!!!! :bonk

There may be as many as 500 crown inlay Les Pauls made in 68. They were the "first batch". All the 68's and many 69s had nylon saddles.

Yardbird Mac · Jul 31, 2005

Wilko said:
There may be as many as 500 crown inlay Les Pauls made in 68. They were the "first batch". All the 68's and many 69s had nylon saddles.

Thanks Wilko....! I still wanna cry when I think about that guitar! I really "bonded" with it. I hope the R9 in my avatar eventually makes up for my loss!

Calling all 1968 / 1969 Les Paul Owners.

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