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NGD! Another Norlin 74 LP Custom home

Progrocker111

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
4,013
As a dedicated Norlin era Les Pauls aficionado, i just bought 74 cherryburst (actually more honeyburst, the guitar is darker in reality) in all original condition. Interesting, how these guitars can be different - even the same ones from the same year. This one is very light for the era (only just a hair under 9 lbs, perhaps the lightest i ever had) and with fairly big very tapered neck. Other one i have had had much thinner neck and was heavier in weight. Otherways they are similar in construction and in feeling, with same neck angles etc.

This one is a bit more resonant and very loud acoustically, very open and rich sounding. Can growl really nasty and can be very aggressive, but still fat and clear and articulated sounding. Excellent aggressive 70s hardrock tone, very different than new reissues. One of the best i ever had from this era. Some of these early Norlins can be really in the same ballpark as 68/69s i have played. :dude:

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Mark Kane

All Access/Backstage Pass
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Jul 18, 2001
Messages
5,742
Cool!! doesn't look to have been messed with either! Nice score.
 

FretsAlot

New member
Joined
Jan 22, 2003
Messages
931
Looks just like the one my college roommate had. His was a '73 or '74 with a repaired headstock. There was just something special about how that one felt & sounded. It may still be the best sounding LP I've ever personally played - I can't think of one that has surpassed it.

Congrats & Enjoy!

Fretsalot/Scott
 

Kris Ford

New member
Joined
Jan 6, 2007
Messages
4,003
BAD ASS!! Fuck the haters, this is a beauty!! :yah It hurts peoples feelings when your lowly Norlin (like my '76 SG Standard in my avatar) eats Historics for lunch..
 

Progrocker111

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Dec 10, 2003
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4,013
BAD ASS!! Fuck the haters, this is a beauty!! :yah It hurts peoples feelings when your lowly Norlin (like my '76 SG Standard in my avatar) eats Historics for lunch..


Yes, many of these destroy Historics and i really have had many of both camps. Definitely most underrated guitars here. :yah
 

c_wester

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Joined
May 9, 2002
Messages
2,116
Most of the clips I have heard with these Guitars they just scream with sustain and power.

So can we all agree and stop talking about these atleast until I have a couple... hehe


Nice score man!
 

FretsAlot

New member
Joined
Jan 22, 2003
Messages
931
Forgot to mention... I have those same 'Witch hat' knobs on my '76 Custom. Not sure what years Gibson used them, but they came on my used '76 when I bought it in '83/'84. I point them out as, I do see them occasionally on some Norlin guitars, but feel like many Norlin era guitars have knobs other than the 'witch hats'... changed out?

Fretsalot/Scott
 

Kris Ford

New member
Joined
Jan 6, 2007
Messages
4,003
:rip
Forgot to mention... I have those same 'Witch hat' knobs on my '76 Custom. Not sure what years Gibson used them, but they came on my used '76 when I bought it in '83/'84. I point them out as, I do see them occasionally on some Norlin guitars, but feel like many Norlin era guitars have knobs other than the 'witch hats'... changed out?

Fretsalot/Scott
":rip
Not sure if those were stock then, or would've been speed knobs..my '76 SG Standard has speed knobs...at any rate, I remember when you couldn't even give those witch hat knobs away, now they command big money..(I actually really like them, and the repro ones aren't even close...)
 

shred

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Joined
Nov 13, 2003
Messages
4,667
Witch hats up to 1974... It's always a small tragedy if they've been replaced. Finding a set isn't easy or particularly cheap either...
 

shred

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Nov 13, 2003
Messages
4,667
Cool, never seen a 75 with witch hats :salude

Around $150 for a set the last time I checked
 

FretsAlot

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Jan 22, 2003
Messages
931
Cool, never seen a 75 with witch hats :salude

Around $150 for a set the last time I checked

Thanks for that... Now do I need to worry about someone pinching the knobs off my '76 Custom? Also you guys have me wondering if the witch hats on mine were pulled from another guitar or if it possibly came from Gibson with them on there.

Fretsalot/Scott
 
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shred

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 13, 2003
Messages
4,667
I don't think anyone's likely to steal your witch hats.

The problem is a lot of guys switched out their witch hats for speed knobs etc, but since Gibson doesn't make a reissue set, you have to find an original set or get reissue reflectors etc.
 

Kris Ford

New member
Joined
Jan 6, 2007
Messages
4,003
Gold reflectors would look killer in lieu of witch hats, Scott..I put a set of silver and black ones on my '76 SG, looks cool to me!
 
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