70's/80's LP cases

[rng52465]

Can someone clear something up for me? Which years did Les Pauls have black cases with yellow plush, red plush or purple or blue? Also, what year were the first protector cases with the plastic snaps made and when replaced by the larger case with the metal snaps? Thanks.

[kitchen]

My 1974-5 (probably shipped in 75) custom is in a black case with blue lining. Covered one year for you. Big help I know.
steve

[Flogger]

I picked up my Protecter in 1978.

[Angry Steve]

ignorant response. But -
wouldn't it truly have to do with stock on hand when they are manufactured?
In other words, you are the person on the assembly line putting in the liner. If you need to complete X amount of pieces by the end of your shift, wouldn't you use whatever was available?
Just a thought

[Monroe]

My '76 Custom shipped in the black case with pinkish/purple lining.

[TW59]

Originally Posted by Angry Steve

ignorant response. But -
wouldn't it truly have to do with stock on hand when they are manufactured?
In other words, you are the person on the assembly line putting in the liner. If you need to complete X amount of pieces by the end of your shift, wouldn't you use whatever was available?
Just a thought

In all likelyhood, one color was ordered by Gibson, and the case company probably used available colors so they wouldn't easily run out.
The cases that came with Gibsons seem to be fairly consistant. Meaning, you don't see the same case shape [Les Paul cases in this instance] with a variety of colors at the same time.
Unfortunately, I know of no one who has researched Gibson's case ordering procedures, so all we have is memories and anecdotal evidense.

[Tom Little]

'76 Deluxe, purchased new in '77 came in a black case with purple-ish lining.

[Wilko]

Very roughly (based on the memories and anecdoites that TW cites) we see see yellow/gold linings in the late '60s and very early '70s in rectanular and shaped cases. Early to mid 70s we see dark blues and purple lined cases. Mid to late 70s we get the first gen Protector cases with dark red lining and the bigger cases at the end of the 70s with bright blue lining.

[Dire Wolf]

Yellow-lined cases were also called Marigold, the official color. They ran through late 69/No Logo and very early 70/logo. 68 LP cases had the Lifton-type/Excelsior latches. 69 and later had the larger ring latches. Early to mid 70's were logo with red/purple interiors and also had an extra protector pad on the top interior part of the case. All part of my experience getting the right case for an early 69 Custom.

[Stevedenver]

let me add re the purple 70-73 lp cases some were tkl and some puerto rican-the latter were cheaper and had no padding

i had both in purple -as i recall -it being over thirty years-the better one had a gold 'gibson' logo-i still have the pureto rican and the logo is slightly smaller and in silver

the puerto rican cases arent bad, just not as substantial and well fitted but there were issues with nitro reacting with the plush

[latestarter]

Black protector with red lining...currently housing a 1957 Les Paul Special.

Awful latches (don't close all the way) but solid as a rock.

[kitchen]

My black, blue lined 1974 custom case had no logo, just plain.
Steve

[TW59]

Originally Posted by latestarter

Black protector with red lining...currently housing a 1957 Les Paul Special.

Awful latches (don't close all the way) but solid as a rock.

Maybe the tongue and groove design of the lid and bottom part aren't fitting together properly, so the lid doesn't close all the way?

[latestarter]

I haven't checked the lid closing but the latches sort of stick out. When pressed hard they "pop" out a little again...will have another look. I need to get that 57 out for a refret in any case.

[TW59]

Originally Posted by latestarter

I haven't checked the lid closing but the latches sort of stick out. When pressed hard they "pop" out a little again...will have another look. I need to get that 57 out for a refret in any case.

Check it out. It's easy to break the latches if the case doesn't line up just right.

[timmy 2 tone]

Here is my original case for a 68 gold top with out logo;

[Seoighs]

Anecdotal, but I believe GEN I (plastic latch) Protectors were issued with LP's and SG's circa 1980-83 (maybe as early as '79?), and GEN II (metal latch) '84-87.

I have an early '84 Studio Standard with an original (red-lined) GEN II, and a late '85 with a blue-lined GEN II.

I also have two GEN I's, one of which a friend told me came with his early 1980 LP Standard.

'Sorry to be imprecise, but hope this helps.

[Stewie]

I have a Gen II with black liner. Bought it new for 50 bucks at a local shop in the mid to late 80s. The owner said it was an "old plastic case" but it was brand new in the box. I have my 1968 SG Special in it. I have owned the guitar since 1969.

[TW59]

Originally Posted by Seoighs

Anecdotal, but I believe GEN I (plastic latch) Protectors were issued with LP's and SG's circa 1980-83 (maybe as early as '79?), and GEN II (metal latch) '84-87.

I have an early '84 Studio Standard with an original (red-lined) GEN II, and a late '85 with a blue-lined GEN II.

I also have two GEN I's, one of which a friend told me came with his early 1980 LP Standard.

'Sorry to be imprecise, but hope this helps.

The Gen1 first showed up in 1978. Not sure exactly when they changed versions, but my guess is 1980 or 1981.

[mc5nrg]

I think its likely that at certain times, Gibson offered more than one type of case.

[TW59]

Originally Posted by mc5nrg

I think its likely that at certain times, Gibson offered more than one type of case.

They did, as the price lists indicate some times. Like the late 60s with the shaped and lower priced rectanhgular hardshells.
But the real confusion comes from what happens at any large dealership, where cases often got switched, for many, many reasons.
Here's one [of many] examples:
Long time good customer walks into his main shop, needing a replacement case for his two year old LP Custom. The case got badly damaged, and he needs another NOW. Case for the new one is grabbed, but before another is ordered, the new Custom is sold. A six year old NOS rectangular case is grabbed from the back to make the sale, and the case it has now is it's "original case", as far as this guy is concerned. He bought it, and that's the case he got. It says GIBSON right on it.

And, sometimes dealers "saved money" buying hardshells from companies like Harptone, working to save a buck.

[Elmore]

I have a '70 Deluxe with a rectangular case with purple lining. The corners are more squared off than the case in timmy 2 tone's picture. And it has those metal corner protectors. Also, it has a white Gibson logo on the outside of both sides of the case.

[FlyingNotes]

My '69ish SG Standard came new with a shaped HS case, silver Gibson logo, marigold liner.

[Wilko]

Originally Posted by TW59

And, sometimes dealers "saved money" buying hardshells from companies like Harptone, working to save a buck.

Side note: I always heard that Harptone cases were more expensive. They are built very well by a company that started by building guitars but gave it up after Standel bought them out but the family wanted to stay in business.

[TW59]

Originally Posted by Wilko

Side note: I always heard that Harptone cases were more expensive. They are built very well by a company that started by building guitars but gave it up after Standel bought them out but the family wanted to stay in business.

I will dig around and see if I still have their catalog from the late 70s, when I bought from them.

[bratpack7]

My '85 Standard came in a black case with a dark red plush interior.