Kalamazoo Standard 1980 one off?

[classicform]

Two Standards.
Manufactured same day in Kalamazoo in 1980.
S/N 23 numbers apart.
To my question, there are a lot of differences between these two guitars and am trying to wrap my head around them.
I purchased both because of the two piece flame top which is rare for this year and model, also because they were made here in Kalamazoo.
on to the differences.

Tobacco burst is pretty standard for the year.
burst on front, back, sides, neck, headstock (EVERYWHERE)
Two piece flame maple top,
Mahogany back, three piece Maple neck, volute.
impressed serial number and “made in usa“.
Nothing out of the ordinary.

Cherry burst is a goofball.
Two piece flame maple top burst only.
Back, sides, neck, headstock all red.
One piece Mahogany back, three piece Maple neck, volute.
Thin binding in cutaway.
Ink stamped 8 digit serial number and “made in usa”

I’ve looked at all the special runs I could find and nothing matches.
Any ideas?

just spent the last 30 minutes trying to upload pics and they are too big. I’ll keep trying in comments.

 

[jb_abides]

Resize to 800x800 or 640x640, or host on a site that provides a URL link.

 

[classicform]

Easier said than done on an iPad.

 

[Norton]

Free photo storage sites will allow you to resize really easily. I use imgur.com

 

[classicform]

https://imgur.com/DelyxsW

 

[classicform]

https://imgur.com/HcVJyr2

https://imgur.com/MDpmzjL

https://imgur.com/DyavtPe

https://imgur.com/ZcsSUfI

https://imgur.com/k2Zn2XP

 

[jb_abides]

Incredible beauties both! Lovely flame and dark boards.

I can't comment with veracity on the Kzoo spec oddball. One-offs are not unheard of. See @MikeSlub article to understand more on that account.

Gibson Les Paul Late 70’s/Early 80’s “Pre-Reissues”: On the Road to ’59?

Treasure and enjoy them! Cheers ...

 

[classicform]

Incredible beauties both! Lovely flame and dark boards.

I can't comment with veracity on the Kzoo spec oddball. One-offs are not unheard of. See @MikeSlub article to understand more on that account.



Treasure and enjoy them! Cheers ...

Thank you.
I saw that article, nothing matches unfortunately.
I’ve got a feeling I’ll never know for sure what the deal is with it.

 

[jb_abides]

Thank you.
I saw that article, nothing matches unfortunately.
I’ve got a feeling I’ll never know for sure what the deal is with it.

One-offs gonna one-off.

 

[Cliff Gress]

You're from Kalamazoo? My mid 70s stomping grounds.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Two Standards.
Manufactured same day in Kalamazoo in 1980.
S/N 23 numbers apart.
To my question, there are a lot of differences between these two guitars and am trying to wrap my head around them.
I purchased both because of the two piece flame top which is rare for this year and model, also because they were made here in Kalamazoo.
on to the differences.

Tobacco burst is pretty standard for the year.
burst on front, back, sides, neck, headstock (EVERYWHERE)
Two piece flame maple top,
Mahogany back, three piece Maple neck, volute.
impressed serial number and “made in usa“.
Nothing out of the ordinary.

Cherry burst is a goofball.
Two piece flame maple top burst only.
Back, sides, neck, headstock all red.
One piece Mahogany back, three piece Maple neck, volute.
Thin binding in cutaway.
Ink stamped 8 digit serial number and “made in usa”

I’ve looked at all the special runs I could find and nothing matches.
Any ideas?

just spent the last 30 minutes trying to upload pics and they are too big. I’ll keep trying in comments.

I still find it totally wild how Gibson was producing the same guitar at two different factories with so many little differences between them. I put a link below for you to see another cherry flame 1980 made at Kalamazoo.

Gibson LesPaul Standard 1980年 Kalamazoo Made「中古」の落札価格｜スタンダード｜Yahoo!オークション(旧ヤフオク!) 落札相場- オークファン（aucfan.com）

Gibson LesPaul Standard 1980年 Kalamazoo Made(Yahoo!オークション(旧ヤフオク!) )は70件の入札を集めて、2013/12/26 23:45に落札されました。

aucview.aucfan.com

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Darn, should have read and looked at more. Back isn't all red. Seen some KM's with all red back. Maybe someone put the standard truss rod cover on instead of the KM one.

 

[classicform]

You're from Kalamazoo? My mid 70s stomping grounds.

From Grand Rapids via Detroit. Been here in Kalamazoo for 20 years.
Western grad?

 

[classicform]

Darn, should have read and looked at more. Back isn't all red. Seen some KM's with all red back. Maybe someone put the standard truss rod cover on instead of the KM one.

KM’s have thin binding in the cutaway and 8 digit stamped serial number?

 

[classicform]

I still find it totally wild how Gibson was producing the same guitar at two different factories with so many little differences between them. I put a link below for you to see another cherry flame 1980 made at Kalamazoo.

Gibson LesPaul Standard 1980年 Kalamazoo Made「中古」の落札価格｜スタンダード｜Yahoo!オークション(旧ヤフオク!) 落札相場- オークファン（aucfan.com）

Gibson LesPaul Standard 1980年 Kalamazoo Made(Yahoo!オークション(旧ヤフオク!) )は70件の入札を集めて、2013/12/26 23:45に落札されました。

aucview.aucfan.com

There’s a few Standards out of Kalamazoo with two piece flame tops (rare but they are out there)

 

[SpencerD]

I have a Kalamazoo goldtop Standard 1980 model. Bought it brand new. Sole owner Still got it.

EDIT --- Mine is 3 piece top

 

[SpencerD]

KM’s have thin binding in the cutaway and 8 digit stamped serial number?

Not always.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

KM’s have thin binding in the cutaway and 8 digit stamped serial number?

That sounds like the guitar in question. Is not the cherry sunburst sunburst in the pics above the guitar in question?

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Two Standards.
Manufactured same day in Kalamazoo in 1980.
S/N 23 numbers apart.
To my question, there are a lot of differences between these two guitars and am trying to wrap my head around them.
I purchased both because of the two piece flame top which is rare for this year and model, also because they were made here in Kalamazoo.
on to the differences.

Tobacco burst is pretty standard for the year.
burst on front, back, sides, neck, headstock (EVERYWHERE)
Two piece flame maple top,
Mahogany back, three piece Maple neck, volute.
impressed serial number and “made in usa“.
Nothing out of the ordinary.

Cherry burst is a goofball.
Two piece flame maple top burst only.
Back, sides, neck, headstock all red.
One piece Mahogany back, three piece Maple neck, volute.
Thin binding in cutaway.
Ink stamped 8 digit serial number and “made in usa”

I’ve looked at all the special runs I could find and nothing matches.
Any ideas?

just spent the last 30 minutes trying to upload pics and they are too big. I’ll keep trying in comments.

The flame top and non burst back are definitely not the norm. KM or Standard. I did find a few KM's with non burst back from 1980, but no flame top. Found a Standard with both features and really close looking to your guitar, but from 1981. I imagine you have looked a ton so don't even know why I did that. The internet has so little to see from what is really out there. I have a bazillion guitar mags and catalogues from back then, but it would take and eternity to look through them. Really nice guitar. How is the weight? I imagine it is a keeper, but thought I would ask if that is your plan.

 

[classicform]

That sounds like the guitar in question. Is not the cherry sunburst sunburst in the pics above the guitar in question?

My “KM’s have thin binding and 8 digit stamped S/N?” was not a statement as I know that KM’s do not have those features.