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Calling all Les Paul experts !!! What do I have here ?!?!

jrfisher

Active member
Joined
Oct 24, 2003
Messages
1,124
I had a 75 Standard and it looks to have all of the same features except the block inlays. I'd say it's a genuine Gibson but with a couple of odd features, not necessarily uncommon in the Norlin years. The three-piece neck, frets, and binding are the features that make me believe Gibson made it. The electrical components appear correct for the period.

I find those frets to be very comfortable for my style of playing.
 

WillyK

New member
Joined
Jun 9, 2018
Messages
9
I had a 75 Standard and it looks to have all of the same features except the block inlays. I'd say it's a genuine Gibson but with a couple of odd features, not necessarily uncommon in the Norlin years. The three-piece neck, frets, and binding are the features that make me believe Gibson made it. The electrical components appear correct for the period.

I find those frets to be very comfortable for my style of playing.


Thanks for the input, I also have a few others from that era and it looks right in every way and I know they did some odd things back then, I just wanted some other opinions on it.
I do think its cool to fall into a Standard with a custom fretboard. So I'm happy.
 

Gold+Guitars

New member
Joined
Dec 29, 2017
Messages
5
Pot dates are 13778xx and serial on headstock has first #7 and fifth #8. It appears to be a 78' standard with a Custom ebony fretboard
 

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
42,567
I've never seen a Gibson serial number in that font or location. :wah
 

WillyK

New member
Joined
Jun 9, 2018
Messages
9
Someone suggested replaced neck? It would have had to been done long ago because the neck glows under a blacklight just like the body.
 

guitplayer

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 8, 2008
Messages
2,114
That is an unusual 2 piece top. Kinda chevron.
Everything else looks right. weird.:hmm
 

AJCR

Member
Joined
May 2, 2018
Messages
124
Mahogany neck and what looks like the 1971 logo......the plot thickens.

My guess is an employee guitar.
 

WillyK

New member
Joined
Jun 9, 2018
Messages
9
Mahogany neck and what looks like the 1971 logo......the plot thickens.

My guess is an employee guitar.


I'm kinda leaning towards the same thing, We had a guitar builder in the Cleveland area back in the 90s that would hire a few highschool students for summer jobs , and at the end of the summer as a bonus I guess, he would help them build a guitar for themselves (very cool in my opinion ! ) I acquired one of them many years ago. It had a glow in the dark metallic paint job, sweet! I guess if they could do it , maybe guys at Gibson made their own guitars at some point too.
 

Progrocker111

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
4,013
Wow, mahogany neck in 78, wrong serial and other details. :hmm

I really am clueless in this case. Perhaps really some employee hybrid.
 

WillyK

New member
Joined
Jun 9, 2018
Messages
9
Wow, mahogany neck in 78, wrong serial and other details. :hmm

I really am clueless in this case. Perhaps really some employee hybrid.

Thats what Im guessing, it would explain the custom truss rod cover , and I'm totally fine with that , I paid 800 bucks for it and it has instantly become my favorite. It plays great and the oddball fretboard makes it cool.


P.S. Your avatar is sooo creepy dude !
 

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
42,567
I dont know man, I have 8 others and and its identical to them all except for the fretboard and where the serial numbers stamped.

And the serial number font?

I have owned hundreds of modern Les Pauls and handled many hundreds more. I have never seen one where the serial number looked like that, or was positioned in that location.
If the font on yours look the same, please post a few photos. :hmm
 

lvidal

Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2018
Messages
63
All I see is a weird thing from Norlin era. Gibson logo too low, stranged serial number font and wrong placement. And that Custard TRC is pretty sure an engraving done by the owner.
 

guitplayer

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 8, 2008
Messages
2,114
The font looks like the standard "key" stamp font.
Maple top does not look like maple used then. I`d like to see inside the CC better.
 
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