1979 Les Paul in Walnut - Have you seen one like this?

[Axe]

This is a unique LP from the Norlin years, I would like to know more about it if anyone can help. Has anyone seen another like it?

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]
1979 Les Paul in Walnut with 7-layer top of body binding, 5-layer headstock binding, single layer neck binding with fret end nibs and Dot markers on an Ebony fretboard.
“Belly Cut” bevel on the back like “The Paul”.
Serial Number indicates 1979 Nashville Production.


Volume Pots: 70-028; 1377836

Tone Pots: 70-035; 1377836

T-Top pickups, Neck pickup on the bottom: “PAT NO 2,737,842”

All of the solder points are original and undisturbed.

I know the truss rod cover is not correct.

It plays very nice with low action and straight neck.

Thanks for your interest and help.

 

[PulpLP]

Hi:
Nice guitar!!
Could you post the brand of the neck stand?:hank Looks cool, its from hercules?

 

[Axe]

Yes, Hercules neck cradle came with the stand, handy item.

 

[Big Al]

Looks like a custom one off up market THE PAUL. I've never seen another.

 

[rgrace]

Custom-style binding on the top and headstock, otherwise looks like a Standard. Unusual! Might be hard to find a replacement for that truss cover. Guitar Showcase in San Jose has a pretty large collection, though.

 

[WBailey]

Looks like a custom one off up market THE PAUL. I've never seen another.

Where's the walnut ? I'm not seeing it.

Isn't this a " one " piece mahogany flattop ?

the seams on the back match the seams on the front ?

Cool plank.

 

[Axe]

Looks like a custom one off up market THE PAUL. I've never seen another.

Big Al,

You sir, and others are the reason this forum is so helpful, thank you.

Here's some more about this guitar that's hard to make out in the pics.

There is a red ink stamped date on the bottom that corresponds with the serial number on the headstock, and a red ink stamped “4”.

In pencil is “SP” and “43” in a circle also in pencil, maybe something under the pot.

I have sent Gibson these pics, Gibson's reply:

Thank you for sending us the photos of your instrument. This does appear to be an authentic Gibson from 1979, however it is not listed on the 1979 pricelist or the 1979 brochure of instruments.

Although the overall “look” of the instrument tends to lean toward this being a “The Paul” model, it does have some customized features including the binding on the instrument and the inlay on the headstock.

Also, the truss rod cover was probably replaced. These features indicate it was probably either a specially ordered instrument or a very limited run from 1979. Hope that helps.


Best Regards,

Terry

Gibson Customer Service
1-800-4GIBSON

Be well, stay safe and thanks again.

 

[Axe]

Where's the walnut ? I'm not seeing it.

Isn't this a " one " piece mahogany flattop ?

the seams on the back match the seams on the front ?

Cool plank.

WBailey,

I have some experience as a woodworker, I still have a stash of English Walnut and Black Walnut in the shop, also Birdseye Maple, (for the Unicorn Guitar I'm carving now). I traded a Walnut EB Bass for our wedding rings back in '82, the finish on the EB had lifted off so I stripped it and did some wood-burned art work on it, (naked lady arched around the bridge), and clear oil finish, I'd love to find that one someday. I'm pretty sure this LP is walnut.

The seams match front and back, 3 solid pieces, flat top, no cap. 3-piece neck with headstock wings.

Thanks for your interest.

 

[Kris Ford]

There's walnut the wood, and walnut the color..(brown)
The EBs have always been mahogany.

 

[Axe]

There's walnut the wood, and walnut the color..(brown)
The EBs have always been mahogany.

Kris,

I traded the EB in '82 and you are most likely correct, I won't trust my memory on that one.

What are your thoughts on this 1979 LP? I am judging mostly by the grain pattern of the wood.

Thanks for your knowledge and your help.

 

[Big Al]

Where's the walnut ? I'm not seeing it.

Isn't this a " one " piece mahogany flattop ?

the seams on the back match the seams on the front ?

Cool plank.

The entire guitar, except for the Ebony fingerboard, is crafted from North American Black Walnut. This is standard for THE PAUL. What isn't is noted in the Gibson reply. I had several custom one offs made for customers at that time.

It might prove helpful to visit a lumber yard or Woodcrat store to gain some experience with the various hardwoods. I still have the old Woodcraft Sampler packs of small solid examples of all the various woods. Very cool stuff.

 

[Kris Ford]

Kris,

I traded the EB in '82 and you are most likely correct, I won't trust my memory on that one.

What are your thoughts on this 1979 LP? I am judging mostly by the grain pattern of the wood.

Thanks for your knowledge and your help.

Calling StringsJr!!
He worked there at this time, so maybe he may know more?
My guess is a skilled luthier enhanced The Paul...COULD be a employee guitar with all of the odd combinations of features..but I can't say for 100% certain..could explain the mishmash of proper looking Gibson parts and features...
And you are totally welcome!:salude

 

[Axe]

The entire guitar, except for the Ebony fingerboard, is crafted from North American Black Walnut. This is standard for THE PAUL. What isn't is noted in the Gibson reply. I had several custom one offs made for customers at that time.

It might prove helpful to visit a lumber yard or Woodcrat store to gain some experience with the various hardwoods. I still have the old Woodcraft Sampler packs of small solid examples of all the various woods. Very cool stuff.

Thanks Al, I'm learning more every day.

 

[Axe]

Calling StringsJr!!
He worked there at this time, so maybe he may know more?
My guess is a skilled luthier enhanced The Paul...COULD be a employee guitar with all of the odd combinations of features..but I can't say for 100% certain..could explain the mishmash of proper looking Gibson parts and features...
And you are totally welcome!:salude

Kris, thanks for taking the time to help,

 

[Big Al]

We custom ordered a natural flamed maple ES347 with dot inlayed ebony board headstock with The Gibson slant script and flower pot inlay. All inlay was abalone. Also a florentine cut Brydland in cherryburst with a CC pickup!

You would spec it out and Gibson would give us a price.

 

[Strings Jr.]

Congratulations Axe on owning this rare guitar. And yes Kris, I was fortunate to have been there at this time. With the body binding, fingerboard binding, and the nice peghead veneer, these guitars were exactly what Big Al suggested above, an “upmarket” The Paul. This was a small run, I’m thinking around 25 or so, that went to a few select dealers to “test the waters” for a possible production run. Unfortunately, this was about the time that Gibson decided that walnut was too expensive, and this idea was shelved. I liked them so much I kept one. I didn’t like that they went through the trouble of using “Custom” appointments such as the binding, veneer, lacquer finish, and still used “no cover” pickups, and cheap tuners. I built mine with a little more “Custom” flavor, using gold hardware. Mine currently sports a set of EMG’s, but of course I still have the original gold pups it came home with. I drilled it for the gold Schallers with “crank” handles, and had the truss rod cover stamped with gold letters. Everyone who sees it and plays it, loves it. Even my dog stares at it.

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

 

[Axe]

Strings Jr.,

Thanks for this definitive answer, it's good to see another one too. Yours looks great with the gold. Color me grateful.

It looks like "The Paul Special" on your Truss Rod Cover, would that be correct, (in white), for mine? I wonder how the Heritage 80 TRC got there, considering the time frame involved.

Thanks again to you, Big Al, and Kris for your help.

 

[WBailey]

:bug
Wowzers !

2 in one thread !

Thank you Axe and Strings Jr. for taking the time to post these beautiful guitars.

What is the weight of one of these ? Seems like they would sustain for weeks.

I'm diggin the bling on Strings Jr.

Cool stuff guy's, and again, thank you ! :salude

 

[ourmaninthenorth]

One does indeed learn something new every day.

Thanks for this thread Gentlemen. :salude

 

[Axe]

Congratulations Axe on owning this rare guitar. And yes Kris, I was fortunate to have been there at this time. With the body binding, fingerboard binding, and the nice peghead veneer, these guitars were exactly what Big Al suggested above, an “upmarket” The Paul. This was a small run, I’m thinking around 25 or so, that went to a few select dealers to “test the waters” for a possible production run. Unfortunately, this was about the time that Gibson decided that walnut was too expensive, and this idea was shelved. I liked them so much I kept one. I didn’t like that they went through the trouble of using “Custom” appointments such as the binding, veneer, lacquer finish, and still used “no cover” pickups, and cheap tuners. I built mine with a little more “Custom” flavor, using gold hardware. Mine currently sports a set of EMG’s, but of course I still have the original gold pups it came home with. I drilled it for the gold Schallers with “crank” handles, and had the truss rod cover stamped with gold letters. Everyone who sees it and plays it, loves it. Even my dog stares at it.


Strings Jr.,

I thought to check the dates on these, close:

March 14, 1979, Wednesday - March 19,1979, Monday - The Ides of March

Thanks again.