• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

70s Les Paul Custom or Historic model

Tweety

Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
181
Are any of you guys able to comment on the differences between an early Les Custom ( 70-74) and the current custom shop ones. I really interested in the sound differences. I know its all subjective, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks:dude:
 

marantz1300

Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Messages
309
I'm not sure if its exactely the same for Customs,but early 70's Deluxes have pancake bodies,volute and a diffferant headstock angle. My 71 Deluxe has the fantastic feel,great build quality and wonderful tone. It weighs 9lb.I've had newer les pauls including a 1990 Custom and the Norlin is my favorite. They were hand made in the old Kalamazoo factory (rather then machine made),so maybe thats why theres so much differance with early Norlins.If you find one you like,snap it up.
 

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,854
In most cases, you'll find the early 70s Custom to be much heavier and more "solid" feeling. It won't have as much complexity to the notes as the Historic model.
The top carve will be pretty flat compared to the Historic which has a more "deep dish" appearance like the 50s or late 60s models.
 

SoK66

Active member
Joined
Aug 31, 2009
Messages
236
Neck profiles on early 70s Customs are similar to todays '60 RI. Not exactly the same, but close. All have the Norlin Cost Cutter Special pancake bodies, volutes, multi-piece necks, etc. Heavy and build quality can be very good, or very not so good. Depends upon the guitar. Back in that time period I had a real '60 Burst and a '72 Custom I used as a player. My band mates all thought the '72 sounded better than the '60, so go figure. Some of them did sound great. I currently have a black '72 that I found on The Bay. It's well beaten but after a cleanup and bridge repair it's a killer and a tremendous load of fun to play. It took a TonePros AVRII and some stainless bridge studs to get things put right, major improvement. Best part, all original and had a one time been refreted.

Biggest stumbling block on them is the "fretless wonder" frets, which we used to call the "fretless blunder". I must have sold two dozen of them where as part of the sale the buyer had me send it out to be refreted. I did this for a couple years until the luthier I was using started losing his mind doing them and wouldn't take them in any more.
 

gibson-r8

Active member
Joined
Jul 15, 2004
Messages
574
I just dont think a custom looks good until all the shiny parts are beat up (and a custom should be black... only black). I didnt like the pickups on the non-customshop models, and didnt like the feel (or price) of the custom shop models. a 75 or earlier Custom would be (and is) my preference.. Their prices haven't recovered from 2007 levels when they got a little crazy. my 2cents and worth what you paid for it.. but you asked
 

Ryan Givhan

New member
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
3,220
i read the original post and just be sure you know that a custom shop les paul custom and a historic custom are 2 different things.
 

Tweety

Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
181
i read the original post and just be sure you know that a custom shop les paul custom and a historic custom are 2 different things.

Thanks to everyone for such detailed information. Am I correct in thinking that the normal custom is chambered and the historic is not?
 

Ryan Givhan

New member
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
3,220
Are any of you guys able to comment on the differences between an early Les Custom ( 70-74) and the current custom shop ones. I really interested in the sound differences. I know its all subjective, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks:dude:
i was referring to this part of the OP. because the title says something about a historic model. just wanted to clarify that the custom shop custom's and the historic customs are 2 different guitars.
 

Tweety

Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
181
i was referring to this part of the OP. because the title says something about a historic model. just wanted to clarify that the custom shop custom's and the historic customs are 2 different guitars.

Ryan do you mean that the historic les paul is not chambered and the custom shop normal Les Paul custom is not. I hope that makes sense
 

kitchen

New member
Joined
Jun 8, 2006
Messages
344
Wish I could comment on the sound difference but only have had a 74 custom. One large difference with be the neck, the Norlin neck is is unique to that time period. Narrow and thin at the nut and grow thicker and wider as you go up. I think it is one of the better necks but definitely different than the necks today. I love the feel of the fretless wonder frets but I am not much of a bender. I think these guitar have a better feel or build than the newer ones, could be that the cnc makes the new ones feel more sterile?
Steve
 

Progrocker111

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
4,013
Early 70s LP Customs are great rock/hardrock guitars. They have clearer, more punchy and bellike tone than the new ones. I had many of them and they were fairly consistent in these years. They have especially great sustain and are very suitable to fast soloing. Not so suited for blues, they are simply fairly bright and aggressive sounding. Ideal for 70s hardrock music. :applaude
 

27sauce

Active member
Joined
Jul 9, 2007
Messages
4,415
Depends where you ask. Try asking in the Historic section, different answers guaranteed. To me, they are too different to compare. I would say get both!
 

PLarson

New member
Joined
Mar 7, 2009
Messages
918
My '74 routed Deluxe with a PAF neck pickup sends me off to tonal heaven!

Perry13.jpg
 

dwagar

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Messages
4,451
I think you really have to get out and play a bunch, make your own decision.

Personally, I prefer my '74 Custom to any new Custom, but I prefer my R9 to my Custom.
 
Top