Having a Real problem dating this one

[kats]

Was over at a friends house who had this old LP given to him as part of a debt. He asked me what year it was.

The serial number was 71098XXX so by the 8 digit serial number I just assumed it was a 78. But what is throwing me off is the "ski jump" valute on the back of the neck. I don't remember that being a feature of a '78. So having said that I'll give some more info.

The back of the headstock reads the serial number and then "MADE IN THE USA" under which is that funny looking valute. The tuning pegs are all metal, but not grovers. They're gibson pegs - look just like the vintage plastic ones, but all metal.

Tobacco burst, 3 piece maple top. I'm thinking it might be a re-finish cause that back of the guitar body and neck look like a tobacco finish as well....unless it's just worn out....but it seems intentional.

Forgive me as I'm doing this by memory now, but come to think of it the neck might have been Rosewood over maple, as opposed to mahogany.

I'll get pics next time I'm there, but perhaps there's enough here that someone can already ID it.

Anyhow, thanks in advance for any info!

Oh, PS the truss rod cover says "standard" - no clue if it's original or not.

 

[RickN]

Sounds like a regular-issue late-'70s Standard to me. I have a '79 Standard that I bought new, and it was originally a tobacco sunburst finish. Everything you describe is perfectly normal for a '78 Standard, even the finish on the back and the back of the neck.

 

[kats]

Even the "valute" on the back of the neck?


Well you learn something every day. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Pressman]

According to "50 years of the Gibson Les Paul" the volute was a feature of the Les Paul neck from sometime in 1970 to 1981.

 

[Minneapolis Slim]

Sounds just like my '78 LP Pro Deluxe. The back of the guitar's body and the back of the neck are also bursted. 3-piece maple top, 1-piece mahogany back, 3-piece maple neck with volute. Definitely a '78, so I'd say the one you're referring to is a regular '78 LP Std. Nice guitar!

 

[RE301]

Without a doubt, 1978.

 

[Uncle Gary]

My very first Les Paul was a 1978 Standard. I haven't seen it since '82, but I distinctly remember it had a 3-piece maple neck with the large headstock and a very prominent volute. By that time, Gibson HAD reverted to the one-piece body. That's definitely a '78 serial number.