Hey it's Mat from Gibson Product Development - AMA

[matkoehler]

Hi Matt,

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions!

I have a 2010 Gibson Les Paul Junior that was part of a run where the faded-white models supposedly had ebony fingerboards. Could you please confirm? The serial number is 132201335 with a “Made in the USA“ stamped neck.

Thanks for your help!

Yes there was definitely a run like that in 2010. I don't have access to the serial number lookup currently but Gibson Customer Service would be happy to assist for more information.

 

[matkoehler]

I know this is a custom shop thread but had to share. Picked up an incredible all original ‘75 Deluxe/Standard yesterday. While taking it down for a good cleaning I found a tag under the neck pickup that said W/RED with the name Roberta under that. Naturally the guitar will be called Roberta since it already clearly had a name hidden for the last 46/47 years. Clearly had never been opened and the spotless control cavity was evidence of that. Would be interesting to know who Roberta that working in Kalamazoo in the 70’s was!

First off -- NOT a Custom Shop thread although it has turned into it. I welcome all your Gibson USA, Acoustic, Epiphone, Kramer, Maestro questions as well .

Typically the name you see there would come from the finish department folks as a routing mechanism...knowing to whom to send it. And I can't recall if this was seen at Kalamazoo but certainly the Nashville factory...in 1975 I suppose your guitar could have been Nashville-made but either way super cool and congrats on the guitar and the name!

 

[CK6]

Yes there was definitely a run like that in 2010. I don't have access to the serial number lookup currently but Gibson Customer Service would be happy to assist for more information.

Thanks Matt, I’ve since had it refinished and its an awesome guitar. Very percussive and punchy.

 

[El Gringo]

Not anytime soon...but yes there is a chance. I was more specifically teasing some potential Custom Shop runs of iconic BB instruments to come...

That would be super cool

 

[Gibbons59]

@matkoehler On your recommendation, I grabbed some Howard Feed-N-Wax. I had been using raw linseed oil, and occasionally Old English Lemon Oil, for decades. But this stuff is brilliant! Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

 

[Torshalla]

@matkoehler On your recommendation, I grabbed some Howard Feed-N-Wax. I had been using raw linseed oil, and occasionally Old English Lemon Oil, for decades. But this stuff is brilliant! Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

Is that the product to use?

 

[Gibbons59]

@Torshalla Yes. That's it.

 

[CK6]

@matkoehler On your recommendation, I grabbed some Howard Feed-N-Wax. I had been using raw linseed oil, and occasionally Old English Lemon Oil, for decades. But this stuff is brilliant! Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

I also got some & it’s awesome!

 

[slammintone]

Hi Mat! Just wanted to say Gibsons doing amazing work on the semi solids these days like my new Sixties Cherry ES345. Has one of the sweetest necks I’ve ever played, sustains gorgeously and the new T-Top recreations are matched perfectly to this instrument. Paint finishing and construction are all top notch!!

 

[Pat Boyack]

Hi Mat! Just wanted to say Gibsons doing amazing work on the semi solids these days like my new Sixties Cherry ES345. Has one of the sweetest necks I’ve ever played, sustains gorgeously and the new T-Top recreations are matched perfectly to this instrument. Paint finishing and construction are all top notch!!

I'll 2nd that! I'll also add that I see a lot millennials buying them.

 

[Torshalla]

@Torshalla Yes. That's it.

Thanks! I ll give it a try!

 

[Awall]

Pictures to go with my earlier post. Matt I wonder if there is anything you could dig up on serial # 99 123609? I would love to know more but does not seem to be much info out there.

 

[charliechitlins]

That's beautiful. I've heard of this guitar and have a question. Aren't Standards and Deluxes the same save the pickups and route? Isn't a Deluxe with Standard package just a Standard with a Deluxe truss rod cover?
Someone educate me.
BTW...my '71 Deluxe was routed for humbuckers, but not at the factory.
It has a very chunky dead-on '59 neck and is a monster.
I wonder if the Deluxes kept the chunky necks and Standards were slim...

 

[Awall]

That's beautiful. I've heard of this guitar and have a question. Aren't Standards and Deluxes the same save the pickups and route? Isn't a Deluxe with Standard package just a Standard with a Deluxe truss rod cover?
Someone educate me.
BTW...my '71 Deluxe was routed for humbuckers, but not at the factory.
It has a very chunky dead-on '59 neck and is a monster.
I wonder if the Deluxes kept the chunky necks and Standards were slim...

The standard package WAS a deluxe routed for full size humbuckers and with a Standard truss rod cover.

 

[83Custom]

Pictures to go with my earlier post. Matt I wonder if there is anything you could dig up on serial # 99 123609? I would love to know more but does not seem to be much info out there.
View attachment 16900View attachment 16901View attachment 16902View attachment 16904View attachment 16905

“W/red” would be wine red — seemingly a common stain beginning in 1975 from what I’ve seen. I once had a guitar from 1976 that was the same color.

Spec-wise, yours would be a regular LP Standard finished in wine red with T-Top pickups. It’s likely a pancake body (you’ll be able to tell) and either a maple or mahogany neck (evidently they were in transition around then but you’ll be able to discern that too).

And it has a sticker that was never removed.

 

[Awall]

“W/red” would be wine red — seemingly a common stain beginning in 1975 from what I’ve seen. I once had a guitar from 1976 that was the same color.

Spec-wise, yours would be a regular LP Standard finished in wine red with T-Top pickups. It’s likely a pancake body (you’ll be able to tell) and either a maple or mahogany neck (evidently they were in transition around then but you’ll be able to discern that too).

And it has a sticker that was never removed.

Appreciate it but aside from the obvious details I should have been more specific with my question. What I would like to know is Kalamazoo or Nashville made, production numbers, date of manufacture etc.

 

[83Custom]

Appreciate it but aside from the obvious details I should have been more specific with my question. What I would like to know is Kalamazoo or Nashville made, production numbers, date of manufacture etc.

Email Gibson. He made a similar comment to someone else who gave a serial number.

But truthfully does it really matter? It’s a 1975 Les Paul so enjoy it whether it was finished Feb 12 , Nov 23 or whenever. It doesn’t make any difference. And I suspect they’re prob not going to provide production numbers. If they ever had — someone surely would have posted it online by now.

 

[charliechitlins]

The standard package WAS a deluxe routed for full size humbuckers and with a Standard truss rod cover.

So the only difference between a Deluxe with a Standard Package and a Standard is the truss rod cover?
Seems silly.

 

[83Custom]

So the only difference between a Deluxe with a Standard Package and a Standard is the truss rod cover?
Seems silly.

I think you’re getting your terms interchanged. All would have been began the same at the factory and then either became a Deluxe or Standard. A Deluxe came with minihumbuckers. A Standard was originally made with regular sized humbuckers. Most that were built were the Deluxe.

The only difference between the two is that the Standard was routed out for full size humbuckers (at build). And then a different truss cover was added.

And upon many Deluxes bought, many people took out the mini humbuckers and routed the body themselves to fit regular size humbuckers.

(Sorry for straying OT in this very interesting thread.)

 

[Pat Boyack]

Email Gibson. He made a similar comment to someone else who gave a serial number.

But truthfully does it really matter? It’s a 1975 Les Paul so enjoy it whether it was finished Feb 12 , Nov 23 or whenever. It doesn’t make any difference. And I suspect they’re prob not going to provide production numbers. If they ever had — someone surely would have posted it online by now.

Everybody wants their guitar to have a story.....