LP 1975 - Kalamazoo or Nashville?

[jimmi]

Does anyone have pictures of the 1975-77 Kalamazoo stamps and Nashville serial number stamps?

 

[aleixlozzano]

I've read in in some other discussion forums that "Gibson started shifting LP production to Nashville in 1976" and that "Nashville began making some Deluxes Pro only by the end of 1975, not before nor other LP models". Where this info comes from? Is it just a 'repeated & accepted lie'?

 

[guitplayer]

Hard to say.....other than a manufacturing plant when it changes its construction in a major way,
has to "retool" as it were. More likely than not ,all that was done in Nashville.
There is a reason they call it a "Nashville" bridge and not a Germany (Schaller) bridge.

 

[Wilko]

Does anyone have pictures of the 1975-77 Kalamazoo stamps and Nashville serial number stamps?

serial numbers were not stamped in that time. I've posted pics of a known nashville and a most likely Kalamazoo. Kalalmazo sometimes had an oval "depression" around the serial number and the serial number sticker was over the finish.

 

[jimmi]

serial numbers were not stamped in that time. I've posted pics of a known nashville and a most likely Kalamazoo. Kalalmazo sometimes had an oval "depression" around the serial number and the serial number sticker was over the finish.

I was talking about the stickers. People keep saying there are differences between the stickers used by each plant and was hoping someone could post a picture

 

[Wilko]

The pics I posted are stickers. They are the same. Here’s a pic of a Kalamazoo. This isn’t the impression style. I just took the picture that highlights the sticker edge under the finish.

 

[jimmi]

The pics I posted are stickers. They are the same. Here’s a pic of a Kalamazoo

Looks like there is an oval impression with the Kalamazoo model. I owned a ‘76 when I was in HS but never took a good look so interesting to know.

 

[Wilko]

Here’s a thread about the oval impression: https://www.lespaulforum.com/index.php?threads/oval-stamped-around-serial.175477/

 

[guitplayer]

I've read in in some other discussion forums that "Gibson started shifting LP production to Nashville in 1976" and that "Nashville began making some Deluxes Pro only by the end of 1975, not before nor other LP models". Where this info comes from? Is it just a 'repeated & accepted lie'?

Above is where it comes from. The overbearing need to the one in the know.
Applied decals were largely made in 1975 -1977 and Nashville origin.
Who really cares? My 1975 I`ve had since 1977 is a nashville. Served me well.
Heavy as all get out.
Grounding plate /ash tray is also a Nashville thing.
Les Paul Customs were made in Nashville till the middle of 1975.
But still had a mahogany neck and stamped serial#.
Here is a 1975 custom with 1975 date pots. And a 20 th Anniversary.
Mahog neck, round wiring channel and ABR.

 

[Big Al]

Gibson shifted all solidbody guitars to Nash as soon as it could. All Les Paul models, not just Pro Deluxe. Custom orders and fsr runs, if the fsr utilised non standard build specs, were done at Kalamazoo. The K.M. Standard was the first Kalamazoo prodution run after the shift to Nashville.

That shift didn't happen jan. 1st, or overnight in 75. Kalamazoo used 3pc mahogany necks with a trans tenon, clover leaf cavity and abr bridge until K.M. Body shape the same until the Heritage Standard 80 and Elite models in late 80 which had short squat deep dish bodies with odd shallow wide cutaway and horn.
There are other differences in fingerboard binding and side dots, cavity wire holes and pickup routs but mostly specs point to origin.

 

[jimmi]

Gibson shifted all solidbody guitars to Nash as soon as it could. All Les Paul models, not just Pro Deluxe. Custom orders and fsr runs, if the fsr utilised non standard build specs, were done at Kalamazoo. The K.M. Standard was the first Kalamazoo prodution run after the shift to Nashville.

That shift didn't happen jan. 1st, or overnight in 75. Kalamazoo used 3pc mahogany necks with a trans tenon, clover leaf cavity and abr bridge until K.M. Body shape the same until the Heritage Standard 80 and Elite models in late 80 which had short squat deep dish bodies with odd shallow wide cutaway and horn.
There are other differences in fingerboard binding and side dots, cavity wire holes and pickup routs but mostly specs point to origin.

I don’t think it was always this simple. The Leo’s and Guitar traders…the Leo’s in particular had basically the same spec made at both plants with normal cutaway/horn, body dimensions and ABRs. The top carve is different (maybe not exactly vintage but closer) than the heritage series side by side also. If you compare Nashville and Kalamazoo Leo’s side by side the only giveaway is the side marker size on the binding (smaller on Nashville) and the serial number in the control cavity (only Kalamazoo). I now there were some other special orders and limited runs so I suspect there are some other unicorns out there. So like always there are exceptions with Gibson.

 

[guitplayer]

I think this pertains to guitars made from 1975-mid 1977 with applied decal.
I dont know about leo or guitar trader guitars. Are they made later?

 

[jimmi]

I think this pertains to guitars made from 1975-mid 1977 with applied decal.
I dont know about leo or guitar trader guitars. Are they made later?

He brought up the Heritage series which was 1980s and the KM which I think was 77-78 and taking about what happened going forward. Leo’s/guitar traders where ‘81-84

 

[guitplayer]

Thanks. I am just referring to those years 75-77 where there is much confusion.
Once the serial # was impressed again mid 1977 things are more clearer.

 

[jimmi]

Thanks. I am just referring to those years 75-77 where there is much confusion.
Once the serial # was impressed again mid 1977 things are more clearer.

Yeah…he took it past those to the production differences between the two plants. For the record, the Leo’s had inked on serial numbers that start with L1 with 4 numbers. Mine for example is L1 0442 which I think means it was the 422nd one made. I don’t remember what the Guitar traders used for a number.

 

[Big Al]

He brought up the Heritage series which was 1980s and the KM which I think was 77-78 and taking about what happened going forward. Leo’s/guitar traders where ‘81-84

The Heritage 80 was brought up because that was the first issue with the new carving pattern for the body. Shorter and with a distinct cutaway and horn. Earlier posts mentioned the difference in horn shape as always being present on Nashville made, which was not the case pre 1980.
As others point out there are clear difference of build in the 76-77 mass confusion era and the only way to clearly tell is by these specs. Custom orders, fsr's and dealer runs are outliers and need to be evaluated as such, like my Strings n Things reissue from that time.

 

[jimmi]

The Heritage 80 was brought up because that was the first issue with the new carving pattern for the body. Shorter and with a distinct cutaway and horn. Earlier posts mentioned the difference in horn shape as always being present on Nashville made, which was not the case pre 1980.
As others point out there are clear difference of build in the 76-77 mass confusion era and the only way to clearly tell is by these specs. Custom orders, fsr's and dealer runs are outliers and need to be evaluated as such, like my Strings n Things reissue from that time.

The LPs from Kalamazoo must have been fairly rare during that time. Other than the special ordered guitars, I am not sure I have seen any in person after 75 or so that didn’t have Nashville features.

 

[El Gringo]

Neck pickup cavity says Nashville to me.

I could be wrong. I don't know for sure, but likely that style wasn't made in Kalamazoo.

In the pickup cavities what is it that only part of the cavity has finish on it ? Like there was tape or something in there ?

 

[guitplayer]

I`ve seen that in the control cavity before. Only in 1973-74

 

[Strings Jr.]

In the pickup cavities what is it that only part of the cavity has finish on it ? Like there was tape or something in there ?

Yes. The pot holes were taped so overspray would not go through to the other side during finishing.