Calling all Les Paul Gurus...

[Bruciep07]

I have what I believe to be an early 70's Les Paul Deluxe that I'm trying to get a mfg date on, was hoping someone here could tell me what to look for. The serial # is 6 digits in the 900,000's, it has "Made in USA" on the back of the headstock, has volute, 3pc mahogany neck, pancake body with a very thin piece of maple centered between the mahogany, and (at least some of) the pots have been replaced, one is a newer dimarzio, one dated 8334, one dated 7303, and the 4th is covered in solder and I can't read it. Now just from the info above, I believe it's a 73 as the serial # fits anywhere from 69-73 (or so I've read) and I am assuming the 7303 pot is original, which it may not be. Are there any other things to look for that could give me a more definitive answer?

[Dr-Joned]

Looks to be 70-72. Take a look at this:

http://www.gibson.com/Files/downloads/b ... UMBERS.pdf

[Bruciep07]

So that kind of blows my theory that any of the pots are original... Wonder how accurate that article is? Is it possible that 900,000's also carried over into early 73?

[Max]

Hi Brucep07,

Here's a link to a website with IMO rather accurate information concerning vintage guitar specs and dating. The link should lead directly to the Gibson solidbody section:

http://home.provide.net/~cfh/gibson5.html

Cheers,

Max

[Bruciep07]

Hi Brucep07,

Here's a link to a website with IMO rather accurate information concerning vintage guitar specs and dating. The link should lead directly to the Gibson solidbody section:

http://home.provide.net/~cfh/gibson5.html

Cheers,

Max

Yea, there is some good info on that page, unfortunately I can only narrow it down to a range of years based on the serial #, as it doesn't seem like there are any distinguishable differences between a late 69 to a late 72 model. Also, based on the fact that there is a pot in the guitar with a very early 73 date code, and the fact that Gibson serial #'s were so random, I still think it's possible that it could be as late as an early 73 model, even though 900,000's were supposedly only used from 70-72. It's also possible that the pot is not original, who knows... I think I'm just gonna have to live with calling it a 1971, plus or minus 3%

Thanks for the replies guys...

[selloutrr]

you have to take gibson serial numbers with a grain of salt they had some over lap and questionable book keeping over the years.

You might have better luck basing it off of features and then roughing in the serial #.

I have a '68 specs early '69 goldtop deluxe with P-90's I thought was a 70's production model. It turned out to be the exact '57 spec transition from the standard to the deluxe model line. The reason this matters a '68/early '69 is a $30K guitar. A later '69 on.. is $5k.

if you just can't figure out the date consider contacting a vintage guitar dealer and ask for assistance.

[Bruciep07]

you have to take gibson serial numbers with a grain of salt they had some over lap and questionable book keeping over the years.

You might have better luck basing it off of features and then roughing in the serial #.

I have a '68 specs early '69 goldtop deluxe with P-90's I thought was a 70's production model. It turned out to be the exact '57 spec transition from the standard to the deluxe model line. The reason this matters a '68/early '69 is a $30K guitar. A later '69 on.. is $5k.

$30K! You're an optimist Mark! I'm fairly certain that this guitar is a 70's model due to the headstock shape, the "Made in USA" stamp, the pancake body, 3pc neck, the router lip inside the control cavity, etc... Plus, this goldtop has TONS of "character" (almost a greentop now) so no way it would ever fetch that type of money. That's a cool score though, especially if you got it based on 70's Deluxe numbers...

[selloutrr]

just saying it's a grey area in gibson serial numbers.

I paid $610.00 USD in '98 in Portland Oregon for mine.

[Bruciep07]

just saying it's a grey area in gibson serial numbers.

I paid $610.00 USD in '98 in Portland Oregon for mine.

Wow, quite a score! I guess I'll have to find a knowledgeable vintage dealer and have them give it a going over some day, you never know what you don't know til you find someone that knows... or something like that...

[selloutrr]

i have bad luck with instruments I'm drawn to really cool rare colored 60's guitars and basses. In hopes of finding a players guitar, stupid i know, the color alone should be the clue, but i just hate the feel of a new guitar and can't bring myself to sand the neck. not that i'm complaining but they end up being a collectors guitar, usually because some jackass gets famious and everyone wants to be that person so the market dries up and the cost goes up and I have to pay higher premiums to insure them and they turn into case candy.

my avatar pic is a 1965 Fender Jaguar in burgundy mist, I picked it up from a music store i worked at. it had been in the back store room for almost 20 years. they hit hard times and couldn't pay me so to wipe the bill clean they gave me the guitar. turned out it was a produce demo one of 3 made for the reps to show future colors. one is on display at fender in scottsdale, gavin of bush broke the second one falling off the stage drunk, and the third spends most of it's life in the case. I break it out about 3 times a year for session work and setups. Totally sucked thought it was the guitar i wanted since i wanted to learn how to play. Turned out to be a $35K guitar in '96 after i was in a car accident with it in the car i had to get is appraised for insurance.

just saying you don't know unless you check!

[Bruciep07]

my avatar pic is a 1965 Fender Jaguar in burgundy mist, I picked it up from a music store i worked at. it had been in the back store room for almost 20 years. they hit hard times and couldn't pay me so to wipe the bill clean they gave me the guitar. turned out it was a produce demo one of 3 made for the reps to show future colors. one is on display at fender in scottsdale, gavin of bush broke the second one falling off the stage drunk, and the third spends most of it's life in the case. I break it out about 3 times a year for session work and setups. Totally sucked thought it was the guitar i wanted since i wanted to learn how to play. Turned out to be a $35K guitar in '96 after i was in a car accident with it in the car i had to get is appraised for insurance.

just saying you don't know unless you check!

Man, when the huge meteor is heading our way and the end of the world as we know it is near, can I come hang out at your house? With luck like that, I have a good feeling that being near you when all hell breaks loose might be a good idea, as far as the numbers game goes

[selloutrr]

lol sure but i have a feeling my luck will run out at that point. seeing that i'm in california I'll probably be the part that brakes off and causes the island effect. but I'll have a fully stocked bar so It wont be all bad, and if we make it out alive, plenty of guns to fend off the zombies after the fact

[Bruciep07]

I'll have a fully stocked bar so It wont be all bad, and if we make it out alive, plenty of guns to fend off the zombies after the fact

I couldn't ask for anything more!!!

[selloutrr]

bring a lawn chair and some sunscreen

[Reeltarded]

The numbers repeat 3 times through some ranges. I have owned 2 pairs of Gibsons with identical serials, 3-5 years apart.

Must be 73. I am with the pot. Late 71 thru gets embossed covers. Is the volute a nub, or a bump with a ridge?

We need to hook up a garage jam somewhere.