Vintage Gibson Les Paul Custom nuts... I need advice...

[jwhitman]

I've got the itch and I want an older custom. I don't really know where to start looking and what to look for/avoid in these guitars as I begin my search/research on them. Is there any particular years to look for or years to avoid? How about issues to watch out for and/or signs of problems? I know this is a relatively vague and short post, but I'm hoping that it sparks a lengthy discussion to educate me on the ins and outs of vintage 'Paul hunting. I will state, I only want Gibson Les Pauls. I know there's some cool older copies out there, they just won't satiate my cork sniffery

Thanks in advance guys n' gals!

 

[Steinmetzify]

After listening to replies here, check out/sign up for www.mylespaul.com

HUGE amount of info over there, man. Every question you have can be answered no problem; some of these guys answered questions for me that calling Gibson couldn't answer.

Good luck; old Customs are some of the coolest guitars on the planet.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

Read up on MyLp forum. Questions been asked a million times. Use the search function and read away.

I'm no LP expert but if I were in the market foran old LPC I'd check eBay to get an idea for prices. There are inconsistencies in quality throughout so really no era to avoid really. Go play whatever you can get your hands on or buy online that has a return policy in case you get a dog

I myself want an ebony 3 pu Black beauty LPC but really need to get rid of some gear that I need to sell but been too lazy lol..

What price range are you thinking? they can get pretty damn high.

 

[HRC51]

Not an expert, but here's my 2 cents.

I really don't think there are good/bad years for the Custom. This is the one guitar that has remained remarkably well built over the years. I can remember playing a Custom in the 80's that was fantastic.

I went on a Les Paul hunt in 2010. Played lots of Gibson USA Les Pauls -- even went to the Nashville store where they have dozens. I never felt the quality was there, so I changed my search to the Custom. These are so much more consistent and of higher quality, that I could justify the extra expense.

Ended up with a 2010 Custom from GC. It has a weight relied body (but still heavy), Plek'd setup, and real ebony fretboard. These are the differences I know of throughout the years, but I'm not a scholar.

The weight relief does not bother me, the Plek is just a machine aided setup, but I insist on the ebony board. The 2012's started coming with the Richlite boards. May play, sound great and be the way to save the remaining ebony trees in the world, but know it's an engineered wood product.

Finally, the neck shape and playability of the Custom's is my personal favorite of all guitars I have played. Wonderful.

 

[romanianreaper]

A friend of mine was going to sell me his 1981 Gibson Les Paul Custom for $1000 years ago and like a dumbass I passed on it because I worried about the frets, etc. I still regret that.

 

[jwhitman]

After listening to replies here, check out/sign up for http://www.mylespaul.com

HUGE amount of info over there, man. Every question you have can be answered no problem; some of these guys answered questions for me that calling Gibson couldn't answer.

Good luck; old Customs are some of the coolest guitars on the planet.

I'm a member over there, I just don't know them well enough yet to know who is full of shit and who knows what they are talking about...

After listening to replies here, check out/sign up for http://www.mylespaul.com

HUGE amount of info over there, man. Every question you have can be answered no problem; some of these guys answered questions for me that calling Gibson couldn't answer.

Good luck; old Customs are some of the coolest guitars on the planet.

i dont know man, turned ugly in less than 8 posts here!
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/gibson- ... bered.html

I haven't read that yet, but I will shortly. I imagine it's what I'm trying to avoid.

Read up on MyLp forum. Questions been asked a million times. Use the search function and read away.

I'm no LP expert but if I were in the market foran old LPC I'd check eBay to get an idea for prices. There are inconsistencies in quality throughout so really no era to avoid really. Go play whatever you can get your hands on or buy online that has a return policy in case you get a dog

I myself want an ebony 3 pu Black beauty LPC but really need to get rid of some gear that I need to sell but been too lazy lol..

What price range are you thinking? they can get pretty damn high.

Well, I've been looking at two particular "groups" of LPCs you could say. Early 70s and late 70s through the mid 80s. Most of those guitars go from just shy of 2000 to middle 3000. My ideal LPC wouldn't be a closet queen. I'm looking for a tone monster that has buckle rash, scrapes, bumps and bruises to show for it. I really like the idea of getting one that has the volute (sp?) on the neck in hopes that it wouldn't have suffered a headstock break in the past and I like the way they feel.

Ended up with a 2010 Custom from GC. It has a weight relied body (but still heavy), Plek'd setup, and real ebony fretboard. These are the differences I know of throughout the years, but I'm not a scholar.

Sounds like you got a good one! That is just way too new for me though. I want an old road dog with personality and scars. That's about 20 years or more too young for me...

A friend of mine was going to sell me his 1981 Gibson Les Paul Custom for $1000 years ago and like a dumbass I passed on it because I worried about the frets, etc. I still regret that.

I passed on a '74 Alpine white LPC a couple of years back that had beautiful patina and was a passed down family guitar because I couldn't bring myself to essentially rip the guy off for his heirloom. I ended up helping him get an appraisal and pushing him to keep it for his son who was beginning to learn the guitar. Still kick myself for that sometimes, but I think the mojo was worth it.

 

[Ventura]

The knowledge and research runs deep.

Ultimately, it's up to you and how it feels, plays and sounds. The puritan approach to this is that Lesters started out as solid body guitars, and as the good woods became more expensive/less attainable, the wood got heavier (or the guitar more expensive). So to keep prices down, they used heavier woods and then drilled holes in it to remove some ounces. This was weight relief. Then, as they continued to use lesser grade woods, they figured "why not see if there's a more systematic way to route these bodies with perhaps benefit". Enter "chambering". So we're still working with the original essence of where all this stemmed from which is - higher weight, lesser desirable grade woods. The real McCoy was good wood, no holes - and the resale market of Lesters does indeed frown upon chambering and weigh relieving, and most certainly composite particle board fretboards, and 2 piece fretboards. NO DEVIATION FROM THE ORIGINAL.

The closer it is to the originals, the more desirable. And all this is deliberated and discussed and pondered before the actual guitar is even picked up and played. So - depending on the model, there are indeed years that had more success than others - but even if one triangulates on those specific models in those specifics years, then it's a matter of playing out the good'ens from the lemons.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Barely scratching the surface. It runs deep. Lemme know if this at all comes in helpful, and ya, the mylespaul forums are decent. You just have to wade through the silliness and get to the facts. There are some super knowledgeable cats over there, and they've been super helpful whenever I've needed advice. I also have a guy inside Gibson HQ who I run all the SNs past before buying - just to make sure it's authentic and the real deal.

Peace - and good luck,
Mojo

 

[jwhitman]

I may have to take you up on that connection if you don't mind running a serial for me at some point... This is one I was considering, unfortunately I don't have anything to trade him nor the cash to purchase it out right.

After running the serial through the "Guitar Dater Project" site or whatever that site is, it said the guitar was a 74 or 75. Additional pictures seem to point towards a Mahoghany neck which I think would make it a 74. BUT, I could be wrong... * facepalm *

 

[jlb32]

Personally I would just look for anything other than the 2012's with the Richlite boards, unless the fretboard wood isn't a concern. From my experience the LP Customs are just great guitars. There aren't really any great or horrible years that can be singled out so unless you just want vintage/older for a reason I wouldn't worry about the model year. I've owned several from the 70's to more current. The only one I have now and my favorite is my 2005 Black Beauty.

 

[Steinmetzify]

Couple guys over there named Hot-Brit and Kumredy. Watch/search the Norlin section and see how often they post up; they're usually spot on with their info. Nice guys too; willing to help.

You post your problem over there and you're gonna get a full rash of shit, but it'll be good natured and guys will help.

 

[Zap]

Not an expert, but here's my 2 cents.

I really don't think there are good/bad years for the Custom. This is the one guitar that has remained remarkably well built over the years. I can remember playing a Custom in the 80's that was fantastic.

I went on a Les Paul hunt in 2010. Played lots of Gibson USA Les Pauls -- even went to the Nashville store where they have dozens. I never felt the quality was there, so I changed my search to the Custom. These are so much more consistent and of higher quality, that I could justify the extra expense.

Ended up with a 2010 Custom from GC. It has a weight relied body (but still heavy), Plek'd setup, and real ebony fretboard. These are the differences I know of throughout the years, but I'm not a scholar.

The weight relief does not bother me, the Plek is just a machine aided setup, but I insist on the ebony board. The 2012's started coming with the Richlite boards. May play, sound great and be the way to save the remaining ebony trees in the world, but know it's an engineered wood product.

Finally, the neck shape and playability of the Custom's is my personal favorite of all guitars I have played. Wonderful.

Cool story! How would you describe the neck shape, and how does it stack up to the Historics?

 

[Nodnarb25]

I am a bit of a LP Custom aficionado. I've owned a few, but have kept 2. I post this to share that there are many options that are available to you. But, most of them are fun, regardless of how "proper" they are.

One I kept is a mid 70's maple neck/maple fingerboard model in natural. But, it does NOT sound like a "traditional" LP Custom whatsoever. I'm obviously okay with this. It has a sandwich mahogany body (many people are haters of Norlin era construction methods). But, again... I don't care. It's a wicked guitar now that I refretted it and replaced the pickups. I destroyed its collector value, but they'll bury me with this thing!

The other is a 5 year old '68 re-issue. It comes highly recommended and is more akin to what most think of when they think LP Custom. But, is not vintage at all.

So, in short, if you go with a 70's LP Custom, be prepared to refret it if you like frets with any height on 'em at all. Most of them have maple necks too. Not necessarily a bad thing, but could be a turn off to those interested in a mahogany neck. To be honest, you need to get an all mahogany LP Custom if you want to kick it really authentic "old school" (pre-'61).

I guess that rambled a bit, but hope it helps a bit. If you've got the coin to go "more vintage" than the 70's, congrats. Good luck on your noble quest!!!

 

[Zap]

I am a bit of a LP Custom aficionado. I've owned a few, but have kept 2. I post this to share that there are many options that are available to you. But, most of them are fun, regardless of how "proper" they are.

One I kept is a mid 70's maple neck/maple fingerboard model in natural. But, it does NOT sound like a "traditional" LP Custom whatsoever. I'm obviously okay with this. It has a sandwich mahogany body (many people are haters of Norlin era construction methods). But, again... I don't care. It's a wicked guitar now that I refretted it and replaced the pickups. I destroyed its collector value, but they'll bury me with this thing!

The other is a 5 year old '68 re-issue. It comes highly recommended and is more akin to what most think of when they think LP Custom. But, is not vintage at all.

So, in short, if you go with a 70's LP Custom, be prepared to refret it if you like frets with any height on 'em at all. Most of them have maple necks too. Not necessarily a bad thing, but could be a turn off to those interested in a mahogany neck. To be honest, you need to get an all mahogany LP Custom if you want to kick it really authentic "old school" (pre-'61).

I guess that rambled a bit, but hope it helps a bit. If you've got the coin to go "more vintage" than the 70's, congrats. Good luck on your noble quest!!!

Did the old ones have really small frets? Do the new ones too?

 

[Nodnarb25]

All the newer reissue ones have reasonable size frets. 70's into very early 80's ones are wide and super short. I cannot stand the 70's ones, but sometimes the guitar is cool enough it is worth the hassle (to me).

 

[HRC51]

Cool story! How would you describe the neck shape, and how does it stack up to the Historics?

R7 ('57- previously owned medium D shape with shoulders
R8 ('58- I've played one beefy D shape with shoulders
R9 ('59- currently own beefy C shape, nicely rounded and comfortable
G0 ('60- I have not been able to play one thinner C shape than the R9
Custom (currently own medium C, perfect balance to me

 

[Nodnarb25]

The 70's ones I've experienced had a comfy and fast D shape. Not to large, not too small. None of the re-issues I've had felt the same. Not that the reissues are bad at all... Just different.

I had a 57 reissue that was amazing sounding, but had a baseball bat neck. My 68 reissue is a comfy 60-ish feel. Just a bit more meat than a true "slim taper".

 

[jwhitman]

Holy crap.... I'd strait trade my PRS Tremonti for this one....

This burst and color scheme is right up my alley!

 

[Steinmetzify]

Nice find dude! Got some old school going on there.

 

[jwhitman]

Nice find dude! Got some old school going on there.

It's a CL find. Hopefully the guy responds with interest to trade.... Question regarding that actual guitar. It's stamped as a "Second" on the back of the headstock. Does that do anything to the value of the instrument or is there something I should be looking for to be wrong with it?