bjonEE Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 I am thinking about buying what is supposed to be a 1974 Les Paul Deluxe Goldtop. When checking the serial number, the database says that it was produced in 1970, 1971 or 1972. So - I guess 1974 is not correct, anyway. What makes it even more confusing is that it comes with the oblong model 1237 case with yellow interior - and the seller is 99 % sure that this is the original case for the guitar. I will check the pots later, but to narrow the production year down - how long did Gibson supply the model 1237 cases for Deluxes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eracer_Team Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 my understanding from seeing posts like this over the years that Gibson had a problem with serial number consistency in the 70's first pull the back cover to the control cavity, if the pots haven't been changed then they should have a date code on them. not entirely accurate but if you have 1973 dated pots it could be a 73 or a 74.. if you have dated pots 71.. well that opens things up a bit. You should have a 'pancake' body so you may see the seem line on the side of the guitar body and should have a volute on the back of the neck angle break. best to post some pictures here so the real experienced group can look and tell you what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twang Gang Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 The case is no indication of the year of the guitar at all. Cases can be switched, lost, replaced etc. Serial numbers in that era are not always the easiest way to date either, but the pot codes would should give an indication (as mentioned as long as they have not been changed - which may be hard to tell). Main thing is if you are buying it to play - then all that really matters is how it sounds and feels to you. Whether it's a 72,73, 74 or whatever isn't that critical. But if you are buying it more as a collector/investment or to resell later then you want to know exactly what you are getting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I dated a Deluxe once. She had the steak and lobster and I didn't get anything at the end of the night. She did have a nice round case though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 In the "For what it's worth" file: Both my Gibson '68 Les Paul Custom, and '68 SG Standard came (new) with that #1237 case, as standard issue, at that time. So, it could quite possibly be the original case, issued with that Deluxe LP. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 My LP Deluxe was a 73, and it had a case similar to the standard issue cases today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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