Restoration project Les Paul

[eindunn]

Hi, I'm a newbie on the site.

I have been given a Les Paul with a broken neck (at the headstock) to repair.

It looks pretty old, but I have no idea it's age ?

Although there is no serial number at the back of the headstock it appears genuine, as the tuning pegs and bridge etc have Gibson stamped on them.

Pickups look narrower than more modern Les Pauls and have Patent 2737842 marked inside......can you get replacements ?

Any ideas what Les Paul I'm dealing with ?

I attach a pic, but the guitar was already mostly stripped down when I received it.

 

 

Cheers and thanks for any advice !

[damian]

That's a Gibby Les Paul Deluxe........Most likely a mid 1970s model..........

 

That'a a nasty break......As per the serial # being gone.........Hmmmmmm...........

[pippy]

It looks pretty old, but I have no idea it's age ?

Although there is no serial number at the back of the headstock it appears genuine, as the tuning pegs and bridge etc have Gibson stamped on them.

Pickups look narrower than more modern Les Pauls and have Patent 2737842 marked inside......can you get replacements ?

Any ideas what Les Paul I'm dealing with ?

Hi and welcome.

 

Without the serial number it's impossible to say exactly when it was made but the guitar is a Les Paul DeLuxe.

 

This model was introduced in late '69 and was in production until '84 (it was re-released from '99 until 2008 but 'yours' is almost certainly an earlier example). They were most popular in the period 1971-75 during which time approx 30,000 instruments were made. Gibson adopted the process of using a sticker with the serial number stamped on it for a number of years starting from about 1973 and it's not uncommon for these to become detatched over the years. If there's no sign of a serial number having been stamped into the rear of the peghead it would suggest that yours is likely to be from this time.

 

You say it's been stripped-down. Do you have - or have access to - the parts? If so then one way to tell the approximate age of the guitar would be to check the codes stamped into the rear of the potentiometers used for the volume and tone controls - if they are the originals. All pots have serial numbers which tell you the manufacturer and the month and year they were made.

Here's the link;

http://www.guitardat...codereader.aspx

 

The p-ups are the regular Epiphone-type mini-humbuckers used on this model. They are, in fact, one of the defining features of the DeLuxe. Modern replacements are available from various manufacturers.

 

Hope this helps.

 

P.

[damian]

Gibson still makes the mini humbuckers.......Best prices can be found at "Amplified Parts."

[eindunn]

Thanks Damian and Pippy !

Great advice. I have all the bits, and the most legible pot has 1377317 stamped on it.

Makes it around May 1973 according to your web link.

 

Cheers !

[damian]

Cool.............I was going to date it as a 1973....Had a strong feeling about that....

 

Feel free to post when the restoration is done................

[Malchik]

Yup a Gibson Deluxe with mini pups. Gibson just re-released a gold top of that guitar.

Sadly, besides the mini humbuckers, not much else resembles one. I'd love a new Les Paul with a three-piece maple neck. Lots of snap.

[damian]

Sadly, besides the mini humbuckers, not much else resembles one. I'd love a new Les Paul with a three-piece maple neck. Lots of snap.

 

Yes, yes, and yes................

[Malchik]

I wish Gibson would do some three-piece necks. So stable.