slowmols1 Posted November 9, 2008 Posted November 9, 2008 Hi I am new to les pauls and have a prs custom 22 up for trade on craigslist for a custom les paul. I had a guy respond with pics of a 74' custom 20th annv. custom with a serial number of 101557. It looks like the real deal, but its not 100% original. pickups, tunners and pots were swiched. I was wanting to know if the year was right and if its a good deal. pic added below thanks
scozz Posted November 9, 2008 Posted November 9, 2008 Hi I am new to les pauls and have a prs custom 22 up for trade on craigslist for a custom les paul. I had a guy respond with pics of a 74' custom 20th annv. custom with a serial number of 101557. It looks like the real deal' date=' but its not 100% original. pickups, tunners and pots were swiched. I was wanting to know if the year was right and if its a good deal.thanks[/quote'] Year is right, Customs came out in 1954. As far as if it's a good deal it's hard to tell. Condition, playibility, tone, etc. play a big part in determining that. Also, if he has the original parts.
bobv Posted November 9, 2008 Posted November 9, 2008 According to Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars, all 1974 Custom 20th Anniversary Les Pauls have "Twentieth Anniversary" engraved at the 15th fret; they came in black (of course), wine red, or white. If they were faithful reissues of the '54 it should have had a P-90 pickup in the bridge position and a similar looking "Alnico" pickup with rectangular polepieces in the neck position - not the combination that gives the Les Paul it's enduring reputation, but nice nonetheless. It would be '57 and later that have humbuckers, but the P90's still appeared on some models after that. Then again, I'm not sure if they were accurate in their anniversary models or if they had humbuckers on there at the time - see what other 20th anniversary models look like as you google for comparables. Customs, as you may know, are awfully dressy Les Pauls: multiple binding on the top and the back (standards do not have binding on the back at all, let alone multi-ply), bound headstocks, double-diamond inlay on the headstock, block fingerboard inlays instead of trapezoid/crown shapes, speed knobs instead of bonnets, and of course gold hardware. Value is hard to say, especially since this one has some warts: 1. Does it have P-90's or humbuckers which would be the now classic Les Paul sound? 2. as a commemorative piece, it lost its value since it is not in original condition, and 3. it was from the "Norlin era," so called because the parent corporation was struggling a bit with quality so the reputation for those years is not stellar.
slowmols1 Posted November 9, 2008 Author Posted November 9, 2008 it look like its in fair to good condition, with a fret job, and as far as parts go....pickups are probably long gone as is the tuners, but like you said its the playability of it. I played a 81' custom yesterday at GC, and it turned me on to them all over again. I have always loved those customs, mostly the ebony fretboard and the feel. that 81' had flat worn frets but played better than any guitar I have ever played.
slowmols1 Posted November 9, 2008 Author Posted November 9, 2008 it has 2 humbuckers for sure, I have no idea about the norlin era. how can I tell that? I will attach some pick the guy sent me. I have not seen this guitar in person yet. thanks for all the info According to Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars' date=' all 1974 Custom 20th Anniversary Les Pauls have "Twentieth Anniversary" engraved at the 15th fret; they came in black (of course), wine red, or white. If they were faithful reissues of the '54 it should have had a P-90 pickup in the bridge position and a similar looking "Alnico" pickup with rectangular polepieces in the neck position - not the combination that gives the Les Paul it's enduring reputation, but nice nonetheless. It would be '57 and later that have humbuckers, but the P90's still appeared on some models after that. Then again, I'm not sure if they were accurate in their anniversary models or if they had humbuckers on there at the time - see what other 20th anniversary models look like as you google for comparables. Customs, as you may know, are awfully dressy Les Pauls: multiple binding on the top and the back (standards do not have binding on the back at all, let alone multi-ply), bound headstocks, double-diamond inlay on the headstock, block fingerboard inlays instead of trapezoid/crown shapes, speed knobs instead of bonnets, and of course gold hardware. Value is hard to say, especially since this one has some warts: 1. Does it have P-90's or humbuckers which would be the now classic Les Paul sound? 2. as a commemorative piece, it lost its value since it is not in original condition, and 3. it was from the "Norlin era," so called because the parent corporation was struggling a bit with quality so the reputation for those years is not stellar. [/quote']
scozz Posted November 9, 2008 Posted November 9, 2008 If I'm not mistaken the 20th Anniversary Custom was NOT a recreation of the 54 Custom, simply a 20 year anniversary model. Different colors as bobv mentioned, also the 74 Custom has a maple top where as the 54 has a mahogany top.
modoc_333 Posted November 9, 2008 Posted November 9, 2008 how much is your PRS worth (in dollars)? have you played a 70s custom before? how much does it weigh? 70s customs have a reputation for being too heavy, sounding poor, poor QC, inferior construction, and just generally being dogs. that being said, i have a '71 custom that i really love. plenty of people like them. they are just their own type of LP. however, i would be scared to buy a 70s LP without holding it first. i have seen too many dogs.
ckledzepplin Posted November 9, 2008 Posted November 9, 2008 i'd get it but not if it's a pancake body
slowmols1 Posted November 9, 2008 Author Posted November 9, 2008 well, I would say $1800 to 2100, maybe more to the right buyer. I have not played it or any other 70's LP, but that 81' was the best playing lp I have ever played. the only reason I do not try to trade with GC is that they will screw you on the trade in, and they want 2900 for theirs. I am looking for a straight up deal. how much is your PRS worth (in dollars)? have you played a 70s custom before? how much does it weigh? 70s customs have a reputation for being too heavy' date=' sounding poor, poor QC, inferior construction, and just generally being dogs. that being said, i have a '71 custom that i really love. plenty of people like them. they are just their own type of LP. however, i would be scared to buy a 70s LP without holding it first. i have seen too many dogs. [/quote']
slowmols1 Posted November 9, 2008 Author Posted November 9, 2008 by pancake you mean thin like a prs? i'd get it but not if it's a pancake body
AXE® Posted November 9, 2008 Posted November 9, 2008 In the '70's, Gibson decided to laminate bodies together using two pieces of thinner mahogany with a thin middle laminate. Hence the term 'Pancake' body.
slowmols1 Posted November 9, 2008 Author Posted November 9, 2008 how can I tell if that has been done? will it be noticable?
slowmols1 Posted November 9, 2008 Author Posted November 9, 2008 you are refering to the way it is cracked up like the body is in 2 pieces?
slowmols1 Posted November 9, 2008 Author Posted November 9, 2008 how about that 81' I have refered to? is that a good year?
scozz Posted November 9, 2008 Posted November 9, 2008 how about that 81' I have refered to? is that a good year? Early 80s Les Pauls are some of the best LPs made, don't let anyone tell you different. Just play some and see, and feel, and hear for yourself.
slowmols1 Posted November 9, 2008 Author Posted November 9, 2008 yes sir that 81' was NICE!!! I think I will hold out on the 74, the guy emailed me and said he took it on a trade and t he doesent know how to play guitar. hummm....I don't trust it. Early 80s Les Pauls are some of the best LPs made' date=' don't let anyone tell you different. Just play some and see, and feel, and hear for yourself. [/quote']
cajunman831 Posted November 9, 2008 Posted November 9, 2008 It sure does look good.I don,t know to much about them,but i,m learning.Just bought my custom.Good luck
modoc_333 Posted November 9, 2008 Posted November 9, 2008 how about that 81' I have refered to? is that a good year? in general, it's not.... but better than the late 70s. that doesn't mean it's not a cool guitar for you. i'm just stating "general opinion" of most people.
AXE® Posted November 9, 2008 Posted November 9, 2008 you are refering to the way it is cracked up like the body is in 2 pieces? Two pieces. Checking is an entirely different entity...
scozz Posted November 9, 2008 Posted November 9, 2008 Just one more thought on that 74 Custom slowmol. Judging from the pics you provided something is a little off. The high E string is too far from the edge of the fretboard, and the low E is too close to the edge. Because of this the high E string isn't directly over the neck pickup pole. I'd stay away from this one I think.
slowmols1 Posted November 9, 2008 Author Posted November 9, 2008 wow...your right, look at the top by the nut, its closer on the high e and farther off on the low e. at the neck joint it's the other way,close at the low and farther at the high e.like its twisted. good eyes thanks. Just one more thought on that 74 Custom slowmol. Judging from the pics you provided something is a little off. The high E string is too far from the edge of the fretboard' date=' and the low E is too close to the edge. Because of this the high E string isn't directly over the neck pickup pole. I'd stay away from this one I think. [/quote']
slowmols1 Posted November 9, 2008 Author Posted November 9, 2008 ok how are the new customs compared to the 80's and 90's? I may be able to get an 06' black mint custom plus a little cash~500. what do yall think?
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