Roc Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Hi everybody, I have a question regarding my 1984 Les Paul "Limited Edition". I have not been able to find out much about it other than what I got off the serial number 81584534. To my understanding it was built on the 158th day of 1984 in Nashville and was the 34th instrument stamped on that particular day. I bought the guitar secondhand from a store in Brisbane in 1998. As soon as I walked into the store and saw it on the wall, I just knew that was the one. I've had it ever since and has become a very personal part of my collection. Over the years I just cant help but wonder about its history. I havent seen another one like it. It is a Sunburst finish with single binding on the top, single maroon colour on the back of the body, neck and headstock. It has all gold harware, tuners (gibson deluxe branded semi closed tuners 2n1 with pearloid type buttons I believe where Klusion made mabye?), gold strap locks, gold pick ups (I think are Tim Shaw, I just need to check the serial number again, the last time I checked on these, I'm sure the numbers matched, I cant remember, (the guitar is in storage, and I will have it next week to post pics and confirm), gold tuneomatic and tail peice. Dot fret marker not trapeziod, thin style neck (not bolt on) and light weight (Studio?). The headstock is a black face with the Gibson logo, Les paul in running writing accross the face in gold and a "limited Edition" truss rod cover. The most interesting part is the word "Rita" in runnung writing, hand written in running writing under the bridge pick up. This is what I want to know about. I have been told once that it was used in the factory to assign particular instruments to particular luthiers within the factory. Im not sure. I do know that there is something special about this guitar, I've always had that feeling ever since I laid eyes on it. But I do consider the fact that the ol girl was 13-14 years old before I was lucky enough to cross her path, so who knows. I will post pic's next week and give you all a better idea. Any help would be appreciated. The photo's are not very good, I'll get a better more precice set to you soon. At least you get some sort of idea. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Moore Tribute Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Hi Roc To help you we REALLY need pictures as a number unfortunately doesn't tell us much... Use the likes of Photobucket or imageshack to upload some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 . Welcome As GMT commented - Post some pics - good size - good focus - no angles - well lit - no cut off parts. One straight overhead shot of the whole guitar, a shot of the whole front of the headstock, and a shot of the whole back of the headstock that includes the top end of the neck area behind the nut. An additional shot of the back of the body is sometimes helpful. With pics, some of the members here might be able to help. Get an account on a picture hosting website, they're free, like Photobucket - http://wwww.photobucket.com/ - Upload your photos there. Copy the "Direct link" from Photobucket into the "Insert image" tool on the Post editor's toolbar here on the forum. Here's directions - http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/11005-sticky-how-to-post-photos/ . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roc Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 Well, I have found out some things about "RITA" from Gibson. She's just a run of the mill studio custom. Rita was an inspector at the time. It's great to know that the guitar is all original from what was offered on the customs at the time. We still dont know why it has a Limited edition TRC, but I'll keep looking into it. I'm happy with that for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GibSinCity Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Yeah, a Studio Custom from the 80's. Like the Studio Standard, but with multiple binding. Your fretboard looks pretty dark. Maybe the Limited Editions had ebony boards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 . @Roc - Glad you found more info on her. I really like the look - gold headstock logos, dot markers and the binding - 5 ply on the top. Also a great looking burst. The darkness of the fretboard blends in so nice with the finish. Beautiful guitar.. B) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan H Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Yeah, a Studio Custom from the 80's. Like the Studio Standard, but with multiple binding. Your fretboard looks pretty dark. Maybe the Limited Editions had ebony boards. The Les Paul Custom has always (until recently) come with an Ebony board, so it would make sense that the Studio Custom would as well, while the Studio Standard came with Rosewood (as the Standard has always come with Rosewood). -Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueslespaultone Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 beautiful les paul, RITA suits the name perfectly.. love aged look it has from playing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GibSinCity Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 The Les Paul Custom has always (until recently) come with an Ebony board, so it would make sense that the Studio Custom would as well, while the Studio Standard came with Rosewood (as the Standard has always come with Rosewood). -Ryan I wonder what makes it "Limited" then? Here's one, but it looks a little to light to be ebony. http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/norlin-years/221433-new-norlinera-day-scottyk-1984-gibson-studio-custom.html And another. Is that ebony? http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153465 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Here's one, but it looks a little to light to be ebony. And another. Is that ebony? According to Tony Bacon's (normally reliable) book on the history of the Les Paul Ebony as a 'board material was only available on the various Studio models after 1987. As the Studio Custom was only made in '84 and '85 it's more likely to be Rosewood. It's possible there was a Limited Edition of this (already limited-run) Custom with an ebony 'board but pictures 3 and 8 of the OP look more like Rosewood to me. P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I wonder what makes it "Limited" then? Here's one, but it looks a little to light to be ebony. Hello! That's rosewood - without doubt. Cheers... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GibSinCity Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 Hello! That's rosewood - without doubt. Cheers... Bence Absolutely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Absolutely. +1 You can tell by the fact that you can detect the woods grain structure. Ebony being dense and hard doesn't really show the grain structure like rosewood will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roc Posted November 24, 2012 Author Share Posted November 24, 2012 Hi Guys, Thanks heaps for the kind words about Rita. I still dont know what makes her "Limited" yet, but in answer to the fret board..... it's definetly Rosewood. It's just really dark. I am having a ball playing her again too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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