EpipenPaul Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Back in 2005 I bought what I was told at the time was a '76 Les Paul from my teacher. Being a teenager I took my guitar teacher's word for it as he was an honest guy and had himself bought it from a reputable vintage guitar shop. Recently looking at the serial number I'm not so sure that's what I have. Its a six digit serial number that is ink stamped with no "made in the USA" beneath it. I know the Les Paul Classics had a design like this, but I'm under the impression if it was made in the 90s it would be 5 digit number with a space and that they didn't move to a six digit until 2000 (since my serial # starts with a 6 and I bought it in '05 that doesn't seem to fit). I've also seen references to the models from the 70s made in the Kalamazoo plant having 6 digit "old style" serial numbers, but I'm not sure if that would have the "made in the USA" stamp or not. The pots date from '76 so I'm guessing that's where the date came from, but I realize those could have been installed after the fact. Pickups were definitely updated so they don't offer much in the way of helping out. Its a mahogany body and maple neck so I believe that does date it after '75. Any idea if a Classic from the 90s could have a six digit serial number? Or if a mid-70s model could? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 For starters a 'Classic' wouldn't have a maple neck. I'm confused as to why, if it is from the '70s, you have an ink-stamped serial number, though. Pics, good quality ones, would help an awful lot here. In fact, there's not a lot I can suggest without seeing something. Here's how; http://forum.gibson....to-post-photos/ P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 This thread looks to be trouble, another "he said, she said". Just don't say "grampa said". To the OP: If you would like to post some actual facts, photos, and specifications of the guitar, then we're here to help, otherwise.... What IS the serial number? What ARE the pot codes? Mahogany body, how many pieces, seamed where? How many pieces in the top's maple cap? Where are is/are the seam/seams? PHOTOS AND INFO PLEASE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EpipenPaul Posted March 26, 2013 Author Share Posted March 26, 2013 For starters a 'Classic' wouldn't have a maple neck. I'm confused as to why, if it is from the '70s, you have an ink-stamped serial number, though. Pics, good quality ones, would help an awful lot here. In fact, there's not a lot I can suggest without seeing something. Here's how; http://forum.gibson....to-post-photos/ P. Hi Pippy, Thanks for the reply. These are the photos I have available on my computer. The most legible of the pot #s is: 1377646 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Hi again. I can understand your confusion caused by the ink-stamped serial number. The guitar seems perfectly in keeping with what I'd expect a '76 Standard to look like. Nothing out-of-place whatsoever. No 'Alarm Bells' of any description. The neck is three-piece maple which would be correct (three- piece maple replaced three-piece mahogany sometime mid-'74). It has the closed 'b' and 'o' along with the dotted 'i'; it has a 'Nashville' style Tune-o-matic bridge and the 'Les Paul MODEL' has the correct typeface and size for this period. As I'm sure you already know, the pot code supplied dates to the 46th week of 1976, made by CTS. It's even in it's original 'Protector' case. The only thing which is slightly odd is that serial number. I'd have expected it to be either stamped into the wood or else on a decal affixed in an oval area at the rear of the headstock. That anomaly notwithstanding, I'd say there's little doubt in my mind that it is, as your teacher said, a '76 Standard. My guess - and it really is just a wild stab-in-the-dark - I've absolutely no evidence whatsoever to back up this conjecture! The Nashville plant opened in '75 and the original intention was that here would be built the acoustic instruments. Things didn't go to plan, however, and later on the decision was taken to transfer the majority of solid-body production from Kalamazoo. It might be that, initially, there were small runs of solid-bodies produced with ink-stamped serials. This would require the minimum amount of tooling. The acoustics might have used a different, non head-stamping technique so introducing ink-stamping for a solid-body run would be cost-effective. JUST A GUESS ! ! ! It certainly isn't a Classic. Many things point to this fact. For a start the two digits would be 0X where X gives the year; 06 would be 2006. Classics don't have 3-piece necks; have open 'b' and 'o'; the Les Paul MODEL is in a different typeface and spacing etc...etc... P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 ...plus the volute and the wide headstock makes it clearly a 70s product. Although, - if I am correct - the two-piece top wasn't usual those days. Cheers... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 . Good info. And it's a nice looking Norlin Standard in good shape. . B) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EpipenPaul Posted March 26, 2013 Author Share Posted March 26, 2013 Hi again. I can understand your confusion caused by the ink-stamped serial number. The guitar seems perfectly in keeping with what I'd expect a '76 Standard to look like. Nothing out-of-place whatsoever. No 'Alarm Bells' of any description. The neck is three-piece maple which would be correct (three- piece maple replaced three-piece mahogany sometime mid-'74). It has the closed 'b' and 'o' along with the dotted 'i'; it has a 'Nashville' style Tune-o-matic bridge and the 'Les Paul MODEL' has the correct typeface and size for this period. As I'm sure you already know, the pot code supplied dates to the 46th week of 1976, made by CTS. It's even in it's original 'Protector' case. The only thing which is slightly odd is that serial number. I'd have expected it to be either stamped into the wood or else on a decal affixed in an oval area at the rear of the headstock. That anomaly notwithstanding, I'd say there's little doubt in my mind that it is, as your teacher said, a '76 Standard. My guess - and it really is just a wild stab-in-the-dark - I've absolutely no evidence whatsoever to back up this conjecture! The Nashville plant opened in '75 and the original intention was that here would be built the acoustic instruments. Things didn't go to plan, however, and later on the decision was taken to transfer the majority of solid-body production from Kalamazoo. It might be that, initially, there were small runs of solid-bodies produced with ink-stamped serials. This would require the minimum amount of tooling. The acoustics might have used a different, non head-stamping technique so introducing ink-stamping for a solid-body run would be cost-effective. JUST A GUESS ! ! ! It certainly isn't a Classic. Many things point to this fact. For a start the two digits would be 0X where X gives the year; 06 would be 2006. Classics don't have 3-piece necks; have open 'b' and 'o'; the Les Paul MODEL is in a different typeface and spacing etc...etc... P. That is great to hear. Thanks so much for all your insight and help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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