Tricky Les paul ID

[jaywalker]

Any ideas on this baby:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd173/jtdale/custom73.jpg

According to Gibson it's a 64 custom...hmmm.....
Serial no: 181759 stamped into the back of the headstock.

The online dating system has proven unreliable a number of times so I thought I would give it a shot here....

[Jim Collins]

I have "The Gibson Les Paul Book", by Tony Bacon and Paul Day. According to that book, this could not be a 1964 model, since they weren't made, at that time. The two-pickup Custom, with block inlays, was introduced in 1968. Gibson discontinued this body shape in 1961, and reinstated it around 1968.

If you were to take a look at the back of the headstock, you might get a better clue as to its vintage. Does this guitar have a "volute" where the headstock meats the neck? If it has one, it would place the guitar in the 70s.

[twinrider1]

Guessing a 70's Les Paul Custom. (edit: '70-'75, based on s/n)

Volute on back?

Made In USA stamped under s/n?

Yep, post a shot of the back of the headstock. And a picture of the pots. You can date the pots like this....

1377423 =

137 is mfg. CTS
74 = year
23 = week

For a more detailed inspection, ship it to me. Although I am pretty backed up.....I can have it back to you in.....5 years. :-)


Edit: Here's an example currently in the Emporium.....http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=459135

[Bob V]

Here's some other information that helps to date the guitar. Remember that the 2-humbucker Custom would have been 1968 onward and probably was black unless it was special order or refinished. I can't tell you the significance of these details necessarily but they are all things that can give you a time window - and posting that information here will get you some answers I would think.

Remove the neck pickup and take a picture of the pickup rout - the neck tenon should be visible and you can see if it's a long tenon (68 to very early 69), a transitional length tenon, or a short tenon (69 onwards).

Remove the back control plates and see if there's evidence of original black paint (a clue if it was refinished).

Gently wipe the backs of the pots with a small wire brush (like they sell in soldering tool kits) to see if you can identify the number codes which can help for dating. Get a picture of the wiring while you're at it (people can try to identify the type of caps and other goodies inside for dating purposes).

Definitely look at the back of the neck for a volute and a "made in USA" stamp which both help date the instrument.

Is the serial number inked on or is it stamped into the wood?

Are there filled screw holes or marks on the lacquer (footprints) from some other types of tuners (Grovers were a popular replacement to the original Klusons, but some models from time to time have been shipped with them).

Take photos of the backs of the pickups. They're either PAF's (some guitars in the late 60's, for instance sold by Guitar Trader, had late 50's pickups installed) or "patent-number" pickups or later. Late sixties factory standard pickups would have a "T" on the top of the bobbin, but you don't want to take the gold covers off just to see this.

Check the tiny moulding stamp under the pickup mounting rings, something like "M69" will help date it for the experts.

Take the bridge off and take a picture of the underside (the stampings changed over the years and there might be an original manufacturer's code stamp on it as well)

Take the tailpiece off and do the same (the moulding ridge helps identify if its a lightweight model or not)

The other features visible in your photo that suggest a '68 or later Custom are the double-diamond headstock inlay, block fingerboard inlay, multi binding on top and headstock, and gold hardware which all fit for a Custom. Also the skirted amplifier type knobs were used '68-'69 and I don't know when they went back to speed knobs.

Did you send photos of the front and back of the whole guitar and closeups of the front and back of the headstock, with the serial number, to Gibson customer service?

[skydog]

BobV is spot on! Check out this 1975 that's currently on ebay; the features and sn are very close to yours. I believe that they went to a one piece mahogany (no maple cap) in 1977. My best guess is that yours is a 76-early 77. http://cgi.ebay.com/1975-Gibson-Les-Paul-Custom-RARE-FLAME-TOP-guitar-EXC_W0QQitemZ250320281671QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar ?hash=item250320281671&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 the

[jads57]

From the picture of the front it looks like a 70`s retro fitted w/ Grovers. If it has a neck volute it definetly is. otherwise it could be newer. Highly doubt that it`s a `68 -70 model because of the finish and tuners. Hope this helps.

[jaywalker]

Thanks guys, not mine though, just researching it bit because it has a bit of history behind it....

[bowie3141]

Any ideas on this baby:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd173/jtdale/custom73.jpg

According to Gibson it's a 64 custom...hmmm.....
Serial no: 181759 stamped into the back of the headstock.

The online dating system has proven unreliable a number of times so I thought I would give it a shot here....if you want to see something very scary about ID's on guitars go to this site paylessguitar.com and click on their gibson line look at the pics they have 8 digit serial numbers and made in usa stamped on back of headstock and these are all made in china:jo

[VanR]

My buddy has a LP Custom like that. Same color as that one. He says it's a 74. Weighs like 13 lbs.