Gibson "The Paul"

[travisvwright]

Tell me something about it. One just showed up in a local pawn shop and I'd never even heard of it. Where better to get info on it than here? How LPish is it? What are they worth? (This on is pretty beat up and ugl...uh...has beautiful deep relicing, yeah that's the ticket.)

[Pax]

I just sold mine in the emporium. I was going to send you the post, but I deleted it. Anyway, they were produced from '78-'81. Solid walnut body, ebony fretboard, grover tuners, dirty fingers pups, decal logo. That’s how the ’78-’79 came stock. Later versions changed up a little and introduced colors. You’d have to check for original parts on the one you’re looking at if that matters to you. They were intended as quality, entry-level LPs. That’s exactly why I got mine. I was in high school, needed a good guitar and that was what we could afford. All in all, it’s a solid workhorse guitar and some folks really covet the DF pups (others hate them – whatever). They’re valued at $800 - $1200 depending on condition. Mine sold for $750 and was in decent shape.

[thatguitarkid]

The T-Top pickups are quite good from what I've played, and the ebony fretboard has a really good feel to it. If it's The Paul version one, it's entirely Walnut, as pax said, but the later versions have Mahogany bodies.

I'd pick that up, if I were you.

[travisvwright]

Wait Dirty Fingers vs. T-Top what pickup did this come with?

[thewalkingboss]

If it's a '78 or '79, pick it up. Don't even think twice. You can tell easily because it will be made of walnut with a clear finish. The '80 on ones are mahogany and I believe they say "firebrand" on them. These are not as good. Mine had some DiMarzio pickups in it and some botched wiring, push/pull pots, an aftermarket tremolo tailpiece, and some other evilness. I bought new Gibson pots, a set of SD Antiquities, Jensen tone caps, and stock LP tailpiece. It's a great guitar now. Mine is also "highly relic'd", the result of having been someone's workhorse for 10 years before I bought it, and then my workhorse for about the next 10 until I could afford some pricier stuff.

['70 RS]

Wait Dirty Fingers vs. T-Top what pickup did this come with?


The ones I've played had Dirty Fingers....and they were badass R&R machines.
Nothing subtle about them, plug into a Marshall or tweed fender and watch out.

[nmiller]

They're well-built guitars that can be had for cheap. That said, they're really not LPish at all - much brighter due to the solid walnut.

[Blues Power]

I Bought mine new in Dec of 1980. Paid $375 with the chain saw case. I owrked a lot of OT in them days ot pay for it lol.
Absolutly the best and most comfortable geetar I ever played, and light to. Kalamazoo built to boot
I changed out the T Tops in 82 and wish I hadnt and thyere long long gone to who knows where. she stays in tune for ions and the tone is big, clear and fat. The chrome is still shiney unlike my 02 which is dulled already

The neck is fast and still have the original un touched frets. you can see how flat theyve become but it still plays great

the only mod youll need is to change out the stock 100K vol pots for a pair of 300 and she'll be real sweet.
today i see them going for about $800-1000 and def worth it imo

EDIT: oh yeah the body i think is 7 peice and the neck 5 so its not like a real solid body guitar. that bothers some people but i guess thats why they cost what they cost back in the day.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk167/PowerTrio/Dominc9-08006.jpg

[27sauce]

Not to sound cliche, but, they make great slide guitars. the walnut just has that EQ thing going on, like a big lap steel.

[Crimson Queen]

My first guitar! I had the Walnut model. Basic no-frills rock guitar is how I saw it described in store catalog (Rainbow guitars in Buffalo I think). That description is about right. The pickups did not have much character. Still, I wish I still had it.

[Troy T. Blues]

I had a '78 and the pups were T-Tops. I think the Dirty Figers came after that and especially with the "Firebrand" Gibsons. Anyways, it sounded fantastic and it played great too. I gave it up to fund for something else, but I really liked that guitar.

If you go to my MY Space site and click on "One Room Country Shack", that's the guitar I was using through my '66 Super Reverb. Most of it is clean, but if you hear OD....it was a pedal that I was trying out and I did not keep it. This was only a rehearsal take.

[Gibson 1964]

Have an '81 firebrand deluxe (made on the same day I was born.) With dirty fingers and a mahogany body. Mine has insanely low action and plays wonderfully, but in all honesty, Sounds a bit more like an extraordinarily fat sounding SG than an LP.

Lets just say mine breathes fire and is about as subtle as a sledgehammer to the head.

[Bluedawg]

Cool guitars ... a few different flavors over their life span .... I liked them all .. good bang for the buck


:banana

[ajchance]

I had an '81 (I think) - all mahogony. Also picked it up from a pawnshop. It was a dog. Couldn't get it setup worth a darn and it had a bland, muddy tone. Got rid of it as fast as I could. My contrasting $.02

[Bluedawg]

I had an '81 (I think) - all mahogony. Also picked it up from a pawnshop. It was a dog. Couldn't get it setup worth a darn and it had a bland, muddy tone. Got rid of it as fast as I could. My contrasting $.02


The occasional lemon is not surprising ... the factory spit those out at warp speed, I'm sure.


:bonk

[yucatown]

Studio-ish looking. I had the chance of picking one up for cheap and didn't. Wish I had, though. Definitely a different tonal flavor.

[SMark]

I had an early walnut version a few years ago that a previous owner had put Duncan 59s in and it played and sounded great. I should have kept it.

[david eaton]

I've got an SG firebrand that I bought new in 1980...was my main guitar for a long time. Now retired, though it does sit out on a stand.

[TaylorPlayer]

Cool thread, I came in today looking for opinions on "The Paul" as well. I just traded a 1967 Gibson LG0 (solid mahogany acoustic) for a 1979 Gibson "The Paul" a couple days ago and after cleaning it up and throwing on a set of D'Adderio 12's with a wound G string on her, I think I am in love!

Mine has T tops even though the guy who I got it from thought they were Dirty fingers. It only has 6 screws exposed on each instead of 12 like Dirty Fingers. I am OK with that as I like T Tops better anyway. They sound really vintage and the sustain in this guitar is to die for! I also love the location of the pickup selector switch. It doesn't get in my way like normal Les Pauls do. Here are a few photos of my new The Paul. It was built in June 1979, just a few days after I graduated High School... Wish I had it back then, but I am loving it now!!!

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/lofapco/ThePaulWP333.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/lofapco/ThePaulClose2.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/lofapco/ThePaulFloorWP.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/lofapco/ThePaulClsRear.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/lofapco/ThePaulFullBack.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/lofapco/100_0907.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/lofapco/100_0913.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/lofapco/100_0915.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/lofapco/ThePaulNeckPickupDate.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/lofapco/ThePaulBridgePickupdate.jpg

[Tone_Terrific]

I had an '81 (I think) - all mahogony. Also picked it up from a pawnshop. It was a dog. Couldn't get it setup worth a darn and it had a bland, muddy tone. Got rid of it as fast as I could. My contrasting $.02

I haven't encountered one in a while and had rejected them on this basis, myself, plus the cheapish feel vs a LP. So, try b4 U buy....another YMMV.

[candid_x]

It's my fav HB I've owned. I didn't know the board was ebony though? Thought mine was a dark rosewood. Not too bright nor dark sounding. I don't think it had a finish, just a natural buffing, using the natural black walnut oil. The lead player in a band I was managing in the early 80's also had one, played through a 50 watt plexi half stack - sounded great.

[TaylorPlayer]

It's my fav HB I've owned. I didn't know the board was ebony though? Thought mine was a dark rosewood. Not too bright nor dark sounding. I don't think it had a finish, just a natural buffing, using the natural black walnut oil. The lead player in a band I was managing in the early 80's also had one, played through a 50 watt plexi half stack - sounded great.

Definatly Ebony on mine.... Same as my 1993 Taylor 612C and my old 1969 Framus 12 string. Much different than the rosewood boards I own on my other guitars. I tend to prefer Ebony as it takes little to no maintenance and is a much harder wood that is more similar to Brazilian Rosewood than East Indian Rosewood which is more common today.

[candid_x]

I just remember it being a great value, new. Maybe ascetically it wasn't a 'real' LP, but I was surprised at the weight, balance, playability and warm sound. Loved the pickups. Funny cuz I typically don't like ebony boards. It was considered a budget guitar by Gib standards, so I'm all the more surprised they used ebony. Where they really saved was in the finish, or non-finish. Mine got shiny at the forearm from use. There was nothing I didn't like about it, but gravitated to single coils.

Taylor, the two samples I know of were both considerably darker walnut.

[TaylorPlayer]

I just remember it being a great value, new. Maybe ascetically it wasn't a 'real' LP, but I was surprised at the weight, balance, playability and warm sound. Loved the pickups. Funny cuz I typically don't like ebony boards. It was considered a budget guitar by Gib standards, so I'm all the more surprised they used ebony. Where they really saved was in the finish, or non-finish. Mine got shiny at the forearm from use. There was nothing I didn't like about it, but gravitated to single coils.

Taylor, the two samples I know of were both considerably darker walnut.

Mine is pretty dark in person, but I used my Iphone for the photos since my "Good" camera went on the fritz while I was cleaning up and shooting "The Paul". It may have affected the color of the photos somewhat.

I would love to see more photos of these babies though.. SHOW US YOUR "The Paul's"........ :JAM

[EdMan57]

I picked up a clean '79 The Paul for $400 back in '95.The Dirty Fingers had lots of output but sounded rather muddy and lacked detail through my MKIIC+.I installed a set of Duncan '59's,which made it sound much more "authentic",at least to my ears.The neck was quite fast and it gave up great sustain,but it sounded more like my friend's Explorer than any "real" Les Paul that I have owned or played.Overall,I found it to be a pretty cool Gibson on the cheap.Anyways,I sold it after a couple of years for $500.



Ed

[TaylorPlayer]

I Bought mine new in Dec of 1980. Paid $375 with the chain saw case. I owrked a lot of OT in them days ot pay for it lol.
Absolutly the best and most comfortable geetar I ever played, and light to. Kalamazoo built to boot
I changed out the T Tops in 82 and wish I hadnt and thyere long long gone to who knows where. she stays in tune for ions and the tone is big, clear and fat. The chrome is still shiney unlike my 02 which is dulled already

The neck is fast and still have the original un touched frets. you can see how flat theyve become but it still plays great

the only mod youll need is to change out the stock 100K vol pots for a pair of 300 and she'll be real sweet.
today i see them going for about $800-1000 and def worth it imo

EDIT: oh yeah the body i think is 7 peice and the neck 5 so its not like a real solid body guitar. that bothers some people but i guess thats why they cost what they cost back in the day.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk167/PowerTrio/Dominc9-08006.jpg

You mentioned yours was Kalamazoo built??? The guitar dater project thing that I used (I know it is not always right) said mine was built in Nashville, TN. Were they still building them in Kalamazoo in 1979 or is it Nashville? Mine is dated June of 1979.

[hubberjub]

I've never owned one but have always loved the looks of them. Simple guitars appeal to me. I have owned a Gibson Les Paul Studio since 1993 and I have always disliked the fact that it had trapezoid inlays. Putting nice inlays on a Les Paul with no binding is akin to putting rims on a Honda Civic. "The Paul" has a great workhorse look to it.

[mill1341]

Growing up, my Dad had an '81 with a mahogany body and T-Tops (he actually still has it). It was super comfortable to play - great neck, decent body contours, and light weight. I think it sounded pretty nice too, but closer to an SG than an LP.

[MisterTV]

TaylorPlayer, I recognize that wooden bench from your Craigslist ads! I remember seeing your LGO posting; congrats on picking up The Paul.

I also got a '79 Walnut model through CL, but mine was in much worse shape that yours. I ended up replacing the bridge, the nut, the input jack,the caps and the pots. I'm sure I've sunk way more money into it than I can ever expect to get out, but it's a serious player's guitar now. Love the neck profile and the ebony fretboard.

I'll post some pics when I get a chance...

[TaylorPlayer]

TaylorPlayer, I recognize that wooden bench from your Craigslist ads! I remember seeing your LGO posting; congrats on picking up The Paul.

I also got a '79 Walnut model through CL, but mine was in much worse shape that yours. I ended up replacing the bridge, the nut, the input jack,the caps and the pots. I'm sure I've sunk way more money into it than I can ever expect to get out, but it's a serious player's guitar now. Love the neck profile and the ebony fretboard.

I'll post some pics when I get a chance...

LOL!!! Yep, that is me... The 67 LG0 was a fun guitar but I preferred my 1964 LG1 which has a wider neck than the LG0 plus it has a bone saddle and rosewood bridge instead of the Gibson rosewood "adjustable" bridge. I think value wise we have to be very close and I am loving the tone out of "The Paul". The T tops sound great. I want to pull them to look at the back next string change but have never done that before and don't want to mess anything up. Any suggestions on the best way to check the back side of my pups without screwing anything up? (Excuse my ignorance, but I have played primarily acoustic guitars for the last 30 years. Electronics are still pretty new to me.... but I am loving the learning curve! :bonk)

[MisterTV]

Any suggestions on the best way to check the back side of my pups without screwing anything up?

Remove the four corner screws from the pickup ring (not the middle screws that adjust the pickup height; you can leave those alone).

Carefully remove the pickup (still attached to the mounting ring) from the guitar. Be mindful of the wire that's routed down to the control cavity -- you don't want to jerk anything and break the solder connections.

Your t-tops will have the month, date, and year of manufacture printed on the bottom. They're probably a little "younger" than the guitar itself. The serial # on the body of my Paul is dated late '78, while the pickups are early '79.

[TaylorPlayer]

Remove the four corner screws from the pickup ring (not the middle screws that adjust the pickup height; you can leave those alone).

Carefully remove the pickup (still attached to the mounting ring) from the guitar. Be mindful of the wire that's routed down to the control cavity -- you don't want to jerk anything and break the solder connections.

Your t-tops will have the month, date, and year of manufacture printed on the bottom. They're probably a little "younger" than the guitar itself. The serial # on the body of my Paul is dated late '78, while the pickups are early '79.

Thanks for the quick lesson... me being me, I have no patience to wait until the next string change since I just put these on the other day. I loosened the strings a bit, threw a capo on the 5th fret and loosed enough more to get the stop tail off the posts so I could get at the screws. I pulled both pickups as you suggested and found my Neck pickup was dated 6/8/79 and the bridge was 5/21/79. That is pretty much just before the guitars serial # build date of 6/19/1979. I am just relieved that they have the proper dates! Woo Hoo.......

Here is the Neck Pickup


http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/lofapco/ThePaulNeckPickupDate.jpg

And Here is the Bridge Pup.....

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/lofapco/ThePaulBridgePickupdate.jpg