Norlin vs Todays Gibsons

[1959lespaul]

Im really interested in these Norlin les pauls and was wondering, in general, how does the quality of a norlin les paul compare to that of a brand new les paul

[Satch0922]

Depends on the Norlin and depends on the new Gibson. In other words, there is no answer to your question.

[1959lespaul]

Originally Posted by Satch0922

Depends on the Norlin and depends on the new Gibson. In other words, there is no answer to your question.

not really individually, but in the general concensus of every body else

[1959lespaul]

also generally are norlins any good?

[Xavier_32]

Go to the Norlin sub forum. You're opening a can of worms by making this post, there's a huge rift with LP players. One side of LP players love Norlins (myself included,) the other side dn't like any LPs that aren't exactly like '59s, with Norlins being considered the worst since they're so completely different.

If you want to know the differences in construction, once again, check the Norlin sub forum. http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/norlin-years/

[Satch0922]

Originally Posted by 1959lespaul

also generally are norlins any good?

1974 Norlin era Les Paul vs 2004 Historic Les Paul...whoa ! - The Gear Page

[KenG]

It's funny how people are romanticizing over early 70's LPs now but back in the day, Gibson's supposedly poor quality output had people looking to Japanese companies like Tokai for good quality knockoffs. So whatever floats your boat.
I recently watched an epsisode of "Pawn Stars" and a guitarist who toured throughout the 70's 80's brought in a LP he thought was a 1960. The guitar in fact turned out to be a 73 or 74 and the body was a pancake. The lacquer had split all the way around the body at the joint and there was quite a severe amount of buckle rash. Appraised value was almost $3K

[kreature]

Originally Posted by Xavier_32

One side of LP players love Norlins (myself included,) the other side dn't like any LPs that aren't exactly like '59s, with Norlins being considered the worst since they're so completely different.

But 2008 Standards are also so very different, no?

OP: I guess it's really a question of preference and style. I don't think Gibson ever made any REAL CHEAP feeling/looking/playing/sounding Standards. I think.

It's another can or worms whether some of these standards have been and are a tad over priced for what they are, but maybe it's safer not to go there.

[Grey]

Originally Posted by KenG

Appraised value was almost $3K

The value is always inflated on those TV shows, they're not trying to make a documentary but rather a drama program.

[Dragoro]

Yeah I saw that episode, the guy that brought it in looked like he was heart broken

[Boleskinehouse]

None of the crap on Pawn Stars is real. Both Les Pauls featured on that show were borrowed from a music store, also in Vegas, and the guy who brought in that Custom, as well as the guy who identified and appraised it, are employees of that store.

Read about it here. I'm watching Pawn Stars...

Sorry if that ruins anyone's day.

[redcoats1976]

a friend has a 73 custom.its not light but it is a fine guitar.

[marantz1300]

I've had Standards,Classics and Customs from the 90s and 2000s.My 71 is as well made as any of them.It feels very solid and feels nicer then any other Gibson I've had.Very nice to play.New Gibsons are great, they just need a few years of playing in.

[Strikerfox]

Originally Posted by KenG

It's funny how people are romanticizing over early 70's LPs now but back in the day, Gibson's supposedly poor quality output had people looking to Japanese companies like Tokai for good quality knockoffs. So whatever floats your boat.
I recently watched an epsisode of "Pawn Stars" and a guitarist who toured throughout the 70's 80's brought in a LP he thought was a 1960. The guitar in fact turned out to be a 73 or 74 and the body was a pancake. The lacquer had split all the way around the body at the joint and there was quite a severe amount of buckle rash. Appraised value was almost $3K

Thats because if you dont hype them now, they wont be expensive later on... which people now are trying to do so that it can be a good investment and get them more money down the line.

Old wood doesnt always equal great guitar.

[jhdc]

I love norlins. My understanding is that there are some real norlin dogs out there, but I've played just as many guitars of a more recent vintage that didn't have the feel as norlins. I have a 76 deluxe, a 76 SG, a 77 standard, and a 79 the paul - and they are all pretty fantastic. why do I like them?
1. they tend to be pretty heavy, but very resonant -they sound big.
2. i like the standard neck profile - not super thin, not too chunky, just right
3. i like the maple neck, it just feels good.
4. i'm a big fan of both t-tops and minis.
5. i like the low, wide frets (which may have something to do with the age of the guitars.

so yeah, i'll take a norlin any day.

[Satch0922]

Norlins are better guitars than 99.9% of us on this forum are capable of utilizing.

BUT...if it makes people feel like they have some secret knowledge then go ahead and run down Norlins. BTW, Norlins are not just 70's Les Pauls.

I had an 02 Classic and an 08 Robot that were both dogs. Guess that means all Gibson guitars made since the 90's are junk? See the failed logic?

Most people here that dog Norlins never even played one much less owned one.

So, as I stated in my first reply, depends on the Norlin and depends on the new Gibson. In other words, there is no answer to your question.

[Skintaster]

I've never personally owned a 1970's LP, but I've had the pleasure of playing a few, and they played and sounded great to me.

What I don't understand about the guys that think Norlins are crap is the fact that a lot of the music those people love was probably recorded with Norlin era Gibsons. I mean sure, a few high profile rock stars (Page, Clapton, Gibbons, ect) were famous for playing 50's era "grail" LPs, but I bet a lot of the other rockers of the time were playing new (At the time) Gibsons. My point is that a lot of classic rock was probably performed and recorded with Norlins.

[Boleskinehouse]

There is a Norlin forum here... Some of the best information I've ever seen on the era is in there as well as comparison threads...

[EtriX]

I'd rather get a Deluxe than a modern one, but that is a personal preference.
But the important thing is that you always should try it out before you buy it.

[topcat0399]

funny how alot of the people bashing norlins have guitars that look like hanger queens.

my gaddamn norlin aint no hanger queen, shes an instrument that works for a livin non-stop entertaining.

I wouldn't trade her for the most beauteous hanger queen in here.

[KenG]

I don't think all Norlins are crap just that under their guidance the LP definitely had some non-traditional things tried on it that many also don't appreciate. Pancake (multi-piece) bodies, three piece maple necks, & volute for example.

[marantz1300]

What's bad about the volute?

[Gemm]

Originally Posted by marantz1300

What's bad about the volute?

Nothing, as far as I'm concerned.

[tmb1958]

i love every one of my stinkin' lousy norlin pieces of crap.

some of the best guitars i have ever owned or played.

[LPCustom72]

This is hard to express but here goes.....there is a difference - obviously - between LPs from different eras. But the differences are not so great when you then compare them to other guitars. So Norlin era and Vintage era LPs will sound different compared to each other but not so different if your reference point is a Tele.

Thus the great debate about different era LPs is in some regards about incremental differences. For example, people wail about the Norlin pancake bodies. Why does it not matter that some Vintage Fender bodies are made from 2 and 3 pieces of wood? What's the difference??? Does the volute or the pancake body or this or that make a huge difference or an incremental difference?? Sometimes it seems to and other times its hard to tell.

I once had a Norlin (LPCustom72 -- hence my moniker). It had endles sustain. The T-Tops were super hot. I could do the Santana thing all day long. I later wanted a less "hot" guitar. Sold it and after 10 years am back with an LP, PAF style pickups and audio taper pots.

The 72 Custom was a great guitar for what it was - a 70s super hot lead monster. While not a Vintage, it clearly had much more in common with a Vintage than a Tele. Which returns us to the first question - in the context of all types of solid bodies, how different are LPs from one another really???

[planks]

Originally Posted by Satch0922

Depends on the Norlin and depends on the new Gibson. In other words, there is no answer to your question.

This.

[topcat0399]

Originally Posted by tmb1958

i love every one of my stinkin' lousy norlin pieces of crap.

some of the best guitars i have ever owned or played.

mmm mmm mmm!

[shtdaprdtr]

Originally Posted by KenG

It's funny how people are romanticizing over early 70's LPs now but back in the day, Gibson's supposedly poor quality output had people looking to Japanese companies like Tokai for good quality knockoffs. So whatever floats your boat.
I recently watched an epsisode of "Pawn Stars" and a guitarist who toured throughout the 70's 80's brought in a LP he thought was a 1960. The guitar in fact turned out to be a 73 or 74 and the body was a pancake. The lacquer had split all the way around the body at the joint and there was quite a severe amount of buckle rash. Appraised value was almost $3K

They turned to Tokai cause they were all pissed that their Norlins looked nothing like Pages and Claptons guitars. Bets part is it made a great guitar affordable...When I gig I normally do it with my Norlins as they cut and get heard in a live situation.

[TU BE]

Originally Posted by Boleskinehouse

None of the crap on Pawn Stars is real. Both Les Pauls featured on that show were borrowed from a music store, also in Vegas, and the guy who brought in that Custom, as well as the guy who identified and appraised it, are employees of that store.

Read about it here. I'm watching Pawn Stars...

Sorry if that ruins anyone's day.

WAT!?!?!? A reality show that isn't real? I call bullshit.










BTW-I LOVE my '74 20th anny LPC.

[duane v]

It seems in every era of Gibson, there are some that have nothing better to do but bitch about something

My guitar buying experience is very personal... I'll like what I like, and I'll play what I play.... I've learned in my two years of being on guitar forums, is only listen to what your hands and ears tell you....