Norlin haters

[05hummer]

Who believes that most people that talk bad about Norlins, have never even picked one up.. Or ever even gave them an honest chance for that matter..

[b-squared]

I would agree with that. Because of construction, weight, pickup choices, big headstock, etc. some people just hate them.

My '76 Custom was my first Les Paul, and I was proud to own it. I played it for years without even thinking about electronics or pickup changes--it just sounded fine.

I recently dropped some WBs and an RS kit in it, and it sounds even better. It suits the way I play today...wish that stuff was available back in the day! (Of course I kept all the original parts. )

Pics forthcoming.

BB

[dwagar]

I agree, lots have heard the myth and like to repeat it to sound like an expert.

But there are also many that have never given them an 'honest chance' too.

Way back in the day, when LPs were re-released in '68, we were expecting, and Gibson marketed them that way, the same guitar as the originals. They weren't. And that didn't make a lot of players happy. So, right out of the gate, they weren't given a chance to stand on their own.

[monroe]

Originally Posted by b-squared

I would agree with that. Because of construction, weight, pickup choices, big headstock, etc. some people just hate them.

My '76 Custom was my first Les Paul, and I was proud to own it. I played it for years without even thinking about electronics or pickup changes--it just sounded fine.

I recently dropped some WBs and an RS kit in it, and it sounds even better. It suits the way I play today...wish that stuff was available back in the day! (Of course I kept all the original parts. )

Pics forthcoming.

BB

Which WB's did you end up with in your Custom, BB?

[qwank]

i love the big headstock.

[Boleskinehouse]

You guys do know people are going to look in here just to slag on them.

[diceman]

Norlins suck.

Don't buy them.

All the more for me...

[05hummer]

Yea, who wants that ugly Volute anyway..LOL

[b-squared]

Originally Posted by monroe

Which WB's did you end up with in your Custom, BB?

I put a Habanero in the bridge, Firewater neck. RS Vintage kit, RS Guitarcaps (.022/.015).

So far I'm really digging it.

I got zebras for it, btw...looks nice.

BB

[The_Sentry]

Norlins suck hard. DON'T BUY ONE!!! Just move on....ignore this thread!!! (and while you're at it, keep the bloody prices down! )

[Boleskinehouse]

I'll have to try Habaneros in a Custom. I've only heard them in very light guitars.

[05hummer]

Originally Posted by b-squared

I put a Habanero in the bridge, Firewater neck. RS Vintage kit, RS Guitarcaps (.022/.015).

So far I'm really digging it.

I got zebras for it, btw...looks nice.

BB

That is how I have mine, in the 25/50, except I have the Firewater in the bridge and Habanaro in the neck.. Next is new pots and caps for it..

I just put new pots and caps in my white one and man what differance. I have Greg winds in that one and they really made it come alive..

[05hummer]

Originally Posted by The_Sentry

Norlins suck hard. DON'T BUY ONE!!! Just move on....ignore this thread!!! (and while you're at it, keep the bloody prices down! )

Well in that case, I guess you will just hand yours over(To me of course) for proper disposal...

[05hummer]

Bole, your avitar is very disturbing...

[rick13]

They don't know that it's "in the fingers" not the Brazilian Rosewood.
Rick

[hbucker]

I've got nothing against Norlins. I do find it funny that they reside in the land of Gibson though...

Gibson folks, more than any other group of guitar lovers, tend to dissect every last minutia of guitar construction, emphasizing that each feature will make or break someone's tone: finish, tenon, species of body wood, # of pieces in a body, electronics, etc. There was even an extensive thread on these forums recently debating the effects of color on tone... sheesh

Then here come Norlins with their sandwich bodies, maple necks, volutes and many features that offend most Gibson snobs. (Not all Gibson fans are snobs. But you know what I mean.) So for me, it's time to sit back and enjoy the degree to which people will tie themselves into intellectual knots over the fact that this Norlin guitar says "Gibson" on the headstock.

If Norlins were made by ANY other company to exact Norlon specs, nobody in the land of Gibson would do much more than laugh at them (I believe). But since they are from the Gibson company... what do we do? What do we do???

I've talked with plenty of folks who love their Norlins and have no problem believing there are many, many great Norlins out there. And as we said on another thread, MANY an awesome Rock memory has been created on a Norlin

I'm just here for the entertainment.

[dynabite]

I'd just like to add I know a dude with a real '59 burst and he likes his '70 deluxe much better , norlins must really suck !

[gmacdonnell]

Originally Posted by 05hummer

Who believes that most people that talk bad about Norlins, have never even picked one up.. Or ever even gave them an honest chance for that matter..

I agree partly. My Norlin 335 is one of the best I've ever played, lightweifght and resonant, and I've played quite a few 50's and 60's models, (it's fun having successful, guitar playing friends, huh .)

That said, Norlins are pretty inconsistent. Some are heavy with great tone, and others are heavy with no tone. Not all of them are great, (just like not all 50's Gibsons are great.)

So while a lot of guys trash them for no real reason, I do think a lot of people had their opinions formed by playing maybe 1 or 2 Norlin-era Gibbies that just didn't sound or play good.

But you can't generalize about anything, based on 1 or 2 examples.

[jco.1]

I'm in agreement with the thought that Norlin hater's opinions seem to be based on the production changes that broke tradition from the 50's models, i.e. pancake bodies, three piece tops, three piece maple necks with volutes. These changes don't at all automatically translate to a crappy guitar. Not every 50's guitar is a dream player, not every 70's model is a piece of firewood. Also, one could argue that the Q.C. in the 70's may have been better than what it is now based on comments regarding recent production coming out of Gibson.

[The_Sentry]

Originally Posted by jco.1

I'm in agreement with the thought that Norlin hater's opinions seem to be based on the production changes that broke tradition from the 50's models, i.e. pancake bodies, three piece tops, three piece maple necks with volutes. These changes don't at all automatically translate to a crappy guitar. Not every 50's guitar is a dream player, not every 70's model is a piece of firewood. Also, one could argue that the Q.C. in the 70's may have been better than what it is now based on comments regarding recent production coming out of Gibson.

Actually, I'm wondering if there was a familiar theme....a case of massive expansion followed by an economic downturn and then followed by a loss of overall demand in models because something else became vogue for guitar players to use.

I also can't help but wonder if this will occur again. Call me crazy, but with all of this madness for vintage gear and relicing and what not, I have a sneaky suspicion that archtop sales are going to start going up.....

[hbucker]

Originally Posted by The_Sentry

Actually, I'm wondering if there was a familiar theme....a case of massive expansion followed by an economic downturn and then followed by a loss of overall demand in models because something else became vogue for guitar players to use.

I also can't help but wonder if this will occur again. Call me crazy, but with all of this madness for vintage gear and relicing and what not, I have a sneaky suspicion that archtop sales are going to start going up.....

I think it is inevitable on some level. In the 80's, Kramer could do nothing wrong. They defined what was cool and everyone (relatively speaking) wanted one. I've read stories about people trading their vintage LP's straight across for a Kramer. Seems silly now, I know. But that's how big they were. BTW... USA Kramers were great guitars, but some perspective might have helped.

Odds are, we'll evolve toward a time when another look will be cooler than vintage.

Anyone care to guess what that look/sound will be? I can't guess.

[The_Sentry]

Originally Posted by hbucker

I think it is inevitable on some level. In the 80's, Kramer could do nothing wrong. They defined what was cool and everyone (relatively speaking) wanted one. I've read stories about people trading their vintage LP's straight across for a Kramer. Seems silly now, I know. But that's how big they were. BTW... USA Kramers were great guitars, but some perspective might have helped.

Odds are, we'll evolve toward a time when another look will be cooler than vintage.

Anyone care to guess what that look/sound will be? I can't guess.

Eh...I'm willing to gander you're going to see chambered Les Pauls and archtops meet at a crossroads somewhere...I see more and more of those guitars being used by top recording artists vs. previous years.

[05hummer]

Originally Posted by jco.1

I'm in agreement with the thought that Norlin hater's opinions seem to be based on the production changes that broke tradition from the 50's models, i.e. pancake bodies, three piece tops, three piece maple necks with volutes. These changes don't at all automatically translate to a crappy guitar. Not every 50's guitar is a dream player, not every 70's model is a piece of firewood. Also, one could argue that the Q.C. in the 70's may have been better than what it is now based on comments regarding recent production coming out of Gibson.

Exactly!!! I get a kick out of young kids"adults" that have opinions and never have even played an origonal Burst. All in what they read, then they are experts on the subject, makes me laugh every time... There are good and bad guitars from every era..

[Boleskinehouse]

MY guitars are the best. All the rest of them SUCK!!!!

[05hummer]

Originally Posted by Boleskinehouse

MY guitars are the best. All the rest of them SUCK!!!!

[asher67]

Originally Posted by gmacdonnell

I agree partly. My Norlin 335 is one of the best I've ever played, lightweifght and resonant, and I've played quite a few 50's and 60's models, (it's fun having successful, guitar playing friends, huh .)

That said, Norlins are pretty inconsistent. Some are heavy with great tone, and others are heavy with no tone. Not all of them are great, (just like not all 50's Gibsons are great.)

That was probably the most frequent gripe during the Norlin years. There was no consistency. I bought a J-55 acoustic, in 1975. It might as well have been made from pegboard. The top was thick, as were the linings, and an inspection with a dental mirror revealed heavy glue drips from most of the bracings. It was my first good acoustic. It was some years before I played enough others, including some very good Norlin-era acoustics, that I learned how poorly it had been made.

My brother, on the other hand, owns a beautiful ES-355 (walnut stain and gold hardware looks nice together), and it plays as well as anything else Gibson ever made, even with the volute. It dates to approximately 1978-79, which is about the same time as the L-6S. Every L-6S I ever played in any store back then had bad frets, sawdust in the finish, defective hardware, etc.. Gibson made some beauties and some junk in the Norlin years.

[zontar]

I know there are a lot of people who hear that Norlin=bad--so they keep right on repeating it.

There are some great Norlins, some bad ones--the acoustics during the Norlin period seem to be worse overall--but then again--there are exceptions. And as mentioned elsewhere on these boards--the 25/50 Anniversary Les Pauls are masterpieces--and one of them is the best guitar I've ever played.

But then there's the Corvus, the Sonex, et al.

Not ones I like.

[monroe]

Originally Posted by hbucker

I've got nothing against Norlins. I do find it funny that they reside in the land of Gibson though...

My solid wood Norlin (non-pancake) was built in Kalamazoo, the land of Gibson, most likely by some of the same cats that built the original bursts. That's more than can be said for what's being built in Memphis, Nashville, or Asia.

Is a Dodge truck not from the land of Chrysler because it was built during the years Daimler-Benz was involved?

[Cookie-boy]

I think we have to remember that the 70's were also a transitional time in manufacturing of all sorts. We made some fairly wacky and inivotive products during that decade. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and tone is in the hands of the holder. If you can play you'll get anything and everything out of a Norlin and that's a fact. Period.

[frankthomson]

as w/ a majority of hate, it's based on ignorance


bummer.