Norlin Inconsistencies

BoxyBrown22 · 11-03-2009, 04:51 PM

I've got 2 Norlin Deluxes and I don't know if anyone else has the same thing, but both are pretty different guitars. I don't know when Gibson started using CNC machines, but I could imagine things like that came into use during the 70s.

Anyways, here's the stuff on my 2 that I've noticed. I'd like to see others as well!

Other than general aging I see a few things different between the 2 guitars, the first is my 73' Gold Top and the second my 74' CSB. The 73's headstock has more flare and is larger, the 'Les Paul' signature is closer to the top of the headstock, and the truss rod cover is thinner (I couldn't get a comparison picture)

This is one that really got me, my 74' has a tiny volute. I used to wonder why people complained about it, then I got my 73' and realized how big it could be. The 73's is much larger compared to the 74's.

I love both of these guitars, the Gold Top is my favorite though; it sounds, and plays better, plus it weighs less than my strats.

Anyone else noticed differences in there Norlin era Gibson's? I know differences are going to exist at any time, but stuff like the volute and headstock I don't think would happen today, not with 1 year difference and no major model changes.

Boleskinehouse · 11-03-2009, 06:02 PM

Oh goodness yes I've noticed.

Shots of my '77 and '81 Custom headstocks..

'77..

'81..

And a '76 Deluxe just for fun..

BoxyBrown22 · 11-03-2009, 06:26 PM

are the volute's different on them??? And is it normal for a 77' to not have a dot over the 'i'?

Boleskinehouse · 11-03-2009, 06:30 PM

I've never really paid attention to the volutes... There is a chance of having no i dot all through the '70s and early '80s. Some had a dot and some didn't.

blakem · 11-04-2009, 02:58 PM

I like how the Dot on the top one "73" is a little off, doesn't quite line up.

BoxyBrown22 · 11-04-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blakem

I like how the Dot on the top one "73" is a little off, doesn't quite line up.

Sometimes I think it should have been a 2nd, I love it though, it's the best playing and sounding guitar I own or have played!

blakem · 11-05-2009, 05:43 PM

i love it.. its cool and a great part of Gibson History.

John Vasco · 11-09-2009, 05:03 PM

Boxy,
Take a look at how the tuners line up on both of yours.

BoxyBrown22 · 11-09-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Vasco

Boxy,
Take a look at how the tuners line up on both of yours.

I don't see anything...

They have different tuners, the top one has Tone-Pros tuners and the bottom one has kluson RI tuners...

11-03-2009, 04:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
BoxyBrown22 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 215 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Norlin Inconsistencies I've got 2 Norlin Deluxes and I don't know if anyone else has the same thing, but both are pretty different guitars. I don't know when Gibson started using CNC machines, but I could imagine things like that came into use during the 70s. Anyways, here's the stuff on my 2 that I've noticed. I'd like to see others as well! Other than general aging I see a few things different between the 2 guitars, the first is my 73' Gold Top and the second my 74' CSB. The 73's headstock has more flare and is larger, the 'Les Paul' signature is closer to the top of the headstock, and the truss rod cover is thinner (I couldn't get a comparison picture) This is one that really got me, my 74' has a tiny volute. I used to wonder why people complained about it, then I got my 73' and realized how big it could be. The 73's is much larger compared to the 74's. I love both of these guitars, the Gold Top is my favorite though; it sounds, and plays better, plus it weighs less than my strats. Anyone else noticed differences in there Norlin era Gibson's? I know differences are going to exist at any time, but stuff like the volute and headstock I don't think would happen today, not with 1 year difference and no major model changes.

11-03-2009, 06:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
Boleskinehouse V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Next to Raleighwood Posts: 17,799 Thanks: 63 Thanked 506 Times in 90 Posts	Re: Norlin Inconsistencies Oh goodness yes I've noticed. Shots of my '77 and '81 Custom headstocks.. '77.. '81.. And a '76 Deluxe just for fun.. __________________

11-03-2009, 06:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
BoxyBrown22 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 215 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Norlin Inconsistencies are the volute's different on them??? And is it normal for a 77' to not have a dot over the 'i'?

11-03-2009, 06:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Boleskinehouse V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Next to Raleighwood Posts: 17,799 Thanks: 63 Thanked 506 Times in 90 Posts	Re: Norlin Inconsistencies I've never really paid attention to the volutes... There is a chance of having no i dot all through the '70s and early '80s. Some had a dot and some didn't. __________________

11-04-2009, 02:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
blakem Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 3,899 Thanks: 154 Thanked 227 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Norlin Inconsistencies I like how the Dot on the top one "73" is a little off, doesn't quite line up. __________________ because I love playing guitar, thats why.....

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11-05-2009, 05:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
blakem Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 3,899 Thanks: 154 Thanked 227 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Norlin Inconsistencies i love it.. its cool and a great part of Gibson History. __________________ because I love playing guitar, thats why.....

11-09-2009, 05:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
John Vasco V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Norwich, originally Liverpool, England Posts: 2,680 Thanks: 6 Thanked 35 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Norlin Inconsistencies Boxy, Take a look at how the tuners line up on both of yours. __________________ http://www.soundclick.com/vasco http://splinterliverpool.bravehost.com/ Live recording of Splinter at The Cavern, November 2006: http://www.esnips.com/web/JohnVasco27sOtherStuff/ Live clip of Splinter at The Cavern, November 2006: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxOCksQUKbI Bring a song and a smile for the banjo, better get while the gettin's good, Hitch a ride to the end of the highway where the neons turn to wood.

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