Thank you everyone. Another quick question if I may- the guitar has a gold jack plate, although there is also a black plastic one in the case pocket. Which one is the original part?
Many thanks for your contributions everyone. Much appreciated. As promised, here's some more pics.
First, in reply to @XpensiveWino 's question, yes the truss rod still adjusts. However, there must be some backbow going on as loosening it completely only introduces about 0.010 of relief. The...
Many thanks for the responses fellas. Much appreciated. Here are the initial bunch of pics. The lacquer cracks that you can see are all over the guitar, all areas of the headstock, neck and body.
Firstly, front and back of headstock.
Next, a close up of what would be the serial number...
Picked up this '74 Custom during a recent visit to the US. It took a slow boat back, so I've only just got it in my hands today.
It belonged to a friend who got burned on an Ebay deal. Its had a headstock break- which was mentioned in the listing- but I suspect that it has also had a full refin...
That's not dirt though, that is the polishing compound that the material is soaked in.
I've tried Gorgomyte and I don't like it. It leaves a residue that seems to oxidize after a couple of days leaving a dull finish on frets.
If you want specific Les Paul advice, you will probably get more responses by scrubbing this thread and posting in the LP section.
However, my advice would be to look at LP Standards from the late 90's to early 00's. Solid, no nonsense quality Les Pauls with standard swiss cheese weight relief...
+1 for Gary Brawer. They have done great work for me on a couple of occasions (including the first one at short notice and with a quick turnaround). The last time I was in there, a stack of Metallica's guitars had come in for work. That is a pretty serious endorsement.