‘77 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe - serial number help

[TomiV]

Hey all
Wondering if anyone could provide some help on a serial number for a 1977 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe? The serial is #06113336, from looking on the Gibson website I was using the YDDDYRRR formula, but I don’t see how that would date the guitar as a ‘77? Interested in buying it and unfortunately can’t see it in person so trying to do as much research as I can - appreciate any help! Thank you

 

[Central Scrutinizer]

I have learned a lot since joining The site.
There are some very knowledgeable folks here.
A suggestion for you would be to go to the Sticky sub heading; The Norlin Years, which is at the very top of the forum contents page.
Please post some pictures.

 

[mudface]

Is this a decal type serial number?

You can also date the guitar with the pot codes.... if the pots are original.

The serial format you are trying to use will work only on the pressed/stamped serial that was later used in mid 1977.

Early 1977 were decals like the serials prior to ‘77. Which are worthless for dating.

 

[TomiV]

Thanks - it is a decal type serial, the pic of the pots is not the greatest but it looks like it could be 137764. Thanks all for the help!

 

[mudface]

The code is indicating a ‘76 which narrows it down to your time period. It wouldn’t be uncommon for ‘76 pots in a ‘77.

137 is the manufacture code CTS

76 is the year

4? Is the week of the year

If it was 04 it would be the 4th week.

 

[TomiV]

Here are some pictures - a bit hard to see the numbers on the pots but that’s all I have at the moment. It originally had mini humbuckers as most deluxe’s did but as you can see has been changed.

 

[mudface]

Looks like a mess in there,... but the pots seem original. The messy soldering has obscured a number or two but most are visible.

 

[TomiV]

Hey everyone - thought I would post an update if anyone was interested.
I ended up buying the '77 deluxe a little while ago and for getting a guitar site unseen, was very happy with it. There were a few things I wanted address and it has turned out amazing!
Had a refret done and went to medium jumbo's to try match the feel of my les paul custom, but with jescar evo gold fret wire
Installed some Premium clone Wizz pickups
Callaham ABR-1 bridge and tailpiece
Tone Man '59 wiring harness
It feels and sounds fantastic!
Cheers

 

[Central Scrutinizer]

Glad it all worked out for you. Deluxes are great guitars.
Congratulations.

 

[Deftone]

Hey everyone - thought I would post an update if anyone was interested.
I ended up buying the '77 deluxe a little while ago and for getting a guitar site unseen, was very happy with it. There were a few things I wanted address and it has turned out amazing!
Had a refret done and went to medium jumbo's to try match the feel of my les paul custom, but with jescar evo gold fret wire
Installed some Premium clone Wizz pickups
Callaham ABR-1 bridge and tailpiece
Tone Man '59 wiring harness
It feels and sounds fantastic!
Cheers

Love it. Congrats!

 

[Cjsinla]

I don’t know. Can you still call them a Deluxe without the mini humbuckers?

 

[TomiV]

I don’t know. Can you still call them a Deluxe without the mini humbuckers?

Well it was originally produced as a deluxe - and I have read that deluxes were produced with full sized humbuckers from the factory and still labeled as a deluxe

But you could label it as you like if it makes you feel better…

 

[Cjsinla]

Well it was originally produced as a deluxe - and I have read that deluxes were produced with full sized humbuckers from the factory and still labeled as a deluxe

But you could label it as you like if it makes you feel better…

I’m just messing with you because I like the sound of the mini-hums, LP’s with regular pups are a dime a dozen. It seems a shame that so many Deluxes were gutted. But, I wouldn’t believe that Gibson made any Deluxes with full size humbuckers unless @HardCore Troubadour told me so.

 

[msalama]

Deluxes with full size humbuckers

Some were factory routed for, and fitted with, full size HBs, although those are kind of rare AFAIK.

 

[HardCore Troubadour]

There are a few out there with Deluxe on the TRC, even the Decal, that were routed at the factory for full size HB's.

Does anyone know what the only difference in a Deluxe and a Standard is from this time period?

The pick ups......same guitar, otherwise.

I do appreciate the vote of confidence @Cjsinla !!

 

[mudface]

I’m just messing with you because I like the sound of the mini-hums, LP’s with regular pups are a dime a dozen. It seems a shame that so many Deluxes were gutted. But, I wouldn’t believe that Gibson made any Deluxes with full size humbuckers unless @HardCore Troubadour told me so.

There are a few out there with Deluxe on the TRC, even the Decal, that were routed at the factory for full size HB's.

Does anyone know what the only difference in a Deluxe and a Standard is from this time period?

The pick ups......same guitar, otherwise.

I do appreciate the vote of confidence @Cjsinla !!

Yup.... some Deluxes were indeed factory routed for humbuckers. Some were dealer requested.... some were sent back to Gibson to be fitted with humbuckers by dealer request.... most of these are prior to the Standard being produced as a regular production model.

Like Hardcore stated..... there was no difference between a Standard or Deluxe..... and for the most part a Custom.... just a little more bling and an ebony fretboard..... and even less with the Pro,... as it had an ebony board.