1985 LP Custom vs Modern Customs

[CryptRocket]

So after many years of playing Epiphone LPs, I'm finally ready to step up to a Gibson. I've settled on wanting a Custom, both for sound and feel, and spent a lot of time shopping around. I've found an '85 Custom in Gunmetal Gray (a rare finish, but I really like it) that I'm digging. The guitar is all original, minus a professional re-fret job. The pups are Lawrence Originals. In great shape with some normal wear.

My question, however, is this: I have about $2,500 or so to spend. And more modern Customs (say 2004-2010) go for about the same price (give or take) as the '85. What do you guys think the pros and cons would be, comparing this '85 late-Norlin era model to say a 2000's Custom? I like the tone and feel of both, but maybe there's something I'm missing here.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[cristi tanasescu]

norlin

 

[paco1976]

Get the 85

 

[JM2112]

Nevermind the year or any labels, IMHO. Find one that plays and sounds best to you in your budget range and don't mind the small things.

 

[JMB1984]

Nevermind the year or any labels, IMHO. Find one that plays and sounds best to you in your budget range and don't mind the small things.

Follow this advice^^^

There are dogs among winners in every Gibson year and era. You really have to play and compare to decide guitar which is the best.

 

[CryptRocket]

Thanks for the advice, all. I'm definitely leaning toward the 85. But I also found a 79 standard at a shop today, and it was kind of great. Awesome condition, plays great, the slim neck feels like butter.

But it's $2,500, with a SECOND stamp. I realize those 79s are regularly going for around that price, but should the Second knock it down a notch? Or does it even matter anymore?

 

[Salamae]

From what I've seen the "second" doesn't really mean much after all these years at least in terms of what you're getting. But that doesn't mean you can't argue for a few hundred off for that reason - by all means, use that to your advantage if you're serious about getting it.

 

[geezberry]

the 85' while may be better and good chances it is, they are not commanding $2500 , especially with refrets. I would not offer more than $2k and even at that it would have to be something special.

 

[Fracture]

I've found an '85 Custom in Gunmetal Gray (a rare finish, but I really like it) that I'm digging. The guitar is all original, minus a professional re-fret job. The pups are Lawrence Originals. In great shape with some normal wear.



Thanks for any advice!

We really need a pic of this.

It's our primary sensory input.

 

[1981 LPC]

All things being equal, get the '85 Custom. The fact that it has been re-fretted tells you that it has been played lots - something that happens to the good ones.

But things are never equal. The '79 Standard has a maple neck with rosewood fretboard, while the '85 Custom has a mahogany neck with ebony fretboard. Makes for different sounding guitars. So compare them and pick the one that sounds, feels and looks best.

 

[entresz]

I'd get the '85. Especially if it has Lawrence pickups. I'm yet to play a Norlin Gibson that I have not liked, however I have played several new Gibsons that were very disappointing.

 

[ARandall]

Late 70's are the height of whats described as differences to typical spec. They have 3-piece maple necks, a volute and some of the heavier bodies Gibson sourced. These tend to have a focussed tone which is different to the early 70's, and mid 80's.

By the Mid 80's, the specs have returned to what is still current - 1 piece mahogany necks, no volute and the 9 hole weight relief (from 83). In 87 or late 86, the headstocks started getting shaved down to more vintage shapes/sizes.

A lot of these guitars get a bad name, as those who were after vintage LP tones were disappointed. The advent of hard rock/metal has brought about a resurgence in interest in this period, as they (the customs in particular) are great for the crunchy tones. Randy Rhoads and Adam Jones of Tool have made the 70's LP's desirable.

 

[Bluntforcetrauma]

I don't know if this matter but I played a Custom shop today 2013 in some trans orange flame, but I tell you it did not sound anything like some of these R8 models of 2012, 2013. Even the reissue 1957 gold top I played today also, did not have that chug or sonic sweet spot that Gibson is known. So maybe go with 85. In addition, FWIW additional played a CC#16 red eye today and it really just felt and sounded to sterile. It took me about 5 years and countless run ins with numerous Gibson's untill I got the one with that truly vintage sound- 2012 R 8 plain top. About 5 months ago.

 

[ARandall]

^and there we have the key to finding 'your' guitar. The one that speaks to you. I'm sure some of the 'rejects' from this experience were 'the one' for someone else.

 

[Progrocker111]

Its hard to tell, cause you have your own preferences, but i would go for 70s Norlin. They are great oldschool rock and hardrock guitars and they have tons of MOJO. They feel very different to new or mid 80s ones though.

 

[scottyk]

If I'm not mistaken, 85 should be loaded with Shaw pickups and Lawrence came around 88-89.

 

[CryptRocket]

OK, SO....

Sorry for the delayed response. I spent the weekend taking a hard look at things, trying LPs, and trying to get a better grasp of what I want. I think what I've come up with is that I like the overall feel of the '79 (especially that slim, fast neck) and the sound/aesthetic/ebony board of the Customs. So, I set out to find a late-70s Custom.

Unfortunately, finding one in my area has been a complete flop. They're almost non-existent, or if I find one the guy wants a ludicrous amount of cash for it. I've had my eye out for 70-80s Customs in the area over the last year (when I didn't have the dough yet), and have found this to be pretty much be the case the entire time. That being said, I have found a '78 that looks fantastic. Dealer claims all original-no repairs. Unfortunately, it's also on the other side of the country.

Obviously, not playing before buying makes me nervous. I'm wondering what your experiences are with buying online? There is a short return policy, so if something went wrong, I guess I would only be out the shipping costs. What do you guys think? Thanks for the continued advice!

Here are some pics:

 

[geezberry]

How much?

 

[CryptRocket]

He's asking $2,700. About $200 over what I budgeted to spend. Is $2,500 a good offer, or could it sell for less?

 

[geezberry]

Looks good but I would be careful about repaired necks as the black ones are easy to conceal. Also could be some divots on the first fret from cowboy chords. Neck pickup cover looks thrashed. The guitar looks nice but hard to tell from pics. It could be a refin . I'd offer no more than $2200 if I was buying.

This is my '81 i sold a few months ago for $1700. It had original frets and no breaks. Was very clean, original paint and nothing to wood. Had it on ebay for about a month, this was as much as i could get. I would be looking at what people are actually paying than what folks are selling them for. This guy could list the guitar at $2700 and at that price it would takes years to sell.