J Ritt
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2012
- Messages
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Hi Guys,
I've been meaning to do a side-by-side of my two GTs to show some of the differentiating features between the early Norlin year guitars...finally getting to it. Many of the pictures Ive seen here and elsewhere show the features independently, which makes the subtle differences tougher to comprehend. Lining them up next to each other seems to present a clearer picture. Ill go through the different bits and pieces of the two guitars.
The Guitars
The first one is what I believe is a 1973 Deluxe. To my knowledge, its completely original, including the original bound frets. The second one is a 1971 Deluxe. That one is a bit more of a mutt, with different hardware, routed cavities, etc. It has been played a ton, and I had it refretted when I bought. I didnt do any close-ups on the modified bits and pieces of that one. So here we go
Headstock and Logo
The 73 has the narrower headstock with smaller wings when compared to the 71. I took some pics from different angles to try and capture the nuances. The top of the 71s wider headstock curls up a bit more on the tips, and is generally a little more defined. The center dip on the top edge is also deeper on the 71. The wings are obviously larger.
'73 on the left, '71 on the right
'73 on top, '71 on bottom
The Gibson logo is also slightly different. The 71 is more squared off on all of the edges of the letters. The openings in the b and o are different, as is the tail end of the n. The Les Paul Model script is pushed higher on the headstock on the 71. Trussrod covers appear identical.
'71 in the foreground, '73 background
The serial numbers are very similar. Both are engraved, with both having the Made in the USA stamp. The tuners are slightly different, and Im not sure the ones on the 71 are original. The 73 has the double rings, with Gibson Deluxe written on them. The 71 has no writing on them, a single ring, and they appear to be slightly larger.
'73 on the left, '71 on the right...this one makes it easier to see the width difference.
The headstock angle is the same on both, and the volute size and shape is almost identical.
Neck
Both are 3-piece mahogany. The neck on the 71 is more of a 50s shape to my hands. Its thicker from end to end, and more rounded. The 73 is slimmer and a little flatter down the spine. The two are different where they reach the attachment point to the body. The 71 has a shorter arc on its heel (which looks like my 2013 R9), while the 73 has an arch with taller sides. I didnt measure, but the width feels the same on both, at both ends. The 73 has a transitional tenon. I didnt pull the pickup on the 71 to check, but Im assuming it does as well.
'71 heel on top, '73 on the bottom with taller sides on the arch
Here's the tenon on the '73
Not the best angle on this one...'71 on the left, '73 on the right
Electronics
Pot codes date each of the guitars, and appear to be original on both. I have no idea on the caps. Im not sure if those little yellow ones were original or added later on the 73. None of the original solder joints are broken on the 73 pots.
Here's the cavity on the '73
Pot code on '73
Here's the '71
Binding & Body
The 71 has the thicker binding in the cutaway compared to the 73. Binding elsewhere appears to be the same. The body shape and size feel the same on both. The two different slabs of mahogany on the 73 are different colors, whereas the 71 looks identical on either side of the pancake.
'73 on the left, '71 right
'73 / '71
The '71 has the fatter binding in the cutaway
I'll post some more detail pics of the '73 to use for ID purposes, but I think that's it for now. Let me know if anyone has any specific things they'd like me to compare between these two. Thanks.
I've been meaning to do a side-by-side of my two GTs to show some of the differentiating features between the early Norlin year guitars...finally getting to it. Many of the pictures Ive seen here and elsewhere show the features independently, which makes the subtle differences tougher to comprehend. Lining them up next to each other seems to present a clearer picture. Ill go through the different bits and pieces of the two guitars.
The Guitars
The first one is what I believe is a 1973 Deluxe. To my knowledge, its completely original, including the original bound frets. The second one is a 1971 Deluxe. That one is a bit more of a mutt, with different hardware, routed cavities, etc. It has been played a ton, and I had it refretted when I bought. I didnt do any close-ups on the modified bits and pieces of that one. So here we go
Headstock and Logo
The 73 has the narrower headstock with smaller wings when compared to the 71. I took some pics from different angles to try and capture the nuances. The top of the 71s wider headstock curls up a bit more on the tips, and is generally a little more defined. The center dip on the top edge is also deeper on the 71. The wings are obviously larger.
'73 on the left, '71 on the right
'73 on top, '71 on bottom
The Gibson logo is also slightly different. The 71 is more squared off on all of the edges of the letters. The openings in the b and o are different, as is the tail end of the n. The Les Paul Model script is pushed higher on the headstock on the 71. Trussrod covers appear identical.
'71 in the foreground, '73 background
The serial numbers are very similar. Both are engraved, with both having the Made in the USA stamp. The tuners are slightly different, and Im not sure the ones on the 71 are original. The 73 has the double rings, with Gibson Deluxe written on them. The 71 has no writing on them, a single ring, and they appear to be slightly larger.
'73 on the left, '71 on the right...this one makes it easier to see the width difference.
The headstock angle is the same on both, and the volute size and shape is almost identical.
Neck
Both are 3-piece mahogany. The neck on the 71 is more of a 50s shape to my hands. Its thicker from end to end, and more rounded. The 73 is slimmer and a little flatter down the spine. The two are different where they reach the attachment point to the body. The 71 has a shorter arc on its heel (which looks like my 2013 R9), while the 73 has an arch with taller sides. I didnt measure, but the width feels the same on both, at both ends. The 73 has a transitional tenon. I didnt pull the pickup on the 71 to check, but Im assuming it does as well.
'71 heel on top, '73 on the bottom with taller sides on the arch
Here's the tenon on the '73
Not the best angle on this one...'71 on the left, '73 on the right
Electronics
Pot codes date each of the guitars, and appear to be original on both. I have no idea on the caps. Im not sure if those little yellow ones were original or added later on the 73. None of the original solder joints are broken on the 73 pots.
Here's the cavity on the '73
Pot code on '73
Here's the '71
Binding & Body
The 71 has the thicker binding in the cutaway compared to the 73. Binding elsewhere appears to be the same. The body shape and size feel the same on both. The two different slabs of mahogany on the 73 are different colors, whereas the 71 looks identical on either side of the pancake.
'73 on the left, '71 right
'73 / '71
The '71 has the fatter binding in the cutaway
I'll post some more detail pics of the '73 to use for ID purposes, but I think that's it for now. Let me know if anyone has any specific things they'd like me to compare between these two. Thanks.
). When I get a chance I'm also going to compare the hard cases the two came in. Both are very old, from the '60's I believe.
