Fell into a '79 Custom, time to learn how to play it

[Gretsch&Gibson]

I just came across this forum after a little searching and it seems like a great site. I recently fell into a very road-worn (has that been copyrighted by Fender yet???) '79 Les Paul Custom and it's a tremendous guitar, so between playing as much as I can and this forum I hope to figure out how to become at least a novice guitar player.

I've played a ton of guitars recently in my travels and bought a few to try and sort through what is going to be "right" for me, and it seems like I keep coming back to this Custom. It's a backbreaker, but for whatever reason the action feels much better to me than pretty much any other guitar I've played. I expect it's a combination of the low action, low frets and shorter scale (compared to a Strat, for example) but all I know is I'm lucky it came my way.

I still like playing my Gretsch Electromatics (maybe because they feel so much like LPs) and my Epiphone LP, and I will play a Strat on occasion, but the Custom really seems to be the weapon of choice for me at the moment.

I may try to add one to the stable in the next couple of weeks, either a LP Studio in Swamp Ash (love 'em or hate 'em apparently, and for whatever reason I love 'em, mainly because of how bright they sound to me) or a nice used Standard plus top I came across. One is never enough, is it?

 

[SG Lover 94]

I love norlin customs... please post pics. oh, i hope its a black beauty!!!

 

[Gretsch&Gibson]

I love norlin customs... please post pics. oh, i hope its a black beauty!!!

Ask, and ye shall receive. Sorry about the poor photos and the "busy" table in my hotel room. The super-worn chainsaw case isn't pictured.

As you can see, pretty well worn. T-top in the neck, and I don't remember what he said was in the bridge - Seymour Duncan something-or-other I believe. Someone added the small three-way switch for coil tapping years ago but it doesn't work, and as you can see by the neck it's pretty well played. I'm debating having my local luthier work on it, but truthfully the only things I'd like to have done to it would be to replace the pickups with something more correct (what was even in a '79 Custom???), remove the three-way coil tap switch and repair the hole. Otherwise, it's unique and I love it. I still can't believe I got it!

 

[diceman]

Looks great! And, welcome!

 

[MyJuniorRocks]

Welcome to you.
Nice custom. Something tells me that neck feels great.

 

[Gretsch&Gibson]

Thanks for the words. To me, the neck feels tremendous. Apparently, the previous owners felt the same way. I suspect this will be a keeper.

I just read that some of the '79s came with 490R/498T pickups. I like that combo, and if I do decide to swap out the pickups at least I have a direction.

 

[92Standard]

Wow! Beautiful Custom!!! Love it!

 

[Gemm]

Beautiful! That bare maple neck must be so nice & smooth! Enjoy it and congrats!!

If I were you, I'd probably just change the rear PU (to the same as the front).

 

[Flotzilla]

Nice guitar! I love all LPs, but the worn black ones will always remain supreme in my eyes.

 

[siggy14]

Welcome to the club, I have a 78 black beauty which has become my favorite guitar.

The pickups I believe the original are the T-Tops in both bridge and neck, if i remember right shaws did not start till early 80's but i will let the professionals fill you in on that.

Thanks for the words. To me, the neck feels tremendous. Apparently, the previous owners felt the same way. I suspect this will be a keeper.

I just read that some of the '79s came with 490R/498T pickups. I like that combo, and if I do decide to swap out the pickups at least I have a direction.

 

[Hector Arcadius]

It looks superb in my eyes! Very nice score man! (I was afraid that it would be more worn, this is just perfect).

What does the extra switch (among the knobs) do?

 

[loneguitar]

Welcome aboard, beautiful guitar. Congrats on the score and enjoy her.

 

[Gretsch&Gibson]

It looks superb in my eyes! Very nice score man! (I was afraid that it would be more worn, this is just perfect).

What does the extra switch (among the knobs) do?

The previous owner told me someone had installed it as a coil tap in the '80s. It doesn't work but I don't necessarily need to fix it right now.

 

[nakleh]

I can't wait until my 2006 Custom's neck looks like that!

 

[zaz]

For those of you who like worn Black Norlin Customs, here is one that I saw locally. It is beat to hell but it was a serious touring guitar.

Willie's American Guitars - Gibson Electrics - 1973 Gibson Les Paul Custom

 

[Ledheadforlife]

Beautiful guitar man, and I'd leave that switch right where it is, it adds mojo and vibe, I wish my les paul had a switch like that(seriously!)

 

[Shai`tan]

That IS a cool axe. But with a headstock repair, and most of the hardware seemingly not stock, 2500 buck`s a tad steep. You`d REALLY have to want that 1 bad. ;p Definate Mojo there tho.

 

[Gretsch&Gibson]

Beautiful guitar man, and I'd leave that switch right where it is, it adds mojo and vibe, I wish my les paul had a switch like that(seriously!)

Based upon the responses here, and how little it bothers me, I think I may just keep it where it is and wire it up to work again.

If that '73 is $2500 with a repair, I guess I did really, really well on picking this one up. I made sure I let the previous owner know if he ever wanted to buy it back to let me know as I understand how attached he is/was to this.

 

[Ledheadforlife]

Based upon the responses here, and how little it bothers me, I think I may just keep it where it is and wire it up to work again.

If that '73 is $2500 with a repair, I guess I did really, really well on picking this one up. I made sure I let the previous owner know if he ever wanted to buy it back to let me know as I understand how attached he is/was to this.

I bought my #1(a '78 standard) off craigslist, and about an hour after I got it home the dude who sold it to me called and said "How do you like the guitar?", and I said "I love it!", so he says "Well, I got bad news man, I need it back" Then there was silence for about 5 seconds while I contemplated what to say, and he goes "Nah man, I'm just fuckin with ya, I Just wanted to call and make sure you were happy with it" I was so relieved, but, as much as it wouda sucked, I woulda sold it back to him if he were serious.

 

[Gretsch&Gibson]

That is funny. That would be a tough situation to say the least.