Help Please - Purchasing 1970 LP Deluxe Goldtop Questions

[kmrumedy]

I am seriously considering buying this LP as it is local to me. I have placed a copy of the ad below with some pictures where I have questions. I am a player not a collector. I don't care about routing mini for full HB's. Looking for a new #1 that I will play the piss out of for the next 20 years and something cool I can pass down to my son. I like mojo.

Q's:
1. Headstock - Is this considered a smaller headstock? I don't understand volutes. Does it have them?
2. Pots pictures - is his description accurate?
3. Any general comments or grossly obvious warning signs???
4. What questions would you have that can not be answered in ad?
4. Price Range is $2500-$3200. Is $2500 a fair offer? Too much too little?

Here is ad: All "informed" comments are appreciated.

Here is a beautiful 1970 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe aged to perfection. There are lots of pics so give them some time to load. As you can see it has been converted to full size humbuckers using a pair of zebra Seymore Duncan 59's with nickel covers. Pickup rings are actual 70's creme Gibson's and look great with the guitar. Pickups sound great and are a great match for the instrument. Tuners are also replaced with a pair of new nickel Kluson's. I aged the pickup covers and tuners to match the rest of the guitar. Everything else is original. The finish so cool, great mojo, looks way more like a 50's then any aged VOS I have ever seen. Lots and lots of natural wear from years of playing. I just had a fret job completed by a master fender tech who did an amazing job, so needless to say frets are new. Neck has no repairs and is big and fat !! I personally think the 68, 69 and 70 were the last good years before Paul's went downhill. Pots and caps are original, pots are dates 13770 as they should, you can just make it out in the pics. There was a splitter switch installed when I got the guitar so I removed and filled the hole and touch it up lightly with a little gold paint. From a distance it is unnoticeable, up close you can see it, again look at the pics. Guitar weights between 8lbs. and 9lbs. so it has a little weight to it. It comes with what I consider to be the best case LP's can have .. 70's chainsaw with metal hinges and clasps. Case is in great shape and works perfect with no rusted hinges. This is the best case to ship LP's in, they are bulletproof !!! This an amazing guitar, I would take this over any aged VOS reissue any day

 

[jcsk8]

The headstock seems bigger than the earlier models (60 - back), so it´s a big one.
And yes, that is a volute. Wich I think is a good thing.
Beautifull guitar.

 

[kmrumedy]

The headstock seems bigger than the earlier models (60 - back), so it´s a big one.
And yes, that is a volute. Wich I think is a good thing.
Beautifull guitar.

Thanks JCSK. I am going to look up volutes. I guess the Norlin section would be a good place to start?

 

[Leiste]

Geeezzz!!! What a BEAUTY!!!

It looks really really awesome, you'll be happy with those SD pups and it's got all the mojo one desires! I'd be interesting to know which necksize it has and, as a consequense, which one you prefer!

Good for you that it's somewhere in your region to be looked at, played , felt and listened to beforehand! That's like winning the lottery!

If you really bond with it - who is going to care what you payed for it! They're hard to get - and if you can test it in advance. . . GO GRAB IT!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

. . .I'm jealous! (and FYI - the guy in the UK who actually owns the Deluxe is not responding!)

 

[jcsk8]

Oh yes, the norlin section. Also google vor neck volute and you´ll find plenty. It´s bassically and higher section of wood to avoid breakage on the neck/headstock joint.

 

[Leiste]

This is what our forum-mate HOT-BRIT says:
"the volute was introduced to strength the vulnerable area were the neck joins into the headstock after Gibson received a lot of claims for the necks breaking in this area. the volute worked very well to strengthen this area." (http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/norlin-years/158861-explain-me.html #19).

That's good help!

 

[sbeng]

Beautiful guitar, but with the splitter hole, refret, and routings, that price range might be a little high.

 

[Oranjeaap]

Very nice guitar. Price is fair in my opinion

 

[F.V.]

Nice one, John. If you play it and it feels good, pounce! And if you don't like the way the SD's sound, ping me. I've got an extra set of patent sticker T-Tops that are just right for that era...

 

[BMS]

Looks nice. Lots of mojo there. A fair price but I would try for $2000 to $2200.

 

[g60_dave]

I'd pay whatever! It's great. I loved my old deluxe, but wanted HBs. This is perfect

 

[kmrumedy]

Nice one, John. If you play it and it feels good, pounce! And if you don't like the way the SD's sound, ping me. I've got an extra set of patent sticker T-Tops that are just right for that era...

Thanks JT. If I get it that would be a nice choice of pickups.

I tried contacting seller to purchase it but no response. It is on Ebay now with a bid of $2500. Was hoping to avoid an auction. I don't like bidding against anonymous people. Never know if they are seller friends or not. May have to pass. Not sure.

 

[Progrocker111]

I would say its late 70 or very early 71. Very nice guitar full of mojo.

 

[HOT-BRIT]

First the 68 & 69 are the special ones that are highly sought after and command a premium price because they were made before the gibson company was sold at the end of december 1969, the 1970 model was much changed and is not as desirable to enthusiasts and collectors, so it is worth considerably less, this 1970 has has the body routed and is not an original example, this drastically reduces the price, i would say the price should be no more than $1500

 

[Progrocker111]

this 1970 has has the body routed and is not an original example, this drastically reduces the price, i would say the price should be no more than $1500

Early 70s routed Deluxes are going for much more. 2000 is real price.

 

[tag2]

The guitar looks nice! If you are able to see it and play it before the auction is over, that would be your determining factor. I bet it is a monster and plays well though. If everybody stays away from it, you may be able to snag it, but I personally wouldn't go too much higher.

 

[Leiste]

How shitty is that that it's at the Bay now. . . sorry about that, John!

It's such a wonderful instrument!

Good luck nonetheless. . .

 

[kmrumedy]

The guitar looks nice! If you are able to see it and play it before the auction is over, that would be your determining factor. I bet it is a monster and plays well though. If everybody stays away from it, you may be able to snag it, but I personally wouldn't go too much higher.

Agreed. Real world or forum pricing I was thinking $2200 but was ok with $2500 which I think is fair.

It's in auction now and I'm not going to get into a bid war. I am going to send him a note to contact me if the 1 bidder turns out to be a deadbeat. Sucks though....rarely see stuff like this locally.

Thanks to everyone that responded.

 

[HOT-BRIT]

Early 70s routed Deluxes are going for much more. 2000 is real price.

This one is a little more than just a routing job, it has been highly modified with changed hardware, splitter hole, refret, and routings. If it was in original unmolested condition, then it would reach $3000 to $3500
so in this condition I would go $1500 and a max $1800 if it was a must have.
I would keep looking you will find a 1970's Les Paul Standard in pretty good shape for $2500

 

[Mildperv]

Wrong bridge for a '70. Easy fix, though. I think $2k is good for '70 with routes. I'd want to play it first, though. It's a player so I'd want to make sure it "plays."
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