Identifying an old Gibson

[hippychip]

One of my regular Customers is getting ready to sell a few of the Guitars he doesn't use, and brought this over for me to pull the pickups/tuners. What he believes to be the original pups are in the case with it. I'd like to find out something about it, and see if it would be worth restoring.

 

[DJGranite]

You'll need a lot more pictures to get a good idea...
more info like serial number etc.
The knob placement is odd.
Good luck with your search

 

[Steven]

If it is really old, I would leave it as is.

 

[Juan Tumani]

One of my regular Customers is getting ready to sell a few of the Guitars he doesn't use, and brought this over for me to pull the pickups/tuners. What he believes to be the original pups are in the case with it. I'd like to find out something about it, and see if it would be worth restoring. View attachment 676318 View attachment 676319

Why are there two threads on this now?

You'll need to give the people on both threads useful pictures if you want any help. Headstock, front and back at the very least. Pictures of the original pickups.

What is this?

I got this in the shop today to remove the modern pickups. I have what are supposed to be the original pups, but I'm wondering if I should put them back in, or leave it to a professional restorer.

www.mylespaul.com

 

[searswashere]

Well someone added two holes for knobs so there’s that to start. I

 

[mudface]

Well someone added two holes for knobs so there’s that to start. I

The funny thing here is that none of those holes will configure to an original 2 vol 2 tone layout..... it just doesn’t play out.... though if all six holes are used it makes sense.

What does it look like in the control cavity?.... or the cover for that matter

And I agree,... there’s no need for multiple threads.

 

[Juan Tumani]

On the other thread I pointed out that everything we would use (in these pictures) to compare this guitar to a legit Gibson has been modified. I'm not directly saying that no one modifies a legit Gibson and therefore it can't be legit. However, pickups/rings, bridge and knob placement have all been changed. Fret nibs often are not saved during a re-fret but there's another difference.

In this thread I can see the bushings for the bridge are a mess. A Schaller Roller bridge is a direct drop in replacement for most Gibson bridges (but certainly for this model) and would not require any tomfoolery to install.

Could 100% be a vintage Gibson worthy of some TLC but we need more info.

 

[Nick-O]

You know me...I'd just play it. No clue.

 

[mudface]

On the other thread I pointed out that everything we would use (in these pictures) to compare this guitar to a legit Gibson has been modified. I'm not directly saying that no one modifies a legit Gibson and therefore it can't be legit. However, pickups/rings, bridge and knob placement have all been changed. Fret nibs often are not saved during a re-fret but there's another difference.

In this thread I can see the bushings for the bridge are a mess. A Schaller Roller bridge is a direct drop in replacement for most Gibson bridges (but certainly for this model) and would not require any tomfoolery to install.
View attachment 676325

Could 100% be a vintage Gibson worthy of some TLC but we need more info.

Yes.... everything is hokey pokey alright.... the center pup is well,... not centered.

Unfortunately this Norlin suffered the fate many of these have,... its why unmolested examples ask a premium.

 

[Juan Tumani]

Yes.... everything is hokey pokey alright.... the center pup is well,... not centered.

Unfortunately this Norlin suffered the fate many of these have,... its why unmolested examples ask a premium.

Yeah, I've seen a lot of stupid stuff happen to nice guitars so I know anything is possible.

 

[searswashere]

Looking at a lot of filler to properly restore vs finding a good example. If it plays well and sounds good it’s a statement piece and leave as is.

 

[smk506]

At least it doesn’t have a buck tooth dragon painted on it .

Definitely need more pics if not clearer ones. I think the control cavity from a few angles might clear up some questions.

 

[Juan Tumani]

Could it be that it originally had a Harmonica Bridge and the mess under this bridge is from changing that out?

1973 Gibson Les Paul Custom - Ebony - GuitarPoint

1973 Gibson Les Paul Custom - Ebony All original and in excellent condition for its age, except for a professional refret job. Some minor playwear and the goldplating of the hardware has varnished a bit, an aditional strap-button hole has been filled on the backside of the body. Still has the...

guitarpoint.de

This is the only scenario I can think of where a Schaller Roller bridge wouldn't be a drop in replacement for a Gibson bridge.

 

[Leee]

At least it doesn’t have a buck tooth dragon painted on it .

BWAHAHAHA!!!

OK, now you gotta find a pic of that so everyone gets the joke.

 

[01GT Eibach]

Maybe this was ordered as a special 3-pup LPC with three sets of vol/tone knobs, one for each pup. If you could document what this guitar originally was, then that would be cool to restore back to OEM. But you would need good clarity on what that original configuration was. Contacting Gibson would be your best first start for that. Another very plausible possibility is that this is some weird Asian LPC copy that got re-branded a Gibson long ago and is not a Gibson at all. With the crazy knob thing going on, that is at least a consideration.

 

[moreles]

To me, the value in that poorly modded hack job would reside in a full restoration and refin, no some half-arsed attempt to keep it looking old and stock despite the ruination. Depending on weight and assuming no addition fatal damage, I would find it relatively straightforward to graft wood back into the top (or do a proper job on a middle pickup) and fill the extra holes and divots, etc. before doing a solid color paint job. But if it's a lardbucket weight-wise or otherwise compromised, why bother?

 

[hippychip]

I spoke to the owner today when he picked up his PRS, and dropped off 2 more Guitars for pickup swaps. He doesn't have any real info about the origin of it, and couldn't give a shit about the value (if any) He toured with it for several years, isn't using it, and just wants the pickups removed so he can sell them. I just posted because I thought it was a cool piece of history. I have had it for about a week, played it a bit, and we agreed today that it has a very dark sound. I will gut it tomorrow. The serial number is pictured below.

 

[mudface]

I spoke to the owner today when he picked up his PRS, and dropped off 2 more Guitars for pickup swaps. He doesn't have any real info about the origin of it, and couldn't give a shit about the value (if any) He toured with it for several years, isn't using it, and just wants the pickups removed so he can sell them. I just posted because I thought it was a cool piece of history. I have had it for about a week, played it a bit, and we agreed today that it has a very dark sound. I will gut it tomorrow. The serial number is pictured below. View attachment 677827

Can you take a pic of the control cavity?

Thank you.

 

[Bobby Mahogany]

Nice finish cracks.
I'd rock that baby!