New Member First Post....Wierd Les Paul Standard serial number

[reddeluxe]

First post as new member....I have a head scratcher concerning the serial number and features on a Les Paul Standard. The guitar has a three piece maple neck with volute, non "sandwiched" mahogany body, full sized humbuckers, metal "tulip" shaped tuning machines with rectangular back covers (similar to Kluson shape) with diagonal GIBSON lettering running across the back of the tuner covers, and an odd maple top, with the grain in the wood running lenghtwise on the body (oriented from neck down to end of body) rather than the typical side to side direction with a two or three piece seam line. The top has no visible seam join lines and appears to be a one piece top. The sunburst is very "ketchup and eggs" bright red and yellow with not a lot of gradual color graduation between the two. The headstock is the slightly larger shape, though not as big as the earlier Seventies' style, with a SEVEN digit serial number,72737xx, and Made In USA stamped into the back of the neck (not a decal transfer). Also has "Standard" imprinted on the truss rod cover and has the metal shielding pan covering the pots in the control cavity. This is not an Asian counterfeit guitar as the present owner has had it for over eighteen years. Any help dating/identifying it would be very appreciated....thanks!

 

[LowThudd]

Sounds like a typical clowny burst, but I am not an expert. Here is a serial decoder that might help: The Guitar Dater Project - Gibson Serial Number Decoder

 

[reddeluxe]

Thanks, Low Thudd, but I have been to the serial number ID site you directed me to.....it does not recognize the number in any of the current or vintage (pre-eight digit number) formats. I have been on half-dozen other sites, including the Gibson USA one, without success. All of the info I have gathered only recognizes a SIX or EIGHT digit number, not a SEVEN like on this guitar. Also the top has no horizontal figure or stripes of any kind, but lengthwise grain, almost like a flat sawn Fender style maple guitar neck.

 

[LowThudd]

Thanks, Low Thudd, but I have been to the serial number ID site you directed me to.....it does not recognize the number in any of the current or vintage (pre-eight digit number) formats. I have been on half-dozen other sites, including the Gibson USA one, without success. All of the info I have gathered only recognizes a SIX or EIGHT digit number, not a SEVEN like on this guitar. Also the top has no horizontal figure or stripes of any kind, but lengthwise grain, almost like a flat sawn Fender style maple guitar neck.

Lot's of norlin bursts don't have any figuring. Even some late 50s burst don't have figuring. Don't know how to help about the serial, and I may be wrong but perhaps the first two digits are the date(72).

 

[LowThudd]

Oh, and some pics might help others to help you. I have given all the very limited knowledge I have. lol

 

[reddeluxe]

Thanks again, Low Thudd, will post pictures later. More info: red/yellow/red sunburst on back of neck, small diameter bridge height adjustment posts with metal reinforcement bushings in top, thin top binding in cutaway.....just trying to determine when in the 70's-80's it was produced: the seven digit serial has got me stumped!

 

[Reno_1ted]

Look really really closely, tilt it about under light and see if you can catch a final 8th number at the end of the 7 you can see. Sometimes the stamp is really faint or partial. I bet this is a '77 Clown burst standard, and its actually an 8 digit with one digit missing/hard to see off the end.

Does it look like this: http://canadianvintageguitarhunt.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/1977-gibson-les-paul-standard.html

This has the older style serial but '77 was the year it changed. Could just be yours is one of the very first where they switched over and didnt use the 3 digits for the plant number (like 052 was just 52) or something like that. Funny time with Gibson back then.

Let us know if the light tilt gives you anything.

 

[HardCore Troubadour]

that sounds more like it....I had a 78 and the Made in USA was so faint, you had to turn it 6 ways from Sunday just to get a glimpse.

Pics Bro, post pics. we will figure it out....but you have to post pics...back front, sides, and especially the headstock and pull out the pups for shots of the cavities and backs.

 

[gtr-tek]

Open the can and get the pot codes if visible. They can get you in the ballpark if original. Based on the fact that it has the control can, it probably is no earlier than '77. Anxiously awaiting pics.

 

[reddeluxe]

Thanks for all the info! Reno, the guitar looks very similar to the pic of the one you posted, with the exception of the Grover tuners. The tuner buttons are the metal"tulip" style like the type on typical waffleback Klusuons, but have a different sheet metal cover on the back with tiny lettering embossed diagonally across them. I don't have access to the guitar at the moment, but will get pics over the weekend. The top is definitely strange in that there are no visible seam lines where the pieces were joined....really does look like a one piece top!?! There is no eighth serial number visible, but the finish may have been applied thick enough to fill and obliterate it. I think ya'll have got the build date narrowed down pretty closely for me. Will check pot date codes and tenon style under the neck pickup route, also. Thanks much!

 

[LowThudd]

Thanks for all the info! Reno, the guitar looks very similar to the pic of the one you posted, with the exception of the Grover tuners. The tuner buttons are the metal"tulip" style like the type on typical waffleback Klusuons, but have a different sheet metal cover on the back with tiny lettering embossed diagonally across them. I don't have access to the guitar at the moment, but will get pics over the weekend. The top is definitely strange in that there are no visible seam lines where the pieces were joined....really does look like a one piece top!?! There is no eighth serial number visible, but the finish may have been applied thick enough to fill and obliterate it. I think ya'll have got the build date narrowed down pretty closely for me. Will check pot date codes and tenon style under the neck pickup route, also. Thanks much!

It's a three piece top, the seam lines are just very faint on yours. look for the lines on either side of the bridge. They are there.

 

[horand]

Post pics, then a lot of people here can tell you what it is.

But, from your info its probably a late 77.

 

[reddeluxe]

Thanks to everyone for all the help! Pot date codes are '77.....still no luck on the missing digit of the serial number....even with strong light and magnification there are only seven numbers...the "Made in USA" font is very light, but readable. Everything points to '77 as far as finish style and appointments; I think the mystery is solved!

 

[HardCore Troubadour]

there is an eighth number somewhere 77 was a transitional year for serials.

The pots do tell the tale, but it would drive me nuts til I found the last number.

E-mail pics, finish etc. to Gibson....someone there will probably know.

My best guess is...it was a 1

 

[Progrocker111]

Definitely not older than 77 with non-pancake body and maple neck.