About Les Paul Customs, Norlin Era? Good years?

[King Loudness]

I have a black '73 with stock tall frets in great shape that I love... I had a beat up white '76 for a very short time that was nice too. It's hard to go wrong with a Lester unless it weighs a ton or sounds totally dead.

W.

 

[joepete77]

The pancake era for bodies was around 1970 but ended in 77. Early 70's had 3 pc mahogany necks, then switched to 3 pc maple necks in mid to late 70's till 83. They went back to mahogany necks but 1 piece this time like originally. Most norlin era in late 70's and early 80's had those wide but low rectangular shaped fretts that I actually like although this is probably a non issue now as most old examples have been refretted. I happen to like many of the norlin era lp's. even the sandwhich bodies are cool as at least the bodies are whole slices of wood an not cut vertically like many modern gibsons. Some of the 70's customs are pretty heavy but can still sound great. I have a lightweight white 84 with the foldout string einder tuners that has been a favorite of mine over many yrs, they had the shaw paf's from 82 to around 86 I think. I think a great era for gibsons is 89 to 02 as this was when Gibson still concentrated on making their production line instruments great, once the vos/historic line really took off they put less effort into their regular USA line.

 

[TrueTone500]

Pancake = The only 'pancake' bodies I've seen are the '76 models, and they do sound quite awful. However, my '78 Custom sounded incredible!

I was told by Gibson that the 2008 '68 Reissue Custom's were made with lighter Honduran mahogany same as the 50's models. They are non-chambered and weigh no more than 9 lbs. Put in some Wolfetone 'Dr. Vintage' pickups, and you'll have a stellar instrument.

 

[Heritage Softail]

Pancake = The only 'pancake' bodies I've seen are the '76 models, and they do sound quite awful. However, my '78 Custom sounded incredible!

I was told by Gibson that the 2008 '68 Reissue Custom's were made with lighter Honduran mahogany same as the 50's models. They are non-chambered and weigh no more than 9 lbs. Put in some Wolfetone 'Dr. Vintage' pickups, and you'll have a stellar instrument.

There are so many aftermarket pups for Lesters. I will put those on my radar for used pups that pop up.

So far Arcane, WCR crossroads set, Sheptone, got Alnico II's that just got here.

Gonna ride the stockers for a bit to see how the 1990 pups are.

 

[jonl]

These are 79 and 80.
Loved them both!
I sold the 79 and kept the 80.
I have played a shit tone of LPC's and the Norlin's are hit or miss, but the 1980 was a hit and is the best LPC I have ever played.
Miss the 79 but I couldn't play both at the same time so I traded it for a DIezel Herbert.

80 on left 79 on right

 

[jonl]

Also I had a 1990 and it was much brighter sounding the the 79 and 80.
Was still nice, but it wasn't in the same ball park.

 

[jonl]

Here's a few more pics of the 1980
To the grave with this one.

 

[TrueTone500]

A lot of the 70's/80's Gibson's were made with maple necks. Maple is superior for stable neck intonation, emits a ton of bottom-end - yet cuts-through like a knife! They're just too darn heavy for me.

I prefer my USA Hamer Korina V!

My '08 LPC.

 

[Heritage Softail]

These are 79 and 80.
Loved them both!
I sold the 79 and kept the 80.
I have played a shit tone of LPC's and the Norlin's are hit or miss, but the 1980 was a hit and is the best LPC I have ever played.
Miss the 79 but I couldn't play both at the same time so I traded it for a DIezel Herbert.

80 on left 79 on right

Some sweet silver bursts there.

I have never seen one in person. Bet they are hard to get a deal on.

I was digging thru other forums searching for Norlin LP. It is a heated topic. Some serious LP fanatical people out there. I will just play em and decide. Since I don't sell gear often and am not made of money, it will be another year before buying another LPC.

I am not too worried about a tad bright or dark. I have a few pups, and EQ, Parametric, a shit load of preamp tubes. All tone tweakers. I have not ever had an LP that I thought was made like crap or sounded like mud. Maybe there are ones like that, just luckily missed them.

 

[Heritage Softail]

A lot of the 70's/80's Gibson's were made with maple necks. Maple is superior for stable neck intonation, emits a ton of bottom-end - yet cuts-through like a knife! They're just too darn heavy for me.

I prefer my USA Hamer Korina V!

My '08 LPC.

That V is just six string sex....



I have never played any Hamer USA guitars. They sell fast when in good condition. Maybe someday. Very nice.


That LP is exactly like mine on the way today. Cream fade. Would make Randy proud.

Nice gear and display/hanging method. My wife is way cool and thinks I should hang a few in the living room. holes in the wall for hangers are something you can paint over!

 

[TrueTone500]

A lot of the 70's/80's Gibson's were made with maple necks. Maple is superior for stable neck intonation, emits a ton of bottom-end - yet cuts-through like a knife! They're just too darn heavy for me.

I prefer my USA Hamer Korina V!

My '08 LPC.

That V is just six string sex....



I have never played any Hamer USA guitars. They sell fast when in good condition. Maybe someday. Very nice.


That LP is exactly like mine on the way today. Cream fade. Would make Randy proud.

Nice gear and display/hanging method. My wife is way cool and thinks I should hang a few in the living room. holes in the wall for hangers are something you can paint over!

Thanks man! I've owned a couple of the Gibson '58 reissues, but I prefer the Hamer. I would sell-off everything before selling my Korina V. A mint one just sold on ebay, which I should have purchased. Question: would you put a black pick-guard on the Hamer Explorer, or leave it white?

Not your typical American living-room...

 

[Heritage Softail]

Absolutely leave white. The wood has light streaks and the white pulls them out. The white provides contrast between the pups.

Any family that stays together and makes it work is cool. Those old 'typical' stereo types can go out the window. Our family room is all hobby stuff. 6 amps, a few guitars, treadmill, stand type punching bag, Xbox to big screen.

 

[TrueTone500]

Absolutely leave white. The wood has light streaks and the white pulls them out. The white provides contrast between the pups.

This is exactly what my fiance said! The white PG stays.

 

[TX6Strings]

Here's my 82 LP Standard. Heavy fucker but sounds great and plays niiiiccce!

 

[Heritage Softail]

Here's my 82 LP Standard. Heavy fucker but sounds great and plays niiiiccce!

That thing looks band new. Nice. Always have been a fan of the tobacco sunburst.


Seems this whole Norlin era bit I found doing google searches and ending up mainly on the Les Paul forum is overblown. Way too many beautiful pieces with people loving them.

I have one of those crappy DSL100's. it ain't the dentist amp, but it is a faithful mutt.

 

[TrueTone500]

Here's one of 3 x LP Custom's that were made for Randy Rhoads by Gibson. Gibson was going to present this #1 to Randy at Planet Hollywood... Sadly, that event never happened. A salesman at GC mistakenly sold #1 to the man in the photo below. Gibson has been trying to buy it off of him for the last 30 years, but he refuses to sell it.

 

[Heritage Softail]

The truss rod cover plate is blank...

Cool piece of metal history.

Dig that number 001

I always think of RR when I see the Alpine LPC.

Mine is out for delivery tomorrow!

 

[joepete77]

Here's one of 3 x LP Custom's that were made for Randy Rhoads by Gibson. Gibson was going to present this #1 to Randy at Planet Hollywood... Sadly, that event never happened. A salesman at GC mistakenly sold #1 to the man in the photo below. Gibson has been trying to buy it off of him for the last 30 years, but he refuses to sell it.

No wonder he has that kool aid smile in the pic! Cool story