• Registered: 2010-02-08
  • Posts: 63

Topic: any to avoid?

are there any particular series or year of Les Paul that are just not up to scratch? as i continue my search for the right axe just wondering if there are ones that are recognized as nothing more than plank's ? thanks

  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: any to avoid?

This is a trick question, People say the Norlin era pauls are bad mid 70's to mid 80's I think but I don't know if that is true. What I have found with a Les Paul more than any other guitar is they ALL play different, You can pick up PRS and most fenders and they are somewhat the same but Not Les Pauls.

My Brother in Law has a 76 custom that is an amzing guitar that just kills, I have a friend that has an 82 Custom that is also just as great BUT I played an 83 Custom Gold top that was a lifeless boat ancher of a guitar, had a great neck but man it was a dog. I played about 30 different LP before I bought my Traditional Plus - you just got to play the guitars and get the one that talks to you listen to your ears and let them be the judge there are a lot of great guitars out there that you might really dig.

3 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2010-05-17 22:12:37)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: any to avoid?

If you ask anybody who has played enough guitars of the same brand (not just the gems, but also the dogs) you'll hear that every year has some dogs... and every year has some good ones.

IMO, the 70's LesPauls got a bad rap because (of course) they don't measure up to the 60's models.
Then the 80's models were a mass production, new Nashville plant, etc. and the 90's started focusing on getting back to quality. ALL GENERALITIES.

My '72 (or '73) black custom is the best LesPaul I ever played. It has the skinniest neck. Some people like the big 'ol fat necks... so what is my opinion worth to those people?

I'd say A/B guitars as much as possible, and play one that is "magic" to you. Two from the same year, look the same... maybe only 1 will have that.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2009-10-27
  • Posts: 250

Re: any to avoid?

+1 on all above.  Yuo really have to play a bunch of Les Pauls to find a winner, especially I think new ones.  I have a 79 Custom LP and it kills, so much so, that I can't find it in me to buy another LP for $4k...or maybe I can't find any winners.

  • alan
  • Silver Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-11-26
  • Posts: 69

Re: any to avoid?

It's true that when I bought my goldtop 57 reissue VOS one year ago I tried two and the first one was lighter with

a weak sound and the second heavier one was what I considered as the right one, the one for me!

  • DAN
  • Gold Member
  • Offline
  • From: Lima, Ohio
  • Registered: 2010-01-14
  • Posts: 94

Re: any to avoid?

My 89' L Paul...vintage sunburst will be 21 years old  next week ...(ser. # stamp & Julian clendar dating), & was marketed as Gibson's return to original specs and appointments according to sales guy....perhaps there was a period in the early 80's that produced poor quality L Pauls.? The sales guy I believe said it was a "58' reissue''.....small frets.
Very recently, in my interest to learn more about my 89', I saw a description, that mine is a ''pre-reissue'' series LP, made in Nashville..... It sounds good to me, and stays in tune. Nice dark fretboard...not the washed out boards you see now.

I bought a 79'? Epiphone Genesis custom (gold parts, block inlays) for $460.00 in January 1980, and it came with the Norlin tag....nice sounding guitar. >> DAN

79' Epiphone Genesis Custom, 89' pre-reissue Les Paul Standard, 90'Strat Plus,
02' Tele (ash), 91' Martin HD-28, Epi A-12 acoustic, Fender Hot Rod Deville 2x12