Gibson Les Paul Experts..

[jgcable]

Hey guys. I am trying to sell/trade this Les Paul Custom that I got from Fritzreiser who got it from Newc. I have been posting on the Les Paul Forum regarding it and originally all was good. Lately, I have been getting posts questioning whether it is an actual Gibson Les Paul. The Gibson message board members are pretty sharp and as of now most agree it is real and from 1971-1974. I want some JCF opinions because I want to make sure I am not doing the wrong thing by anybody. I know a fair amount about Gibson's too and IMHO it is no doubt a real Gibson Les Paul Custom.
The body was touched up at one time because there is some overspray on the bridge stud inserts. It must have been done along time ago because it faded just like the rest of the body.
Here are the specs and links to REALLY good pictures.
Serial # 11111 (Gibson was very inconsistant with serial # stampings at this time)
Made in U.S.A stamped under it.
Ebony board
Alpine White (faded exactly like 2 other LPC's my bandmates have. One is a 76 and the other is an 83.)
Gold Hardware
3rd pickup added most likely around 1976 when Frampton Comes Alive was released. That is what most people say.
3pc Mohagony neck
Volute
Large Headstock
Correct neck tenon
2pc sandwich body
Here are 2 links to the pics:
LPC Page 1
LPC page 2

[SEEGERMANY]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Experts..

The volute looks correct. The rear of the headstock should also have "Made in the USA" stamped between the two rows of tuners.

[SEEGERMANY]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Experts..

Oops, nevermind my previous post. I missed where you indicated the stamp.

[jgcable]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Experts..

Everything about this guitar is correct for a 1971-1974 LPC except the serial # which most likely is either an error from the factory or the 6th digit is completely filled with paint. It does say Made in U.S.A under the serial #. The stamp is very faint and didn't come out in the pics.

[Accept2]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Experts..

I dont think you could think its not a Gibson. Early 70s Gibsons dont follow any rules. The serial number isnt a really big deal. It could have been an employee guitar, someone may have dropped it, and put the serial number on it, and sold it out the back door. Stuff like that. I have seen a few unfinished Gibson guitars that were never meant to be sold, but somehow got out anyway...........

[Chuckracer]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Experts..

The les Paul Forum members know their Gibson Les Pauls inside and out, and if they say it's cool, it's cool. I wouldn't even second guess them, espically on a Jackson Forum, ya know?

It's fine.

[jgcable]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Experts..

I hear you Chuck. Even Gibson confirmed that there were very loose rules in the early 70's and that it looked correct as far as they could tell.

[jtr]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Experts..

It looks like it has a nashville bridge on it so it's might be mid 70's.

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Experts..

There are couple of questions I wondered when I first time saw this when Newc was selling her.
1.When did Gibson actually start offering White LPCs?
I believe that was from 74.
If the finish is original,it can not be earlier than 74.
2.3pc mahogany neck is from 69-75. so it is correct
that this guitar is from that era.

About the serial #, no idea.
If the guitar has been repainted, it could be easy to remove one # or change it completelly with different #s.

What I think is this is an early-mid 70's Les Paul that went with a lot of work.
It is a player and if it plays great, that is all it does.
Value? it it up to the owner or whoever is buying her.

[BigDaddyD]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Experts..

The Les Paul Forum is no longer the knowledge base that it once was. It completely broke apart and its main members, that started it and contributed most of the knowledge left and went to another, but private site just for them. That site, although still in existence, imploded and most of the original members went to another, private site. I am a member of all three, but I no longer frequent the first two. Although there are still members on the other sites that know their ****, the true knowledge is gone. If you want, I can ask the guys at the third site for you and report back. Let me know.