Just got an Ibanez Les Paul Lawsit

[SEEGERMANY]

"This one doesn't constitute a "Lawsuit" model."

I think you're right. If memory serves me right, the lawsuit era for the LP and Flying V (maybe even the Firebird) was 1974-1976. The model pictured above may have been the first attempt at skirting the suit. Regardless, he's got a fine instrument and a piece of history. Congrats!

[lhrocker]

Maybe, with the help of a Dremel, I can add the correct headstock "mustache".

[VulfgangPfuck]

"This one doesn't constitute a "Lawsuit" model."

I think you're right. If memory serves me right, the lawsuit era for the LP and Flying V (maybe even the Firebird) was 1974-1976. The model pictured above may have been the first attempt at skirting the suit. Regardless, he's got a fine instrument and a piece of history. Congrats!

Yep...a formal lawsuit was never followed through upon. This is what led Ibanez to change the Rocket Roll and Destroyer to their current shape (well the Destroyer anyway...the Rocket Roll met it's demise from the lineup in the mid-80's) The Firebird mysteriously disappeared from the line as well, but resurfaced under the "Greco" name between 1978 and 1981.
Around the same time Fernandez launched "Burny" guitars. So basically...they flew under the "radar" for a while under different names, as a lot of Asian guitar companies will do to get their product out there.

Yes...I haven't seen such a nice LP in quite a while...and I still love that headstock. I know it's a big paddle, but it's still classy looking.

[SEEGERMANY]

The only thing I'd change on this critter is the TOM. They were cheap, flimsy, pieces of shit. Try to find you a Nashville bridge. You'll be surprised at the difference it will make.

[toejam]

Nice score, Pete.

[kmanick]

Nice Score. I've owned a couple of these over the years and was always suprised at how well they played and how good they sounded for such short money.

[Mr Graphic]

GREAT grab! That's one cool $399.00 Les Paul! Bet it sounds great. Cool top and color too. Congrats

[ronnierogers]

Great looking guitar!!

[charvelguy]

that Ibanez is a looker... '77 was a good year. I recall looking at PMI catalogs in class in Jr high... (teachers did not like that.. they were always holding up my guitar player I was trying to sneak a peek at)
Those probably went for about that new.

[charvelguy]

This guitar is actually a 2000 - it came with all the original case candy, including the warranty card and original receipts... Anyway, you can see this model on the US web site here:

http://www.ariausa.com/series/PE120R/pe120r.html

It seems that it's basically a tribute or reissue of the R60/R80 series from the early '80s. You're right about it being top of the food chain, but even though it's still on Aria's USA website, I think the PE-120R has been replaced at the top end of the range by the PE-1500RI, a reissue of the 1976 PE-1500, and the PE-Extreme, which is a modern PE design. These newer models are the only ones available on the Aria Japan and International sites, so I'm pretty sure the 120R's out of production...

They reissued the PE series then as these were the original 'good' Aria high end models outside of the LP copies with vine inlays and such being made.
I thought the headstock logo looked newer cause the older ones had the script Aria plus the manufacturer patent writing on the headstock..."specially designed and approved by Aria research and developement".. etc..

I wonder if these are MIJ or Korea?

[Jimi D]

I wonder if these are MIJ or Korea?

The PE-120R, PE-Extreme and PE-1500RI are all made in the same small Japanese custom facility that produces the current D'Aquisto archtops. Very small production numbers. No surprise really, since they sell for as much as a PRS or Les Paul, new....