Kalamazoo Standard 1980 one off?

[classicform]

The flame top and non burst back are definitely not the norm. KM or Standard. I did find a few KM's with non burst back from 1980, but no flame top. Found a Standard with both features and really close looking to your guitar, but from 1981. I imagine you have looked a ton so don't even know why I did that. The internet has so little to see from what is really out there. I have a bazillion guitar mags and catalogues from back then, but it would take and eternity to look through them. Really nice guitar. How is the weight? I imagine it is a keeper, but thought I would ask if that is your plan.

The non burst back and flame top are the easiest to find on other guitars, relatively speaking compared to thin binding and ink stamped, still not easy, and yeah…veeery small sampling online of the thousands of guitars out there.
I’ll have to look at what special run came just after the KM’s, it’s possible this was a “run up”, so to speak, of one of those.
The weight is 10.3 lbs. Not bad, the tobacco next to it is 11, I’ll be keeping them both for a while.

 

[classicform]

Not always.

Not ever from what I’ve seen.

 

[Cliff Gress]

From Grand Rapids via Detroit. Been here in Kalamazoo for 20 years.
Western grad?

No wife is. I was between schools. We lived in the student ghetto. Ex-Detroiter.

 

[1allspub]

Easier said than done on an iPad.

Easier done than said, actually.

 

[SpencerD]

Not ever from what I’ve seen.

Not always

 

[classicform]

Not always

Cool. Show me one.

 

[Strings Jr.]

Love the Tobacco Brown Sunburst. What a treat to have that top on one from that era.

As for the Cherry Sunburst, the thin cutaway binding automatically says that it was originally destined to be some sort of "reissue-esqe" guitar. The solid color back and neck and the fact that it has an ABR while the other has a Nashville bridge (made on the same day) also screams reissue. It also has dial pointers, and I guess one could say that the inked serial number is also a reissue appointment. For whatever reason, it was downgraded to a Standard. Not uncommon in this "trial and error" period for reissues.

My $0.02

 

[classicform]

Here is a response I received from a member of a Les Paul facebook group I posed the question to.
I haven’t been able to confirm these were/are an actual run.
Gibson has no records going back that far according to their response to my inquiry.

-quote-
“I recognized this model instantly. I believe it to be one of a limited run of about a
1000 Standards that were sold thru a company called Music Emporium out of
Rockville Maryland. These models were unofficially named FMT Standards. I
remember these very specifically because I wanted one considerably, trying to
raise the money for one before they sold out, unsuccessfully, I might add! They
cost exactly 1000.00, shipping included. I never was able to get these out of my
mind, but, Fortune did smile on me. I was shortly thereafter able to buy the Last
Strings&Things Standard with a flametop that only gets more amazing with the
passing of these last 40+years! Is this guitar for sale by chance? Let me know!!”
-unquote-

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

That is good info. A guitar trader magazine or bulletin from 1980 or about might be a good source for finding this guitar advertised.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Here is a link to a guitar that Guitar Trader had Gibson do a run. Supposedly a few got real PAF's put into them. The one in the link has the copy PAF's that most of the guitars got. They were still fairly convincing. Stickers were a bit off, but the L's on the feet were way off. As they were a 59 copy the back is solid red and it has a really nice flame top. Basically though, not far off from your guitar. What is the neck like on your guitar Classisform?

Gibson ’82 Guitar Trader Les Paul Standard Kalamazoo Original - Sunburst - Hyper Guitars | VINTAGE GUITAR and AMP | We "HYPER GUITARS" is SPECIAL SHOP which I select it, and treat Rino VINTAGE GUITAR and AMP immediately mainly on 50S-70S. Assessment

Gibson ’82 Guitar Trader Les Paul Standard Kalamazoo Original. Sunburst. We "HYPER GUITARS" is SPECIAL SHOP which I select it, and treat Rino VINTAGE GUITAR and AMP immediately mainly on 50S-70S.

hyperguitars.com

 

[LPR6]

Easier said than done on an iPad.

OOPS,@1allspub beat me to it.

 

[sozo]

First LP I ever bought was a 1980 Standard, bought new in 1981. Tobacco burst (top, back, and neck). 3 piece top, zero flame, speed knobs, Nashville bridge. £395. I’m not a fan of the Norlin era Gibsons, but it was a huge improvement on the cheap copies I’d previously owned.

I didn’t know they made any in 1980 with 2 piece flame tops. They must be rare.

 

[classicform]

Here is a link to a guitar that Guitar Trader had Gibson do a run. Supposedly a few got real PAF's put into them. The one in the link has the copy PAF's that most of the guitars got. They were still fairly convincing. Stickers were a bit off, but the L's on the feet were way off. As they were a 59 copy the back is solid red and it has a really nice flame top. Basically though, not far off from your guitar. What is the neck like on your guitar Classisform?

Gibson ’82 Guitar Trader Les Paul Standard Kalamazoo Original - Sunburst - Hyper Guitars | VINTAGE GUITAR and AMP | We "HYPER GUITARS" is SPECIAL SHOP which I select it, and treat Rino VINTAGE GUITAR and AMP immediately mainly on 50S-70S. Assessment

Gibson ’82 Guitar Trader Les Paul Standard Kalamazoo Original. Sunburst. We "HYPER GUITARS" is SPECIAL SHOP which I select it, and treat Rino VINTAGE GUITAR and AMP immediately mainly on 50S-70S.

hyperguitars.com

Sorry, been away from the snow of Michigan for a while and forgot about this post.
The neck is a 3 piece maple with volute. Same size (unmeasured, going on feel) of the Tobacco in the pic. I’d say typical for an ‘80.

 

[classicform]

Found a mention of the Music Emporium LP in their 1980 flyer. Many of the same features as mine. A few features mine has that aren’t listed (ink stamped serial, thin binding). Mine also has a 3 piece maple neck (I’m pretty sure) and the ad mentions Mahogany neck.