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Can you help to identify my early 70's LP Custom?

thijst75

New member
Joined
Sep 20, 2022
Messages
1
Hey guys - new here. I have had quite a few LP's in the past but always sold them after a while. Recently I got myself an early 70's Custom, but as you all know accurate dating is tricky for that era. Looking at the usual indicators mine seems to be an odd one out so it's probably not 100% original (the machine heads were replaced for starters). All cherry bursts from this period that I have seen have black pup-rings and pickguards, mine has whites. Not sure about the speed knobs either. Maybe the pups were replaced as well, the covers do not have Gibson on them. But then again, maybe you guys know whether this configuration was entirely possible back then.

- The serial number is 962878
- The headstock is wide
- Small volute
- Short tenon
- Pots date to 1971, week 3
- It came with the supposedly original chainsaw case

If anyone has anything to add here, it would be highly appreciated. What is original and what not? Can you determine the exact year of production?
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dwagar

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Messages
4,451
900,000 series were used in '70. '71 and '72. With those pot codes I'd assume it is a '71. Great that it still has the original pots.
 

EdF_PA

Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2016
Messages
34
When I bought my LPC in 1975, I was told it was a ‘70, which was how I referred to it until I learned about pot dating a few years ago. When I went to check the pots, there was solder obscuring the pot dates on all 4 of the pots. I removed a bit of solder on one to expose the full pot code, which was 1377107, very close to the pot code on your Custom. With such early’71 pods codes, it’s a good bet both mine and your Custom are 1971 models. It’s possible the With original pots still in the route, that’s really the best way to date your guitar, especially with very early ’71 pots, like mine. My serial number is nowhere near yours but that’s not surprising, the serial numbers are all over the map in the early ‘70s. As far as your case, I’m not sure. The case that came with with my LPC, while perfectly fitted for a Les Paul, does not have a Gibson logo. And it’s a standard style case, not a chainsaw style.

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Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
1971. Case not original. It was common practice in mid 70's and later to remove covers, install white or cream plastic, gold speed knobs, better machine heads and jumbo refret. It was a thing. Cool guitar.
 

Progrocker111

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
4,013
Early 71 as stated at other place. Still 60s smaller diamond on the headstock, unique 70 block letter Gibson logo, nylon saddles on ABR and third inlay has same size as second one near the neck pickup, holy wood veneer on the headstock...... Still very similar guitar to late 60s ones

95xxxx - 97xxxx serials are early to mid 71
 
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