Do we like 1974 Les Paul Customs?

[Winkyplayer]

A buddy of mine has (what seems to me to be) a nice 1974 Les Paul Custom. Black, moderately worn gold hardware. It's had a re-fret and a small repair (not mod) to the electronics. Finish is in good shape for its age. He's owned it since new, and still has the tags and original case. Do we like these? How much do we like them? He doesn't play it much, and I have a hankerin' for it. I doubt I'd get him to sell, though.

 

[Big Al]

We? WE??? Have you read any of the gazzillion threads on 70-75 Customs? WE did.

 

[Winkyplayer]

We? WE??? Have you read any of the gazzillion threads on 70-75 Customs? WE did.

Ha, thanks! I'll do some more searching on the forum. I got a little sick of reading through all the re-issue stuff.

 

[Big Al]

Lot's of us are pretty keen on early 70's Kalamazoo made Les Pauls. Customs from 70-74 are hot right now, for good reason.

 

[El Gringo]

I love Norlin era Les Paul Customs period

 

[Winkyplayer]

Thanks guys. Seems like it might be a good-un. I'm going to try to borrow it for a while. I played it briefly a few days back, and I couldn't wait to get back to my Tele, but I accept that it was probably just different. My next electric will most-likely be a H-H but not 100% sure if a LP is what I want. My buddy's guitar might be a great way figure that out. In any case, getting my buddy to sell it to me is likely a pretty big challenge. I might try to get some photos to post here, and so I can get some more perspective on the guitar in question.

 

[jrgtr42]

Thanks guys. Seems like it might be a good-un. I'm going to try to borrow it for a while. I played it briefly a few days back, and I couldn't wait to get back to my Tele, but I accept that it was probably just different. My next electric will most-likely be a H-H but not 100% sure if a LP is what I want. My buddy's guitar might be a great way figure that out. In any case, getting my buddy to sell it to me is likely a pretty big challenge. I might try to get some photos to post here, and so I can get some more perspective on the guitar in question.

Good plan.
Keep in mind it's likely to be way heavier than the Tele - that was the era of LPs - and a lot of guitars in general - that the thought was, the heavier weight, the better the tone. A good, solid strap will help immensely.

 

[Winkyplayer]

Good plan.
Keep in mind it's likely to be way heavier than the Tele - that was the era of LPs - and a lot of guitars in general - that the thought was, the heavier weight, the better the tone. A good, solid strap will help immensely.

Oh yeah, that thing weighed a ton. I was playing it sitting down, and it sits pretty comfortably like that. My buddy's comment on my Tele was how light it was, and how easy it was to reach the upper frets. It has a modern sculpted heel and a body-cut which helps. The Tele definitely wins on ergonomics and playability; the LP would have to "beat" it on tone. Basically, offer something tasty that the Tele just won't do.

We were playing it through his big (100W?) vintage Yamaha amp that I was totally unfamiliar with. I never really got a sound I liked, but that was just me, probably. I'd need to play around some more, or bring it home to the amps I am familiar with.

 

[CK6]

Love them!!!! Lots of sustain & punch!

 

[gibson-r8]

I'm a fan...

 

[Grog]

I dig ’em……. Couldn’t afford a ‘69 so I bought a late ‘74 that was sold as a ‘72. I’ve been real happy with it…….

 

[Winkyplayer]

That's it. His is identical, and looks to be about in the same condition. Edit: His is more worn than yours. Particularly the gold plated hardware. I'll get some photos.

 

[Bob Womack]

Andrew Latimer like his enough to have it rebuilt when he wore it out.

1970s

2018:

New top, fingerboard, and overlay, and PAFs.

Bob

 

[Winkyplayer]

Andrew Latimer like his enough to have it rebuilt when he wore it out.

1970s

2018:

New top, fingerboard, and overlay, and PAFs.

Bob

Wow. Thanks. "Wearing out" a Les Paul. Playing THAT much is how you get to be good, I guess.

 

[Bob Womack]

Wow. Thanks. "Wearing out" a Les Paul. Playing THAT much is how you get to be good, I guess.

There comes a time in a professional instrument's life when you've refretted so many times that the slots get loose and don't want to hold the frets. You can also end up with divots in the fretboard and of course there can be thirty years worth of gouges in the body. Andy had a refurb. Another Andy, also British, Andy Powell, is known for his cherry '67 Flying V. Here it is on a 1972 album advertisement.

He had it refretted and rebuilt several time and eventually had several clones of it built. He kept the original but only uses it at home and in regional events because it has become "fragile" according to him.

Bob

 

[Bob Womack]

My '74 Standard is in a little better shape. Only refretted once, though it may need it in another couple of years. Lots of miles, smiles, and sessions on this one.

Bob

 

[Toecutter]

I have a 72 Les Paul Custom that was a basket case when I bought it. The neck needed to be fixed from a bad repair, as well as the fingerboard needing to be completely replaced. The paint is original except for the neck repair which I blended it into the original finish. The thing is a monster, I love this guitar!

 

[Grog]

That's it. His is identical, and looks to be about in the same condition. Edit: His is more worn than yours. Particularly the gold plated hardware. I'll get some photos.

Mine had the stop tailpiece replaced when I bought it. I replaced the pickup covers, bridge & flipped the thumbscrews upside down. I’ve kept all of the originals.

 

[guitplayer]

Some of these have fat full necks...

 

[CK6]

Here’s mine, a recently acquired 1973 Custom! It didn‘t have the original pickups or electronics so I could have some fun with it, and also had it refretted. This guitar has the most incredible sustain.

Some of these have fat full necks...

This is one of them