Les Paul Deluxe Silk Screen

[Elmore]

I was wondering if anyone knows when the logo on the Les Paul Deluxe changed from silk screen to a decal. I have heard 1973. Dating early seventies LP Deluxes is tough, and every clue helps.

 

[PLarson]

Have you checked the pots for a date?

 

[MIKE20]

my '78 has the silkscreen...

 

[kharrison]

my 80 is silk screen

 

[Wilko]

78 and 80 with silk screen?! are you sure?

Decals are after 73-74 for many years.

 

[CutieJones]

Many people who think they have silkscreened logo actually have decal. The decal is under the clear coat. The silkscreen is on top and wears away easily if you go near it with polish when cleaning.
I think the silkscreen were used up by 72.

 

[Elmore]

Have you checked the pots for a date?

I have not. That is my next move. I have tried to just read them, and it is going to require removal to read them. I have just been putting off removing them because it has been untouched for so long. I know that is the best way to date an early seventies LP Deluxe.

 

[Elmore]

The way to tell if you have a silk screen: Gently rub you finger over the "Les Paul Model" logo on your headstock. If it is silk screen, the letters are definitely raised up. A decal will be much smoother. I believe that CutieJones is right, the silk screened logo is on top of everything else. You could scrape it off if you wanted to.

 

[John Catto]

78 and 80 with silk screen?! are you sure?

Decals are after 73-74 for many years.

I definitely had a '78 that had a silkscreen

 

[CutieJones]

Many of the 70s Les Paul script decals had a slightly raised feel to them too. This was because the decal was printed with real gold paint. Still a decal though, after 72.

 

[John Catto]

A decal is ... a decal. This was absolutely definitely a silkscreen. I noted it as such while I still had the guitar.

 

[kharrison]

Correction, Wilco is right...my 80 is a DECAL.