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NNGD (New Norlin Guitar Day)

montesada

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Joined
Mar 21, 2008
Messages
713
'71 Routed Deluxe, modified in the '70s with '72 DiMarzio SDs, phase switch, ground lift (I think...) switch, pat pend Grovers, and a weird brass "sustain plate", and gold hardware. Today I cleaned off 40+ years of dirt, removed the plate to find a couple minor cracks, (stable and unrepaired, not open, with original finish still on)
Sounds and plays like a million bucks. I think it sustains more without the plate...
I bought it from the original owner in a strange sketchy-sounding deal involving a pawn-shop and paying up front before seeing the guitar, that turned out to be legit.:hmm
The ad sounded like a scam, but I did my homework and then took a chance after meeting the guy at his home.
Happy ending!:slub


 

Bob Womack

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2002
Messages
2,189
The sustain plate was designed to shift the resonance point of the neck and body system to give greater sustain...
and less resale value.

I think.
madsmile.gif


Looks like a nice road warrior!

Bob
 

J T

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Joined
Oct 20, 2005
Messages
10,501
That's a player. Cool!

Is that rectangular brass piece solid or hollow?
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Those would be Dual Sound Dimarzios I think. Early 4 conductor pickup most often wired series/parallel switching. Nice Roadwarrior!!:salude:yah:hank
 

montesada

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Mar 21, 2008
Messages
713
So upon further investigation, the neck pickup appears to be 4 wire and the bridge 2, so they're not '72s... and the pots that upon first look appeared changed-out generics were actually covered in a white oxide that filled over the numbers. All 4 are numbered 1377320. So I guess it's a '73, not a '71. Chalk up another one being advertised as the earliest possible year of the possible range...
The original owner might want to get an Alzheimer's checkup.
I'm still happy with the instrument though, especially at the price of $1,064.
 

deytookerjaabs

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Nov 6, 2016
Messages
1,592
What a cool story, I'd love to run across a Norlin at a solid price myself. (Besides and L5-S I used to have) One Les Paul that sticks out in memory, big time, was a gold top deluxe that someone hacked 3 humbuckers into. It was a bit of a sloppy mess and beat to death but just a lovely playing guitar even with the frets that had been railroaded down. It was a shame I didn't have the money for it at the time but I did get to play it for a few weeks, what a cool find it would be if I ever saw it again.

Enjoy that deluxe!!
 

Kris Ford

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Jan 6, 2007
Messages
4,003
So upon further investigation, the neck pickup appears to be 4 wire and the bridge 2, so they're not '72s... and the pots that upon first look appeared changed-out generics were actually covered in a white oxide that filled over the numbers. All 4 are numbered 1377320. So I guess it's a '73, not a '71. Chalk up another one being advertised as the earliest possible year of the possible range...
The original owner might want to get an Alzheimer's checkup.
I'm still happy with the instrument though, especially at the price of $1,064.


Aww hell, I knew it wasn't a '71 by the headstock logo! :peace2
'71 has a distinct thin squared logo.
Like these:
gibson-Les-Paul-Deluxe-1971-Cherry-Sunburst-big.jpg

Gibson71LP58StdGT684067_6.jpg


And even on the DiMarzios..those may be earlier dates used as well..dating them is murky..probably more like '76-'79..

But for the price, who cares!?! You scored!! I love the 70's road dogs....A LOT of timelss music was created on them....more so than any Historic..not bad for the "worst guitars ever built"..:ganz
ENJOY!!!!:salude
Serial # start with 1? Deluxes that start with are most likely 73-74
And in NO particular order, nor rhyme nor reason..all over the damn place!:##
 

Elmore

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Joined
Jul 10, 2003
Messages
1,853
Beautiful! Here is my '71 Routed Deluxe. Like the silk screen logo. That metal plate, or one brand, was called a Fat Finger. I know a guy that still one on his Telecaster. A '73 Routed Deluxe is quite cool as well. You still have the mahogany neck.



 
Last edited:

SpencerD

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Mar 11, 2016
Messages
910
Groove Tubes made the Fathead brass plate,the Fat Finger is a smaller version of the same basic idea.
 

guitplayer

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Mar 8, 2008
Messages
2,114
Comparison 1973 and a 71-72. "G" is not the same width.
More open logo for 73-
 

Elmore

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Jul 10, 2003
Messages
1,853
Groove Tubes made the Fathead brass plate,the Fat Finger is a smaller version of the same basic idea.

Yes, that is correct. I had my products confused. The Fathead was the plate, and it was replaced by the Fat Finger, which was a smaller clip on affair.
 

guitplayer

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Mar 8, 2008
Messages
2,114
Hey, if you ever get bored. Post a pic of the CC. Curious since it has the original
pots , what caps are there. I know in this short time. They (Gibson) placed alot
of different caps in the years of 73-74. After spraques, it varied.
I have a guess. Just wanted to see if I`m right.:)
 

DaMang

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Oct 28, 2015
Messages
45
Sharp guitar...Wish I could find a deal that great !!!..Congrats !!
 
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