Serial number.

[Big Phil]

Can anyone tell me the build date of this please. I think it's 68.
It's a deluxe, mini humbuckers, no volute.

 

[fernieite]

Welcome to the forum!

I don't see any serial number, but this link may help.

Gibson Les Paul Serial Numbers

Lookup Gibson Les Paul serial numbers! This page will help you search and decode - date a Gibson Les Paul. Gibson serial numbers pre-1975. True Vintage Guitar.

truevintageguitar.com

The date codes on the pots will be very helpful, as well.

Gibson used CTS pots in that era. 137 was the company code. The 3 or 4 digit numbers after that will tell you the date.

 

[corpse]

Phil
Welcome.
There’s no pic. On my iPad anyway.

 

[Big Phil]

Phil
Welcome.
There’s no pic. On my iPad anyway.

 

[Big Phil]

I'll need to shrink them down.
I'll come back to you.

 

[Big Phil]

Shrunk!

 

[corpse]

The Made in USA puts it at post 1970- Deluxes with mini Hums came after mid 1969.

 

[delawaregold]

Guitar HQ places that range of S/N's as 1974-1975.

LINK:
https://www.guitarhq.com/gibson.html#serial

 

[Hricl]

But, the guitar has no volute to the back neck/headstock? I can see where he might think it was a 68 with the serial # 503xxx though. The post 70 “Made In USA “ stamp definitely puts it past the 68 range and beyond.

 

[Bob Womack]

But, the guitar has no volute to the back neck/headstock? I can see where he might think it was a 68 with the serial # 503xxx though. The post 70 “Made In USA “ stamp definitely puts it past the 68 range and beyond.

The further you get from 1972, the smaller the volute. By 1974 the K-zoo LPs had what I call a "vestigial volute," very small. But this looks like a stickered serial with gold lettering. The "Made in USA" looks like it may be peeling. However, given the size of the font and that it looks like the serial has been heavily oversprayed with clear coat, obliterating the indentation in the finish, this is an odd bird. Could be a break and refin where the luthier decided to highlight the serial and "Made in USA" so that it would stand out under the smooth finish.

Some of this could be reflections, but darn, it doesn't look like my '74 K-zoo Standard. Heavy indentation there.

Bob