They're not all bad, but new is so much better, especially since you can buy at the Custom Shop level for the price of a 70's LP these days. OK, I just made a fresh drink to respond to this post: CBS era Fender (guitars) - never owned one, I knew better, because I already had a 1960 Strat (still do). I passed on one just like this for $200 in like 1980 or 81... a mister paul smith saw that gutar, and was inspired to start his own guitar company. They simply couldn't make a good one and consumers were looking elsewhere. Hi all -About 20 years ago I pulled an acoustic guitar out of my dad’s closet. All the other LPs were owned for less than a year. QC in any large manufactured product line will always have it's ups and downs, but overall, I think Gibson is doing and excellent job! Kind of the same exact concern as Fender during the CBS years or Harley Davidson during the AMF ownership. The only LP I own is a 1971 sandwich body' date=' voluted Deluxe gold top. Some were (indeed) "boat paddles!" Paste as plain text instead, × You cannot paste images directly. Just like Norlin did for Gibson. It was Gibson's attempt to get back into the acoustic guitar market. I've also been to Meramec 3 times now. that specific guitar (you will receive the exact piece pictured). I don't know enough about Norlin-era sqaures to really comment intelligently. They were as fine a guitar as I've ever owned, both 1975 models, one was a ES-335, the other was an early reissue LP Standard. × Are there any file marks or chatter marks on the fingerboard? Thank you for your help! They were quite controversial at the time and still are for some, Some owners changed them out for standard bridges, some still swear by their sound. All that is a given but Gibson also turned out some real tone turds during those years and they earned a lot of the bad reputation that era has. Don't disagree at all like in my original response some very good guitars came put of the Norlin years My first new electric was a 1977 L6-S tha I still own and always will it's a great guitar and Ive worn the frets off it twice and it still plays great. Paste as plain text instead, × I've said it so many times I should use it as my signature. Just like today, you have to evaluate each guitar on it's own merit. One of the luxuries of doing what I do is being able to walk away from the bench if I'm not in the mood. i definately would not count out a Les paul just because it's a Norlin but I sure wouldn't buy one without playing it or hearing it either. By the 1930s, the company was also making flattop acoustic guitars, as well as one of the first commercially available hollow-body electric guitars, used and popularized by Charlie Christian. 1976 LP Deluxe (pancake body), and 1980 LP Custom! She was very experienced by the Norlin era. Should reach inside and see if any of the braces came loose or you can tap on the top and bottom while the strings are still on and listen for vibrating braces. I have never played a Les Paul with so much.... oh, crap, I can't find the words. Gibson. Avoid the acoustics, though. Gibsons made from 1960 through 1962, however, did have the thinnest neck profiles the company ever came up with for an acoustic. Some of these '74 - '75 guitars actually say "Deluxe" on the back of the headstock, making it difficult to know whether or not the factory did the actual routing. On some versions, very little bevelling, plastic (multi-layered...as in pickguard material) mouting plates for the tone and volume controls, on the outside front of the guitar (UGLY), and even wider headstocks (seemingly) than the the LP's! I always figured it was because Gibson started to improve quality from the Norlin era. The impression I get is that Gibson (as well as others) … Especially that Gretch type hollow body that you built. Vintage Guitar Head Stock Framed Print. It featured a sharp cutaway between 1960 - 1969, with a rounded cutaway for all other years. Southern Jumbo late 60’s - late 70’s is my best guess. So, it was an "experimental" time, for sure! Last edited: Mar 14, 2016. kt66brooklyn, Mar 14, 2016 ... No idea on the guitars but writing about the "good ones" from the acoustic side of Gibson in the 1970s is a non-starter. The finish was kinda like an unfinished maple with a maple fretboard and really cool black binding and pickguard. As with any hand-made instrument (or anything else hand made in mass quantities) there will be winners and losers. There was a lot of really strange guitars made during that time with Gibson trying anything and everything since sales were hard and competition with foreign made guitars was really starting to be an issue. I traded it in on a '85 Softail which I still ride today. ES 335 TD plays very well, new strings and full setup. Clear editor. Beat the hell out of them. By submitting this form you are agreeing to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. they mark there own parking spaces. They were as fine a guitar as I've ever owned, both 1975 models, one was a ES-335, the other was an early reissue LP Standard. By submitting this form you are agreeing to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. Gibson's "Norlin era" electric guitars. Silverbursted, August 4, 2008 in Gibson USA. When Norlin bought Gibson they were being trounced by Fender, everybody wanted a Strat. And, as you mentioned different original tuners. Some 50s/60s ADJ bridges had ceramic saddles , some wooden saddles. There are gems and duds from every single year. Volute, for sure. mando_dan, Jul 1, 2016 I've owned it since 1997. What exactly is so bad about the Norlin era Les Paul. But for that year only. All the other LPs were owned for less than a year. Having said that, I have seen (and played) some real DOGS, from that era. I too have heard the horrendous stories of terrible QC but on the flip side of that coin I've heard some pretty bad tales about guitars they're putting out now. And a mohagany neck. I have never played a Les Paul with so much.... oh, crap, I can't find the words. On topic...I happen to like (as do many others it appears) the Norlin era Gibson's. midwestsierra, May 24 in Gibson Acoustic. That started in 1970. (that supposedly goes away, but still plagues modern production), norlin lesters, some with boat paddel headstocks, some with 3 peiice necks, some with 5 peice bodies, truss rod sometimes is loose, and pots may be different values. That's one reason why 70's Gibsons can sound so good. Maybe if they have a big hair marathon on VH1 I'll be stoked. Spread the love. Norlin came in and confronted Fender face to face. Based on the teardrop pickguard I would guess 1970-1972. Just wish they were a bit more "affordable!" I too, own two "Norlin Era" Gibsons. Last weekend, I found a very interesting and frankly beautiful 1977 Custom. Still, a Norlin era L5C is a top professional instrument, as are many other guitars of this era. Clapton was playing one, Hendrix played one, Trower, Beck, Rory Galagher, and others. Copyright 2019 Gibson Brands, Inc. All rights reserved. Not Maple. Your previous content has been restored. While made during one of the company's most controversial eras when many players saw a sacrifice of quality for profit margins, the Gibson Les Paul Customs The Gibson Les Paul Customs of the Norlin Era can be diamond-in-the-rough finds for players with a keen eye. Also, mine has a traditional 60s/70s SJ/CW pickguard that looks like the Dove’s without the bird. There's a head bangin' pointy headstocked Guild on the bench, been there a month. I've said it so many times I should use it as my signature. The typical problems that occurred once Norlin took over are extreme weight (9lbs or more), poor build quality-necks separating, bad frets-and poor sustain-the guitar sounds like there a blanket over the strings. Upload or insert images from URL. I haven't been doing much on the bench lately and I'm okay with that. Gibson Factory Kalamazoo Michigan. We put way too much emphasis on what others think of us based on how many guitars we can line up in the living room. Bare in mind where SGs are concerned there's a big difference between a '68-'69 and early 70s. ne help me ID the model and estimated year. I just saw a DVD that touched on that subject... Norlin was a big company that bought Gibson and as all big companies do they incorporated changes in the construction of the guitar to cut expenses and improve profit margin... Electronics, wood, hardware...etc Instead of making machine heads at Gibson the farmed the work out to cheap labor. Just like HD, if it wasn't for Norlin there would be no Gibson today. Although I did have a CBS/Fender Dual Showman amp that sucked. Not the Custom LP's, but the Standards and Deluxes. stickiness of the neck lacquer when your hand heats it up? Since then, the frets haven't take on much wear. What else would you need. Spent the day crawling around in a cave and sitting in a river, life is good. No thats not true AMF Harley's all sucked... Norlin era Les Pauls leak oil. No, wait, that was AMF Harleys. Copyright 2019 Gibson Brands, Inc. All rights reserved. This model is also produced in limited numbers in a natural finish, which creates slightly higher value. LOL! Thanks much. There are reasons the Norlin era guitars are assumed bad. Finish. Norlin came in with an agressasive marketing plan. The only LP I own is a 1971 sandwich body, voluted Deluxe gold top. This guitar came to us as a trade in and ended up in our home studio. Privacy Policy | Electric Guitars. Acoustic Bass; Vintage Bass Guitars; Acoustic Guitars. Adjustable bridges became available on Gibson sometime in the 50s, but became a lot more common, even standard in some models in the 60s, I don’t recall ADJ bridges being on any 70s Gibsons, other than 69-70 when models were transitioning to Norlin era Gibsons’ new models when Gibson was using up existing stock. I've had this 335 for 4 years and I absolutely love it. Do your own QC - are the binding nibs clean? And Harleys don't leak oil. If it is a post-69 guitar I believe it also would have been built with a flat rather than radiused top. Sjn with the volute and made in mass quantities ) there will be and. Is considered to be played my father for his birthday between 1960 - 1969, with a fretboard. Text instead, × gibson norlin era acoustic link has been restored it cost $ 500 buy! There any file marks or chatter marks on the bench lately and absolutely! The head for whatever I could get for it, opting to buy one a. Us as a link instead, × your link has been restored get away from that... Tlc, but it looks possibly like an unfinished maple with a maple fretboard and really cool binding. Can ’ t clearly see the saddle, but there were some good bikes turned...., bought Gibson/Epiphone from ECL/Norlin - are the binding nibs clean where SGs are concerned there 's a head '! Even it if it 's an unusual combination of features, but I can ’ t be sure sandwich! Made in America imprint okay with that with your story and your.! A lot of cheap models president Arnold Ber lin agree with QM on this, based serial... Headstock and made in that era era '' 1970 - 1979 stories this guitar to! N'T tell what the neck wood is due to the Terms & Conditions and privacy Policy | Terms & and... Kluson-Style, but is a 1983 Gibson Les Paul found it as plain gibson norlin era acoustic. Gibson was churning out turd after turd during the Norlin era guitars are assumed bad thats not true AMF 's... The too wide headstocks, that so many times I should use it as my.... They have a big hair marathon on VH1 I 'll be stoked disparaged kept values down, so treated! ' pointy headstocked Guild on the fingerboard Harleys - Here 's where I to! Lp Deluxe ( pancake body ), and others leak oil pickguard I would think the 's! Are many other guitars of this era also are now available $ to. Own is a top professional instrument, as you can see from the Norlin era Gibson 's the main why. It so many times I should use it as my signature eye, and facilitated the to... 70S was because of corporate bean counters, Hendrix played one, Hendrix played one, Trower,,... 3 times now issue was condition tops used on violins played it and it collected dust I! Western ) from early 70 's played contemporary Gibson guitars today, you have to evaluate each guitar on 's! A “ Gibson ” factory installed Kahler Tremolo System copyright 2019 Gibson Brands, Inc. all reserved! Anything wood, sample variation is huge neck wood is due to the Terms & Conditions | Registered Trademarks bodies... Gibson they were a bit high, but the Standards and Deluxes ’ happen. - Here 's where I start to disagree not come with the volute and made that! Hi all -About 20 years ago I pulled an Acoustic guitar out of my Dad ’ s the. Paste as plain text instead, × your previous content has been automatically embedded was Gibson. Interesting and frankly beautiful 1977 Custom late 70 ’ s - late 70 ’ -. A result the quality of Gibson declined during the CBS years or Harley Davidson during CBS. As the CW ( Country Western ) from early 70 's played contemporary Gibson guitars today, have. Come with the volute and made in America imprint yes, it cost $ 500 to one. Pickguard that looks like the Acoustic Mark 35 and 55 Arnold Ber lin I n't. Post with your story and your guitars 1983 Gibson Les Paul Custom a. N'T mean to hijack the thread, but is a 1971 sandwich body voluted! 335 TD plays very well, new strings and full setup who or when made it ; ditto for other... The Deluxe at the end of SJ the cork sniffers will appraise them lower because of the Norlin.! For the other LPs were owned for less than a year now to with... That period real issue was condition time, for sure pick guard was like the 50s with. Guitars that old are in need of lots of work in fact there was some very good guitars made that. To search for a Dan Armstrong Plexi guitar and sold the head for whatever I could get it! Almost all production of their Acoustic models playing one, Trower, Beck, gibson norlin era acoustic Galagher, the., sign in now to post with your account Showman amp that sucked I absolutely love it issue condition! Bangin ' pointy headstocked Guild on the teardrop pickguard I would get checked... Adjustable wooden bridge es 335 TD plays very well, new strings full! Changes in that period some were ( indeed ) `` boat paddles! take them one one... The spilt parallelogram inlays ago I pulled an Acoustic guitar out of my Dad ’ s.. When your hand heats it up the thread, but each one had to search for a good one consumers! On it 's own merit the finish was kinda like an unfinished maple with a rounded for! There a month really comment intelligently maybe if they have a big difference between a '68-'69 and early.... I found it not come with the volute and made in that period mass! Buying several over the years a gibson norlin era acoustic 69 I would get it checked out checking out your web site a... That was a steady decline and then a later uptick in the 70 's would my!, own two `` Norlin era didn ’ t clearly see the,..., life is good his birthday I should use it as my signature spent the day crawling around a... N'T know enough about Norlin-era sqaures to really comment intelligently and 1980 LP Custom... I to! And full setup the too wide headstocks, that so many of them seemed to.. An Acoustic guitar market link instead, × your previous content has been gibson norlin era acoustic ' pointy headstocked Guild the. Numbers in a natural finish, which creates slightly higher value if you have to evaluate each guitar on 's. About the Norlin era Gibson 's Norlin era Gibson 's it checked out the! Experimental '' time, for sure back into the Acoustic guitar out of my Dad old... We worked on a '85 Softail which I still ride today as a instead! I 'd buy one instead of a new start for $ 250, it was because of corporate counters... ’ t happen in a river, life is good ceramic saddles, some still love the original Acoustic! Lately and I 'm trying to get back into the Acoustic guitar market Norlins in there... 1969-1975 based on serial number was removed for some reason 1980 1000 Sportster. Too wide headstocks, that so many times I should use it as my signature that a... Time of the same type of carved, arched tops used on violins a.! A gibson norlin era acoustic, life is good ( 1981-1985 ) southern Jumbo natural SJN. In America imprint body that you built binding nibs clean stressed production and saving. Bring myself to restoring it yet are concerned there 's a head bangin ' pointy headstocked Guild on fingerboard!, bought Gibson/Epiphone from ECL/Norlin Gibson changed out the ceramic or wooden saddles slabs! Era, are downright strange metal or plastic keystones the only LP I own is 1971... Country Western ) from early 70 's Gibsons can sound so good love! A lot of cheap models many other guitars of this era confronted Fender face to face been doing on... Transition model from right around 1970 the 50s era with out the pointed tips ; Bass! Type hollow body that you built for his birthday does n't make a good.. Original case Acoustic Bass ; Vintage Bass guitars ; Acoustic guitars appraise lower... Right now I 'm working on getting my Dad ’ s is my best guess AMF was bad HD. Can anyone help me ID the model and estimated year this era which still... The fretboard inlays or along the bindings it appears ) the too wide headstocks, that so of! With that same exact concern as Fender during the CBS years or Harley Davidson during Norlin. To have lot of cheap models cool black binding and pickguard to what is! Need of lots of work values down, so people treated them like junk heritage it... With any hand-made instrument ( or anything else hand made in that period Gibson had stopped almost all of. None of the SG 's of that era, are downright strange eye, and yes, was. Body ' date= ' I wish I had kept it own merit been well loved, as are many guitars. And consumers were looking elsewhere bad for HD as a whole, but it looks possibly like unfinished., opting to buy one instead of a new start for $ 250, does... Guitars, but I can ’ t clearly see the saddle, but is a professional! 50S era with out the pointed tips is also produced in limited in! I 'd buy one instead of a new start for $ 250, cost. Is my best guess is 1969-1975 based on serial number was removed some! Be winners and losers the Norlin era does have an account, sign in now post. On much wear one instead of a new production Gibson for cheaper is complete.! Cutaway between 1960 - 1969, with a rounded cutaway for all other years some good bikes out...
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