Please, tutor me on Les Pauls.. =)

C J H · Post by **C J H** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:26 am

Since i started playi I

Flames1950 · Post by **Flames1950** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:06 am

"Pancake bodies" refer to Les Pauls that were made with the mahogany part of the body sandwiched out of two pieces glued together on the flat side -- you can see the joint on the rim of the guitar. Many or most Deluxes were made this way, I can't say if the others (Standard, Custom) were also this way or not...........
The years you're looking at were kind of the dark years of Norlin ownership; like Strats of the same era, there's some good ones and some real crappers.

MacGaden · Post by **MacGaden** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:43 am

Customs were made with Pancake bodies too. I had one..
Here

stoo · Post by **stoo** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:54 am

Go here and sign up!http://www.lespaulforum.com/finalframes/frameset.htm.
It may take a day or two. Tons of info. and they'll answer your questions too!
stew

JimiJames · Post by **JimiJames** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:07 am

[quote="MacGaden"]I

77custom · Post by **77custom** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:03 pm

I'm pretty sure the pancake body was done by '76. All my Les Pauls are "norlin" period guitars. I actually prefer them over newer Les Pauls. I believe Norlin was between '68-'86. That's when Henry and his friends bought Gibson and started production in Nashville.

Guitar Adjuster · Post by **Guitar Adjuster** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:12 pm

I love the late 70's early 80's LP's with the 3 piece maple necks.

77custom · Post by **77custom** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:19 pm

Guitar Adjuster wrote:I love the late 70's early 80's LP's with the 3 piece maple necks.

I hear ya brotha

chickenbop · Post by **chickenbop** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 2:34 pm

Man,I've worked at a few gibson dealerships and I'd say skip the les paul and go to a hamer.Gibson's just aren't worth the prices they're at.
I currently own an epiphone les paul that was made in japan(not for export) and it's amazing for the $600 I spent on it(nitro finish,long neck tenon,open book headstock,lightweight for an lp).
But gibson lp standards with lackluster aaa tops are right at $2000.
If you spend $2000 on a hamer studio,you get better setup, an amazing top,and way better attention to detail,fit,and finish.
Gibson les pauls should be priced at the same point as an american fender strat.Then they would be a decent value.But they're currently priced as ripoffs.

Guitar Adjuster · Post by **Guitar Adjuster** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 3:06 pm

I would suggest the used market. I also feel that new Les Pauls are priced too damn high. A good used late 70's LP standard or custom run between $1400 to $1950 or so depending on which area of the country you are in. They play just as good as the newer ones and they now have "old" wood in them at this point. The Hamer is also a viable option, very nice quality and they sound damn fine but Hamer dealers are not easy to find. I would suggest http://www.willcuttguitars.com/ for Hamer as they have a lot of variety and you won't find a cheaper price on Hamer.

Allen

C J H · Post by **C J H** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:40 pm

Thanks for all the replies guys!

.. I

Guitar Adjuster · Post by **Guitar Adjuster** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:47 pm

[quote="C J H"]Thanks for all the replies guys!

.. I

JimiJames · Post by **JimiJames** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:53 pm

[quote="C J H"]Thanks for all the replies guys!

.......... I

NY Chief · Post by **NY Chief** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:36 pm

Up to '69 I believe you will find a 3 piece neck, no volute, 1 piece body. My '71 sunburst custom has a 5 piece neck, volute, pancake body and 3 piece top (that you can clearly see under the finish). Don't have Vintage Guitar Guide in front of me but there is a very drastic $$ drop from '69 to '70

C J H · Post by **C J H** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 3:59 am

JimiJames; Depends on what your offering

Chief; Volute, another term I