Help ID my Gibson Les Paul

ckissick · 05-19-2011, 08:36 PM

I have an old Les Paul, which I was trying to date. It has serial number 416307 stamped into the wood at the back of the headstock. Based on the Blue Book of Electric Guitars, this serial number is within a range during 1966 which is labeled "No Entries".

Does this mean that Gibson didn't make any guitars with this serial number? Is it a non-Gibson copy? If it's a copy, why would they use a serial number that Gibson didn't use?

ckissick · 05-19-2011, 08:50 PM

I also see that 1974 models had a 6-digit number, in the 400,000s, impressed into the back of the head stock. (My serial number is impressed into the wood.) However, it should also have "Made in USA" impressed into the headstock, but mine doesn't. I think it's either a '66, a '74, or a non-Gibson copy.

slodave · slodave's Garage

It was made in Kalamazoo Plant... Hang on for more info.

EDIT: Based on the fact that the number comes up as made in Kalamazoo plant, I think it's real and pre 70's.

slodave · slodave's Garage

You can email Gibson with the serial and some pix of the guitar and they should be able to help you out.

service@gibson.com

ckissick · 05-19-2011, 09:19 PM

Thanks, Dave.

Another thing: the fret markers are small dots, not the usual large trapezoids. In the late 1950's the Les Paul Junior had dots. But the serial number doesn't work for such a model.

Geronimo '74 · 05-19-2011, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slodave

It was made in Kalamazoo Plant... Hang on for more info.

EDIT: Based on the fact that the number comes up as made in Kalamazoo plant, I think it's real and pre 70's.

Yeah, like you know anything about guitars, especially Gibson LP...

slodave · slodave's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geronimo '74

Yeah, like you know anything about guitars, especially Gibson LP...

Hehe. I wish I knew more.

Charlie: Gibson wasn't known for keeping organized serial numbers. It's a mess today, with about 8 different serial numbers floating around. Even though yours comes up "No Entries" for the production date. It does fall in line with serials from 1966. It's highly probably that it was made in '66. But like I mentioned, take some pix - front of headstock including the Gibson logo, back of headstock with serial, if you are adventurous, remove the pups and look for any writing in the pup cavities. There should be something there. Less likely to find any info in the back control cavity, but you can poke around in there too.

Re: Dots on fretboard. Its possible the neck was replaced at some point. When did you buy this LP?

With I could be of more help. Good luck!

Dave

targa911S · 05-20-2011, 04:32 AM

Absolutely right Gibson's record keeping is / was poor at best. I would just email them the number and be done with it. Check the pots. They should be dated.

Shuie · 04:53 AM

Post a picture.

If it was an ink stamped serial number, the leading 4 would indicate a '54. I don't think I've see a '54 Junior with a 6 digit number, but you never know with a vintage Gibson. If it's pressed into the wood, it could be a '54 that was sent back to Gibson in the '60s-'70s for repair. They would have pressed the number into the headstock if it was re-necked, refinished, etc.. Does it have 'Made in USA' stamped into the wood under the serial number? The serial number by itself is always confusing. Gibson reused serial numbers over the years. They also did a '54 reissue around 1971. Checking the pots for date codes is a good idea. Anyway, post a picture and we will tell you what it is.

Shuie · 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slodave

Dots on fretboard. Its possible the neck was replaced at some point. When did you buy this LP?

Possibly a '50s Junior or Special. Not a Special if it shakes out to be a '54.

ckissick · 05-20-2011, 06:00 AM

There's a little "74" on the back of each pot. I bought it in about 1980, BTW. So it has to be a '74. I wonder why it doesn't say "Made in USA", though?

A friend wants to buy it. I know it's hard to tell w/o pics, but what might it be worth? It's a flat top, brown. Not the prettiest LP, but in decent shape.

Shuie · 05-20-2011, 06:38 AM

So, it looks kinda like one of these?

ckissick · 05-20-2011, 06:50 AM

Yep, that what it looks like. But it has no pick guard and the knobs are gold. I think maybe it's a 1974 re-issue of a 50's Junior.

Shuie · 05-20-2011, 06:56 AM

Cool. They are worth money for sure. I'm out of the loop on the current prices. Sometimes a good way to tell what they are worth is to go to eBay and look for something similar that was completed. There are A LOT of old guitars that are bought and sold there.