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Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Jul 28, 2020 13:42:49 GMT -7
I recently got offered a R7 for my 72 Deluxe. Both are goldtops, but the R7 is more vintage correct despite the Deluxe being actually vintage (technically). I initially wanted to swap with someone for a Norlin era Standard or Custom (not a Deluxe that was converted). But this offer is intriguing.
What are the pros and cons to this and what are your guys’ preferences for those who may have played or owned both a Deluxe and a Reissue?
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Post by lowbudget on Jul 28, 2020 14:13:28 GMT -7
I recently got offered a R7 for my 72 Deluxe. Both are goldtops, but the R7 is more vintage correct despite the Deluxe being actually vintage (technically). I initially wanted to swap with someone for a Norlin era Standard or Custom (not a Deluxe that was converted). But this offer is intriguing. What are the pros and cons to this and what are your guys’ preferences for those who may have played or owned both a Deluxe and a Reissue? What year is the R7? It’s important.
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Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Jul 28, 2020 14:14:53 GMT -7
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Post by lowbudget on Jul 28, 2020 15:28:41 GMT -7
Stuart there were some pretty important changes made in the R series Les Pauls either in 2008 or 2009 to make it more historically correct. I’m having a brain poot and can’t remember which of the two years it was but I believe it was 2008. Either way a 2004 wouldn’t have those changes and in re-reading your post I don’t think you’re looking at vintage correctness anyway. Based on the above and factoring in that the market is unlikely to ever assign much vintage significance to a ‘72 I think I’d go with whichever one spoke to me the loudest. I’m betting on the Reissue. It’s likely to be lighter and more lively.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2020 15:30:57 GMT -7
I own a CR7 built in 2000 and I love it. 7.4 lbs, nice chunky neck, excellent build quality, all stock--even stays in tune pretty well. It's one of the two or three guitars out of the lot that I'm most likely to take to a gig.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2020 15:34:35 GMT -7
That said, there's a HUGE amount of variation from one example to the next in any Gibson product, so unless you have a chance to pick it up and plug it in, or you're dealing with a highly trusted seller who knows what you like, I'd proceed with caution. Also, yeah--weight's a big consideration for me, but that '72 Deluxe probably runs close to 10 lbs., so there's a good chance you'll come out ahead in that department.
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Jul 28, 2020 15:57:50 GMT -7
Why would you want a Norlin era Gibson? Seriously. i owned one for 25 years before getting rid of it (in my opinion, 20 years longer than i needed to keep it). i would check out the R7. as stated, it's probably lighter and I don't think your '72 will ever have the prices of a 50's/60's Gibson.
from the web: "Gibson electrics produced during the "Norlin era" are units produced from 1970 through 1983; these are considered by many Gibson fans to be the worst guitars Gibson ever made, and for good reason - they were in fact awful."
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Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Jul 28, 2020 17:29:42 GMT -7
Some of these comments are kind of affirming my thought as to why I’ve not totally bonded with the Deluxe. I’ve always kinda felt like it was not truly a Les Paul. Aside from being a solid body, neck thru construction, with a single cut, and the same name as other Les Pauls, it has very little in common with any Les Paul outside of the Norlin Era.
@fleabiscuit do the Custom Shop Gibson’s suffer from the same inconsistencies as their other models? I’ve gone through a ton of LPs and very consistently found nothing about Classics, Traditionals, and Standards differentiating themselves from one another in terms of quality expectations.
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Post by Seńor Verde on Jul 28, 2020 17:48:40 GMT -7
I've played a couple Norlin era Les Pauls. They were heavy and seemed awkward for me to play regarding neck shape. I think it all boils down to what you think of the two guitars as far as comfort and sound. I've seen some early-mid 70's Les Paul going for a lot of money. I have a couple recent reissues and like them a lot. However, if I played a Norlin era and liked it more, that's what I would own. Based on your last post, I would recommend getting the reissue. You're buying it used and could probably sell it and not lose any money. Seems like a good bet.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 28, 2020 18:46:55 GMT -7
The Norlins era LPs are all different - some are great while others would be better off as kindling. I've had several great ones but you have to try it before you buy it. I think the R7s are a bit more consistent and most are decent guitars.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2020 19:54:26 GMT -7
Some of these comments are kind of affirming my thought as to why I’ve not totally bonded with the Deluxe. I’ve always kinda felt like it was not truly a Les Paul. Aside from being a solid body, neck thru construction, with a single cut, and the same name as other Les Pauls, it has very little in common with any Les Paul outside of the Norlin Era. @fleabiscuit do the Custom Shop Gibson’s suffer from the same inconsistencies as their other models? I’ve gone through a ton of LPs and very consistently found nothing about Classics, Traditionals, and Standards differentiating themselves from one another in terms of quality expectations. My experience with Gibson Custom Shop product has been uniformly excellent--but Henry-era Gibson Memphis and Gibson USA stuff is all over the place in terms of build quality. Because of that, I still tend to be a bit skeptical even of the CS stuff; would definitely try before I buy in most circumstances. That said, 99% of anything that's likely to be wrong with it could probably be fixed with a good fret-dress and setup.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2020 7:21:13 GMT -7
Having owned a Norlin era Gibson when I was a kid I find it hard to rustle up any positive nostalgia for them.
All the Historic/Custom Shop Gibsons I have or have played have always been in a 'whole nuther ballgame' by comparison.
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Jul 29, 2020 9:27:27 GMT -7
I grew up playing a Norlin Era Gibson ES-325 (1971 or 1972 model) . Basically a 335 with mini humbuckers and a trapeze tail piece. Not a bad guitar. Sold it, after many years, to get a Gibson Les Paul Standard. I then traded that for my 2010 58 VOS Les Paul. The 58 just feels like home to me. I loved it so much I got the 58 VOS ES-335 to go with it later on . Got them both new for amazing deals.
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Post by jbrad on Jul 29, 2020 10:31:37 GMT -7
I have a Les Paul Recording model that is a 78 or 79 that is a great guitar. Frets are awesome with very little wear even though it has been played a lot. Low action, really great player.
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Jul 29, 2020 12:27:42 GMT -7
Why would you want a Norlin era Gibson? Seriously. i owned one for 25 years before getting rid of it (in my opinion, 20 years longer than i needed to keep it). i would check out the R7. as stated, it's probably lighter and I don't think your '72 will ever have the prices of a 50's/60's Gibson.
from the web: "Gibson electrics produced during the "Norlin era" are units produced from 1970 through 1983; these are considered by many Gibson fans to be the worst guitars Gibson ever made, and for good reason - they were in fact awful." EZ, curly... "Your" Norlin era Gibson may have been sh!t, not All of 'em. I have owned several... still have a 335(avatar) from '72 that can't be bought while I'm still able to play, and my '69 black LP custom. Some wud argue, since it's a sandwich body, that it's technically a Norlin. That guitar is promised to my first born son(now 40). Don't say anything bad about it in front of me (other than it's a battleship anchor) unless you're prepared to cover & move. To the OP... Do you want a Deluxe, or a Goldtop? Simple as that. There are Deluxe fans that will pay a premium for the early ones. NOT Historic money, never will be.
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Jul 29, 2020 13:14:13 GMT -7
Why would you want a Norlin era Gibson? Seriously. i owned one for 25 years before getting rid of it (in my opinion, 20 years longer than i needed to keep it). i would check out the R7. as stated, it's probably lighter and I don't think your '72 will ever have the prices of a 50's/60's Gibson.
from the web: "Gibson electrics produced during the "Norlin era" are units produced from 1970 through 1983; these are considered by many Gibson fans to be the worst guitars Gibson ever made, and for good reason - they were in fact awful." EZ, curly... "Your" Norlin era Gibson may have been sh!t, not All of 'em. I have owned several... still have a 335(avatar) from '72 that can't be bought while I'm still able to play, and my '69 black LP custom. Some wud argue, since it's a sandwich body, that it's technically a Norlin. That guitar is promised to my first born son(now 40). Don't say anything bad about it in front of me (other than it's a battleship anchor) unless you're prepared to cover & move. My bad for not posting the entire quote from the Internet: "Gibson electrics produced during the "Norlin era" are units produced from 1970 through 1983; these are considered by many Gibson fans to be the worst guitars Gibson ever made, and for good reason - they were in fact awful. THE TWO POSSIBLE EXCEPTIONS BEING OWNED BY A GUY IN TENNESSEE."
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Jul 29, 2020 13:43:42 GMT -7
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I pree shate chee clearing that up.
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Jul 29, 2020 16:55:39 GMT -7
I recently got offered a R7 for my 72 Deluxe. Both are goldtops, but the R7 is more vintage correct despite the Deluxe being actually vintage (technically). I initially wanted to swap with someone for a Norlin era Standard or Custom (not a Deluxe that was converted). But this offer is intriguing. What are the pros and cons to this and what are your guys’ preferences for those who may have played or owned both a Deluxe and a Reissue? Are you the Stuart on Facebook Z group selling all that gear (including a '72 Deluxe Goldtop asking $3k)? If you aren't, that guy is crazy. If you are, well, GLWS. LOL
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2020 17:55:52 GMT -7
T, your new phone is really doing the trick w the pics!
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Post by sharkboy on Jul 29, 2020 20:16:58 GMT -7
The best playing LP I ever touched was from the Norlin era. I probably tried a hundred after that before I bought mine, which is gorgeous, but doesn’t play as nice as that ~’78.
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Post by pcns on Jul 29, 2020 20:40:43 GMT -7
I recently acquired a '73 Custom Cherry burts that is a fabulous guitar.
I think the post above asking what you really want is valid, do you want a Delux or do you an R7.
play them both, let your hands and ears decide.
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Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Jul 29, 2020 22:04:45 GMT -7
I think I have decided to go with the R7 assuming he and I both agree we want the other’s guitar once we check them out in person. I think I was infatuated with owning something vintage when it came to the Deluxe (Im going on 33 so I was already out priced in the vintage market by the time I became a player). The Deluxe I have is a great guitar. I like it, but it’s one of those situations where a great guitar and the wrong guitarist get together. This is the third guitar I’ve had with mini humbuckers and I never seem to like the way I make them sound. I appreciate your guys’A advice and help.
Regarding my post on the Facebook page... I get why you think that price is ridiculous. When I got this guitar, they were going for around 1800-2000. In the past year, Norlin era LPs have skyrocketed. Add to that the rarity of finding a Deluxe goldtop... I’ve had a lot of really solid trade offers, trades plus cash, and straight cash all hovering around $3k. Why would I take less if someone wants to pay it?
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Jul 29, 2020 23:05:58 GMT -7
FWIW Love my ‘69 Deluxe. It sounds like your moving cautiously and with real meat of the issue guiding you, “ assuming he and I agree we want the other’s guitar.” It’s a guitar are you collecting or playing? GLW your decision.
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Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Jul 30, 2020 6:39:43 GMT -7
FWIW Love my ‘69 Deluxe. It sounds like your moving cautiously and with real meat of the issue guiding you, “ assuming he and I agree we want the other’s guitar.” It’s a guitar are you collecting or playing? GLW your decision. I’ve never had a collector mentality because I’ve never been able to afford collector pieces. I think when I got the 72, it wasn’t worth anymore than a mint Standard, but then the prices jumped. Once that happened, my mind automatically went to the thought of... “this won’t be worth the same as a 59 or even close, but it could be worth double or triple in the next few years as more and more people want vintage Les Pauls.” But a Les Paul has always been my #1 and this is the only I have right now. So I think it’s probably better to swap for something I am more comfortable with and something that suits my playing a little better. I guess you kind of uncovered what this question came down to: should I be collecting right now or just playing. And I don’t have the money of a collector to make the former a real possibility haha.
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Jul 30, 2020 6:52:03 GMT -7
T, your new phone is really doing the trick w the pics! Thx, E. I SOO needed it! This thing is amazing... it has waay more photographic skills than I do (yet)
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