whomper Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 (edited) I am having trouble narrowing down what year that my Les Paul was made based on the serial number. The serial number is 3 5480. My wife bought me this guitar about 12 years ago. She told me it was from 1982. According to Gibsons site this is looking like its from 1963. Does anyone have any experience with this that can give me an accurate evaluation ? Thanks in advance. This is the guitar if it helps Edited February 11, 2008 by whomper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 (sigh) Fricken' Mindless Noodlers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whomper Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 (sigh) Fricken' Mindless Noodlers I make happy noise when stringy I pluck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caveman_Nick Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 I make happy noise when stringy I pluck Making Chewbacca noises would seem more fitting for you than making Yoda speak. Plus, I can only imagine how tough it would be to play a six string with 3 stubby fingers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DemonKnight Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Sometimes you can pull off the access panel on the back of the guitar and inside there is a sticker with the make model and year printed on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelap1 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Well if that's the whole serial number on the head stock, then it must be prior to 1975. Here's the system they use for Gibson's made from 1975 - present: YDDDYPPP YY is the production year 1 and 5 number DDD is the day of the year 2-4 numbers PPP is the plant designation and/or instrument rank 6-8 numbers Example: 82765501 = the instrument was produced on Oct. 3, 1985, in Nashville and was the 1st instrument stamped that day. So, since you don't have an 8 digit number, here are some links I found that might help identifying vintage Gibson's: http://www.gibson.com/Service/Serial%20Numbers%20Search/ http://www.guitardaterproject.org/gibson.aspx http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whomper Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 Making Chewbacca noises would seem more fitting for you than making Yoda speak. Plus, I can only imagine how tough it would be to play a six string with 3 stubby fingers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whomper Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 Well if that's the whole serial number on the head stock, then it must be prior to 1975. Here's the system they use for Gibson's made from 1975 - present: YDDDYPPP YY is the production year 1 and 5 number DDD is the day of the year 2-4 numbers PPP is the plant designation and/or instrument rank 6-8 numbers Example: 82765501 = the instrument was produced on Oct. 3, 1985, in Nashville and was the 1st instrument stamped that day. So, since you don't have an 8 digit number, here are some links I found that might help identifying vintage Gibson's: http://www.gibson.com/Service/Serial%20Numbers%20Search/ http://www.guitardaterproject.org/gibson.aspx http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson.html Thanks. Ill give those a try. I think I found them before off of gibsons main site but let me check them out. I appreciate it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Cid Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Based on the photo and the serial number and this particular description of the Custom shop serial numbers (1952-1960 Les Paul, Explorer, Flying V, and Futura reissues (since late 1992): M YRRR or MYRRRR M is the model year being reissued Y is the production year RRR® indicates the guitar's place production for that year. NOTE: This number includes all models for a particular reissue year - so, for example, a 1958 Reissue serial number may include '58 Reissue LP Standard and '58 Explorer production. Example: 7 5123 is the 123rd 1957 reissue model produced in 2005. ) I would guess this is a 1953 reissue made in either 1985 or 1995. It may be helpful to know what is stamped on the truss rod cover in your photo. Also, any other markings (made in usa or other such things) and where they are stamped could be helpful. This includes the hardware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whomper Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 Based on the photo and the serial number and this particular description of the Custom shop serial numbers (1952-1960 Les Paul, Explorer, Flying V, and Futura reissues (since late 1992): M YRRR or MYRRRR M is the model year being reissued Y is the production year RRR® indicates the guitar's place production for that year. NOTE: This number includes all models for a particular reissue year - so, for example, a 1958 Reissue serial number may include '58 Reissue LP Standard and '58 Explorer production. Example: 7 5123 is the 123rd 1957 reissue model produced in 2005. ) I would guess this is a 1953 reissue made in either 1985 or 1995. It may be helpful to know what is stamped on the truss rod cover in your photo. Also, any other markings (made in usa or other such things) and where they are stamped could be helpful. This includes the hardware. 98 of 100 made Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Cid Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 (edited) 98 of 100 made The problem is that '53 is a Goldtop and I would think the reissue would be as well. I don't know about that color scheme. I would definitely say that it is a reissue of some sort. '53 was a gold top, the first year with teh tuneomatic bridge but only half way through teh year. '63 they had the SG body shape and not the shape of yours. Possibly a 73 but some more digging is in order. Edited February 11, 2008 by Kid Cid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Cid Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 OK, need some more info about the truss rod cover. What else does it say? It also says Les Paul on the the headstock, but is it a classic? A deluxe? A custom? I can't read any of this form the photo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Cid Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 This article may be of some help. http://www.lespaulforum.com/slubarticle/83...59reissues.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Cid Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 OK, one thing I've found out is that the full 8 digit serial number may possibly be stamped inside the control cavity. You'll have to open her up to find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Cid Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Another thing is that it has the original P-90 style pickup of the early (52-59?) Les Pauls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whomper Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 OK, need some more info about the truss rod cover. What else does it say? It also says Les Paul on the the headstock, but is it a classic? A deluxe? A custom? I can't read any of this form the photo. Let me take some better shots and post them tonight when I get home. Thanks for all your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 beautiful guitar...goes well with the purple looking tutu or sash on the floor next to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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