#5832 – Gibson Les Paul Deluxe – sunburst – used/1971

I suppose that if you are in the market to acquire a guitar that is now around 50 years ago, then there are a few factors to weigh up – As an overview many such guitars often fall in to the follow categories :-

• Exceptionally clean, museum grade examples that are all original – very rare to find as well  An all original example , but showing various levels of wear ‘n’ tear – probably Mr Average when it comes to the vintage market
• All original, but very worn and in truth may well require some form of ‘rebuild’ including a good refret, replacing bridge/tuners, crackling pots etc
• Players grade – Some changed parts, but overall still retains plenty of integrity as to some originality
• Damaged, refin, worn, broken neck moving towards what we might refer to as a wreck

This 1971 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe, with the classic sunburst finish, falls into the ‘Players Grade’ example – It still retains plenty of integrity regarding its original features, but a few changes have taken place, in the past, that probably reflects the needs of a previous player/owner to ensure the guitar would perform as required – No breaks – Original finish – Original wiring loom + pick-ups – Many prospective buyers may also look towards a ‘Players Grade’ example, that possesses the key features for that magical playing experience – Comfortable feel, playability and tonal character and this helps to sum up this 1971 LP Deluxe

In particular order, I have listed below a host of details :-   

• Impressed 6 digit serial number – starts #6 – along with ‘Made in the USA’
• Original sunburst finish
• No neck/headstock repair work
• Whole guitar weighs 9lbs and 11oz
• Includes a non original shaped case
• 2 piece mahogany pancake body
• 3 piece mahogany neck
• 3 piece maple top
• Dark + smooth rosewood fingerboard
• Off white binding that possesses that custard cream vibe in places
• Replaced top nut
• Re-fret with medium/jumbo size frets
• Sperzel tuners
• Schaller bridge with ‘roller’ saddles – please note no changes to the routing etc of the string post, so if required it will be easier enough to either replace this bridge with a new Gibson replacement bridge, or even search the likes of E-bay/Reverb and find an original bridge to re-fit as required
• Dunlop strap locks
• Faded/worn Les Paul logo on the black facia
• Replaced switch tip and scratchplate – scratchplate is that of an LP Standard – Again you can search for an original example if required – Or just remove it, so it does not look ‘wrong’
• Note the factory/original ‘oops’ or ‘goof’ surrounds, around the mini humbucker surrounds – A common feature on LP Deluxe models of this period – So called as they often hide a poor ‘factory’ routing and/or the body
• Original wiring loom with 137 71 pot markings to indicate 1971 – 500k
• Sprague black capacitors
• Gibson Mini Humbuckers with appropriate pat number labels – neck measures 7.4K – bridge measures 8.45K – Note these are the original mini humbuckers with the pat number sticker – The story goes that these are the original Epiphone mini humbuckers, that you’d find on the 60’s Riviera/Sheraton etc – Gibson had plenty left over, so utilised these for a few years on the LP Deluxe, before starting a new run of mini humbuckesr with the pat number now stamped on the base plate
• The neck profile is more that of a late 50’s model – So comfortable girth – As we moved further into the 70’s the neck profile became slimmer – I had to check the measurement of this LP at least twice as it measures .890″ around the top nut end and 1.042″ around the 12th fret – It does not actually feel as ‘chunky’ as the measurements indicate – But it is much closer to the feel of many Custom Shop 59 LP’s that are available today – This is a common feature for LP Deluxe models from the late 60’s and early 70’s
• Wear and tear character, without approaching what some might state as a Relic when looking at a new Fender Custom Shop Strat –  So plenty of fade and character, so you can play it without giving it the kids – The pics should be able to give you an idea of condition – But any additional questions then please ask

Tonal character :-   I suppose Pete Townshend and Scott Gorham are two of the most well known users of a Les Paul Deluxe – Overall the LP Deluxe tone, compared to a Standard or Custom, is a lot more spanky, crisp and lively, with far less in the way of fat mids – Maybe un-known to many is that the mini humbucker on an LP Deluxe is totally different to that found on a Firebird, certainly with regards to spec, windings and magnets – Yes they look similar until you look ‘under the bonnet’  – It doesn’t sound like a Strat or a Tele but it does possess a similar attack, response, snap , bite and clarity – As such it ensures that chords have great definition, no matter if you are choosing to play through a clean or overdriven amp setting – Think of those Doobie Brothers style introductions and funky chops – Regarding its use as a rock overdriven guitar, then don’t expect it to sound like Gary Moore or Joe Bonamassa, as it is far less fat, smooth and moody, yet it has its own place and character – You can load the amp with loads of gain if required, but somehow I feel it works better with less gain – Maybe it is more about melodic and simplistic licks, as against the classic whailling blues licks that are played on many vintage based Les Paul’s – Maybe more suitable in an Indie style band, Tom Petty, or a Paul Weller style band, were melody and licks are more the order of the day – Maybe I’m explaining more about what it isn’t or doesn’t do, as against what it does and maybe that is because as a reference point to an LP Standard, it is easier to explain – The neck pick-up is rich but again with far more of that single coil clarity – The bridge pick-up is bright with attack and again more of a Tele bite character to it – It is a Les Paul but in a different way and certainly brings its own unique voice to the table

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