Gibson 1974 Les Paul Deluxe

1974 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Gold Top
Purchased in 1981
When I bought the guitar it had no pickguard and the previous owner had changed the tuners to Grover (good move, the guitar always stays in tune).
Everything else was original.
I replaced the pickups last year with customized Seymour Duncan SM-3 mini-humbuckers. I had them make the pickups to look like the originals. They do except that the plastic ring around the pickup is lighter than the outer ring that's connected to the guitar.
The gold top has surface cracks and dings but I think it makes the guitar look cooler.
Unfortunately, the guy who owned it before me wore a belt so there's some scratches on the back.
I had Les Paul sign the guitar (behind the head piece) a few years ago.

This is my one and only Les Paul and my first 'real' guitar. At first I liked the pickups but as I learned more about guitars and played more guitars I realized that the original minis weren't that good. It got to the point where I wasn't playing the guitar too often (I've bought lots of guitars since and they just sounded better).
So last year I took a chance and ordered seymour duncan 'seymourized' mini-humbuckers (sm-3). I wanted the guitar to retain it's original look so seymour duncan obliged me with a custom job.
The guitar sounds ten times better. What's great is it still sounds like a les paul deluxe but only better in every way, shape and form. I couldn't be happier with the sound. TIP: If you own a 70's deluxe GET THESE PICKUPS! Your guitar will sound as cool as it looks.

This guitar is heavy. It has that 'pancake body' which really distinguishes it from other les pauls. Like it stated previously, the gold top has got dings and surface cracks but overall it's held up well. When I bring it out it always gets oohs and ahhs.

The neck is fine and I've got the action where I want it.

70's guitars have bad reps but this is a solid guitar that's made well.

Very durable.

Where do I start? It's been frozen, submerged under water for hours, dropped down a flight of steps (all unintentionable believe me). I've played hundreds of smokey gigs in some wild bars but it's like a rock.

I could probably sled down a hillside on this guitar and nothing would happen to it.

n/a

My single most prized possession. If my house went on fire I'd be holding my baby daughter under one arm and my les paul under the other.

1978
Humbucking pickups
wine red
flight case (moulded)

I play straight up rock n roll
use ampeg 120w combo amp

This guitar has sustain to burn - refer "spinal tap"

Great set up from factory, just opened up the case and away I went.
One small problem with d string holding it's tune, but all in all a great finish

This is a professional musician's guitar- very robust and reliable. I can't understand the criticism of the Gibson workmanship. Certainly for me I have never had any problems - this guitar has stood the test of time.

don't know-never had to contact them

26 years playing
I would sob uncontrollably if anything was to happen to this guitar.
The best thing is the wonderfully "fat" sound you get out of it...and the sustain.... and the great action...matter of fact, I'm going to go and play it right now ...

This guitar was the only les paul I've ever owned. I was taken in by its' gold top finish.

It was set up with a tune o matic bridge and the small mini-humbuckers which had a nice tone when playing chords but rather thin when playing lead. Standard Gibson tuners...they did not keep it in tune too well.

The neck was strange...on some days it felt good...other days it was an atrocity. I never could quite figure that out.

As mentioned before, the sound was great for playing rhythm, thin when playing lead. It was loud when playing mellow or hard rock...I was always being told to turn down the volume.

I really don't know how well this was set up at the factory. I bought it second hand and in a hurry. I remember reading somewhere that some of Gibsons Les Pauls in general were dogs, and this one comes close. The neck had a habit of moving, not to mention that it did not look like the original neck. It also seemed to be a dirt magnet...the fretboard often felt like sandpaper.

The finish seemed not only to have five shades of wood but also three shades of gold! Totally weird!

I was always afraid that the guitar would come apart at the neck joint when I was playing it. I should clairify that I no longer own it.

I actually dealt with the music store I bought it from and while they were helpful they would not do certain things I wanted to/for the guitar. For instance, I wanted the neck replaced and the guitar refinished in black but they would not. And they would not refer me to someone else.

I have been playing since I was 15.(I am 45)

I wish I had asked its' history. I sold it shortly after I bought it.

The only thing I liked about was that it was loud...everything else about it I really hated.

I actually compared it to some older Les Pauls...they played very well but showed how old they were...I was foolish because I was looking for a guitar that looked new. Big mistake!

I would like to say to the folks out there: NEVER buy an axe just cause it looks good! You will regret it later. I did.