I FINALLY Got a "Blonde Beauty" | 1976 Gibson Les Paul Custom Maple Fretboard Review + Ebony Compare
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
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📚Description: In the mid-to-late 70s and briefly in the early and mid 80s, Gibson first offered a lacquer maple fretboard as an option. We didn't see this return until around 2011 when richlite was used as the new 'standard' for Custom Les Pauls through early 2019 since some dealers wanted a real wood alternative since ebony was out of the equation. This is a 1975-1977 ish Les Paul Custom in a natural finish with maple fretboard and has been incredibly well taken care of... except for one day when the owner wanted to try a midi-synth pickup up on it :(
I like the story and history behind this one - I think I'll hold onto it until I find a "better" one to replace it with.
For fun, we also A/B an ebony fretboard Les Paul Custom from a similar era. It isn't a perfect test, but it'll give you an idea of how the tone might be different between a maple fretboard vs ebony fretboard les paul custom.
I FINALLY Got a "Blonde Beauty" | 1976 Gibson Les Paul Custom Maple Fretboard Review + Ebony Compare
🐕 Episode Guide:
0:00 Intro - Check Links in the Description
0:07 Is This The One?!
1:37 About Maple Boards
3:17 Finishes
3:55 The Story Behind This One
4:37 The Case
5:03 Inside Look / Specs
17:03 Clean Tones
20:05 Dirty Tones
22:05 Final Thoughts
23:27 What to Watch Next!
🎞️ Videos Mentioned:
2:26 2011 Gibson Les Paul Custom Flame Top Cherry
• Maple Fretboard on an ...
2:38 Sweetwater Exclusive Les Paul Custom Modern Beauty
• The "Modern Beauty" Se...
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I bought this exact guitar in 1978 for $300 used. The store had marked it down like 5 times but no one wanted it. I have played it almost every day since then. When the Northridge earthquake occurred I lived about half a mile from the epicenter. Over $100K damage to my house. This guitar was leaning up against my 2 4x12 Marshall cabs which fell over onto the guitar. Damage? The plastic tip of the selector switch broke. That was it. I blame the 3 piece neck for saving the headstock from breaking. I am not a collector - I still play the thing regularly.
The wood probably helped save it, too. Maple is tough stuff.
wOW, what a story
My '78 fell off a 4 foot high stage onto a cement floor and pretty much no damage! I'll attest to their toughness. They do have a bit sharper sound than an ebony or rosewood fretboard LP. Mine has the plastic shell case.
I have my 1977 Gibson Les Paul all maple neck and natural body. I was and still am the original owner. Played hard when I was young but keep it in its original case at this point
That’s awesome!
Awesome, I have a 78 maple on maple custom, I love the blondes!
Show us a picture please.
@@ChrisShortyAllenhow would he show you a picture
Make a video of it.. .many would love to see.
Hey there, this is Jim, the original owner! I finally got to see this video. Man you cleaned it up and made it look purty!!! 1st: I'm sooo, sooo, soo, soo, soo etc. sorry about those stupid holes. I was young and an idiot. It was actually an Arp Avatar system which predated MIDI by quite a few years. 2nd: Honest I swear the only modification done was on the knobs. That wasn't even my idea. The salesman pretty much insisted, and again... I was young and an idiot. Yes, he tapped those suckers in with a hammer, causing the checking around one of the knobs. 3rd: I really only played this for a couple of years. I was in a jazz band in college, and I played in a band that played in churches and youth groups on weekends, so not much in the way of cigarette smoke and broken beer bottle damage. I played a lot of distorted Neil Young & Crazy Horse stuff in my basement, so that's how the pickups got scuffed. I would estimate that it truly did spend the better part of 35 years just hibernating in my closet. I only rarely took it out. I mostly play acoustic, and when I do play electric it's fingerstyle on a Strat. Thanks so much for bring it back to life!
An all maple LP is one of my dream guitars. All the style, none of the headstock breakage fears. God they look so GOOD!
Yeah!!! I have a black one from 77, Kalamazoo made, no pancake body and transitional neck tenon. I was told she left the factory without pickup covers, but I’m not sure. The thing I’m sure is that she sounds amazing! Endless sustain, attack and definition. My secret weapon, I call her 🤩
Funny though, she has transitional neck tenon in the body, joined to a short tenon neck. She dates from September 1977.
Les Paul Custom with a maple fretboard is my holy grail. I've always loved the maple, but only seen them with black bodies. This is sickeningly gorgeous! This is the guitar that got me to finally subscribe.
I'm getting the Jessica tomorrow. Dream guitar since Tokyo 92
The Jessica looks really nice I’m getting my dream guitar tomorrow as well the appetite amber one I’m so excited
I swear to god Gibson is going to do another version that’s like 5 times its price and just like Greeny it will be a one of one replica of how it looks right now.
I got Victoria the gold top 2 years ago and I love it. Play it so much.
@jmdyt3626 F-ING RIGHT! Love the top on the Appetite Burst
@@nathanliu8615I don't think they will, there's no one famous to link it with
My main guitar is a home made les paul special with a maple board. When I was building it with my dad he told me we did not have the tools to put a carved maple top on the guitar so we left it all mahogany. I had a book on guitar building and it said the maple added brightness to the les pauls. I reckoned I could maybe conpensate it with a maple fretboard instead of rosewood (which was hard to come by anyways). Don't know if I was just lucky or if it actually works that way but it certainly has a lot of brightness and I really like the feel of maple. Gibson should use it more often! Shame people look down on maple boards on les pauls
Would like to see your guitar?
I've been thinking about trying to build a bass. But unfortunately I don't have the tools.needed to do so....
Me too!
1:19 I'd honestly leave it as is. I mean, it is a pretty crazy mod for such a vintage instrument, but it tells a story, it's a part of this guitar's life. I'd respect that :)
I don’t think the small holes are a major factor considering the overall good condition of the rest of the guitar.
Collectors are stupid. That’s a perfect guitar to anyone who cares about PLAYING their instrument
@@thecrookedcyclist3863 Let's be real, even as a player, having holes gouged outta your guitar would be a real eyesore. But for an axe this nice, I'd be willing to overlook it for sure
my 79 LPC has a maple neck and it really lends itselft to the bite of the guitar. love it
I had one! Got it when I was 16 years and had it for 2 years before trading it for a 3 tone sunburst 1973 Stratocaster.(sold the strat for $300 in 1980 and got an Ibanez) those were the days
Great find Austin.
I'm still greatly in love with my 1986 LP Custom w/Maple fingerboard, only difference is mine has the 1-Piece Mahogany Neck.
Over the years I've changed the plastics on mine to cream with cream bobbin humbuckers, the new look is beautiful, yet kind of confusing as most expect to see a black pickguard when they see a Les Paul Custom.
A good Luthier could almost make those screw holes disappear, it might be worth looking into it.
Then you could hold on to it until you find a better blond example.
Greetings HK
@@sgt.grinch3299 Greetings Sarge, great to hear from you. A big hello right back at you. Love this Blond LP Custom Austin reviewed today, its exactly how mine looked when I first purchased it. Years ago I had a Kalamazoo Luthier and ex Gibson employee topcoat mine is a translucent cherry red, I love how it looks, yet part of me regrets altering the guitar from its original finish. With age comes wisdom (usually). 👍😉
One of the sweetest Les Pauls i have ever seen. Not for everyone but that thing has me drooling!
My first good guitar was in 1979 when I got a Gibson Les Paul gold top Standard. It had frets like the ones in this video. I loved those frets. It was very easy to play and sounded great. I wish I still had it.
When I was 14 or 15 I tried to get my dad to buy my a Les Paul a la Ace Frehley vibe. He showed me a Blonde Beauty but I wasn't having it and he couldn't afford any other Gibson so, I wound up being a life long super Strat guy... to go back and reason with myself
I have my 1976 Gibson Les Paul Custom all maple neck and natural body. The lacquer has turned a beautiful amber color.... don't know why! Sunlight I suppose. I put all cream plastic on to replace the black it originally had. Looks way, way better. All gold and cream. Weighs a ton, though it sounds super with a '57 Gibson in neck, and Duncan Distortion in bridge. I have a '71 and a '74 ebony fretboard LPC's too. I play all through hotroded early '70's Marshall Superlead's. The maple fingerboard on my '76 LPC has more sustain than my ebony ones. Both ebony and maple have that emphasis on the fundamental note. Rosewood fingerboards have more of that three dimensional/harmonically dense quality to them. I say play colorful music using all three types of these fabulous tone woods. Your analysis Austin on everything concerning this guitar was spot on perfect. Thank you very much for all of the truthful information! Keep jamming!
As a sucker for maple fretboards...it bothers me so much that Gibson never uses maple! (well..not NEVER)
ever check out a classic custom with baked Mape? seem pretty unique not a fan of big acrylic inlays but seems like a fun vibe if the price was right.
It’s rare enough that it’s practically never. I’m all for Gibson doing more maple fretboards.
Someone like a Twoodford could dowel it and touch it up with aged lacquer and a bit of artistic stain to match the woodgrain so that it'd be imperceptible.
I am a fan of the 3-piece maple necks personally (fretboard material doesn't matter so me so much - maple, rosewood, ebony) and prefer it over mahogany.
It's likely that I like these because this coincided with the volute and (I think) slightly shallower headstock angle - that are features I like.
One day I may a 70's LP to the stable.
I had one of those. It was crazy heavy. I sold it to Pickers Paradise in White Hall WV. a few years ago. I didn't play it much and wanted the cash to buy a motorcycle. I don't ride it much... lol.
You're not going to find one cleaner. It's a sweet sounding beast. Keep it.
I have a Blond Beauty as well. Likely MIJ, maple body with ebony inlayed maple fret board. No name above the Gibson headstock symbol. Super craftsmanship and sustain. She's a Beauty.
47yrs and still rocking 🤘
Sounds incredible. I'd put up with any flaws for that sound. Me likey, me want. Doesn't even matter if it broke my back.
does sound really dynamic in the twang region or just bright shredd legend rock tone.
I had a 77 RD Custom years ago with a maple board. INSANE tone (when not using the electronics... haha), but the stiffest most unfriendly neck I have ever played. Traded it to a friend for a LP Special that I love.
The maple board custom would definitely cut through the mix better.
My greatest guitar regret was selling my ‘78 blonde in 1989. It was my constant companion for a decade. I’ve never forgiven myself.
Salutations Austin!
Really nice Les Paul Custom with the maple fretboard!
It’s definitely brighter than the 1977 version with the ebony fretboard, and it sounds great with the distortion!
Thanks for sharing!
Please have an excellent and awesome day!
☀️✨🎸
The maple neck model was significantly brighter than the richlite model.
Flores music in peoria, IL used to have one of these in a clear wall display case for years. Don't know if they still have it, but my understanding was it wasn't for sale.
I like the ebony one better. I like how the maple fretboard stands out against the dark finish
I had a 79 Blonde Beauty with black witchhat knobs. It had a maple fretboard like this one. I put a lot of wear on that fretboard between jazz band, stage band and the top 40 band I played in. Got rid of it in the 80's after I stopped playing. A shame.
I use to own a 1977 all Maple custom. It was the best playing Les Paul I ever owned, I regret selling it to this day. If there was ever a guitar in my collection that got away, this was the one I regret the most seeing go….
I've only seen one all maple L.P. with maple fretboard. I called her "Marilyn"
Does the backlight test only work on Nitro finishes? Or also on poly finishes like on an Epiphone?
i‘ll never get used to the look of a custom with a maple board. the comparison to the ebony one is a cool bonus! 👌🏼
it does sound good alright
The maple one did sound brighter and would probably cut through really well in the mix, but is it just tolerances of the electronics or pickups? Maybe a combination of everything.
Man that is a cool maple telecaster !....hee-hoo-haw !...love the way the inlays look on the natural wood , very beauty-full . O.k. so sorry to call a LP a tele , that is very wrong in guitar people land world verse ...and the back has great woodgrain ...You rock Trog ! Thanks !
I like the maple fretboard. Almost Strat like.
As far as the holes are concerned I think it'd be cool to track down what model of midi pickup was on it and stick one back on there. You'd get a mismatch in the grain if you plugged the holes with dowels, and it'd be really cool for the museum to have an example of what people *actually* did with their guitars back in the day before they became expensive collector's items.
Is it possible the pickups are just have more clarity? I like the sound of the maple fretboard best
I preferred the warmer tone of the ebony board, but the maple sounded great distorted!
Great video as always and very cool „blonde beauty“! I have a Gibson LP Custom in Ebody from 1976 with a stamped six digit serial number in the 200000 range including „Made in USA“ impression. The guitar was built in Kalamzoo and has a Schaller Nashville bridge and pots dated late 1976. It looks like not all Gibson Les Pauls from 1976 have a printed eight-digit serial number with a 00 prefix (although this is rare). Presumably the guitar was built in 1974/1975 and finished later.
That was some nice playing, gives me a better impression of how the pickups sound when pushed a little harder
I own a 1977 Les Paul Custom "blond beauty". Shes been played but still all original with the original case.
Small correction: the Roland GK pickup is NOT MIDI. It’s a “divided” pickup sending a separate signal for each string to a compatible unit like VG-88. I had a number of guitars equipped with this (either stock or aftermarket) for years. Pretty cool actually. But eventually I transitioned back to a standard pedalboard but also use Helix and HX Stomp in certain situations. Enjoy your videos 👍🏻! Thanks 😊
This was actually an Arp Avatar system, not Roland (Jim, the original owner checking in)
@@JimF22003 - Thanks, though I still stand by my correction in that he referred to the Roland system as MIDI as opposed to GK. 😆 The Roland GK ecosystem is probably one of few (or only) guitar “synthesizer” systems that have continued to thrive even into today. Cheers!
Could you get custom inlays of like music notes or an animal or bug that match the ones on the neck?
Pretty sure I sold one when I worked at Sam Ash 70, it was the First Real Les Paul I played, and it set my Expectations VERY high for Gibson, haha
The maple fretboard Norlin is my favorite Les Paul. I want a black one someday.
The tone on this particular one is amazing. Thick clean tones,even on bridge pup. Lovely guitar.
Think how good it could sound with some midi pups refitted. 😆
Is there any way to prevent or reduce stand rash besides not using one or keeping the guitar in its case?
One of my dream guitars... if I could get in nickle instead of gold hardware. I still have my '73 Custom in Heritage Cherry Burst... All original.
That my favorite Les Paul custom. a 1976 maple fretboard blonde/natural finish Les Paul custom. because of my eyesight I like maple fretboards. because I can see and strings better because they contrast against the maple fretboard. and I have an addiction to natural finishes. and I don't mind the pancake bodies. and I don't mind that they are a little bit heavier. those were the best of the Norlan era guitars. this guitar isn't absolutely perfect but damn I love it.
AWESOME specimens like that one are pretty
difficult to find. but really worth it once you find one.
❤wow thanks Austin you helped alot I have a tribute maple neck w rosewood fretboard it plays so well ...bright brilliant I have this old 92 studio with the ebony and it's thick dark and beautiful for a while guitar I love it for LP stuff but my maple tribute goes to these bright places the studio goes the other way I do have to keep them both
I follow you for some years now, follow álamo music, norman, cárter vintage. This is one of the best les Pauls ive ever heard.
Really nice guitar!
Damn you Trogly! Now I have to take mine apart! Lol I have always been curious about the serial number on mine, Thanks for clearing that up. About to do a deep dive to learn more. And yes it is a screamer.
That’s a beast of a guitar. I feel like a lighter touch whilst picking would eliminate that fret buzz as well.
That collapsed tune o matic can be straightened - I’d change it out - they do well over wrapped
My guitar teacher has one like this from the 80s and i really want a custom with a maple fingerboard
I have four guitars with PK-2’s and love playing sax and electric piano and trumpet through them and my pedalboard!!!!
There is a special Gibson Les Paul mount but I have three with that mount.
ROLAND GR-33 & GR-55 forever!!!!!!😎
I would LOVE to get a Bicentennial collection going. A lot of great music was made with those guitars all the way through to today.
The maple necked Customs well it's neat that Gibson made them and they have their fans. Out of the two you showed I'd rather have the one with the Ebony fretboard. Still though thia guitar for being 47 years old or so is in Amazing condition! Nice find Austin!
Tones are making me rethink my natural preference for darker colored woods!
crispy right?
I really like how the back and sides are a nice contrast to the front. 11 lbs, nice! That's the way I like 'em. What are the 'W' and 'R' in the control cavity?
I'll take the maple one:)
Both mawn!
Always love these videos man. Thank you. Wish there was a lefty equivalent out there of you.
Has to be the nicest sounding Les Paul I've ever heard. Thank you !!!!!
Super nice example! Glad you decided to keep the case with it to preserve its history.
Les Paul Blonde Beauty, I saw one on the wall 35 years ago at Sam Ash in Chicago. It was going for $600 and needed a fret job ( bad buzz). I only had enough for one so I grabbed a mint cream Les Paul Custom for $1400 but have been looking for her ever since, now days I make good money.
Ahhh, one of my unofficial guitar teachers has one of those!!! They're so cool!!! I haven't talked to him in like 15 years. But I've always thought they were cool
OMG this guitar is beautiful. I wish Gibson made more maple like guitars.
Outstanding!! Such a keeper, you may find better condition - but the tones - I thought it was double tracked.
Now, if you can find a 3pup', only seen one in Ebony.
Stellar episode!! Ü ♫
great review! thank You very much!
Love the maple fretboard, definitely can hear the difference between the two.
The all maple one sounds just like my '76 SG - aggressive, vicious and bitey like a dog you wouldn't turn your back on. Unfortunately the neck on my SG is about the same as a knitting needle.
Sweet 1976 Custom with maple neck AND maple fretboard! I was going to say I can get behind a Les Paul with a satin maple fretboard, but it might be a bit too bright after all.
Love the fret board.
I have one from the 70s. Ultra clean. I got it when I was 19 and still have it. If you want some picks let me know.
That one is a beauty for sure! Shame about those drill holes.. Gives it some character at least 😅
21:47 ...dude you have seriously improved
If I were to guess, I'd say 1975 or 1976, just by looking at the thing. My dear old brother had a 1975 Gibson "Grabber" bass. The thing was all maple, but the body wasn't as glossy. The big problem with that Grabber bass is that nobody bought that model. The similar "Ripper" used by Gene Simmons of Kiss, was the one sought out. Especially over time, people realized the SLIDING pick-up. Yes, SLIDING. I don't know if you've reviewed one or not... Anyway, those Grabbers and Rippers never really caught on right away. There was a whole bunch of folks who didn't care for Kiss, and at that time in the mid 70s, I've heard tell that Fender P-Basses were much less than those Gibsons. So, I think Gibson was taking chances with maple, it was not their first pick with their trademark models. I'm so glad they went maple on this one. I went guitar shopping in my area for MANY years, and here in upstate new york NOBODY stocked these. You've got a keeper, museum piece here!!
There’s a super clean one on reverb right now couple of dings but nothing like after market screw holes , a little stand rash on the neck but to me it’s cleaner than this one. I know you’re a true connoisseur so just a heads up 👍👍
My absolute dream guitar
Oh man that guitar would be pristine if someone didn't drill into it, can't believe someone did that. I wouldn't even drill into my Epiphones, let alone a 70s Gibson.
I had one of these a long time ago, just couldn't get on with the lacquered fretboard. All in all was one of the most unremarkable guitars I ever had, was glad to move it on.
What a Excellent example the maple makes the neck pickup much more clear and it gives it some real bark now thats a Les Paul 👏👍🤘
Very very nice, & it sounds Great. I wish they would do an Epiphone Modern version. Outstanding that you have both versions.
Greening can indicate some plastic or whatever was offgassing/outgassing as found when older pickguards or case materials or whatever degrade and corrosive gases build up in a closed case.
If you keep it as an accent piece, you should reinstall the midi pickup.
Yahoo … love the look of Maple neck/fretboards! 👍
Very cool! I like the colour and the sound, but I prefer the ebony fretboard
I always liked the look of those blonde beauties. The pick ups on the original model are definitely brighter with more character. The modern version has a more filtered, warmer sound.
i've yet to see a maple fretboard with mother-of-pearl, or anything like it, that is attractive. and i feel it's more obvious, than simply my opinion (one of few things i feel that way about). but, hey, i probably favor something that way, too and it wouldn't bother me if i did. to each his own.
A tp6 bridge would b a really cool add on!!!! Beautiful gtr!!!! It'd b a keeper 4 me, midi or not!! I would love 2 c a 3pup Silverburst custom, don't know if they made 1 like that though...
Awesome guitar!!!
So the fretboard and neck are maple, so does that mean on this guitar the fretboard is not a separate piece apart from the neck? As like an ebony or other fretboard is glued to the neck material whatever the neck is made of, it’s a separate piece, but this particular guitar has the maple neck and the fretboard is not a separate piece but is made of the maple Neck and is one piece?
It is a glued on maple fretboard- otherwise you’d see the seams of the 3 piece neck. Fender makes them like you’re describing sometimes though
I'd get those holes properly dowled and keep it. Lovely guitar
8:30 shows harmonica bridge - did they change that too? 👀
harmonicas are an early 70s introduced item. Regular Customs don't tend to have them and when they do show up, were often replaced
Reminds me of my blonde beauty 1976 L6-S.