The new ones looked very light and almost unfinished. Gibson state that all 6 digit numbers starting with 0, are from 1967. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice. Around 3,500 L6-S Deluxe guitars were produced. *Excludes Brand New, B Stock, Fair, Poor, and Non-functioning. This was the model Paul Stanley of Kiss used from December 1974 to June 1975. It immediately becomes a huge hit with Jazz orchestras and bands around the United States. At the time of its introduction, the L6-S Custom was simply called the L6-S, not gaining the "Custom" badge until later, when the simpler L6-S Deluxe was introduced. Early L6-S examples were built at Gibson's famous Kalamazoo plant, though by the mid 1970s, the L6S was being produced at Gibson's second plant, the newly opened facility at Nashville. The original L6-S came in three variants; all were maple-bodied with twin super-humbucking pickups. Overall, I would rate the condition a solid 7 5 out of 10. . ex 3 1234. Gibson water slide serial numbers.1975,1976,1977 I need help: Identifying a mid 1960's Gibson/Kalamazoo. Nashville Manufacturing Plant opens in 1974. A nice and easy player that features 24 frets, a slimmer body, newer Gibson 490 pickups (I don't have originals), and the rotary switch was replaced with a 3-way toggle. Haunted Gibson '76 L6-S Electric Guitar with Original Case. A nice and easy player that features 24 frets, a slimmer body, newer Gibson 490 pickups (I don't have originals), and the rotary switch was replaced with a 3-way toggle. Ernie Ball vs DAddario String Comparison 2022, What Are Best Acoustic Guitar Strings For Beginners? The L6-S and L6-S Custom are identical. 1994 the new Gibson Nighthawk wins the Most Innovative Guitar at NAMM. Demand was high in 1902, making it impractical to carry on as a one-man Luthier. The Serial process from 1952 was clearer. This is a quick way to tell if you have a post 69 Gibson. I'm a big fan of the L-6S Custom too - mine plays beautifully. Just enter the number below, hit the 'Decode' button and our lookup tool will tell you the year your guitar is from (sometimes even down the exact day), the country it was made in, and the manufacturing plant. Hello, I encountered a problem while trieng to determine the age of my L6S Deluxe. Some examples still shipped from the Nashville plant, though, as late as 1981 for the Custom and Deluxe and 1982 for the Midnight Special. GOOD LUCK. please do not give me **** about the stickers. Maybe when I sell it, I should describe it as the "mystery guitar". The Best Fingerstyle Guitar: 5 Affordable Acoustic Guitars For You. Components listed in blue can be clicked for further details. You can join a Gibson or Vintage based guitar blog and send pictures of your acoustic online. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to receive exclusive offers & promotions, news & reviews, and personalized tips for buying and selling on Reverb. and, off course, it plays like butter. On rare occasions, some dates can be found on the electric guitar pots. Invented by Ted McHugh at Gibson. I found a Memphis Gibson ES Les Paul hollow body with the serial number 11036737 . The L6-S Custom was designed by Bill Lawrence with 'Q-system' electronics (short for EQ), somewhat similar to those in the Gibson Ripper. The idea was to offer new sounds and as much versatility as possible: from country "chicken pickin'" to the most abstract jazz riffs. Is this a real Fender Bass or a good copy? Copyright 2021 Gibson Brands, Inc. All rights reserved. 7 Stunning Guitars For. Its difficult to know without pics. Want to know how to date your Gibson guitar by serial number? In this case, the guitar is a 2012 SG Custom/Special Re-issue. The new one has some differences, the pickups are different, but the character of the guitar comes mainly from the use of maple, so it's pretty close, and the necks on the 3 old ones are all a little different from each other anyway. The headstock was sanded and a metal pickguard was made to cover the logo. There are some scratches, dings and wear on the back. Tilt back body, anybody know ? The capacitor serves to limit the low end response of the neck pickup, and also phase delays the signal from that pickup, resulting in a fuller tone, not too unlike the #2 and #4 switch positions on a Fender Stratocaster guitar. Gibson regularly produced lists of constituent components for each of their guitars; this first list (left) was produced in the 1977 Gibson replacement parts catalogue, at a time that the 'Custom' was used in other Gibson literature (the January 1977 price list for example) - although note that it is not used here. I have inherited a custom Gibson Hummingbird with ivory and gold keys, ivory pegs and ivory and mother of pearl inlays on the neck. Limited edition Gibsons such as the serial number PAGE xxx, are signature guitars from great players over the years. The condition is very good for the age with some usual playing wear. The Gibson ES-150 was endorsed by Charlie Christian. Over 12,000 L6-S Custom instruments were made. As seen in the video is a 1978 Gibson L6-S in Natural with Block Inlays with the original case. Please check the fields highlighted in red. I love this thing! Some earlier lower-end models had no serial number at all, making the FON the sole numerical identifier in those cases. A-28123 = Gibson ES-295 1998 123rd in the sequence. Too many for me to mention here but check out the manufacturers site. Further innovating guitars were Further impressive innovations were produced in 1980. Gibson has historically used two different alpha-numerical formats to catalog its instruments: serial numbers and FONs (Factory Order Numbers). Canada, Gibson serial numbers that begin with an 'A' or "B' followed by a hyphen are from the ES collection Reissues, since 1995. too busy playing. This is sometimes referred to as the slanted script logo. Some flattop guitars of this era started to omit the word "The" from the inlay. Ged is editor-in-chief and founder of Zing Instruments. Essential Factors To Know Before Parting With Money. Other notable variations from this time period are a 5 character serial number starting with a number, then a space, and 4 digits. Controls include a six position pickup selector, master volume, mid-range and treble roll-off controls. See the L6-S controls for a reminder of the function of the three potentiometers. Serial # 129202 Can anyone help me out with date and data on it? Gibson Lee. A real nice example, nice and light and resonant. How to Date a Gibson Using Serial Numbers, FONs and Logos What kind of guitar do you think this could be? ), All Original USA Made, 1978, 1978 Gibson L6-S Natural w / Block Inlays, Gibson Vintage 1973 L6-S Bill Lawrence Pickup 1972 1974 1975 1970's, Gibson Vintage 1970's L6-S SG Harmonica Bridge Adjustment 1972 1973 1974 1975 76, Find more Gibson L6S for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co, 1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog, 1970 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns Celebrated Classics' catalog, 1971 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns' catalog, 1965 Gretsch 'For the Spectacular Sound of the Times' guitar and amp catalog, Guitar Repair: fixing fret buzz and sharp fret ends, 1966 Hagstrom 'worlds fastest playing neck' catalog (Merson USA), 1971 Gibson Les Paul Recording guitar owners manual, 1971 Gibson Les Paul Triumph bass owners manual. Oops, looks like you forgot something. 7 of the Very Best For Every Skill Level, Ibanez Acoustic Guitar Review. Josh "Josh 2" Hager of Devo uses a L6-S. Learn every inch of your guitar, 5 Tips On How to Stay Creative With Songwriting on Guitar, 6 Tips: How To Get the Best Sound When Playing Guitar at Home, 7 Pro Tips for Playing Guitar and Singing at the Same Time, The Mystery Of The Fretboard. Yet you may come across these serial numbers between 1970-75. The first 3 position switch was a pickup selector while the second was a sound selector -- position one was for Les Paul , position two for Strat, and position three for Tele sound.Well, I had to stay within the budget, and we ended up with a six-position rotary switch, pickups with large humbucker covers, a stock Schaller bridge with a "stop" tailpiece, and a clumsy-looking body. At this time we have scattered information regarding (CS) Custom Shop serial coding. ), the pickups, the type of finish, and the electronics inside that can give clues as to when an instrument was made. Gibson L6-S Electric Guitar >> Vintage Guitar and Bass The closest most notable information is as follows. Archtop models had a stamp on the inside of the F hole, and the solid-body models displayed the serial number on the rear of the headstock. Dhangarwadi Pin code is 431703 and postal head office is . In 1845 a gentleman by the name of Orville Gibson was working in his wood store. This is similar to what is on offer in some current Les Pauls. By 1933 Gibson had dropped the "The" from all of their logos while retaining the script "Gibson." Overall, I would rate the condition a solid 7 5 out of 10. During this time Gibson acquired the recording talents of a ceratin Les Paul. Number of Strings: 6-String. Gibson L6-S Made in USA in 1970-75 Serial Number: 108156 that's the . http://forums.gibson.com/default.aspx?g=posts&m=109732. But, Im a member on a blog where the guys are very helpful. As always, use our decoder to find out the guitar in question. I bought this new back in 74? ?s first ever! [more], Gibson L6-S Custom - L6-S. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Company address: Dramatik Ltd, 5 Champion Way, Tiverton, EX16 4FH, UK | Phone: +44 1884 906198 2023 - Zing Instruments. Gibson L6-S shipping statistics and pricing - Vintage guitar I haven't had any luck using a serial number lookup to find the year it was made. The circuitry used an LCR networks with an inductor to filter midrange output, via the midrange control. ), All Original, Made in USA in 1978. If you feel like your guitar could be highly valuable or just want as much information as possible, we recommend finding an official appraiser or reach out to a Gibson representative. The Gibson L6-S is a solid body electric guitar. The number of digits was changed to 9 in total. Must Have Guitar Setup Tools For Repair & Maintenance, Best Guitar Stand 2022: The Essential Buyers Guide, Best Guitar Wall Hanger: 5 Trustworthy Guitar Wall Mounts, The Very Best Single Coil Pickups For All Your Guitar Needs, The 10 Very Best Humbucking Pickups For All Your Guitar Needs, Best audio interface for guitar. [2] This provides more pleasant selections, but eliminates the previous more radical special-purpose settings of the original Bill Lawrence design. Gibson L6-S Natural Wood Finish w / Bigsby Bridge - Clone. Terms & Conditions | Registered Trademarks. Early Gibson solidbody electrics received a serial stamp on the back of the headstock, with the first number indicating the year of production. Your link has been automatically embedded. Working with a potentially very valuable old Gibson can be intimidating, particularly for someone who doesnt have experience with vintage instruments. Great, I will new photos on Mon as my camera is not working. Don't know what you have. The Deluxe had a set maple neck (some were actually Stamped "Deluxe" on the back of the Head-stock), with a rosewood fingerboard. 5 Packs That Are Perfect For Your Guitar, 7 Best Guitar Strings for Metal: Reviews and Comparison. 1968, 1969. A- & B- Serial Numbers. The extra digit slots in the 6th position and is responsible for the batch lot number of the guitar produced that day. The L6-S Custom was designed by Bill Lawrence with 'Q-system' electronics (short for EQ), somewhat similar to those in the Gibson Ripper. This usually indicates there is an imperfection or blemish to the finish. Gibson serial numbers that begin with an A or B followed by a hyphen are from the ES collection Reissues, since 1995. I was shocked at how awesome it is, and it looks so basic. How To Verify Authentic Gibson Serial Numbers I was given a free hand as long as I observed a set production cost limit. Batch numbers start from 0, once the number 699 guitar is stamped that day, the batch number changes from 0 to 1. This is the serial number: 94046571. thanks. ex 1234 A & 1234 A5. The first instruments crafted by Orville Gibson were a family of acoustics and mandolins. Some important information will be printed or embossed as usual on the rear of the headstock or inside the body on a label. That's the L6-S Custom you're talking about, not the Deluxe. Your previous content has been restored. Your guitars journey from the factory into your hands may be a mystery, but its always a good way to dig into the earlier life of your instrument. The use of maple bodies, necks and fretboards, usually with just a simple clear coat finish, made for an instrument quite distinct from earlier guitars, both visually and tonally. Pickup Configuration: HH. When only one variant of the L6-S existed, it was simply called the L6-S. This system is fairly reliable for guitars made from 1953 to 1961. In the 1990's he made a few TV appearances in London and supported a few big bands at festivals. Hello, I have an old Gibson L6-S that was given to my mother as a gift. The Deluxe is not listed in entirety in this catalogue, although it's pickup is. ex 171234567. It does have the made in USA and serial numbers. Serials beginning with CS05 are from Memphis 2010. All Rights Reserved. Both pickups, parallel out of phase, with the neck pickup's bass response restricted through a series capacitor. I'll post the full serial number when I get back home. Gibson L6-S - Wikipedia 516 KM from State capital Mumbai. Dreadnought Vs Concert: 8 Beautiful Guitars, But What Are The Differences? In order to stay within that limit, I had to make use of their existing hardware, including pickup covers, and the champfered body contours I wanted were not in the budget either. The L6-S was the first cooperation between Bill Lawrence and Gibson. Each guitar is made out of a one-piece maple body and a three-piece set neck, with a choice of rosewood, maple or ebony fingerboard. 1990+ saw interest in vintage models reignite. L6-S production started at the Kalamazoo plant in Michigan, however it moved to Nashville, certainly by the end of 1977, perhaps earlier. This makes it especially important to first identify the general era during which your instrument was made before pinning down the exact date of manufacture with a serial number. 6 Digits in total. Definitely underrated. Share Tweet Pin it. The serial numbers from this period are generally as follows: Starting in 1977, Gibson adopted the current date-based serial system which codes for the year and day of production. Later, the guitar was modified by English luthier Tony Zemaitis and the black pickguard was changed with a handmade metal pickguard. He used the guitar to record Platinum and it can be seen at the 1980 Knebworth concert. Serial numbers are weird and were also re-used through the decades. 10 Essential Tips For Guitar Care: The Best Ways To Maintain Your Guitar: The Ultimate Acoustic Guitar Tonewoods Guide: How Does Wood Affect Your Tone? An automatic tuning unit is fitted on the rear of the headstock. Towards the end of World War II, Chicago Musical Instruments saw the chance to take the Gibson brand to millions. 2=Model, 8=8year, 123 place in manufacturing sequence. Everything on the guitar is original with the exception of the tuners, pickguard, pickups and knobs. Gibson Headstock Logos Through The Decades. details required for an exact match are listed in yellow. Note that all three potentiometers are Gibson part 70029 - 300kΩ in contrast to the 250kΩ parts described in the 1973. In 1969 Gibson began carving volutes-- small bumps of additional wood where the neck transitions to the headstock-- to cut down on warranty repair work. Price Guide * Excludes Brand New, B Stock, Fair, Poor, and Non-functioning. There are many accessories and extras guitarists need from time to time. Posted April 29, 2012. I was in my 20s and played in a punk rock band when I bought this for $250. The 1st digit indicates the year of manufacture for the 4 & 5 digit serial numbers, these were used from 1989-1999. Update 2023. There are two things you can do now if you want to discover more. Given a mere $25 more to work with, I could have made the guitar to my specs. Whether these features were exclusive to the prototype, or used in early production models is unclear. Purchased from the original owner. It was never advertised, or listed in the Gibson catalogs or the Gibson price listings. To gain the best results use our decoder above. Gibson flexes its muscles by producing the worlds first digital guitar. Comes with a hard case, Guitar comes with non original theme matching case in very good condition. From pretty and wa This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. Terms & Conditions | Registered Trademarks. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. 1975 Gibson L6-S, natural. The block logo debuted after WWII and remains the face of the company. Learn More. Note: Custom shop guitars are not supported. Dhangarwadi is a Village in Sengaon Taluka in Hingoli District of Maharashtra State, India. ), All Original USA Made, 1978, 1977 Gibson L6-S Electric Solidbody Guitar Natural With Original Hardshell Case, 1978 Gibson L6-S Natural w / Block Inlays, Gibson L6-S Natural Wood Finish w / Bigsby Bridge - Clone, 1976 Gibson L6-S Custom paint / Relic / Di Marzio Super Distortion, 1976 Gibson L6-S Deluxe in Tobacco Sunburst 7 3lbs, Find more Gibson L6S for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co, http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/serial_numbers/, 1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog, 1970 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns Celebrated Classics' catalog, 1971 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns' catalog, 1965 Gretsch 'For the Spectacular Sound of the Times' guitar and amp catalog, Guitar Repair: fixing fret buzz and sharp fret ends, 1966 Hagstrom 'worlds fastest playing neck' catalog (Merson USA), 1971 Gibson Les Paul Recording guitar owners manual, 1971 Gibson Les Paul Triumph bass owners manual. The serial number is 6 digits and starts with a 1. It belongs to Aurangabad Division . Potentiometer codes are always helpful. Oops, looks like you forgot something. I don't know, but here is a thread devoted to the L6S you might find interesting. CS15 is 2011. Fortunately, there were two notable changes to the entire lineup that occurred during the transition that make differentiating 60s and 70s Gibsons straightforward. Your purchases also help protect forests, including trees traditionally used to make instruments. Any thoughts? I have a couple of good references on Gibson serial numbers. Nationa High Way :NH752K;NH361F in Distance 93.7 KM ( Ahmedpur - Gangakhed Road ) Nationa High Way :NH161E;NH753C in Distance 96.3 KM ( Karanja Bypass ) Nationa High Way :NH161A in Distance 93.9 KM ( Nagpur-Mumbai Highway ) Vintage Gibson L6-S Guitars for Sale Contact Gibson, and their Customer Service people can tell you what model of Les Paul you have by their serial number registry. It is what it is. 1,449.00. It's the best damn guitar you ever played.". Display as a link instead, Aside from the logos, each era of manufacturing included certain identifying traits such as the hardware (tuners, knobs, plates, etc. But in reality, left us with more of a headache. Its important to point out Nashville and Memphis Custom Shop models are unique, even one off serial numbers. stormcharger Gibson Lawsuit Guitar (Fujigen) Information??? Here is the elaborate list of serial number ranges derived from existing 1976 Gibsons, based on a little over 1,000 instruments. I have a couple of good references on Gibson serial numbers. The following codes relate to a range of Gibson SG, Firebird, and Les Paul custom or reissue guitars. The first digit is the year and the other numbers are production numbers. The year is indicated by the first letter in any series of letters for these years. ?s first ever! When the original serial system reached 999,999 in 1947, Gibson started over with an A prefix. In contrast to finding Fender serial numbers (which can be in a variety of places), locating Gibson serial numbers is more straightforward. 3 Go Head to Head. Between 1975 and 1977, Gibson used a decal that had eight digit serial numbers and the model name, with the first two digits denoting the year - but not directly. I have an ES 135, Serial Number 00002305. Starting in 1970, Made in USA was stamped on the headstock below the serial number. The Essential Guide. Replicas like the 59 and 60 flame top Les Paul send players into a buying frenzy.