Gibson Les Paul Custom Serial Number Starts with "LE"?

[poster3814]

Hello. Where can we find information on decoding the serial number of
this Gibson Les Paul Custom? It's in the format of LE###### - starts
with "LE" followed by 6 digits. So far, I can't find the information
from the Gibson web site or in Google searches.

I'm told it's a Black Beauty reissue made in 1978, I think. It has two
P-90 style pickups. I've seen the guitar with the person who bought it
since at least the mid 1980s.

Thank you very much.

[rct]

Post by poster3814
Hello. Where can we find information on decoding the serial number of
this Gibson Les Paul Custom? It's in the format of LE###### - starts
with "LE" followed by 6 digits. So far, I can't find the information
from the Gibson web site or in Google searches.
I'm told it's a Black Beauty reissue made in 1978, I think. It has two
P-90 style pickups. I've seen the guitar with the person who bought it
since at least the mid 1980s.
Thank you very much.

The numbers can tell the year, some of the blue books and some
Duchossier and some Bacon books can tell you about the 6 digits and
what is as close to accurate as anyone can tell. 1978 was still
Kalamzoo vs Nashville time, probably you have a Kalamazoo Limited
Edition that was numbered the old way. Stamped or inked? "Made In
USA" or not? Find a blue book, they can tell you about that. That's
probably as close as you are going to get with.

rct

[Angus Manwaring]

On 12-Sep-07 18:02:47, poster3814 said

Post by poster3814
Hello. Where can we find information on decoding the serial number of
this Gibson Les Paul Custom? It's in the format of LE###### - starts
with "LE" followed by 6 digits. So far, I can't find the information
from the Gibson web site or in Google searches.
I'm told it's a Black Beauty reissue made in 1978, I think. It has two
P-90 style pickups. I've seen the guitar with the person who bought it
since at least the mid 1980s.

I had a look at my Les Paul book by Tony Bacon, and not much help I'm
afraid, as it seems to be quite complex.

Usually there are 8 digits and the first and the fifth give you the year,
but there are all sorts of exceptions.

Especially with Customs! So much so that he doesnt attempt to list them.

From whay I could tell the first Custom Black Beauty was the 82 (Custom
Black Beauty 82) made between 82 and 83.

It maybe be common knowlwedge that they were made before this, but going
by the book this is my understanding.



All the best,
Angus Manwaring. (for e-mail remove ANTISPEM)

I need your memories for the Amiga Games Database: A collection of Amiga
Game reviews by Amiga players http://www.angusm.demon.co.uk/AGDB/AGDB.html

[poster3814]

Post by Angus Manwaring
On 12-Sep-07 18:02:47, poster3814 said

Post by poster3814
Hello. Where can we find information on decoding the serial number of
this Gibson Les Paul Custom? It's in the format of LE###### - starts
with "LE" followed by 6 digits. So far, I can't find the information
from the Gibson web site or in Google searches.
I'm told it's a Black Beauty reissue made in 1978, I think. It has two
P-90 style pickups. I've seen the guitar with the person who bought it
since at least the mid 1980s.

I had a look at my Les Paul book by Tony Bacon, and not much help I'm
afraid, as it seems to be quite complex.
Usually there are 8 digits and the first and the fifth give you the year,
but there are all sorts of exceptions.
Especially with Customs! So much so that he doesnt attempt to list them.
From whay I could tell the first Custom Black Beauty was the 82 (Custom
Black Beauty 82) made between 82 and 83.
It maybe be common knowlwedge that they were made before this, but going
by the book this is my understanding.
All the best,
Angus Manwaring. (for e-mail remove ANTISPEM)
I need your memories for the Amiga Games Database: A collection of Amiga
Game reviews by Amiga players http://www.angusm.demon.co.uk/AGDB/AGDB.html

Thank you, Ron and Angus, very much for your replies. The serial number
is LE896412, stamped not inked, and "MADE IN U.S.A" is stamped below
that on two lines. As you can see, it doesn't follow the more common
method of 1st and 5th digits denoting the year.

For what it's worth, the Gibson web site says: "The Les Paul Custom,
introduced in 1954, has been affectionately nicknamed the Black Beauty
and the Fretless Wonder."
http://www.gibson.com/products/gibson/LesPaul/Custom.html

[rct]

Post by poster3814
Thank you, Ron and Angus, very much for your replies. The serial number
is LE896412, stamped not inked, and "MADE IN U.S.A" is stamped below
that on two lines. As you can see, it doesn't follow the more common
method of 1st and 5th digits denoting the year.

Yes, and Kalamzoo was using the old 6 digits until late 70's, as late
as 79 possibly. Blue book should explain it, if not Gibson
themselves. Somewhere.

Post by poster3814
For what it's worth, the Gibson web site says: "The Les Paul Custom,
introduced in 1954, has been affectionately nicknamed the Black Beauty
and the Fretless Wonder."http://www.gibson.com/products/gibson/LesPaul/Custom.html

I had two early 70's Customs, both sunbursts, plain tops, nothin
fancy. Teeny weeny little frets. Nice guitars I guess. Wish I had
them now.

rct