Purely from an investment standpoint I doubt if any of these will ever become particularly collectable, with the possible exception of certain mid-century off-brand Gibson-made flattops and archtops, although many remain cheap enough to enable anybody to build up a quite impressive spare room full of very useable guitars. While made during one of the company's most controversial eras when many players saw a sacrifice of quality for profit margins, the Gibson Les Paul Customs of the Norlin Era can be diamond-in-the-rough finds for players with a keen eye. All things being equal, I still gravitate towards Norlin era Pauls (and SG's). It was the same shape - very much like a wide Gibson Les Paul. I tend to like 1990s era Gibsons in general. However, while the intent was to maintain a more organized catalog, this system in practice achieved the exact opposite. The korina Explorers and Flying Vs of around 1982 and 1983 are Norlin-era. T his is a 1983 Gibson Les Paul Custom with a “Gibson” factory installed Kahler Tremolo System. This is the first generation Protector case, with 3 latches. It looks almost new, like it was in a closet / under the bed for the last 35 years. I have two ’73 SG Standards that are very nice, but they are slightly different than models before ‘69ish or after ’86ish. Ebony fingerboard if you can find one (they were only made two years). 1983 Norlin Era Gibson Les Paul Custom w/ Factory Kahler Tremolo. Norlin Era 1978 Gibson Byrdland in Natural! Fast, comfortable, clean,doesn't pick up dirt like rosewood and lasts forever. Gibson Les Paul Norlin Era 70s/80s Special Edition Rare Guitars Collection | Part 2 - Duration: 9:48. This is an era that most "experts" think is notorious for designing, manufacturing and selling bad Gibson guitars. There is something just a little different that I really can't find a good description for other than that old cliche' "Mojo". They can be! Of course with anything wood, sample variation is huge. I'm glad this discussion goes on, though the antagonism is unpleasant. In 1974 Gibson became a subsidiary of Norlin Musical Instruments. The Gibson Les Paul is a solid body electric guitar that was first sold by the Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1952. My SG is a '93 (korina wood limited edition "Standard") and my doublecut LP is from '98. I'm writing an article about the NORLIN era at Gibson (roughly 1969 to the early 1980s). By 1988, the Epiphone listed a new PR Series of square-shouldered acoustics along with an interpretation of Gibson's J-180, several classical guitars, a banjo, and a mandolin. This period is known as the Norlin era, when CMI, the company who owned Gibson, was merged with ECL, a brewing firm! My Super V CES hails from 1991-1992, a so called "Master Model". Triggs now makes his own archtops under his name. ....in one guitar! CBS ran Fender until 1985 and Norlin ran Gibson until 1980. it is just perfect for me. It so happens that the quartersawn maple they used was plain. Plus somewhat lack of quality control / quality wood / quality craftmanship, surely due to rushed production methods & saving expences. Gibson Brands, Inc. (formerly Gibson Guitar Corporation) is an American manufacturer of guitars, other musical instruments, and professional audio equipment from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and now based in Nashville, Tennessee.The company was formerly known as Gibson Guitar Corporation and renamed Gibson Brands, Inc. on June 11, 2013. I find that it's unhelpful and misleading to refer to the Norlin "era" as though it's a thing, or the Henry J period as though it is, too. i was a gibson dealer during the norlin era, commonly referred to as 'gibson's darkest days'. 21.05.2020 - Gibson Les Paul Custom Norlin Era Electric Guitar 1970 - 1985 | Reverb - #electricguitars Gibson produced during the "Norlin era" are units produced from 1970 through 1983. This is the real deal ES-335TD Norlin era, not the reissue ones! The Norlin era is maligned by some Gibson corksniffers but have a look at an early '70s SG. Spread the love. Regarding Norlin guitars and wood selection, Gibson didn't simply decide to use plain maple for these guitars during the Norlin era. i thought the majority of the instruments were very nice, not perfect but just as perfect as guild martin or fender which i also sold. I would assume they increased wood quality somewhat, but I doubt there is any grade difference from anything else they have used in the last 30 years. Posted on May 31, 2020 May 31, 2020 Author guitar73_wp. Vintage vibe. December 3, 2020. gibson sg standard '60 It was a cheaper descendant of the L5S jazz solid body electric guitar. MOJO!!! In 1969, the Norlin corp purchased Gibson Guitars (and subsidiaries). http://cgi.ebay.com/1972-Gibson-SGll_W0QQitemZ290050340472QQihZ019QQcategoryZ47073QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem My article is concentrating on just the OPPOSITE and I'm trying to show that the NORLIN era produced some wonderful guitars. 9:48. To answer your question, wether it's the '70-'72 or later ones, I think it's just part of the Norlin era, where Gibson did a lot of strange things to the guitar designs. Free shipping . During this time, Gibson was owned by the Norlin Corporation. It is in excellent condition cosmetically, and fully functional. Call the Fire Department! In 1965, the Columbia Broadcasting System purchased Fender Musical Instruments (and subsidiaries). They decided to go from using slab-cut maple to using quartersawn maple. $250.00. The Trogly's Guitar Show 12,556 views. It was the first Gibson to sport a 24 fret two-octave neck. Yes and no. Honest play wear on the guitar (but as they say.. the good ones get played!) Gibson Les Paul Norlin Era Special Edition Rare Guitars Collection #1 - Duration: 7:10. gibson sg standard '60. The Trogly's Guitar Show 9,623 views. 1971 Gibson ES-335TD "Norlin Era" Cherry Red + vintage hardshell case. The net result was that the quality of Gibson instruments throughout the decade was dire, with designs compromised and manufacturing costs kept … I reckon there are some folks who would rather have a 1950s or 1960s Gibson but will buy a Norlin-era Gibson that is less expensive. i currently have a 1976 L5CES which i wouldnt ever trade or sell. SOLD Gibson Protector 3-Latch Case • Generation 1, 1978 - 1980 • For Norlin Era SG / Les Paul Guitars Up for sale is a very good condition Gibson Protector Case for the Norlin Era Les Pauls + SGs. I don't currently own any Norlin Gibsons, but I did have a Norlin era SG (probably mid-70's) for a season that was a fine guitar, albeit, not something to be too particularly jazzed about. Comes with a vintage hardshell case! The guitar is in overall very good condition. I think Jim Hutchins and Jimmy Triggs made it, when Triggs was at the Gibson Custom Shop. 7:10. This is the oral history of the SG, the remarkable solidbody electric that Gibson introduced at the very end of 1960. These time periods are … These have thin necks and the ebony feels and plays like a Fender maple neck. Gibson intended the SG to be a replacement for the original Les Paul and at first, it too was called a Les Paul.Later confirmed as the SG, it was a radical departure in design, its body a modernistic mix of bevels and points and angles, offering excellent upper-fret access. Gibson SG-R1 / Artist 1980 - 1981 | Reverb This short-lived Norlin-era model used the active Moog electronics from the RD Artist, employing a slightly thicker body to accommodate the internal circuitry. Vintage Guitar Head Stock Framed Print. Gorgeous Gibson ES-335 from the early 70's! It is my opinion that Gibson Norlin lost the sense of all the wonderful things they were doing right throughout the company's history. ... Vintage 1980 Gibson Manual SG Explorer II Flying V II 335-S L-5 80's Norlin . There are gems and duds from every single year. That said, not all Norlins sucks. The purchase of Gibson’s owner at the time, Chicago Musical Instruments by a company called Norlin is considered musical instrument heresy. but like my guitar playing maybe my standards arent as high as some others During this era there were a few great instruments made, but Gibson also produced some truly weird creations that were not worthy of the same company which built fabulous instruments designed by the likes of Lloyd Loar and Ted McCarty. I always figured it was because Gibson started to improve quality from the Norlin era. Of the Norlin era, some were ok but many were great and a few were outstanding. The Gibson L-6S was really a nice instrument. T he Factory move his solid body production from Kalamazoo (Michigan) to Nashville (Tennessee). Gibson ES-335TD "Norlin Era" 1970 - 1981 | Reverb November 2020 Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear. Up for sale is a very good condition Gibson Protector Case for the Norlin Era Les Pauls + SGs. For Norlin Era Les Paul, Sonex 180, or SG Guitars Weight unloaded: 10 Lbs., 7 Oz. An Orville by Gibson SG. There was also a solid selection of Gibson-inspired models like the Les Paul and SG, new archtops like the Howard Roberts Fusio, and a revival of the Sheraton. Numbers from this era were flipped, reused, and in many cases can date an instrument to several non-sequential years. * SOLD * Vintage 1980s Norlin-Era Protector Case * SOLD * Gen 3 Case for SG, Sonex, LP Junior/Special Excellent Condition, Guitar Not Included Here is a really nice Protector Gen 3 1980s Norlin case. This is the first generation, 3-latch, Protector case. Starting in 1961, Gibson implemented a new serialization system designed to cover its entire lineup. Free shipping for many products! 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