Norlin GIBSON Les Paul Standard - are they really that bad?

[@JoeyJoJoJr51]

My ‘80 Custom is my favourite guitar, and I’m a Fender guy

[@michaelkeudel8770]

I bought my 79 Standard off the shelf for $600 in early 81, it has ALWAYS been my absolute favorite guitar to own and play.

[@BuffaloDoctor]

I have a '79 Standard in wine red in my collection and it's AMAZING! It has the flat frets and it is HEAVYYYYYYY!!!! Everyone who plays it loves it

[@tracymcelhenie3988]

Norlin Gibsons are Awesome,

[@GRBAquatics]

Very Cool, Thankyou Dunsy. Stunning looking and sounding Guitar and awesome playing as always. All the Best. Cheers

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

Thanks buddy - appreciate you checking it out. Hope all is well.

[@Chris66JTM45]

That's a nice condition Les Paul and a good looking colour. My Standard (Tobacco Burst) was stamped on 21st May 1979, just a few weeks before yours came off the line .... they're really good guitars. I've owned mine since new, all original and still plays great. It also has the wide flat frets and chunky control cavity shield like yours. By 1979, Gibson had given up on the mid 70's glued sandwich/pancake style mahogany bodies and returned to more traditional LP construction methods.

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

I love the tobacco burts from the 70's - cool looking instruments. I've thought about getting this one refretted, but decided to leave it as is. You get used to the frets for sure.

[@paulmccusker4305]

Great wee vid Dunsy, I like that guitar man 👍😎

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

Thanks buddy - cracking guitar. Wee bit on the heavy side, but not enough to lay me flat oot!

[@Paul-lj3qw]

If Norlin era is that bad , they wouldn’t be fetching such high prices

[@1allspub]

Love Norlins, especially the late-70s/early-80s ones with maple necks. I presently own three… but can see getting another still.

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

Four is the perfect number!

[@joegearing1745]

Yeah, I have a 73 Custom and it's pretty amazing. The neck is slim but still comfy, it's not that heavy...it's probably around 9 pounds. Incredibly stable, it stays in tune even if I haven't played it for months, and the T-top pickups are really nice as well. It had a refret at some point before I bought it so it's got huge frets now, and I actually had it pleked and man I was shocked at how good it played when I got it back. Hetfield's Iron Cross "Uncle Milty" is a 73 Custom as well. I can't say enough good things about it.

[@theariesexperiment4642]

I've own a couple and played many. The best Lester I've ever owned was an 1982 Yellow'd alpine white Custom. All original except the Sperzel tuners. It was an absolute monster. It sounded HYUGE!!!! I regrettably sold the guitar for $2,000 in 1998 due to life. I miss it so.

[@davelewis4215]

Sounds awesome 🤘🍺

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

Cheers DL.

[@ilovegreenock]

The middle position has got quite a good tone!

[@robvee532]

I have a 73' and a 75' Les Paul Custom that are my absolute favorites. I also have a newer 2007 VOS Gold Top LP, a 2003 Les Paul Custom SG, 65' SG jr, Explorer and 2- LP Jr's. I will never sell any of my Gibsons, they are all great guitars flaws and all. My 75' Custom is the "I will be buried with this guitar". When I play it, it's everyone's favorite in any band that I play in. It suffered a hard life before I got it close to 30 years ago, it's water damaged, had a poorly repaired neck break, electronics were shot and non-original, clear coat is falling off the body. I put it all back together and repaired everything that was wrong it and its been my favorite for 30 years. I never had to repair anything ever again except for a few pickup replacements. I played it all over the world before buying travel guitars and it lives at home playing only local shows (I don't ever want to lose it). I liked that everyone slagged them because they remained cheap for the longest time. I Bought my 73' for $300 and my 75' for $500. Those days are long gone but there are still deals on these out there. They received a lot of hate because rock stars who could afford an 50's -1960 LP's hated these, and I get that. I would hate driving a Porsche if all I drove were Ferrari's.

[@davidcoleman7674]

Looks and sounds great!

[@eddiejr540]

excellent stuff as always Dunsy…I would love to visit Edinburgh…just saying😎

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

A great city - big castle!

[@ltgray2780]

Trogley would love that Les Paul.

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

100%!

[@nicolasbeaudry6158]

🤪 idgaf, but this one mate is sweet plank. I love them big ass headstocks,and that wine Color is outstanding. And for me the heavier the better. Great vid has always mate!!!!!🫡

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

Thank ya! Appreciate you checking it out. A lovely guitar.

[@Stutterin-Bob]

Great video! I have a 2023 Les Paul 50s model in the same colour. Mine is just a touch lighter than yours at 4.27 kgs. Your guitar is a jem! It's in great shape for It's age.

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

Thanks for checking it out - the 50's models are great, I had one for a while and the neck was just perfect. Sweet.

[@GC-dd8it]

Gibson’s from the 70’s were never that bad, just different, unlike some of the abominations from 2015 🤪

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

100% agree there. Worst neck and nut I can remember!

[@sgtpilko5428]

Interesting I have a 2015 junior and it's my favourite neck shape.

[@GC-dd8it]

Just goes to show, one persons armpit stink is another ones potpourri

[@jollytreepin2168]

I quite like the colour. I am always tempted by Red Wine, be it alcohol or Gibsons. Hmm, time for another glass I think..... Nice guitar by the way.

[@The.Magnificent.one.2025]

Lovely guitar.

[@davepatterson4774]

It's a winner! Should you ever tire of it (fat chance!) I'd buy it from you. 😜 Rock on, brother!

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

If you're ever in town you're welcome to pop in and rock out!

[@davepatterson4774]

@DunsysGuitarWorld I'll keep you posted! And, thank you very much!

[@ima640]

Plenty of bite in those pickups, love it.

[@co2gonzo]

I've owned a 1979 Les Paul Deluxe Pro, and currently own a 1976 Deluxe Pro. Both had P90s and ebony fretboard. Here's were I'm at with Norlin Era Gibsons. They were good, not great, but good. In order to save $$$ Gibson used smaller, ie..cheaper wood pieces, glued together. This is now a staple on many high-end guitars, so do what you will with that. The pickups were hit and miss, but usable. When Henry's (can't spell his last name) took over, he couldn't source better woods to build less pauls with, so to alleviate the weight of Les Pauls, he moved to routing out the bodies, calling them "Chambered". There was also the issue of price gouging that he started as well. Nowadays, basic Les Pauls cost far more than they're worth. They're a $1,800 guitars at best, but sold for $3,000 and up. At those prices, you're not getting the quality that a $3k guitar should be.

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

I love those Pro Deluxe's! Hopefully getting a loan of one soon.

[@jonvig4771]

I have a 💯% stock 1970 SG ordered in April of 70. It's a beast that can be put up against anything. I never understood the hate with Norlin era?

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

I love my 2 early 70's SGs - lovely guitars.

[@kennygardner5041]

I had four Norlin era Les Pauls and all were great ESPECIALLY a 1979 Goldtop Standard. Rare as there are no production numbers but I owned TWO! One was as the BEST! Not too heavy, very open sounding, warm but clear due the the three piece maple neck. Birdseye at that. Friend had a real 1958 Sunburst but he liked mine better! Luck of the draw. Played many of that era that sucked, played many “ vintage” era stuff that sucked as well!

[@gringopig]

Looks and sounds pretty cool! There is a 78 in GG right now dammit. Argh thanks Dunsy lol ❤❤❤

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

I'm sure this one will be for sale at some point!

[@anthonycraig1458]

Looks very much like my own 76 wine red standard. Weighs over 10lbs and although I wouldn't say it's a bad guitar, I'm sure you can get better newer ones now. It felt a big step up from the Epiphone I had previously but it doesn't compare to an R8 I now have which is lighter, more refined and just is a whole lot nicer to play.

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

I had a CS '57 Junior from 2019, which was a really nice well made instrument, so I imagine that an R8 is magnificent. Nice one.

[@ChrisShortyAllen]

Beautiful guitar and i love that red. The bridge looks ok to me but I think the tail has been changed. Probably collapsed.

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

Yeah, the bridge seems to be a Schaller - I was told that Gibson used them for a while - the Gotoh tailpiece is definitely an aftermarket addition.

[@IanGold-k8r]

My 78 custom is the best guitar I've ever played

[@pjm329]

Mine left the Nashville factory on January 31st 1979. Also wine red. I love that guitar. I wish it looked as nice as yours. Your bridge looks original to me. The tailpiece not so much.

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

Yeah, definitely think the tailpiece has been replaced - lovely guitars, I have to say.

[@650thunderbird]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@chrisquinn9104]

A refret makes those guitars infinitely better and even though I’m a traditionalist who doesn’t own any maple neck Les Pauls, I have to admit that it may actually be a much better wood for an LP neck, way stronger and brighter too.

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

I've thought about a refret on this a few times (I did get one on my 72 SG as they frets were even lower and wider than those on this LP). I have a 2019 LP Special Tribute DC which has a maple neck too and I have no complaints.

[@ernestschultz5065]

Norlin era Les Pauls are not totally lacking charm. They have gained quite a following.

[@The.Magnificent.one.2025]

I had a Gibson LesPaul deluxe from 1971/72. Goldtop. It got nicked in London along with my 1975 Gibson Flying V. Not a good night. I was devastated. I stopped playing for over 15 years.

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

Oh man, that is awful. Two really nice instruments as well.

[@The.Magnificent.one.2025]

Very early 90s it happened. Still sickening. White flying V with the white headstock. Goldtop had Gibson logo on the pickups.

[@jltrem]

There it is! In the mid-Seventies my local shop had a dark red Les Paul (a bit darker than your example, Dunsy) for sale for $500. I came so close so many times. I wasn't married then so all my cash was mine to spend. Still, for some reason I didn't bite. We didn't know anything about Norlin=Bad in those days. I wouldn't have cared anyway. Still wish I'd have laid my money down.

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

It's crazy when you think $500 new! These wine red examples are such a fantastic colour. Cool guitars.

[@gorehamster9172]

I had a 75 Deluxe badged /factory routed Standard with Standard on the Truss Rod Cover,,owned by Bruce Watson before me..Had to sell it sadly..I got it 1990 sold it 95..Same Finish,,..Weighed a ton,,you could feel it in your feet..Big Neck..They seemed to vary..I would say all my present Les Pauls were better guitar..My heaviest a a 10lb Trans Amber Standard..Still lighter than the Norlin was I reckon..Just having a Gibson back then was amazing though..The pickups in my other guitar at the time..Westone Spectrum were way more ballsy..Black Dimarzio clones..

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

I like the "you could feel it in your feet"! Yeah, this one isn't too bad, but certainly not a lightweight. Nice to have one of Bruce's guitars at one point!

[@gorehamster9172]

@@DunsysGuitarWorld Bruce bought and sold a lot of guitars,,he was infamous for it,he modified them all..I stayed in Dunfermline at the time,,many Big Country Guitars ended up on the walls of the local Sound Control in Elgin Street..I wasn't bothered about it being Bruce's,,it was more affordable that a new one back then..lol...Mine had very worn Gold Hardware TP 6 Tailpiece and very low frets...9 lbs is a really nice manageable weight for a Les Paul..Although my best sounding is a Les Paul Classic 1960,lightburst 2006 I think,,,the cheaper variant ,around 9.9 lbs with Lollar Imperials in it.Refretted by Chris McIntyre..Love that guitar..

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

I got my first Les Paul from that very shop when Clive worked there! And Bruce's '76 Firebird from the Edinburgh one, it's a small world sir! He put EMG's and a Kahler on the Firebird, btw, I know what you mean about modding!

[@birdsfabulous]

Good and bad guitars from every manufacturer from every year..then there are GREAT guitars from every year..play as many as you can. Let your hands and ears tell the tale. Im sure alot af us have played multi-thousand dollar duds and hundred dollar gems. Good is good

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

100% agree with you. I have played some very poor 70's guitars. Always about finding the best one that fits your own needs and budget.

[@johnsmith-oh2xo]

Hey Dunsy the bridge is factory it's not a Ghoto it's a made in Germany by Schaller which Gibson used but the tail piece is not Gibson....

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

Ah, that's right, I remember now that Schaller did supply some parts at one time - definitely a replacement tailpiece, as you say. I have the exact same ones on some Japanese instruments.

[@elbib2446]

plenty dudes played them,robertson /gorham thin lizzy,both norlin era lps

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

And got some of the finest tones ever from them, absolutely!

[@marswillrule2431]

Lint roller? 😉

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

Need one for my little white cat 😂

[@glennlilley8608]

Well, there I was, waiting for an objective review, wondering if you could change my opinion on this era of les pauls I didn't last long, less than 2 minutes. The jumping about is just unnecessary

[@alanwilson1724]

Even with a wide strap, that's too heavy for my dodgy back!

[@johnpulaski3293]

Norlin era had a lot of gems and a number of duds. The cork sniffers despise the era but they’re really just annoying more than anything. Boomers can go ahead and keep overspending trying to impress other boomers who will never think anything is better. That said, the Norlin era far exceeds 2010-2018.

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

Boomers are zoomers, I think! 100% agree, I've had things like Sonex's and Marauders, both terrible instruments. This LP is most definitely not a terrible instrument. It's sweet!

[@Frapzoid]

"Lez" Paul. LOL

[@JoeyJoJoJr51]

That’s how we pronounce it in Australia too. More like Lez than Less

[@marionunz5395]

Fender & Gibson 70’s guitars were garbage ….. I’ve owned a many of them and out of the bunch I would say those made up until 74 where ‘OK’… but not great by any means . The Japanese copies blew them all out of the water …. Then when Gibson changed the making of them in 75 they totally went downhill …. Up until mid eighties they were better …… 70’s the Japanese ruled the guitar world

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

Thanks for watching and commenting 👍

[@munchyman6898]

Gibson Les Paul are heavy, over rated and over priced. Ive owned a few and a top of the range Epi. Im sorry to all you Les-biens but the Epi was every bit as good if not better with a set of Tonerider Birmingham pups.

[@michaelkeudel8770]

You've never played a 12 lb 8 oz guitar then. I have an Epi to go along with my Gibson, they are worlds apart.