I Got Tricked...

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📚Description: Today we are taking a look at a Gibson Les Paul KM "Custom Made" plaque edition in the Cherry Sunburst finish. Unfortunately, this isn't the original custom made plaque that it left the factory with. It seems very likely from my investigation this did leave the factory with one, but someone removed and lost it at some point and it was replaced with an easier to find version by a new owner. Oh well... haha Still a pretty nice example.
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[@ernestschultz5065]

Not gonna lie, I don't like the plaque; not even the correct one.

[@MrYatesj1]

Word, it’s a clunky look

[@honkytonkinson9787]

I was wondering if those engraved plastic plates were “classy” back in the day but didn’t age well. Sort of like the red plastic labels on the 60s Batmobile

[@clarkbabin9799]

@@ernestschultz5065 I always thought since it was a KM to start with and a bit of a custom that it should be a piece of engraved metal matching the rest of the hardware. I can't stand the looks of that plastic plaque. Just looks like an afterthought where it's located.

[@butterfinger4393]

No one likes em , but they are a part of Gibson history, luckily

[@honkytonkinson9787]

@@clarkbabin9799 what if it was an inlay; same engraved plastic plate, but an inlay into the carved maple top, instead of two screws to the top?

[@utubehound69]

The Plaque looks CHEESY , who thought that was a good idea?

[@Doady1337]

I thought it said "Comerade" at first and thought "eh kinda cool" - but totally agree.

[@judih.8754]

Goofy looking

[@conservativerealist]

Very cheesy😅

[@ColeDrankWilly]

The same people making all the cheesy music of the time

[@Blurillaz]

jared james nichols sadly

[@scottmthw]

The "custom made" placard looks hideous.

[@HeisenbergXx]

Yeah doesn't matter what plaque they put on there it's horrible.

[@TheMadStrater]

Can't stand that custom plaque...the person who thought that was a good idea should have been fired!

[@schwobamichl]

That plaque is ugly! Even my Harley Benton looks way better…

[@MCSA210]

Maybe not fired, , ,but yea. . I think it's goofy looking too.

[@garyrouleau4676]

The pickups are white not cream!!

[@mist5142]

If I had to guess they probably show up more white on camera than in person

[@wesleyzimmerman94]

The lighting changes on camera ARE messing with how the pickups and rings show up. And to be fair, Gibson's cream pickup and ring plastic has never been super creamy colored

[@Mike-ly9qi]

Don't be silly..... Bacon is the best fruit ever!

[@PXR5-PXR5]

The rest of the plastic is cream

[@juanmacaceres2702]

Are they double cream? They look so crisp white

[@justaguy2365]

Especially side by side with the cream pickguard

[@garettturbettmusic]

How are those pickups not white? They sure look white

[@Angerasart]

This is an ideal Les Paul for me. Yes, not the most collectible. But 14 year old Steve (in 1979) us a fan. Lotta bite. Heavy. Norlin. Someone is gonna be happy with it - especially if they remove the custom made plate!

[@bmt2125]

Thank you for clarifying what people meant by "milk bottle" grovers! I've been wondering for years!

[@Masterfighterx]

Crazy it apparently was so difficult for them for over 50 if not 60+ years to get the specs correct, as it's really straight forward and simple to do..

[@TheGalilee416]

I've become a Gibson fan because of your channel. Your passion and love of what you do permeates the screen and I smile the whole time. Thank you love from Philadelphia, PA

[@nicksburson1]

Yeah..I probably own one because of this guy

[@extansegura]

the wosrt crime of 70 les pauls is that clown sunburst on the back, neck and headstock. it looks like a cheap copy

[@flapjack413]

Pickguard and no plaque! Always hated them ugly things.

[@jubei7259]

See to me, that's how a Les Paul should sound. Loving the tones outta this one.

[@BrandonTheBoyWonder]

That’s the same plaque that’s on the Joe Bonamassa Epiphone 335

[@PeterMoore350]

Really? Good observation bro!!

[@jp2246]

It sure looks like you are correct, good catch

[@PeterMoore350]

@@cataclysmicconverter nay i comment given your insight - the commenter above said it was the same plate as Bonamassa's guitar ? Can you elaborate on that ? Confirm or not ? Either way it's a decent guitar. Mr Trogly always reviews nice guitars. Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘

[@PeterMoore350]

@@cataclysmicconverter no all good man. all good info. apologies if was not clear thanks for the great information Sir.

[@PeterMoore350]

@@cataclysmicconverter i'm battling cancer so a guitar like this ? nah. health issues first. Mr Trogly knows what i like anyway. i email him occasionally. I want that Lenny Kravitz V that he has for example hehe not that i can do it right now but anyway

[@Halfaloaf599]

Collector shmolector. If it ain’t being played or close to your heart, pass it to someone who will play, keep, and love for life. Great neck on that.

[@tims3370]

I had to get my lespaul refretted brand new, the frets were so super low it was criminal, now got some stainless steel frets, amazing!

[@user-ec7pn1tg6x]

They added washer for more adjustment

[@mr.timebombman2230]

They should've kept the volute on later models, but the cork sniffers wanted the old specs of the original one's

[@PeterMoore350]

Yeah i love the valutes too.

[@Shredward-dl2gp]

If you found out it came from the factory like that, would you like it more Austin?

[@johnm3152]

At first glance, it looked like they stuck in a pair of DiMarzio's

[@kendrickblevins8859]

Those pickups are really white. Cream is a different hue, like the pickguard. Nice guitar!

[@TranceMasterJack]

Nice Chibson

[@pauljazz818]

The T-tops sound good

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Sound is pure late 70s. It's a Guitar of it's time..unique.

[@joermnyc]

Curious why they put the extra filler strip of maple on.. were they not getting maple tops with the correct thickness?

[@amranard]

I really like this one. Thanks for putting it on the show. If not for so much reckless spending in recent years, I'd buy it!

[@ethanhitchcock5431]

Gulp , those pickups rip broski !..love it ! Thanky !

[@j.t.2722]

I think Trog is colorblind, those pick ups are white.

[@CrossroadsCustomGuitars]

Imagine getting a care package from StewMac and not knowing how to spot level..

[@nigellacey559]

The plaque is naff. Give it to me and I'll sort it out.

[@ChrisShortyAllen]

Truss rod is dodgy. The plaque is just plain wrong.

[@lescaster2179]

did you actually listen to the whole overview? He addressed both issues.

[@mattskustomkreations]

"Custom Made"??? How dumb. Whoever put that on has a wife with "Touch of Class" with a rose as her front license plate.

[@EdDiesProyekt]

The circular mark on the back looks more like a filled hole than a scratch mark.

[@rodbelding9523]

That tone is incredible

[@1972LittleC]

I would choose the custom made plaque over the pick guard. I despise pick guards on Les Pauls.

[@TheRealBKSchyster]

*DID YOU NOTICE **_THE CRACK...,_** On the headstock,* @timestamp of 12:57 ...?? Hi Austin!! So, Really starting @timestamp 12:54-58, as you roll it over, while mentioning the possible "woes," of replacing a "truss nut!!" That is when I noticed that crack, or maybe even, a "check" in the lacquer finish, orrrrrr...... 🤔 .......?? As I said before, AND while I am certainly not as busy as *_"HISTORIC MAKEOVERS,"_* my expertise is in 'finishing & refinishing' ("highend") furniture, especially within the vein of "top quality" made ("Luxurious Colonial" & "Victorian") furniture, although, I have done my share of *"guitar finishing" & "refinishing."* So when you get to the finishes on these guys, that is when my interest is piqued, & you have 150% of my attention!! I really do try to keep my comment(s) as short 😨 as 😅 possible, 😉 I apologize for this one, being a tad longer...!! Because truth be told, my initial comment was going to be about the 🤔 *"final voiceover volume,"* in your videos!!" As it seems it shade low, even on full volume, where now I just run it through my Soundcraft, into my "near fields" and I can actually hear it all, AND AT a respectable, responsible level... gotta protect those ears!!! I don't know if you compress it for bandwidth constraints, or if you just do the "V.O.," edit all as needed, then upload it to your social media platforms, AND if they, once they have it, do further editing for bandwidth constraints of both video & audio purposes. Sooo, I kinda put both of these together in my ...... 🤔 ...... "MINI-DISSERTATION." 😬😂 *ANYWAY, KEEP ON KEEPING ON BROTHER!!!!!* 😎🤘🏼

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Someone has been woodshedding. Good on ya brother, sounds terrific.

[@steven_uk]

That is an ugly clown burst. The plaque makes it look even worse.

[@user-ko7gt5eb6r]

Not knowing and not caring, the first thing I would do is remove the ugly "Custom Made" plate.

[@windward2818]

This 1978 K.M. has the proper pickup selector switch 3 conductor with foil shield and shield drain wire all 20 AWG slate color (Gray). The newer non PCB LPs have gone to a 4 conductor with foil shield and drain wire all 22 AWG. Does anybody know why Gibson went to a 4 conductor cable? The 4th (usually green in color) conductor is to the chassis (housing) ground on the selector switch and the drain is not terminated at the switch and only grounds the shield, which is connected only at one end. Gibson then goes through the trouble of insulating the drain wire as it goes from the cable to the solder lug terminal strip ground connection. Many times the individual wire length at the switch from when it exits the shield and covering is very long like at least 2 inches. So I doubt that the shield is actually doing anything. It would be better to use the drain wire as the chassis ground and eliminate one of the wires, like on the older LPs. The guitar is wired as "Modern" and not "Vintage" with 500K Ohm pots. Also, very strange, but factory stock, is the use of the metal pot mounting plate (it is the flat tin plated steel plate all of the pots are attached to) to return the tone pot signal grounding path back to the volume pots, which are the signal source ground from the pickups. The tone pot chassis (housing) is connected to chassis ground through the plate, then through the terminal lug strip riveted connection, so the Tone pot housing is tied to chassis ground, which is electrically required, all user (guitar player) accessible metal chassis housings should be grounded to chassis ground, and with the Tailpiece ground included, this also includes the strings. The tone pot signal path to the companion volume pot is through the steel plate pot mounting screw connections. Why not just connect a signal ground between the tone pot and the volume pot using a stranded wire or a bus wire with sleeving, rather than soldering the pot ground terminal to the pot cover and relying on the plate as the signal return path? The soldering is original for the year, but not the best quality. The solder wire flux residue should be cleaned off before completing the wiring. The ceramic tone capacitors are factory original (Z5U dielectric) which is a poor choice for a guitar passive filter circuit. There are many other tone caps that have much better specs, with the top of the line being a 5% tolerance Mica 22nF, however only really justifiable if you use 5% tolerance CTS pots, from TAOT or custom ordered direct from CTS. If you custom order 450G series pots from CTS, I think the minimum special bulk order is 1000 pots even at 5% tolerance spec you usually screen into matched sets of 4. A good middle of the road cap would be a film Orange Drop capacitor from Sprague and Sprague-Barre Electronics (SBE) which is now Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE), Inc. 715P and 716P (copper leads) series. Be aware that new hand wired Gibson LPs use Orange Drop capacitors made by a Chinese company, which I think is a poor choice, having actually worked with CDE on several custom projects I really like them as a cap supplier. Even so, before production all of the CDE caps are prescreened before being used in repair or production. It can be argued that the screw on plate can shield cover is completely ineffective as a shield, also the switch can and the jack can, not sure what they are trying to shield against. My first guess would be line hum, second being higher frequency sources, like high intensity lighting. The jack on the guitar in the video has a metal cover plate which is traditional with the grounded tailpiece and older can shield deluxe models, but not always, like on a new LP standard 60s figured top has a plastic jack plate. I think a good mod is to replace the plastic plate with a metal plate to match the guitar. The metal plates are stronger than the plastic and they clean up better. I like chrome or gold Gibson jack plates for cleaning, they shine up really nice. You will never crack a metal jack plate with the wood screws. If you use a plastic plate it is best to use screw wax lubricant when you reinstall the plate. Make it easy to run the screw in and out and then you will have a better feel for how much final force you are applying to the plate. If the plastic plate is old and original it can become very brittle. The Tailpiece ground is eliminating hum when the guitar is being played much more effectively than the can shield. Traditionally from Gibson you would either have the shield can or the tailpiece ground, but not both, the guitar in the video would be an exception, unless the tailpiece ground was added as a mod. The above information is generic, in the sense that there are non-traditional variants of LPs from Gibson that use slightly different methods and materials. For example, on the guitar in the video the tailpiece ground bus wire is like 24 AWG (very thin) you would normally see a 20 AWG or even an 18AWG tailpiece tin plated copper bus wire.

[@DavidRavenMoon]

I’ve seen those plaques with that font back in the 70s. A lot of times when a Bigsby was installed.

[@themobseat]

The "plaque" looks like a Wal-Mart employee name tag.

[@guitar_robin]

Thank you for all of your work you out into these video's! You made me collect guitars myself! Greetings from The Netherlands!

[@RuthlessMojo]

Joe Bonamassa will buy it. He loves a guitar with a story.

[@scottmartin356]

Fun guitar for the right owner. Maybe you’ve done it before, but could you throw in an explanation about what and why the black light shows things?

[@peterpellerin1374]

Strutter!

[@mrredritehand]

That custom plate looks like exactly like what comes with a Vibramate Bigsby adapter

[@clarkbabin9799]

If you are planning to keep this KM and you're thinking of naming it you should name it Kilroy. That face like image around where your elbow passes over the body looks a little like the old Kilroy character .

[@iagobroxado]

What's not collectable these days? 🤔

[@olds461]

Have you ever reviewed a Hagstroms?

[@stewsim]

Those Custom Made plates were mainly used to cover up “after thoughts” on a custom order, such as over tailpiece bushings, or to designate something. There’s nothing unusual or custom about this one tho…so why the silly plate…?

[@STORMBREAKER_250]

the clownburst with white pickups screams Ace Frehely

[@whatcher8151]

nuclear paint balloon by an aim of a baboon burst!!!

[@monday6524]

I appreciate the attention to the historic details.

[@elmolewis9123]

"clown burst". Never heard that term but it fits.

[@mboyer68]

Holy cow, someone sure knows how touch up dings and clear over a guitar. Did they do a clear job on the headstock? Scratched up headstocks are a huge bummer for me. So much so that I never wipe dust off any of mine till I'm going to do a cleanup and start by very gently wipe with damp sponge, and then wax and buff the shiny parts. I absolutely wouldn't worry about any of those repairs because nobody can see in the ultraviolet spectrum:)

[@jamesnorton7601]

Good sounding guitar.

I don't recall the artist but in an interview they described how they bought a 1959 burst in the early 1970s for $400.00.

[@bb_lz9790]

Probably. By the late '70s/early '80s Guitar Trader in Red Bank, NJ was selling them for $3500 (I used to get their sales flyer).

[@LPCustom3]

The Plaque is from the 60’s! They used them on guitars that got a Bigsby

[@mr.timebombman2230]

I prefer double black bobbins or cream/black instead of double creams on my LP's, but for these it's ok

[@P-J-W-777]

My favorite sounding pickups.

[@foxxygearreviews7754]

That’s a nice guitar. Love the sound. Don’t mind the looks at all. It’s different.

[@andyderby150]

Pick guards on Les Pauls are hideous covers the design and finish work with a big hunk of plastic 😖they work on fenders and acoustics I’ve bought two new LPs and take them out of the case and the pick guards are gone!! Well put in the case but instantly removed and hopefully there’s no blemishes underneath it.

[@martymiller9514]

Clown burst--when you said 'surface wear', I at first thought you had said 'circus wear', ha ha. I love your work and admire your dedication, just had to throw that one in there. Not that there's anything wrong with the circus...

[@claudehopper9813]

I remember owning one in the late seventies a very heavy Les Paul , many Norlin changes like adding the volute weren't very popular . Just like Fender changing to a three bolt neck got a lot of push back .

[@markvonwisco7369]

I've heard the term "clown burst" several times. From the context I assume it's a bad thing. The burst on this particular guitar looks fine to me.

[@JoeyJoJoJr51]

It’s a reference to the lack of a nice fade between the cherry and amber on the finish, suggesting it resembles a clown’s make-up. It’s only a bad thing if you don’t like the look of it.

[@62TeleC]

looks like my old 79 KM - that thing was heavy. I took the plaque off of mine when i owned it. A friend has the tobacco burst one and loves it.

[@ckelly5141]

7:01 I vote: no pick guard, no plaque.🎸👍

[@leviathan_is_me]

Firefly guitars have made a Buckethead clone... I am almost curious enough to buy one. $249.

[@ralphwest8156]

Wow those T tops are fantastic ' ...that tone is the Tone ' ...plaque needs to go '

[@waynebake1123]

Ya'll the pickups are 100% cream, they just look whiter cause the guard, switch tip, and binding have yellowed with age more starkly.

[@JeffreyDevoe-pl5cq]

You mentioned the Ace Gibson, you should cover that one,, big fan of yours and his

[@eximusic]

1979 Gibson humbuckers didn't sound good. I replaced mine on my Les Paul Standard with DiMarzios, but kept the originals if I ever sell it. Someone may want the inferior sound of the originals.

[@mikemorrisonmusic]

Eww, refretted? Definitely not!!

[@Sams911]

you? tricked.... yeah, right

[@mknewlan67]

Everyone makes mistakes 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@serpentsbane9166]

@@mknewlan67 Mistakes? Like when he got scammed out of $15k for a chibson snakepit, or when he intentionally bought a "too good to be true" deal off Ebay and got sent a toy guitar, or when his collection got stolen by a luthier that was supposed to help with some projects who sold some of it off, admitted to all of it, yet Trogly was gullible enough to buy his bs and NOT press charges? Who'd believe that guy got tricked?

[@mknewlan67]

@@serpentsbane9166 must be nice growing up, doing things you love and never make a mistake. Good on you sir, you’re a 1st. He’s made mistakes and he had the balls to air them out so other people could learn from them. Making mistakes is easy, how you respond to those mistakes isn’t.

[@straty5598]

The plaque is nasty. Surely better to incorporate the custom element into the stamp on the rear of the headstock!!

[@deanbartone8187]

Things sounds pretty punchy. I would play the piss out of that.

[@stevegore4504]

There’s only one dot between the letters. 😊 Great video as always

[@kierenmoore3236]

You a lawyer? 😉 Best thing about these is, they already have my initials on ‘em … 😎

[@dlewtweentorla1210]

Would it be possible Gibson ran out of the other plates and substituted the 335 plate ? Perhaps being late in the run or the others were backordered? They have been known to do crazier things in the past.

[@jcwoodstl]

Honest question, why does a re-fret make a guitar undesirable? I wear through frets on a new guitar in like 5 years. I don't get how there are so many guitars that have the finish all worn through to the point of looking like a heavy relic but they still have perfect frets. I honestly don't understand. Most of my guitars still look great in terms of finish but they all have worn frets

[@joe_w_]

Hey Trogly, how come you haven't reviewed an Ace Frehley signature?

[@frankcarter6427]

I understand why they put the awful plaque on a 335 with a bigsby, but why on a LP?

[@ronhoffman7941]

dont like the plaque

[@georgeoh-well8116]

Pickguard, no plaque, screw holes filled. Or maybe; no poker chip, no pickguard, no plaque, screw holes filled.

[@markbarnaart2381]

This is a Beautiful Battle Axe !

[@timmackenzie8145]

No plaque, no pick guard. Sweet guitar!

[@Datimdavis2900]

What is the possibility/probability that someone from Kalamazoo used an incorrect custom made plaque during final assembly?

[@WakaWakawaka-qt8di]

Sounds great!

[@kimlykkechristiansen9894]

Love your drivesound. Is it a pedal or the amp overdriving?

[@sagittated]

"it's been refretted, so..." 😂 So it's been taken care of! So it's *better!* A luthier kept it in good condition!

[@stevebelcher1527]

What do you know about the voodoo model . I dont remember the year

[@hifibrony]

A late friend of mine had a a '79 KM. GREAT guitar.

[@mboyer68]

You've come up with such great theories about many mystery guitars. You're the Sherlock Holmes of Gibson guitars. It's amazing how you pieced together a number of clues and came up with a theory that is completely valid and sounds right to me. How long did it take for the "someone lost the original piece, had a new one made and installed it" theory? Oh wait, my guess is you'd rather be part of the Mystery Incorporated crew than Sherlock! And i would've gotten away with it if it weren't for you, meddling guitar guy!

[@joshuafrahm8778]

I miss my KM, the prices are insane now. I bought mine in 2016 or 17 for $1800

[@Zeptyche]

The plaque is and and the clown burst is not good, but, I still wouldn’t mind owning it

[@PeterMoore350]

Same. It’s a decent example of the model.

[@mr.timebombman2230]

I love KM's.

[@brianmansfield666]

What amp do you play through?

[@GaryArmstrongmacgh]

I have a very nice 1982 Strat that a dog actually did bite the headstock. Oh the things we did when we were drunk between gigs with our nice guitars back in the day. LMAO! Still have that guitar. Plays great! Looks great! I'll never sell it!

[@jessestrong5863]

Bigsby it and move that damn plaque where the stop bar is. I have no idea who at gibson thought those plaques looked good. The only way they make sense is if you're covering stop bar holes and even then a couple metal plugs works fine too.

[@coreycann6751]

The plaques are corny and cheesy. Unless we’re talking about deniz teks crestwood custom😊

[@user-ii3lr5jo3v]

Hello Trogly, Going off script here. Not wanting to sound like a Lisa Simpson - an answer to a question that hasn’t been asked. Your an expert, an aficionado, a connoisseur, a wizard on Gibson guitars. So I ask the question....oh why, oh why, oh why hasn’t Gibson reintroduced the Marauder. Should be cost effective with a bolt on neck, Fender have taken over the world with bolt on necks. The Marauder at a price point below the LP Studio? Wow! That chicken head blender knob, the translucent pickups, the flying V head stock, what’s not to like. New modern translucent colours, showing the mahogany wood grain, interesting coloured pick-guards/scratch plates.... already sound great. Will it ever happen???? Seems like the Marauder is the unloved Gibson. I had one once, a 1979 all ebony with a maple neck. Sorry I ever sold it.