It Broke My Heart to Return This RARE One... (Busted)

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📚Description: This is a really unique Les Paul Custom from 1976. Not only does it not have the less common lacquered maple fretboard, but is also appears to be factory stock without inlays! It had a cool story of how I was altered of its presence, it had a quirky spec - it was all perfect until it needed a truss rod adjustment... then everything flew off the rails :( Dan Erlewine could save it, but fixing it would ruin what made it special in the first place... Sadly, it had to go back to the shop.
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Maple Fretboards on Gibson Les Paul History
2:12 - The Hypothetical Tale
4:34 - The Story
6:46 - Inside Look / Workbench / Specs
18:25 - Blacklight Test
19:50 - Really... Really Bad News :(
21:42 - Clean Tones
23:13 - Dirty Tones
24:46 - Final Thoughts
26:15 - Watch Next
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[@chris_2714]

Too bad about the truss rod. If Dan says it's broken, you know it's broken!

[@ronsampservice3066]

Trogly, in my experience with guitars and mechanics/machinist work, I would have to say that when you made your video, the truss rod was not " broken". If you could put torque on the nut and it would spring back, the rod, to me, seemed intact. But the nut was definitely stuck to the threads for some reason. If you ever get another one that acts like that, you might try heating the nut with a large soldering iron. Like a 100 watt for making leaded colored glass windows. But be sure there is no solder whatsoever on the iron. Beautiful guitar! Thanks brother for all the hard work that you are doing and I will definitely come see your museum when it's up and running.

[@robertmay5091]

I’m sure Dan Erlewine would have got it working if a procedure like that was possible

[@Trog]

Everything was tried. Heat was unfortunately not a solution to fixing this one. I was hoping it was just a mangled truss rod and a chasing job would do the trick, but Dan was able to confirm the rod was broken inside the neck

[@derekkennedy7346]

I counted four missing threat nibs

[@slave_planet]

@@robertmay5091 Why so sure? Guy might be wrong.

[@dublev78]

⁠@@robertmay5091This. Dan Erlewine is a living legend.

[@dlflash56]

I have one, a 1977, no pancake body. I got it from one of my best friends, shortly before he passed away from cancer, back in 2014, I Love it. He got it as a High School graduation gift, back in 1980. Even though he rarely played it, and it lived in its case for most of its life, unfortunately, he had an alcohol problem and a 3 pack a day habit. He also had extremely acidic sweat. It took a lot of work to clean it up and pretty much all of the hardware needed to be replaced. I did keep all of the parts; however, the bridge was not salvageable... since all of the screws were fused from his sweat. It also affected the handle on the chainsaw case. He was so acidic, he could put on a set of strings, play it for a couple of hours, wipe them down with finger ease and the next morning they were rusty. The headstock is stamped, and the three-piece maple neck is heavily flamed on the center piece. Mine also has the metal can shield over the pots. The only way I could date it, was from the pots (It's been a while but if I remember, 48th week of 1976), which is why I believe it's a 1977. I sent the serial number to Gibson and they tried to tell me it was a 1973, but the pots tell a different story.

[@bmp-2267]

There's a health lesson to be learned here. Cancer flourishes in an acidic environment. There's plenty of things you can do to change your body's ph. Learn and live.

[@papasmamas1]

The top and fretboard looks amazing. One reason I never ended up liking the look of this LPs is for the weird contrast pearl inlays have with the maple fretboard, and this ones solves it. Even black dot inlays would look cool on this.

[@paultrombetta]

What's the big can? Back of the input jack?

[@Trog]

Yes, the output jacks were encased in this era

[@petevadelnieks]

Seriously???? How did he not comment on that? Is it some capacitor?

[@chrisghiardi117]

Shielding. During the 70s there was a period with no bridge/string grounding. Possibly because amps with polarity switches even with grounded 3 prong plugs were common.

[@angus.f.kendal1544]

Thats one of the best sounding LesPauls I've heard lately✌️👽🌾

[@markt4815]

An employee special a.ka. "Backdoor Gibson".

[@tonray9395]

Years ago I lived in an apartment next door to a Chrysler assembly plant.After each night shift there would be a nice selection of brtand new parts tossed over the fence to be collected later when the shift is over. At least the Gibson guys paid for it albeit at a discount

[@silvernuggets1285]

The pots looked absolutely minty...

[@charlesrocks]

Pretty simple fix. Not a deal breaker at all!!! Just get it fixed and keep it! Busted truss rod takes a lot of work, but it’s not impossible to fix.

[@EnJoony]

Incredibly rare guitar - Well, then it's worth replacing the truss rod!

[@martinhiggs7027]

I acquired a "5420" about 5 years ago ! the build is absolutely top quality with the orange metal flake finish, the only mod was a roller bridge ! It's an absolute must to help the unit to hold its tune, today the guitar absolutely rocks, I will be installing a "VIBRAMATE" soon to help in changing strings !

[@mykneeme]

What if it left the factory with broken trussrod? And that’s why it was marked a bargain? If the neck is straight, it wouldn’t have been a problem for me personally to own such a guitar. If it was disclosed though and not with such a high pricetag.

[@Trog]

Bargains and seconds were cosmetic blemishes only - anything that bad was chopped up.

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

Love me a good maple neck on an LP. I actually prefer the no inlays, would show wear really well if you’re into that.

[@joermnyc]

Reminds me of my high school gym after they replaced the floor with nice hard maple and then slathered gloss urethane all over it (insert squeaky sneaker sounds). You can replace the broken rod, but on a $6k guitar? That’s major surgery on the neck and it would likely knock a ton of value off because of the repair.

[@lewisgeyer1440]

30 years ago a guy offered to sell me a maple fretboard LPC for $400. Problem? He was standing outside the pawnshop that refused to buy it from him. Probably stolen.

[@bladeoflucatiel]

Did you buy it at least?

[@ChrisShortyAllen]

Never look a gift horse in the mouth. Without evidence you should not accuse someone.

[@nellayema2455]

40 years ago I sold 2 60's Epiphones to a guy as I left the pawn shop. The pawn shop dude pissed me off with his low ball offer, so I sold them to a guy walking in and got my price. They were not stolen guitars. Could be a similar situation with the guy who had the Les Paul.

[@jaymax3201]

It's listed as a Les Paul Custom MPL•F in my 1979 guitar book. Although it is a black and white photo, it appears that there is no block inlay. The price is 268,000 yen, the regular Custom is 265,000 yen, 3PU is 295,000 yen, Artisan is 350,000 yen, and Standard is 228,000 yen.

[@Trog]

please send me a photo of that - [e-mail]

[@dosgos]

Y 268,000 was a bit over $1,000 in 1979. That would have included shipping to Japan and probably some Japanese import tariffs (I don't know if there was any type of sales tax included).

[@KALVIN123]

You going to put that guitar in a museum, a busted truss rod shouldnt be a problem😂

[@Trog]

Longevity of the piece matters.

[@jameslundy6817]

I like it better without the inlays looks good

[@cannabineros]

maple necks will survive centuries

[@bladeoflucatiel]

There are exotic woods harder than maple, just imagine if they used them for guitars.

[@Noooooooooooooooooooooooo-]

you should check out Banker guitars, they are high quality really nice guitars. They were the first Gibson Partner, so they have an actual Flying V and Explorer.

[@jimkalfakis9893]

I think Dan is too scared to fix the truss rod and doesn’t want to be responsible if it breaks on his watch. It’s seized because of moisture. Give it to me, I’ll get it moving.

[@NemesisDarkStar]

Really cool, I'm a bass player turned guitar player. I love maple fretboard on my p basses. Mahogany and ebony gibsons. Although I think that looks awesome. Ive never really liked inlays other than dots. Something about simplicity.

[@clarkbabin9799]

That's really nice looking on its own. The rosewood pieces look good also and I agree if you do the pickguard you have to do the pickup rings and the truss rod cover and the poker chip.. Was thinking it mightve looked good with rosewood inlays on that maple neck but being the fret board looks like it does they would have to be smaller . The big blocks like you see on a standard may take away to much .

[@oscarhrmusic]

That guitar sounds amazing! Too bad the truss rod is busted. I would keep it just for the sound and keep it in the studio.

[@glaucosouza1971]

Wow, really looking forward for that project with Dan. Sure it will be a blast!

[@ios6605]

It’s a keeper ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

[@ERAPOSORESERVA]

You’re gonna keep it behind a glass in the museum anyways, it makes no difference. It’s such a rare and beautiful piece, I’d never let it go because of that.

[@ERAPOSORESERVA]

@@ironnads7975cool, but I didn’t ask anything, I just gave my opinion

[@JocAn-ri7ey]

I sent pictures of my Custom Maple a few years ago but you never replied. At least you finally did a episode of one.

[@jeffbarnard9246]

I like the freek 😮 it's beautiful. I like the secret texts about gibson specials or any guitar secret deals

[@paulketchupwitheverything767]

I love the grain and three piece top on this guitar. I find an irregular grain pattern more interesting than more consistent quilting or stripes. I have a fondness for natural top Les Pauls generally and am lucky enough to own a 'Raw Power' Standard (not the type with EMG pickups). I'd be interested to try a LP with a maple neck instead of mahogany. So will the shop sell it to someone else as it is or get the truss rod fixed? If it were mine and I could afford the repair, I'd have a rosewood fingerboard with inlays and more modern frets, preferring playability over originality.

[@henrikneesgaard1764]

Really fell in love with that one.. 😌 Soo sad about the trussrod.. 😔

[@zeusapollo8688]

Is the can on the output wire a ferrite noise suppressor?

[@hotblackdesiato3451]

What on earth is that giant canister at 15:50 ? I can't remember ever seeing something like that before and Trogly doesn't mention it.

[@Trog]

It’s the output Jack. They are encased in this era

[@mmcwill1]

Hey Trog, in your opinion, was the broken truss rod the reason it was stamped BGN? I’m assuming they don’t use that stamp anymore?

[@stephanskogen3817]

Why not save it? I mean, if StewMac can fix it for $500, isn't that more important than it being original?

[@Slovy_]

I refretted a 76 custom the other day for a customer of mine. It had a ground wire just like that.

[@ricardobermudez6229]

amazing video, thanks!!! I love this guitar

[@pulaski1]

I'm betting two things: [1] that the truss rod was "broken"/ improperly installed in the factory, which is why it was stamped "BGN". And [2] that the fact there there is a "bargain" version, means there was at least one that left the factory in "perfect" condition.

[@jeffreyburmeister6775]

Keep it. You pass on way too many !

[@Trog]

If the truss rod wasn't broken, I would've never parted with it

[@eric_in_florida]

@@Trog You're not going to play it, it's a museum piece. Keep it. See if the place will refund some of your $$.

[@RC51Rod]

​@@TrogFor what you want to do, you are the perfect home for it. I want to go to your museum and see stuff like this! You aren't gonna let me play it anyways, no need for the truss rod to work. Haha

[@Wargasm54]

@@TrogDan can fix a broken truss rod.

[@flapjack413]

Hey, wait a minute. What's going on with the rounded corners on the end of the fretboard? That's not how Gibson does binding. Is that three pieces, with the corners rounded over, or a single piece of binding wrapping around the entirety of the fretboard?

[@williampolfus6975]

That's the first thing I noticed about this guitar, I've never seen another Les Paul where the binding is rounded over at the neck joint corners like that, at least an actual USA made Gibson. It seems more likely someone replaced the fretboard at some point.

[@andye3684]

👍

[@P-J-W-777]

It’s actually sounds really good.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

I can't believe the shop that bought it didn't remove the cover and check the truss rod? SMH

[@pulaski1]

Maybe they assumed most buyers wouldn't notice until much later, when too much time had passed for the buyer to complain.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

@@pulaski1 I was giving that business the benefit of the doubt. I learned the hard way and always turn the truss rod.

[@SalmiRahman]

Would've been more nicer looking if the kbobs, selector plate an pickup rings were cream color instead of black.

[@Kahuna54]

I bought a Carvin DC135T new in the Santa Ana store. I played it about a week and it went unplayable so I took it back. It was diagnosed as a broken truss rod. They built me a replacement under warranty but it never sounded as good as the original. Imo

[@ToLiveistoDie]

Hey everybody, I have a really weird question. I love drawlies but I'm looking for someone who does sort of what he does but with fenders because I'm much more of a fender nerd and really want to learn about the history of that stuff. Buddy has a channel that they could recommend. I would greatly appreciate it. Keep up all the great work. The less Paul history is fascinating

[@engleharddinglefester4285]

It has the "gig monster" look to it. Meant to be played in a honky tonk.

[@edwinh7908]

I Had A Gibson LP 80's Custom With An Ebony Fretboard.

[@chrisghiardi117]

It's a BGN because the truss rod is broke or previously nonfunctional. My experience is that BGN guitars are seriously flawed and unless you know what was fixed avoid. Did sound good.

[@mikecarbone828]

Salutations Austin! Too bad it has a broken truss rod, otherwise, it is a really nice Les Paul Custom, and it is extra special having no fret markers at all. Thanks for sharing! Please have an excellent and awesome day! ☀️✨🎸

[@lilbitofOverdrive]

Keep it and have dan put a new rod in it it sounded great

[@jubei7259]

July 28 1976 was my 7th birthday lol. I'd be gutted about that truss rod, especially as it all looked so good. Sounds fantastic too.

[@michaeljarvis5489]

Do you have kids? Middle/Highschool age ...who giggle and ask you what year you were born?

[@vincentrandles8105]

Definitely a first for me. Never seen another. (Unfortunately) but don't give up the hunt, possibly more out there - who knows....

[@georgewendle7467]

On a side note, I enjoyed having a quick jam with you today :)

[@DDE_ADDICT]

Nice score

[@Penberth1]

Ah man, what a shame. Generally not a fan of the lacquered maple fretboard LPCs of this era, but that looks fantastic and sounds excellent. I'd happily rock the hell out of that, I'm sure would sound outstanding through an old Marshall or two.

[@jonscudder759]

Such a cool guitar and heartbreaking when there is something wrong and has to go back.

[@Nobody92421]

I had one of those. (With inlays...) It weighed a ton. Super low frets. And yes. I regret selling it.

[@radfury23g32]

Once again, maple fretboard Gibsons are SICKKKK! And no inlays!? SIGN ME UP FOR ONE WTF

[@sconnyjoe5262]

I like the "Sophie's Choice" reference.

[@lasombra_br]

Maaaaan, what a shame! I was excited for you because it truly looks out of this world.

[@billyc6678]

That’s a keeper 🤟🏽🤟🏽🤟🏽🤟🏽🤟🏽

[@OzziePete1]

The overdriven sounds remind me of Mick Ronson/David Bowie era....

[@aaabeverages7152]

It's a very handsome axe. Just had to rock your roll.😊

[@rudiyantohalim736]

It surely sound so good

[@wesleed1120]

Damn

[@russl9029]

Your playing has gotten way better! Great video! Sorry your "freak" was busted :( That would have been really cool to have!

[@disco4535]

A Trogly and Dan project is a crossover we need

[@victorsilvas9603]

Did the L6S have inlays?

[@knutsenneundorf116]

How much force do you need to apply to break a truss rod? This sounds brutal.

[@bigdbearkiller5115]

That decal is easy to make

[@MegaHomie4life]

So good!

[@3cardmonty602]

Water damage on the bottom?

[@strat0871]

I have an SG with no inlays, and real ebony fretboard, but it's a luthier made SG, not a Gibson.

[@jimdoner3443]

Very interesting

[@ericbgordon1575]

Gibson would be well served to build and market more guitars with maple fingerboards.

[@jimmyjames2022]

Ah sucks this sweet maple board LP with no inlays had to go back, but that store better let the next buyer know about the truss rod!

[@Phoenix308]

I actually kinda like how it looks

[@wrtoomes600]

That guitar is beautiful.

[@danletter9357]

I actually like the ebony body one

[@scottbogfoot]

The two pancake bodies should be called half or short stack and full stack

[@usagi2988]

Ugh... the truss rod info was a real heartbreak. ☹

[@stewea57]

I always wondered in your reviews when you say the truss rod looks good how would you know without trying to adjust it

[@Trog]

My preliminary check is for maxed out rods with too many threads showing. Issues past that aren't quite as common and cannot be diagnosed from photos alone

[@EarthAltar]

​@@Trog It's a shame Austin as that is one of the best sounding LPs you've ever demoed. I wonder if that maple is so hard that it broke the rod whenever someone originally tried to turn it? The maple refused to move, and the rod gave way before the wood.

[@cataclysmicconverter]

@@EarthAltar It also happens when people try to straighten it under full string tension.

[@EarthAltar]

​@@cataclysmicconverterImagine the heartbreak as you feel the rod snap, and realize what's happened.

[@kevincox9119]

If it was busted you would be able to pull it out🤔

[@JokersWild70]

That's really too bad about the truss rod. I understand not wanting to pay 6K for a guitar with a major issue, museum piece or not

[@bradconklin2878]

The one with the pick guard looks better, period.

[@volkerlinzer844]

…you get the maple neck…in ebony… hihi

[@ousley421]

Freaking SICK, my birthday is coming up...could someone make me a bargain?

[@ethanm7061]

I have a question, what exactly is a volute, and what is its purpose?

[@PaulCooksStuff]

It's a little lump on the back of the neck, under the nut/trussrod to strengthen the neck at its weakest point. If you ever see a sawn through cross section (images are on Google) a neck with no volute is scarily short of wood in that area.

[@ethanm7061]

@@PaulCooksStuff Thanks for taking the time to reply! That’s really interesting

[@6banzai5]

tough decision but I think you made the right one

[@justinpurser4736]

Beauty with a distinctive tone, shame about the truss rod. Way interested in the Dan E. project. Thanks Trogly!

[@MegaHomie4life]

Don’t get rid of it just because of the truss rod

[@mboyer68]

However old you were when you fell in love with guitars...I bet that even with your imagination (finding smiley faces or bears in wood gain for example)...even with your imagination you probably couldn't have dreamt that you'd be unboxing, cleaning, measuring, capturing and spreading Gibson history, would have a huge following of great people and be squirreling away super expensive and rare Gibson guitars for a museum!!!

[@Clearview68]

Your own video shows the truss rod was not busted (spinning loose) before you sent it out to be looked at. The nut was likely just frozen. Someone else tried to break that nut loose and snapped the rod. That should be investigated further, especially if the person you bought it from won't take it back for that reason. Aside from that, for a one of a kind factory guitar (such as this) seems kind of silly to not spend a few hundred to repair it?

[@laughingmadman853]

I just think Mick Ronson with this guitar

[@picksalot1]

Too bad about the Truss Rod. I've seen someone add a washer as a "spacer" to get more tightening threads on the Truss Rod Nut, but exactly how it's broken on your guitar neck is unclear. There are carpenter devices/tools that you can attach to your Cellphone that let you see "to some degree" through Wallboard, Concrete, to find metal pipes and wires behind them, etc. Might be worth asking your friends in they have any such devices. I tried my old "Walabot" on my Strat neck, but it's not sensitive enough to see anything I'd consider meaningful.

[@vincentmorelli1013]

I don't get why the store doesn't just offer a free truss rod replacement.

[@disco4535]

Many probably could but its an intensive, expensive process. Many people would probably take it to their luthier they know does good work for sure, if they were going to go that far.

[@vincentmorelli1013]

@@disco4535 if they're trying to sell it for 6k then it better function like it is

[@Returnality]

that's a very expensive thing to give away for free

[@vincentmorelli1013]

@@Returnality for a 6k guitar? Gtfoh

[@MarkEdward-bl6cr]

Hopefully it can be fixed such a cool guitar shame on that shop they had to know it was in that condition !

[@Mark_Media]

But Trog! What is that big metal cylinder looking think in the electronics cavity????? Stands out like a sore thumb! You are usually so on with description, yet you didn't mention what that is???

[@kris955i2]

It’s the jack socket. For some reason it is enclosed on this one

[@ChrisShortyAllen]

He's just teasing you hoping for a comment. What must it be?

[@kris955i2]

@@ChrisShortyAllen hoping for a comment from trogly?

[@Trog]

It is the output Jack - they are encased in this era. It had to be removed from Jack plate to take the pots out

[@ericolson326]

The dark headstocks on these blondies ruin the whole look. Come on, how hard would a maple veneer with black inlay have been?

[@YesItsReallyKeith]

i want it !!!