Gibson 70s Les Paul Deluxe Electric Guitar

Gibson 70s Les Paul Deluxe product description

Alright, let’s talk about the Gibson 70s Les Paul Deluxe. It’s a guitar, a pretty famous one, and it comes from a time when rock and roll was really booming. To understand why it’s special, we need to look at its parts and what they do, and also think about the time it came from.

The Body and Neck: The Foundation

First, there’s the body. Like most Les Pauls, the Gibson 70s Les Paul Deluxe has a solid mahogany back. Mahogany is a type of wood that’s dense and heavy. This makes the guitar feel substantial when you hold it, and it also affects the sound. Heavy woods tend to give a warm, rich tone with lots of sustain, which means the notes ring out for a long time.

On top of the mahogany back, you’ll find a maple cap. Maple is another type of wood, but it’s harder and brighter than mahogany. This combination of woods is a classic Les Paul design. The mahogany gives warmth, and the maple adds a snappy, clear sound. Together, they create a balanced tone that works well for many different kinds of music.

The neck of the Gibson 70s Les Paul Deluxe, which is the long part you hold onto, is also made of mahogany. It’s glued into the body, which is called a “set neck.” This kind of neck joint is supposed to improve the guitar’s sustain and make it resonate better. The neck is shaped into a profile, which means how thick and rounded it feels in your hand. The Gibson 70s Les Paul Deluxe often have a “slim taper” profile, which is a bit thinner than some other Les Paul necks. This makes it easier for some players to move their hands quickly up and down the neck.

The fingerboard, the flat piece on top of the neck where the frets are, is usually made of rosewood. Rosewood is a dark wood that feels smooth under your fingers. The frets are thin metal strips that divide the fingerboard into sections, each one representing a different musical note. These frets let you play different pitches by pressing the strings down.

The Mini-Humbuckers: The Sound Makers

Now, let’s talk about the pickups. These are the parts that turn the vibrations of the strings into electrical signals, which are then amplified to make the sound you hear. The Gibson 70s Les Paul Deluxe is known for its mini-humbucker pickups.

Unlike the standard humbuckers you might see on other Les Pauls, mini-humbuckers are smaller. They have a different design, which gives them a brighter, clearer sound with less of the thick, heavy tone that standard humbuckers are known for. They still reduce hum, which is a kind of buzzing noise you can sometimes get from electrical interference, but they do it in a way that keeps the sound more focused and articulate.

This unique sound of the mini-humbuckers was popular in the 70s, as many guitarists were looking for something that could cut through the mix of a band without getting too muddy. They provided a good balance of clarity and warmth, which made them versatile for rock, pop, and even some funk and blues.

The Hardware: The Supporting Cast

The hardware on the guitar includes the bridge, the tailpiece, and the tuning machines. The bridge is the part that holds the strings at the body end. The tailpiece is the part where the strings are anchored. The tuning machines, also known as tuners, are the knobs at the headstock that you turn to adjust the pitch of the strings.

The Gibson 70s Les Paul Deluxe usually has a tune-o-matic bridge and a stop bar tailpiece. This is a classic Les Paul setup. The tune-o-matic bridge allows you to adjust the intonation, which means making sure the guitar plays in tune all the way up the neck. The stop bar tailpiece is a simple and effective design that helps transfer the vibrations of the strings to the body, which contributes to the sustain.

The tuning machines are important for keeping the guitar in tune. They’re usually made of metal and are designed to hold the strings securely while allowing for precise adjustments.

The Finish and Appearance: The Look

The finish on the guitar is the protective coating that’s applied to the wood. It can affect the look of the guitar and also provide some protection from scratches and dings. The Gibson 70s Les Paul Deluxe came in a variety of finishes, including classic colors like goldtop, cherry sunburst, and wine red. These finishes often have a gloss that makes the guitar shine.

The appearance of the guitar is also defined by its binding, which is the white or cream-colored strip that runs along the edges of the body and neck. This binding adds a touch of elegance and also helps protect the edges of the wood. The inlays, which are the markers on the fingerboard that help you find your way around the neck, are often trapezoid-shaped on the Gibson 70s Les Paul Deluxe.

The 70s Context: The Time It Came From

To really understand the 70s Les Paul Deluxe, you have to think about the 1970s. This was a time when rock music was evolving. Bands were experimenting with different sounds and styles, and guitarists were looking for instruments that could help them create those new sounds.

The mini-humbuckers on the Gibson 70s Les Paul Deluxe were a response to this need for versatility. They offered a sound that was different from the standard Les Paul sound, which made them popular with guitarists who wanted to stand out.

The guitar also reflects the changing tastes of the time. The more slim taper neck made it more comfortable for faster playing styles. The available finishes also reflect the styles of the decade.

Why It Matters Today:

Even though the Gibson 70s Les Paul Deluxe is from a specific time, it’s still popular today. Some guitarists appreciate its unique sound and feel, while others like its vintage look. It’s also a part of the history of the Les Paul, a guitar that has had a huge impact on rock and roll.

It’s important to remember that every guitar is different, even guitars of the same model. The wood, the pickups, and even the way the guitar is set up can all affect its sound and feel.

So, if you ever get a chance to play a 70s Les Paul Deluxe, take your time and listen carefully. You might find that it has a sound and feel that’s just right for you. It’s a reminder of a time when guitar sounds were being pushed to new limits, a part of the long story of the electric guitar.