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The older (pre-mid Seventies) Les Paul Custom was the 'fretless wonder', with its wide and extremely low profile fret wire which made it possible to have a seriously low action. However, this was a feature largely geared toward pleasing jazz players, but not really conducive to making serious bluesy bends easier to pull off, which is why Gibson stopped doing it when Seventies rock was the thing.
As you know, the flatter radius of a typical Gibson does make bending notes without them choking out easier than it is on a more curved 'Fender-esque' fretboard, but that very low action on one of the 'fretless wonder' Customs will negate that advantage a bit if you do have the action as low as it can possibly go. The plus side of course is they are easier to play chords on up at the dusty end when like that; good for sliding chords in particular, so if you are going all 'Nice' and aren't bending notes left right and centre, it could be a good thing, but if you're going all Gary Moore on the thing or tapping stuff all over the fretboard and then whacking out power chords which would buzz like crazy with a very low action, it might be better to avoid one of those fretless wonders.
In truth, probably most of those old pre-late Seventies fretless wonders will have been re-fretted by now, and as far as I'm aware it's difficult to get hold of fret wire of that type nowadays anyway, so refretting one like that today would involve a bit of grinding work, not that this is impossible, but I'd imagine most of what were originally fretless wonders would have non-original wide and low frets on them these days, which would be 2.69mm wide x 0,91mm tall. That is, to be fair, still pretty goddam low, especially after a bit of levelling and dressing.
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I've got a 77 (Norlin) which is great, small frets as detailed above, I like it a lot and enjoy some of the 70's oddity’s like the Maple neck. All that said it is very heavy and that seems to be a thing with 70’s customs as I’ve got a 77 standard too and it’s a much more respectable weight.
I'd say try until you find one you like at a price that's reasonable to you.
In a band or recorded mix, the year, neck angle, neck wood etc won't matter and they all look equally cool AF being customs.
Were I to get another one, I'd look for a light one with an ebony board but that's where my pedantry would end.
Of the three i have lived with, id say anything post mid 80s - 2004/5 prob fine. (Rumours of crapper guitars post 2005-recently.)
The 2004 CS i have completely fallen for ill be honest, didnt expect to. Second hand prices on those realistic is 3k. The finish isnt great with lipping etc, but my god it sounds glorious and nice shaped neck. Feels and sounds very much the real deal.
I've said in a previous threat that I just don't understand why Customs are twice the price of Standards, other than they're priced that way because people will pay it. Heroes guitars I suppose.
I can’t speak for older or vintage ones, but this particular one I own is fantastic - best guitar I’ve ever owned or played and I’ve had the pleasure of owning and playing some excellent guitars.
Reasonable weight, excellent build, loads of mojo and sustains/resonates like nothing else!
I’ve heard - annecdotaly - that post ‘21-22 Gibson quality, both USA and Custom started to slide again after the push a few years before under new management became old news. Make of that what you will, but I think as always with Gibson, go and try specific guitars!
In my experience, and this will be controversial to some, the Custom Shop Gibsons are another level to USA production. Materials, fit, finish etc.
Again, I don’t think they’re twice the price, but it depends what you want - nostalgia and childhood heroes included!
i did change out the caps to a lower value 0.015uF ( Russian pio for the nerds) and there is not a bad tone to be had.
the original pots are CTS dimple back and very low torque.
the guitar just is a belter and whilst the headstock laquer is peeling off , the rest of the guitar is holding up very well for a near 35yr old guitar.
Be patient. It took me five years to persuade the previous owner of my LP Standard P90 Goldtop to part with it.
I think I might lean towards a new ‘54 Custom if it were me, with the P90 and Staple pickups.
And the OP said he wants a Gibson.