1970 Gibson Les Paul
The 1970 Les Paul — Norlin-era production. 4500 produced.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
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Specifications
| Body Wood | Mahogany (body), Maple (carved top) |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Indian Rosewood |
| Scale Length | 24.750" |
| Frets | 22 |
| Pickup Config | HH |
| Bridge | ABR-1 Tune-o-matic bridge with stop tailpiece |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe or Grover Rotomatic |
| Finish Options | Gold Top, Cherry Sunburst, various solid colors |
| Est. Production | 4,500 |
Pickups & Electronics
Two full-size humbucking pickups.
What Changed in 1970
Volute added to back of headstock for reinforcement. 'Pancake' laminated body construction on some examples. Indian rosewood replaces Brazilian.
Collector's Notes
Check for original pickups and hardware. Pancake body construction (visible at edge of control cavity) is period-correct but less desirable than one-piece. Weight varies significantly in this era.
How to Authenticate a 1970 Gibson Les Paul
Check the impressed (stamped) serial number on the headstock back — verify within documented 1970 ranges. Potentiometer date codes are critical: look for CTS pots (code 137) with two-digit year codes matching 1970 or up to 18 months earlier. This is the most reliable dating method for Gibson guitars of this era. Gibson used nitrocellulose lacquer through the late 1960s. Check for natural checking and wear patterns. Under UV light, original finishes fluoresce differently than refinishes. Verify original PAF (Patent Applied For) humbucker pickups — check for the distinctive sticker on the baseplate. PAF bobbins, wire routing, and Alnico magnets should be consistent with 1970 production. PAFs are the most frequently counterfeited Gibson component — DC resistance should read approximately 7.5-9k ohms. The carved maple top over mahogany body is a key construction detail — check body weight (originals are typically 8-10 lbs). Examine the neck joint tenon — long tenon is correct for pre-1969; short tenon after. Check for headstock repairs (Gibson headstocks are prone to breaking) — repairs reduce value significantly. Original Kluson Deluxe or Grover Rotomatic should be present with no evidence of replacement (no oversized bushing holes). Original hardshell case adds provenance value.