Gibson also checked the six digit serial number on the back of the head stock (another key clue to identifying original Les Pauls's, call and check with Gibson themselves) and they were pretty certain it was made around late 1973 or early 1974 as well.
Also the place I sold it to in Cincinnati certainly paid me fair market value for the guitar based on all the research I did. Basically I was upset at the guy who I initially bought it from as he thought it was a 1970, as as muscle car enthusiast as well, there is no way I wanted to own a 1973 or 1974 Les Paul, until I read on Randy's Wikipedia page that his Les Paul was a verified 1974, then I nearly broke out in tears.
But like I said, in a way, I don't really miss it as it was a black custom with gold hardware, impossible to keep clean and I have plenty of money from this sale to reinvest in a clear finish Sunburst or other such finish from the 68-73 era. I think one would have to be very, very careful at investing in anybody claiming to have a 1974 Les Paul in respect of the other comments made thus far.
Hopefully all of this information will help anybody looking for a Les Paul of this era to not get ripped off! Great comments and points fellas!
twm
Stiltzkin wrote:I have to disagree here.twm wrote:The proper way to do it is to pull off the back cover where the volume/tone etc. knobs are and look at the pressed codes on the metal of the potentiometers as they will contain the month and year that the potentiometers were used by Gibson to make the Les Paul. The Les Paul that I had had potentiometers dated 12/73, so my Les Paul was either a late '73 or more than likely, an early '74.
Just because your pots were marked 12/73 doesn't mean the whole guitar was made in 1973/74.
It could very well be younger than that seeing as pots are interchangeable
