Gibson L6 Deluxe Blonde, 1976

Built from 1975 to 1981 during the Norlin years, the Gibson L6 Deluxe was a simplified version of the L6-S and featured a Maple body and neck with Indian Rosewood fingerboard. Originally introduced in 1973 as the L6-S with a stop tailpiece and 6-position rotary switch, in 1975 it was renamed the L6-S Custom. At the same time, the L6 Deluxe launched with a string-through body and with a standard three-way switch.

These models featured electronics designed by Bill Lawrence; Lawrence-designed Gibson pickups tend to be epoxy potted and are sometimes referred to as ‘tar backs’.

Here we’re looking at a Gibson L6 Deluxe built during 1976 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is in overall good but not entirely original condition. The original tuners have been replaced with Grover Roto-Matics, the truss rod cover is from a Les Paul Studio, and the bridge pickup has been replaced. There are two main reasons why the bridge pickup would have been changed, and the first is a tonal preference. The second is that because the pickups are potted with an Epoxy, should the pickup leads be damaged close to the pickup – which can happen – the leads are not repairable.

Finish and fret wear are light to moderate. At the time, Gibson was using a wide but fairly low fret wire; there is still plenty of fret material. The neck features both a Volute and a reduced tip-back angle, both to reduce the possibility of breakage.

The Gibson L6 Deluxe is an interesting and good sounding instrument. The necks tend to be a bit on the narrow side, here 1.55 inches or 39.36mm. It is also one of the lighter Maple guitars, this example being just over 7 pounds.

The original hard shell case is included.