Best 1977 guitars

lovestrat74

Koa said:

lovestrat74 said:

If you want a fender you could get a Bronco, Musicmaster or Mustang under 1K

I’d agree maybe not Mustangs thought as they can be more than a grand 

I'm sure @andrewaward has a '78 on here for under a grand

ICBM

I had a ‘77 Mustang once - 100% mint condition, original case and all the bits and bobs. Ash body, super shiny sunburst finish like it had been dipped in glass, weighed as much as a small car and had absolutely no tone whatever. I think I got £500 for it, about 20 years ago.

A few years later I also had a red ‘66 which was the opposite, and very stupidly I let a friend talk me into selling it to him for £750... I’ve never played another as good. Probably still only a £1500-£2000 guitar today though.

guitars4you

Not sure I'd find any USA guitar of this era that would entice me - Maybe the odd Guild or Ricky to be different, but certainly not Fender or Gibson's finest period - However if under 1K then maybe a 'customised' players grade S1, Marauder or similar might have some mileage, that now plays better than a stock example

I'd be tempted to look at something tasty from Jap - In all honesty I have nothing specific in mind, but the key thing is to find something that inspires you as well - Let the date of birth be a bonus, but above all buy it because you like it, bond with it, like to play it and I feel that way it will mean more to you in the long term - And enjoy the search

webrthomson

stonevibe said:

This one is a '77 and is a good guitar.

I'd suggest you play some guitars of that era and then make the decision, rather than go on just opinions. 

^ this - I've got 2 1977 Gibson LP's, a standard and a custom, and other than the weight of the custom they are excellently made guitars and have beat out every other Gibson I've owned, which is a number of CS models.

I'm sure there were a fair number of bad Gibsons made in the 1970's but there were good ones too - something that still seems to be the same today, see the thread on here about the R8 neck pockets for example - I'd say try playing a few though

stickyfiddle

I'd go MIJ Les Paul, myself.

stonevibe

With old '70s Gibson Les Pauls, most of the shit ones have been modified to make them better (which often fails) i.e added Kahler trems, routed for weird sustain circuits and hacked up.

Decent ones are usually left alone and so you can just 'man up' and get used to heavier guitars. 

octatonic

From 1977 I would go for:

1. This Gretsch Committee: https://reverb.com/item/14506496-gretsch-usa-committee-7628-d-1977
2. Roland GR500 Guitar synth
3. Musicman Stingray Bass
4. Silverface Amp
5. A Rickenbacker
 

lasermonkey

Ibanez Artist, without a doubt.

guitars4you

just a thought - Musicman Stingray Guitar

maltingsaudio

Buy a Fender F series acoustic, I bought my F55 12 string  new in 76 still sounds good but only worth about twice what I paid for it. That would leave you £850 out of your budget to spend on a party!

Iamnobody

I’ve been playing this game and it’s a tough one. I was looking for a ‘78 though.

I’ve all but given up - haven’t seen anything I’m remotely interested in since a black LP Pro Deluxe that’s stamped with numbers corresponding to my actual birth date.

However, it came up at a time when money was tight and the import duty and associated costs bringing it in from the USA made it too expensive...

I did get a ‘78 double cut LP special that now resides with a pal of @icbm ‘s but that had a weird neck joint that was set too far into the body and I didn’t get on with.

Gassage

A  Gibson LP Special 77-55.

Stuckfast

My Fender Mustang is a 77 and is a pretty damn good guitar.

Bridgehouse

I’d have thought it would take quite a long time to list out everyone’s top 1,977 guitars...?

Corvus

My 77 Greco

http://alleykat.co.uk/images/stuff/greco/body.jpg

Mostly LPs to be had over here, there's lots more models in Japan but buying can be a bit of a minefield esp ebay.

Not 77 but from the era, I think the 79 Ibanez MC300 Musician was probably the best-made guitar I ever had. Not the best-sounding though.

lovestrat74

Corvus said:

My 77 Greco

http://alleykat.co.uk/images/stuff/greco/body.jpg

Mostly LPs to be had over here, there's lots more models in Japan but buying can be a bit of a minefield esp ebay.

Not 77 but from the era, I think the 79 Ibanez MC300 Musician was probably the best-made guitar I ever had. Not the best-sounding though.

Tasty!

JerkMoans

The consensus seems to be there's good and bad in everything.  A Zen philosophy.  Try, try try before you buy.

Personally I've had a '77 strat which was an absolute dog, a '77 Mustang that was pretty fun to play, but covered in about an inch thick layer of varnish.  I had a '75-6 Gibson Les Paul which has been around this forum and was pretty darned good, Norlin era pancake construction notwithstanding.  Prime amongst the '70s haul was my Yamaha SG2000: superlative build quality and sounded the dogs.  Just couldnt get on with the neck...  But it's all mega subjective: good luck with your quest.

timhulio

Not a Fender or Gibson, obvs. I'd suggest something characteristic of the era, so yeah an Ibanez Artist, or even a Hagstrom Scandi. Cool, playable and rare: 
http://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/144233/a-hagstrom-ive-never-seen-before#latest

hobbio

Wow, lots of great posts here. Thanks!

@octatonic that Gretsch you linked looks amazing. Deffo on the list.

I'm unlikely to go for a LP as in my head as I only want one if it's Gibson (yes, yes, I know). I probs won't go for a strat cos I love my MIM Classic 50's.

The Ibanez suggestions are all intriguing, ditto the Yamahas. I'm going to keep my eye out for something that really grabs me (that Gretsch really grabbed me!) 

I've seen a load of Grecos advertised, @Billkat but I've never even seen one up close. What's the quality like?

Corvus

Thanks @lovestrat74

@hobbio I might be biased it's good, this is the only 'keeper' I've got (famous last words), they came from Fuji-gen like Ibanez of the time. One thing in case it matters to you the finish is 2k, aka 'poly', seen plenty of sellers claim nitro but this one definitely isn't.