I am the happy owner of a GB-24 El Dégas that was made in Japan in the mid-70's. I bought this guitar in 1976 for 375.00 $Cdn in Montreal. I never regret it. Il follow me for 35 years now and I still play a couple of times per week. The sound is rich, colorfoul and profond. I used that guitar to seduce many young girls in the 70's. Hopefully, one of them become my wife in 1981. She is still charmed everytime I play guitar and it is always great moments for both of us.
You will noticed that the pick plate is quite altered (there is no more the hummingbird). I've tried to get a new one a couple of years ago without success. Gibson does not sell spare parts unless you can provide valid seral number. The instrument went through major revision in 2005. It never sounds so good. Below are some pictures of my GB-24.
(13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)