Aesthetics aside, (always going to be naysayers who waffle on about board woods and 'prawn' headstock inlay etc.), the modern version is easier to navigate controls on a gig. The parametric mid-control on the 2018s works really well and those pickups sound great to my ears. The 77s have the mojo (whatever that might actually be?), and the Moog circuitry, which give them a possible sound, not available without using pedals on the 2018 model.
Both models weigh a hefty 11.5/12lbs, so not for those with back issues I'd imagine. The frets on the newer models are wider and slightly higher than those on the 70s and the headstock, being smaller, makes finding a gig-bag (to reduce schlep-grief) that bit easier.
I'd happily recommend either model, with the caveat of the need to buy a crane.