Description
Here we have a Gibson Les Paul Artisan electric guitar in its three-pickup form, built in Kalamazoo during 1977 and featuring a Walnut stained top. The Artisan was also sold with a black finish, much like the classic Les Paul Custom.
This guitar is in good condition and plays well. It has been professionally refretted, the pickups replaced with DiMarzio Super Distortions, and is sold with the original case.
One of the many variations of the Les Paul design, the Gibson Les Paul Artisan was produced from 1976 to 1982, in two and three pickup versions. Notably, it features a hearts and flowers mother of inlay pattern and script Gibson logo recalling pre-WW2 Gibson banjos. All of the Artisan production seems to have been from the original Kalamazoo plant during the 1967-1986 Norlin period.
The Artisan was a reaction to the availability of more ornate, high quality import guitars. It was aimed at the those who wanted a flashier, prestige model.
Materials and Construction
The Gibson Les Paul Artisan body uses the Les Paul Custom theme of bound, carved three-piece maple cap, on a bound mahogany 'pancake' back, but also uses a three-piece maple neck (five if you count the ‘wings’ for the headstock width).
The streaked ebony fingerboard and headplate are both bound, and as mentioned both the headstock and fingerboard feature a hearts-and-flowers mother of pearl inlay and script logo set that clearly draw from classic Gibson banjos. The Artisan is one of the very few Gibson guitar models to use this type of inlay pattern.
For hardware, the Artisan uses Schaller-made Gibson branded, gold plated tuners with metal ‘tulip’ shaped buttons. At the body, a gold-plated 'Nashville' style Tune-o-Matic and stop tailpiece are used. Models after 1979 often used a long-travel, rectangular bridge made by Schaller, sometimes referred to as a 'Harmonica' bridge.
On this example, there are three pickups, wired as other Gibson 3-pickup models with a 3-position selector switch. This stock wiring gives Neck, Middle and Bridge, and Bridge selections. The original Gibson pickups were replaced some time ago with DiMarzio Super Distortions.
This Gibson Les Paul Artisan Guitar has been refretted with Jumbo frets. Fret wear is light and the guitar plays well. Typical for the period, it is fairly hefty at 9.9 pounds. The walnut-tint finish is in good condition, with expected buckle rash on the back.
The plated parts typically show the most age effects but the wear is relatively light.
The original 'Protector' case, sometimes known as the 'Chainsaw' case is included and is in good shape with all latches and hinges working.
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |
DETAILS:
- Instrument Model: Les Paul Artisan
- Instrument Manufacturer: Gibson
- Instrument year: 1977
- Instrument Finish: Gloss Walnut Stain
- Instrument Class: Solidbody Electric Guitars
- Instrument serial number: 06204035, built during 1977 at Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Country of Origin: USA
- Instrument Condition: Good
- Right-handed
- Instrument Weight Imperial: 9.9 lbs
- Instrument Weight Metric: 4.5 kgs
- Scale Length Imperial: 26.5 in
- Scale Length Metric: 626 mm
- Nut Width Imperial: 1.714 in
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Nut Width Metric: 43.55 mm
- Items in Case: N/A
- CITIES Documentation Required: No
- Case included: Yes
- Case original: Yes
- Case Type: Hard Shell 'Protector'
- Consignment: Yes
- Product ID: 190713
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |