✨ 1978 Gibson Les Paul “The Paul” ✨

🇺🇸 USA Made 🇺🇸 

🪵 Walnut Finish 🪵 

🔥 Modified Player-Grade Vintage Gibson 🔥

This is a brilliant 1978 example of Gibson’s cult classic “The Paul”, made in the USA and full of genuine late 70s Gibson character.

“The Paul” was produced for a relatively short period between 1978 and 1982, originally introduced by Gibson as a more affordable alternative to the Les Paul Standard, Deluxe and Custom. Fast forward over 45 years and it has become a very cool entry point into the vintage Gibson market, especially for players who want something with age, feel and a bit of story behind it.

This 1978 example features set neck construction with a 5-piece walnut body, 3-piece walnut neck and a 22 fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlays. The walnut construction gives it a really distinctive look and feel, with a naturally warm, resonant character and a slightly stripped-back, no-nonsense appeal.

The 3-piece walnut neck is a joy to play. It has a very comfortable 60s-style profile, best described as a medium D shape. It is not as chunky as some older Gibson necks, but still feels substantial in the hand. The gloss finish on the rear of the neck feels smooth and worn-in, while the traditional 12” fingerboard radius gives a great balance between comfortable chord work, bends and vibrato. The ebony fingerboard is a real highlight, giving the guitar a slick, smooth feel under the fingers.

This one has been modified over the years and is now fitted with a pair of 1970s DiMarzio humbuckers, along with an added boost switch. It also has Grover machine heads fitted. There is a small hole on one of the horns, which appears to be from a previous strap button position, most likely from being set up to play upside down at some point in its life.

Condition is very much player-grade vintage. There are plenty of dings, scratches, knocks, marks and signs of use throughout, all of which are clearly shown in the photos. It is an old guitar and it has lived, but that is very much part of its appeal.

The frets have been heavily stoned over the years. They are smooth, but very flat. Despite that, the guitar plays amazingly nicely as it sits, with a really comfortable, broken-in feel. It is one of those guitars that feels like it has had decades of use in the best possible way.

The DiMarzio pickups give it a punchy, powerful voice with loads of vintage rock character, and the added boost switch gives it extra push when needed. It is not a collector-grade, all-original example, and we are not presenting it as one. This is a modified, honest, genuinely cool 1978 Gibson that is ready to be played and enjoyed.

A fantastic old Gibson for someone who wants vintage feel, USA build quality, real character and something a bit different from the usual Les Paul route.

Specification:

Model: Gibson Les Paul “The Paul”

Year: 1978

Made In: USA

Finish: Natural Walnut

Body: 5-Piece Walnut

Neck: 3-Piece Walnut

Construction: Set Neck

Neck Profile: Medium D / 60s-Style Feel

Fingerboard: Ebony

Fingerboard Radius: 12”

Frets: 22

Inlays: Pearl Dot

Pickups: 1970s DiMarzio Humbuckers

Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-Way Selector

Modification: Added Boost Switch

Bridge: Tune-o-matic Style Bridge & Stop Tailpiece

Tuners: Grover Machine Heads

Case: Hard Case Included

Condition:

Player-grade vintage condition with plenty of dings, scratches, knocks, marks and general signs of use throughout. There is a small hole on one horn from a previous strap button position. The frets have been heavily stoned and are smooth but very flat. The guitar plays very nicely as it is, but please study all photos carefully as they form part of the description.

What’s Included

This guitar is supplied exactly as pictured and includes the hard case shown.

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