Gibson The Paul

$1,259.00 Price Tier: High-end

4.5 (7)

2 Reviews

Newer option

Gibson The Paul II

$800.00

4.5 (3)

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1 community setup

4 wishlisted

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Page last updated Jun 29, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 29, 2026.

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5.0 (29)

$1,259.00 23 available Used

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Average Price: $1,259

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Gibson The Paul is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Step into the world of vintage vibes with Gibson The Paul, a classic electric guitar that channels the timeless spirit of the late '70s. Crafted with precision and passion, this instrument is a nod to the legendary Les Paul, yet it carves its own identity with a distinct Walnut body that offers a rich, resonant tone. The Paul balances tradition with innovation, making it a must-have for both collectors and performers looking for a unique sound.

Equipped with two uncovered humbucker pickups, The Paul delivers a raw, dynamic sound that's perfect for rock, blues, and everything in between. The rosewood fingerboard ensures smooth playability, while the Kluson deluxe tuners keep your tuning stable no matter how hard you shred. A single cutaway solid body provides excellent accessibility across the fretboard, making it easier than ever to hit those high notes with precision and flair.

Whether you're playing in a dimly lit club or recording in the studio, The Paul's unpretentious design elements, including dot inlays and a classic stopbar tailpiece, make it a reliable companion for any musical journey. With its blend of vintage aesthetics and modern functionality, this guitar stands as a testament to Gibson's enduring legacy in the world of music.

Key Features:

Walnut body for rich tonal quality
Rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability
Two uncovered humbucker pickups for dynamic sound
Dot inlays and Kluson deluxe tuners
Single cutaway solid body design
Four control knobs, three-way pickup selector
Stopbar tailpiece and Tune-o-matic bridge

Product specs

Brand	Gibson
Model	Firebrand "The Paul"
Finish	Natural Walnut
Year	1978 - 1980
Made In	United States
Categories	Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape	Single Cutaway
Body Type	Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	Stop-Bar
Color Family	Brown
Fretboard Material	Ebony
Model Family	Gibson Firebrand "The Paul"
Neck Construction	Set-Neck
Number of Frets	22
Number of Strings	6-String
Pickup Configuration	HH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	24.75"
Series	Gibson Firebrand, Gibson Norlin Era

FAQs

What kind of wood is used in the Gibson The Paul guitar?: The Gibson The Paul features a natural walnut finish, offering a unique aesthetic and a warm, resonant tone distinct from other woods like mahogany or maple.
What pickup configuration does the Gibson The Paul have?: The Gibson The Paul is equipped with a dual humbucker (HH) pickup configuration, providing a rich, full-bodied sound suitable for various music genres.
Is the Gibson The Paul suitable for beginners?: While the Gibson The Paul offers excellent playability and tonal versatility, its historical significance and unique features might be better appreciated by intermediate to advanced players.
How does the set-neck construction of the Gibson The Paul affect its playability?: The set-neck construction of the Gibson The Paul enhances sustain and provides a smoother transition between the neck and body, improving playability for comfortable access to higher frets.
What type of bridge does the Gibson The Paul use?: The Gibson The Paul features a stop-bar bridge/tailpiece, which contributes to its sustain and tuning stability, making it a reliable choice for various playing styles.

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1978 Gibson Les Paul "The Paul" - modified

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson The Paul.

Build quality

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The use of plywood on the headstock was identified as an aftermarket modification, not consistent with the factory's original build quality.
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The neck is often praised for its slim profile and smooth action, making it highly playable and comparable to higher-end Les Paul models.
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Some owners note poor book matching on the veneer as a potential detractor for achieving average resale prices.
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Value and pricing

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Occasionally, "The Paul" models can be found for under $2,500, but prices fluctuate significantly based on condition and originality.
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It's suggested that the market price for a well-maintained "The Paul" could range from $1000 to $1500, but condition and original components affect this.
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Mods and upgrades

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Some users have replaced the original pickups with Tim Shaws, noting an improvement in sound quality.
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It's suggested to replace the nut with a Graphtech Tusq for improved sound and tuning stability.
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Stainless steel frets are recommended for replacement due to worn-down originals, enhancing playability.
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Swapping out the T Top pickups and selling them separately can increase overall value due to their high demand for vintage restorations.
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User experience

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The ebony fretboard remains smooth and in excellent condition even after decades of use, contributing to the guitar's lasting appeal.
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Owners find sentimental value in keeping the guitar, especially when passed down through generations, enhancing its perceived value beyond monetary worth.
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Features and functionality

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Despite being a solid body, some owners mention the guitar can feel heavy after extended playing sessions.
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The guitar originally came with a raw headstock, but some later models were produced with a black face headstock overlay.
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The guitar is equipped with "T Top" pickups, which are sought after for vintage restorations, especially for Les Paul Customs from the same era.
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Setup and maintenance

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A DIY fret leveling project was planned, highlighting the guitar's need for maintenance due to heavily worn frets.
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A user successfully removed a black paint job using a heat gun and scraper, revealing the original walnut finish and serial number beneath.
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Comparisons

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Gibson T-type pickups are recommended as refined replicas of T-tops, offering a similar sound without the high vintage price tag.
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Use cases and applications

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Known for being robust, the original "chainsaw case" is a nostalgic selling point for collectors and players who appreciate vintage gear.
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 7 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

tphester

179

about 11 years ago

This guitar has crunch, power, and sustain

My Gibson "The Paul" is a 1979; I've had it since about 1989. It is a stripped-down Les Paul with all the high-quality hardware you expect on a Gibson Les Paul (Grover tuners, Tune-O-Matic bridge, etc.) and a few twists that are out of the ordinary: a solid walnut body and an ebony fretboard. It came stock with the Gibson T-Top humbuckers, which produce a nice full, warm sound with a lot of snap and definition. Its only drawback for me is its lack of a tremolo piece; but this doesn't make it any different from the standard Gibson or Epiphone Les Paul model, and the hard tail allows for more sustain than you might otherwise get, so that's not really that much of a drawback (as long as you have other guitars to use for your tremolo work!).

It is a very heavy guitar, which I don't mind; that probably contributes to its tonal qualities as well. The bottom line is: all the original parts of this guitar function fine, and the guitar is 36 years old. That says a lot for the quality of the workmanship and parts that went into this beast. And yet today these guitars seem to fetch $700-$750, which is only about $50-100 more than they cost in 1979! When you factor in inflation, the guitar has not been a good financial investment, to say the least. But it is still my go-to guitar for solos when I'm recording, and I find it very pleasing to the eye as well.

jimmarchi1

41026

11 years ago about 11 years ago

I've been eyeballing one of these in silver on reverb (pretty much because I love metallic finishes), but 'the paul' is reviled by a lot of serious Gibson aficianados as being too heavy and not sounding authentically Les Paulish. The T-Tops are a selling point to me as I love the one I already have. How does she compare to an off-the-shelf standard of the 80s?

tphester

179

11 years ago about 11 years ago

I don't know what those 1980s ones sound like, so I am in no position to compare. But I do think The Paul sounds different from other Les Pauls I've tried, probably because of the ebony fretboard. There is a darkness to the sound, but also a snappiness that cuts right through a mix. The fretboard can feel very soft and buttery, like it wants to be played. But that could partially be a result of the fact that I have been playing this guitar for more than 25 years, so it has adapted to the shape of my hands. If you want to hear it, I used it for all the lead parts on the song "Tonight": https://www.reverbnation.com/tomhester

tphester

179

11 years ago about 11 years ago

As for the weight issue, it is a heavy beast! No chambering and not even much routing -- unlike on the traditional Les Pauls the pickup selector is right near the volume and tone controls, so there is no routing required on the upper part of the guitar. I don't mind the heaviness, though, as it can be good exercise just to carry the thing around, and it also seems to give the sound more heft.

I have never seen one with metallic paint -- is that a The Paul II? Or does it have an aftermarket paint job?

tphester

179

10 years ago over 10 years ago

Update: I have it on good information that the pickups in this guitar are Tim Shaw humbuckers, which are evidently different from regular "T-Tops" (although they do still have a "T" on the top of the pickup) -- either way, they sound fantastic -- not too loud, but giving plenty of crunch with a little gain on the amp.

Also, I was able to fit a Les Trem tremolo bar on it without modifying the guitar (Bigsbys and several other types of tremolos generally will not fit on these guitars because the pickup switch is placed very close to and almost behind the tailpiece, in an area that would normally be covered by parts of the Bigsby or other tremolo system).