Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $4,036

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The 78' Gibson Les Paul Standard in sleek black is a testament to the enduring legacy of Gibson's craftsmanship, offering a blend of vintage allure and powerful performance. This iconic solid body electric guitar, a product of the renowned Norlin Era, embodies the classic rock 'n' roll spirit with its robust tone and timeless design. While the Les Paul Deluxe and Custom models were the focus during this era, the Standard emerged as a favorite among guitarists for its full-sized humbuckers, delivering a rich and dynamic sound that has captivated musicians for decades.

This particular model, crafted in 1978, features the distinct characteristics that have made the Les Paul Standard a staple in the guitar world. The combination of a solid mahogany body and a maple top ensures a balanced sound, while the set-neck design offers excellent sustain and playability. The ebony finish not only adds a touch of elegance but also enhances the guitar's stage presence, making it a showstopper for any performance. Whether you're a collector seeking a piece of history or a musician in search of that classic Les Paul tone, this guitar is a perfect choice.

Key Features:

  • Solid mahogany body with maple top
  • Full-sized humbuckers for a rich, dynamic sound
  • Set-neck design for superior sustain
  • Sleek black finish
  • Classic Les Paul styling with vintage appeal

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Les Paul Standard
Finish Alpine White, Bahama Blue, Candy Apple Red, Cherry Sunburst, Ebony, Goldtop, Harvest Gold Metallic, Natural, Silver, Tobacco Sunburst, Wine Red
Year 1974 - 1985
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Gold, Red, Silver, Tan, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Fretboard Radius 12"
Model Family Gibson Les Paul
Model Sub-Family Gibson Les Paul Standard
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Nut Width 1.6875"
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Series Gibson Norlin Era
Top Material Maple

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the Gibson 78' Les Paul Standard?

The Gibson 78' Les Paul Standard is known for its rich, warm tones with a strong mid-range presence, making it ideal for rock and blues. The dual humbucker configuration provides a powerful sound with minimal noise, suitable for both clean and overdriven settings.

Is the Gibson 78' Les Paul Standard suitable for beginners?

While the Gibson 78' Les Paul Standard offers exceptional quality and sound, its weight and price point may be better suited for experienced players. Beginners might find it challenging to handle compared to lighter, more affordable options.

What is the neck profile like on the Gibson 78' Les Paul Standard?

The Gibson 78' Les Paul Standard features a set-neck construction with a maple neck, offering a comfortable, rounded profile that provides a smooth playing experience, ideal for both rhythm and lead guitarists.

How does the Gibson 78' Les Paul Standard perform with different music genres?

This Les Paul model excels in rock, blues, and jazz due to its versatile humbucker pickups, which deliver a wide range of tones from warm cleans to powerful overdrives, making it adaptable to various musical styles.

What is the fretboard material on the Gibson 78' Les Paul Standard?

The fretboard of the Gibson 78' Les Paul Standard is made from rosewood, providing a smooth playing surface with a warm tonal character, contributing to the guitar's overall rich sound.

GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

1978 Gibson Les Paul Standard | GuitarPoint Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1978 Gibson Les Paul Standard | GuitarPoint Vintage Guitars by GuitarPoint

1978 Gibson Les Paul Standard | GuitarPoint Vintage Guitars

GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

Reviews

PROS

  • Dimarzio pickups deliver open and clear sound with fantastic tone

  • Vintage sunburst finish adds aesthetic appeal and character

  • Mahogany 3-piece neck with "pancake" construction offers unique build quality

  • Maple neck adds brightness to sound, enhancing tonal versatility

  • Appreciating value makes it a good investment piece

  • Retains classic design elements from original Kalamazoo factory production

  • Comfortable smaller neck profile compared to bulkier alternatives

  • Good weight at just over 9 pounds for ease of playability

  • Retains all the mojo of the period with its vintage vibe

CONS

  • May require TLC to restore playability due to age and wear

  • Potentially in rough shape, necessitating additional restoration costs

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson 78' Les Paul Standard.

Features and functionality

  • The guitar features a Bare Knuckle Riff Raff zebra pickup in the bridge, which offers a powerful and distinctive sound.

    Source
  • The guitar reportedly weighs no less than 12 pounds, indicating its substantial build, typical of late '70s Les Pauls.

    Source
  • The guitar originally featured mini humbuckers, which are the same size as P90s and can be swapped without routing, utilizing a shared mounting plate.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The original T-Top pickup was replaced due to issues with the threads and lead, showcasing the customization potential for tonal improvement.

    Source
  • Some users replaced the mini humbuckers and wiring due to ground issues, opting for P90 pickups with chrome covers for a unique aesthetic and sound.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Compared to the '65 Gibson Melody Maker, the neck on this Les Paul is described as decently thick but slightly thinner, providing a unique playing feel.

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Value and pricing

  • Despite its condition, it's noted that this 1978 Standard was cheaper than others due to its rarity, given the market's preference for Deluxes at the time.

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User experience

  • Owners report that despite wear on the neck's paint from the 5th to the 12th fret, the guitar maintains excellent sound and action.

    Source

Build quality

  • Owners note dissatisfaction with the tone and volume knobs from this era, preferring older styles for aesthetic reasons.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Ray Toro uses Gibson 78' Les Paul Standard

Ray Toro

Singer, Guitarist

My Chemical Romance

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video titled "My Chemical Romance Rig Rundown with Frank Iero, Ray Toro & Mikey Way" by Premier Guitar, Ray Toro's technician, Josh, is seen holding Ray Toro's Gibson '78 Les Paul Standard (Black) at the 22:21 timestamp, confirming its use by the artist.

See how Dean DeLeo uses Gibson 78' Les Paul Standard

Dean DeLeo

Guitarist

Stone Temple Pilots

...
Verified via Belowempty

Dean uses this black 78' as his main guitar for standard tuning.

See how Jim Suptic uses Gibson 78' Les Paul Standard

Jim Suptic

Guitarist

The Get Up Kids

...
Verified via YouTube

In the Video "The Get Up Kids - Live at Bizarre Festival 2002 HQ" we can see Jim Suptic of the Get-Up Kids , playing live on the Bizarre Festival in 2002 a Black Gibson Les Paul Standard 78

Link: https://youtu.be/1vQTNL-0nWc?t=639 Time: 10:39

See how Chris Hayes uses Gibson 78' Les Paul Standard

Chris Hayes

Singer, Guitarist

Huey Lewis & the News

...
Verified via YouTube

Seen on this YouTube clip playing live. Looks like a Les Paul standard but with black scratch-plate.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson 78' Les Paul Standard, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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