Gibson Les Paul Artisan

$5,873.47 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (2)

1 Critic Review

Find out who is using Gibson Les Paul Artisan

5 wishlisted

9 saved

Page last updated Jul 02, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 2, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (10)

$5,873.47 13 available Used

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Average Price: $5,873

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Gibson Les Paul Artisan 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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Revel in the retro charm and beautiful craftsmanship of the Gibson Les Paul Artisan, a distinctive piece from the Norlin-era. This remarkable guitar stands out with its exquisite flower inlay designs, a testament to Gibson's commitment to detail and aesthetics. It is an embodiment of the classic Les Paul sound and feel, with the added versatility of 3 pickups, a feature that was only available as a catalog option until 1980. This model is a harmonious blend of vintage and modern, making it a cherished gem for any guitar enthusiast.

Key Features:

Notable flower inlay designs, adding a unique aesthetic touch.
Features 3 pickups, offering a wide range of tonal possibilities.
Part of the illustrious Gibson Les Paul family, renowned for exceptional sound and quality.
Distinctive Norlin-era design, combining vintage charm with modern features.

Product specs

Brand	Gibson
Model	Les Paul Artisan 3-Pickup
Finish	Ebony, Tobacco Sunburst, Walnut
Year	1977 - 1979
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, Brown
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Fretboard Material	Ebony, Rosewood
Model Family	Gibson Les Paul
Model Sub-Family	Gibson Les Paul Artisan
Neck Construction	Set-Neck
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	22
Number of Strings	6-String
Pickup Configuration	HHH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	24.75"
Series	Gibson Norlin Era
Top Material	Maple

FAQs

What are the standout features of the Gibson Les Paul Artisan's pickups?: The Gibson Les Paul Artisan features a unique triple humbucker (HHH) configuration, offering a wide range of tonal possibilities from warm, full-bodied sounds to sharp, cutting leads, making it versatile for various music genres.
What materials are used in the construction of the Gibson Les Paul Artisan?: The Gibson Les Paul Artisan is crafted with a mahogany body, maple top, and an ebony or rosewood fretboard, providing a rich, resonant tone and a smooth playing experience.
Is the Gibson Les Paul Artisan suitable for advanced players?: Yes, the Gibson Les Paul Artisan is designed with high-quality materials and a unique pickup configuration, making it an excellent choice for advanced players seeking a versatile and premium instrument.
What is the neck profile of the Gibson Les Paul Artisan like?: The Gibson Les Paul Artisan features a set-neck construction with a maple neck, offering a comfortable and stable playing experience with easy access to higher frets.
How does the Gibson Les Paul Artisan differ from standard Les Paul models?: The Gibson Les Paul Artisan stands out with its ornate design, triple humbucker setup, and premium materials, providing a distinct aesthetic and sound compared to standard Les Paul models.

Videos

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The Trogly's Guitar Show

This Was an INCREDIBLE Find! | 1982 Gibson Les Paul Artisan

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Christmas Les Paul | 1980 Gibson Les Paul Artisan Light Walnut

The Trogly's Guitar Show

1977 Gibson Les Paul Artisan Demo | An 80s Road Warrior

The Trogly's Guitar Show

1977 Gibson Les Paul Artisan

Dave Simpson

1978 Gibson Les Paul Artisan - Walnut / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars

GuitarPoint

GIBSON LES PAUL ARTISAN 1977!! | First Take

Sixty Sixty Sounds

1979 Gibson Les Paul Artisan Dark Walnut Demo

The Trogly's Guitar Show

1976 Gibson Les Paul Artisan Demo

Capsule Music

Gibson Les Paul Artisan 1977 test

Guitare De Prestige

Reviews

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PROS

Stunning visual appeal with hearts and flowers fretboard inlay
Exceptional sustain for prolonged notes
Known for its powerful, punchy sound
High-quality ebony fingerboard
Iconic piece of Americana with a strong stage presence
Often becomes a cherished, personal favorite
Commands attention due to its beauty and history

CONS

Extremely heavy, causing discomfort during long playing sessions
Neck may feel too chunky for some players
Original pickups might sound tinny without modifications

Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

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The Gibson Les Paul Artisan typically includes Series 7 tarback pickups, known for their unique sound but are non-repairable due to epoxy construction.
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The walnut finish is highly praised, with some owners expressing a preference for its aesthetic over other finishes.
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Setup and maintenance

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Some artisans have been found with a shim on the truss rod, indicating potential issues with its proper function.
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Build quality

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Owners report that the original switch tips are prone to breaking easily due to old plastic material becoming brittle over time.
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The original switch tip can break in transit due to its brittleness, as evidenced by recent owner experiences.
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Comparisons

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An Anvil case, while not original, is considered by some as an upgrade over the chainsaw cases that were commonly shipped with these models.
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Seymour Duncan WLH pickups are noted for their hot PAF style and are compared favorably to Bareknuckle Mule for bridge positions.
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Value and pricing

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It's noted that the Artisan can be found for around $4,400, which is considered a good price compared to Reverb listings often reaching $7,000.
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Use cases and applications

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The heavy weight of the Artisan is frequently mentioned as a significant factor, especially for players concerned with comfort during long sessions.
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A player noted that the Artisan plays well and suits their long-term search for a unique model, despite minor issues.
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Mods and upgrades

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Many owners recommend using Super 70 in the neck and a hotter PAF-style pickup like Gibson 490T in the bridge for a modern yet balanced sound.
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Custom wiring with the middle pickup on a blend control is popular, maintaining standard Les Paul functionality while adding flexibility.
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Suggested pickup combinations include Gibson 57+ in the bridge, with Seymour Duncan Phat Cats for the middle and neck positions for diverse tonal options.
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Switching to 500k pots is advised for enhancing tonal clarity, with available wiring harnesses from brands like JonesyBlues for 3-pickup setups.
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Some owners suggest installing Matt Pike signature Lollars for enhanced performance in doom or heavy genres.
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User experience

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A buyer returned their Artisan due to significant truss rod issues, underscoring potential setup concerns.
Source

Critic Reviews

Trash or Treasure: Les Paul’s Artisan - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Gibson Les Paul Artisan is lauded for its exquisite craftsmanship and unique features, such as heart-and-floral pearl inlays and triple-gold-plated humbuckers. While its weight of nearly 11 pounds might be a drawback for some, its rich history, particularly being owned by Les Paul himself, adds a significant value boost. This model's provenance is solid, with documentation enhancing its appeal. However, the article acknowledges the subjective nature of celebrity ownership value, suggesting that its worth could vary significantly depending on market interest. Overall, it’s a niche collectible with a fascinating backstory, but its practical desirability may be limited for everyday players.

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Artist usage

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Matt Pike

Guitarist

Sleep

Verified via Imgur

Matt Pike is seen with his Gibson Les Paul Artisan, equipped with his newly released Dragonaut Pickups by Lace. The second image captures Matt and Sammy exchanging guitars.

Lee Malia

Guitarist

Bring Me The Horizon

Verified via YouTube

Lee has a gibson artisan les paul in his collection. He states that he designed his epiphone to look the way it does because he loved the look of the artisan les pauls

Les Paul

Guitarist

Les Paul & Mary Ford

Verified via Premierguitar

"Les Paul’s personal 1977 Les Paul Artisan model (serial number 73007030) spent most of its life residing in Paul’s bedroom and is in mint condition."

Dave Davies

Composer, Guitarist

The Kinks

Verified via Premierguitar

In an article by Chris Kies for Premier Guitar, it's noted that Dave Davies of The Kinks used a 1977 Gibson Les Paul Artisan in the early 1980s.

Ryan Primack

Guitarist

Poison the Well

Verified via Photo

Gibson Les Paul Artisan as played by Ryan Primack. Seen personally in concert in 2009. Also as seen in concert photos.

Myles Goodwyn

Guitarist

April Wine

Verified via Photo

On his Facebook profile, Goodwyn shared a photo of his Artisan. In the comments section, he also says :

This is my `77 Gibson Artisan, the one pictured on the cover of Power Play album.

Album Usage

The Gibson Les Paul Artisan has been featured on the following albums:

Attitude

April Wine (1993)

Genre Usage

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

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Pricing and availability

Description

Product specs

FAQs

Videos

Reviews

PROS

CONS

Owner Insights

Features and functionality

Setup and maintenance

Build quality

Comparisons

Value and pricing

Use cases and applications

Mods and upgrades

User experience

Critic Reviews

Trash or Treasure: Les Paul’s Artisan - Premier Guitar

Artist usage

Album Usage

Genre Usage

Used With

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