1979 Gibson “The Paul”

[Gridlock]

I picked up this guitar last weekend after reading some facts about them on another forum.

As far as I can tell, this guitar is original, and in pretty good condition, considering it’s 43 years old.

Walnut body and neck, Ebony board, and T-Top pickups. Definitely gets that ‘70s tones easily through my Marshall, Mesa, and Supro (Black Magick) amps. Instant ZZ TOP tones are on tap.

One of my least expensive Les Pauls, but it is definitely very-high on mojo and has the coolness factor. Just a great player.

So cool, that I may have to watch for another one of these, only this time an early ‘80s model, with Shaws and a Mahogany body and neck.

 

[Señor Verde]

Cool! I had an '83 Deluxe. They're very comfortable to play. I never did like how mine sounded though. I wouldn't mind having another and trying different pickups.

 

[seafood]

congratulations....really cool guitars.....have fun.!!!!

 

[Strings Jr.]

Congrats!!
IMO, the walnut versions have a unique tone that nothing else has.
And FWIW, I built 341 of them in '79.

 

[DonnRowe]

Did they have "Dirty Fingers" pickups in them ? I also remember the "Firebrand" which I think was similar. Congrats on your new(old) guitar!

 

[Gridlock]

Did they have "Dirty Fingers" pickups in them ? I also remember the "Firebrand" which I think was similar. Congrats on your new(old) guitar!

Mine has “T-Tops” and I know that som of the early 80’s guitars have “Shaws”. Not sure about the “Dirty Fingers “pickups.

 

[Gridlock]

Congrats!!
IMO, the walnut versions have a unique tone that nothing else has.
And FWIW, I built 341 of them in '79.

Love to hear that story, guess that you worked at Gibson at the time and maybe you even built my guitar. If so, you did a good job. Still working as designed 43 years later.

 

[Mudrunner]

Nice guitar! I was on the hunt for this walnut beauty a few years ago but couldn't find one that was in reasonable shape, all original, or at a reasonable price....but I finally managed to pick up the mahogany version...an '81 Firebrand Deluxe 3 years ago. All original. Like you said, it's not the most expensive, desirable, or fancy guitar I have ever had, but it's a great player, has mojo, and it's very comfortable. Almost like a LP Junior/SG love-child.
It's been my #1 ever since.

edited to add: Mike Scott from the Waterboys has been playing his since the mid-80's.

 

[Gridlock]

I added a pick guard since buying the guitar, but the rest is original. I like the look even better now.

 

[LyleGorch]

Not a pickguard person, but that topped it.