Questions on an 1978 Artisan

[Gitarrensammler]

Hello, my name is Michael and i am a guitar collector from Austria.

My latest purchase leaves me with a lot of questions, so i need all your knowledge and expertise.

It has a correct Artisan neck and a 1978 serial number.

BUT: the body is sleeker, about 4,5 cm instead of 5 cm, it has all chrome hardware und Sperzel locking tuners.

Everything looks in place and does not seem to be changed, no extra holes, everything clean.









Here you can see the body compared to a 1979 25/50 Anniversary and a 2008 Custom.



Do you know, what pickups these are?





I am really not sure, what i have here. Was this a possible customer order these days? Maybe a special model for a show?

Your help is really highly appreciated.

I really like the guitar. it sounds and plays perfect, looks killer und the weight is very good for an Artisan.

 

[MikeSlub]

Curious guitar. Several things not standard to Artisans, including chrome hardware, Sperzel tuners, thinner body, no pick guard, two pickups (they didn't start offering two pickups for a few more years if I recall). My guess is that it was a special order. But who knows? Thanks for sharing!

 

[Gitarrensammler]

Thank you Mike - your post is very appreciated. I feel honoured to be commented by the "godfather of Les Paul collectors".

Do you really think this was a possible custom order?
Some think, it may be a Gibson neck an a Burny body, that was available in the thin form.

It´s possible, but it does not make sense to me. Why would one put an very expensive Gibson neck on a Burny?
Artisans were heavy guitars and many players did not like the 3 pickups and the gold hardware.

So it would make sense, to custom order a lighter body and nickel hardware.
The pickups seem to be from the 490 range, that have not been available in 1978.

It make a huge difference in value, if the guitar was a custom order or a parts guitar built by a talented luthier.
The craftmanship is flawless.

I have to decide, if i cancel the deal and get my money back or i try to keep the guitar and get a remarkable discount.

 

[MikeSlub]

Thank you Mike - your post is very appreciated. I feel honoured to be commented by the "godfather of Les Paul collectors".

Do you really think this was a possible custom order?
Some think, it may be a Gibson neck an a Burny body, that was available in the thin form.

It´s possible, but it does not make sense to me. Why would one put an very expensive Gibson neck on an Burny?
Artisans were heavy guitars and many players did not like the 3 pickups and the gold hardware.

So it would make sense, to custom order an lighter body and nickel hardware.
The pickups seem to be from the 490 range, that have not been available in 1978.

It make a huge difference in value, if the guitar was a custom oder or a parts guitar built by a talented luthier.
The craftmanship is flawless.

I have to decide, if i cancel the deal and get my money back or i try to keep the guitar and get a remarkable discount.

Hard to advise, as there aren't any shipping records for Les Pauls available during that timeframe. The other weird thing is that the lacquer on the binding hasn't yellowed. Otherwise looks like a cool guitar.

 

[Gitarrensammler]

Thank you and yes - she´s a beauty, whatever she is!

 

[clearmudd]

I have seen this on the other forum..... the issue i have with this is the cavity route doesn't match anything from that time period. It looks like a Burny route large round and wavy. In 1978 this should be more diamond shape to accommodate the large aluminum shielding can.

Burny route


OP's guitars route



I haven't seen a late '70s Norlin route like this.


Here is a route from 1978 Artisan 3 pup design,... allowing for the shielding can and plate,



I'm suspecting it's a original Gibson neck on a Burny copy body,... which would also explain the heel creeping onto the back binding,... which is something i have never seen on a Gibson guitar.

 

[MikeSlub]

I have seen this on the other forum..... the issue i have with this is the cavity route doesn't match anything from that time period. It looks like a Burny route large round and wavy. In 1978 this should be more diamond shape to accommodate the large aluminum shielding can.

Burny route
View attachment 18557

OP's guitars route

View attachment 18558

I haven't seen a late '70s Norlin route like this.


Here is a route from 1978 Artisan 3 pup design,... allowing for the shielding can and plate,

View attachment 18559

I'm suspecting it's a original Gibson neck on a Burny copy body,... which would also explain the heel creeping onto the back binding,... which is something i have never seen on a Gibson guitar.

View attachment 18560

Good eyes!

 

[Gitarrensammler]

Thank you for this very interesting statement. Make sense for me.
The only question is - why would one put a high end Gibson neck on a Burny?

I think, we will never know.

No one answered my question on the Pickups. Are these 490s?

 

[Gitarrensammler]

What do you think of the pickup routing?


Is it correct, that the Burny body was all mahogany?

i cannot see the line of a maple top, that a Gibson body should have.

 

[clearmudd]

What do you think of the pickup routing?

View attachment 18561
Is it correct, that the Burny body was all mahogany?

i cannot see the line of a maple top, that a Gibson body should have.

That look like a Burny too....rounded corners.