For Sale: 1977 Gibson Les Paul Artisan 3-Pickup – Walnut | Ebony Fingerboard | Vintage Norlin Era | HSC

Up for sale is a 1977 Gibson Les Paul Artisan 3-Pickup, complete with a non-original molded Road Runner Les Paul hard-shell case.

The Les Paul Artisan is one of the most distinctive and ornate Les Paul models to emerge from Gibson's Norlin era. Introduced as a premium instrument, the Artisan combines the substantial construction of a late-’70s Les Paul with elaborate appointments including an ebony fingerboard, ornate mother-of-pearl “Hearts and Flowers” inlays, multi-ply binding, gold hardware, and three Gibson humbuckers.

This 1977 example has been played and shows plenty of honest vintage character while remaining remarkably original. Other than a replaced nut and added shielding in the electronics cavity, everything else on the guitar is original.

At nearly 50 years old, this is a fantastic example of one of Gibson's most recognizable and collectible Norlin-era Les Paul variations.

Condition

Very Good – 8/10

This guitar has been played and shows honest cosmetic wear consistent with its age, including:

• Light scratches
• Dings throughout
• Some finish checking
• Tarnish and aging to the gold hardware
• General playwear consistent with a vintage 1977 instrument

Please review all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.

The nut has been replaced, and shielding has been added inside the electronics cavity. Everything else on the guitar appears to be original.

There are no cracks, breaks, repairs, or structural issues.

The original frets show some minor wear but remain in great condition with plenty of life left. The neck is straight and stable, and the guitar has been professionally inspected and set up by our in-house luthier.

It plays cleanly up and down the fingerboard with comfortable action and no buzzing or dead spots.

Specifications

• Model: Gibson Les Paul Artisan
• Year: 1977
• Made in USA
• Serial Number: 06204666
• Finish: Walnut
• Body: Mahogany
• Top: Carved Maple
• Neck: 3-Piece Maple
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Inlays: Mother-of-Pearl Hearts & Flowers
• Scale Length: 24.75"
• Frets: 22 Original Frets
• Nut Width: 1.72"
• Neck Depth: .81" at the 1st Fret
• Neck Depth: .99" at the 12th Fret
• Pickups: Three Original Gibson Humbuckers
• Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone
• Switching: 3-Way Toggle
• Hardware: Gold
• Weight: 10 lbs 0 oz
• Case: Non-Original Molded Road Runner Les Paul Hard-Shell Case

Modifications

• Nut: Replaced
• Electronics Cavity: Shielding added
• Everything Else: Original

The Les Paul Artisan

The Artisan occupies a unique place in Gibson's Les Paul history.

Rather than following the familiar Standard or Custom formula, Gibson gave the Artisan its own unmistakable visual identity. The most immediately recognizable feature is the ebony fingerboard decorated with elaborate mother-of-pearl Hearts and Flowers inlays, inspired by Gibson's ornate pre-war banjo designs.

The decorative headstock treatment, extensive binding, gold hardware, and three-pickup configuration complete the look.

The result is one of the most elaborate Les Paul models Gibson produced during the 1970s and a guitar that is instantly identifiable even from across the room.

Original Three-Pickup Electronics

This Artisan retains its original three Gibson humbuckers and electronics.

The three-pickup configuration is a major part of the Artisan's identity, providing both its distinctive appearance and a broader tonal palette than the traditional two-humbucker Les Paul layout.

The pickups deliver everything you'd expect from a great late-’70s Gibson: thick lows, strong mids, excellent sustain, and plenty of vintage humbucker character.

Combined with the guitar's substantial construction and ebony fingerboard, it has a powerful and authoritative voice that works beautifully for classic rock, blues, hard rock, and heavier styles.

Ebony Fingerboard & Hearts and Flowers Inlays

One of the highlights of the Artisan is its beautiful ebony fingerboard.

The dark ebony provides the perfect background for the ornate mother-of-pearl Hearts and Flowers inlays, giving the guitar an appearance unlike a Standard or even a traditional Les Paul Custom.

Our neck measurements come in at .81" at the 1st fret and .99" at the 12th fret. It begins relatively slim near the nut and gradually becomes more substantial as you move toward the upper register.

The original frets have only minor wear and remain in great playing condition.

Tone & Feel

At 10 lbs 0 oz, this guitar has the substantial feel associated with many great Norlin-era Les Pauls.

There's plenty of natural sustain and resonance, and the ebony fingerboard contributes a crisp, immediate attack that complements the warmth and power of the original humbuckers.

The three-pickup layout provides several distinct voices, ranging from warm and full to aggressive and cutting.

The neck feels comfortable in the lower positions while filling out noticeably as you move up the fingerboard.

Most importantly, the guitar plays and sounds fantastic. It has been professionally set up and plays cleanly across the entire neck with no buzzing or dead spots.

Nearly 50 Years of Genuine Vintage Character

This is not a pristine museum piece, and that's a big part of its appeal.

The scratches, dings, finish checking, and naturally tarnished gold hardware give this Artisan the unmistakable appearance of a genuine vintage Gibson that has actually been played.

Nothing has been artificially aged or relic'd. The cosmetic character has developed naturally over nearly five decades.

Despite that wear, the guitar remains remarkably original, with only the replaced nut and added electronics-cavity shielding separating it from its original configuration.

Road Runner Hard-Shell Case

The guitar comes with a non-original molded Road Runner Les Paul hard-shell case.

While not original to the instrument, the molded case provides excellent protection for storage, transportation, and shipping.

Transparency & Photos

As with all Guitar Chimp listings, detailed photos are provided of the exact instrument—no stock photos.

At the end of the photo set, you'll find close-up images taken under direct lighting to clearly show the scratches, dings, finish checking, hardware tarnish, modifications, and other cosmetic wear.

We don't just describe the condition—we show it in detail so there are no surprises.

Many of our customers tell us their guitars arrive in better condition than expected.

Why Buy From Guitar Chimp?

With over 18 years of experience, Guitar Chimp is trusted by players and collectors worldwide for high-quality, player-ready instruments.

Every guitar is thoroughly inspected and professionally set up by our in-house luthier.

We are experts at shipping and have safely shipped thousands of guitars all over the world. Every instrument is professionally packed, fully insured, and shipped with signature confirmation.

Buy with confidence knowing your instrument will arrive safely and exactly as described.

📞 Call/Text: (801) 317-9013

💬 Message anytime—we're always happy to help!

This 1977 Gibson Les Paul Artisan 3-Pickup in Walnut is a killer vintage Norlin-era Gibson with its original three-pickup electronics, ebony fingerboard, ornate Hearts and Flowers inlays, aged gold hardware, and nearly five decades of genuine character. Other than the replaced nut and added electronics-cavity shielding, the guitar remains original and is an excellent-playing example of one of the most distinctive Les Paul models Gibson ever produced.

Professionally set up and ready for its next owner.

🎸 Jerald – Guitar Chimp

Providing The Finest Guitars, Basses & Amps Since 2006