Here is a superb Gibson Les Paul—quite light and simply perfect—and since it is an Artist model, this instrument is clearly a great deal. The Les Paul Artist was a formidable instrument offering incredible tonal possibilities. This 1979 Les Paul Custom Artist in Ebony finish is in excellent condition, with an impeccable neck and frets, fully functional electronics, and at 4.29 kg, it is among the lightest Les Paul Custom, Artist, or Artisan models you can find from that era. Purchased new in Geneva by its first and only owner—a great guitarist and a very careful musician—it has a killer look, with only a few small scratches here and there and one or two very light marks on the body. What a cool instrument.

One of the most interesting and short-lived Les Paul models from the Norlin era at Gibson was the Les Paul Artist. Prototypes of the Les Paul Artist were developed in 1978, using an active electronic circuit originally designed for the RD Artist model. In the late ’70s, synthesizers were booming, and Norlin believed that a partnership with the famous synthesizer manufacturer MOOG would help gain market share for its guitars. MOOG synthesizers were built and marketed by Norlin Industries Inc. from around 1977 onward under an agreement with Dr. Moog. Later, the MOOG trademarks were transferred to Norlin.

The Les Paul Artist contains two printed circuit boards installed under a large control plate on the back of the guitar. There is also a separate plate housing the 9-volt battery. Because of the size of the circuits, a large amount of wood had to be removed from the back of the Les Paul. Despite this deep cavity, Les Paul Artist models are often heavy guitars, typically between 4.5 and 5 kg, but this instrument at 4.29 kg is decidedly light.

The Les Paul Artist is an elegant guitar with several unique features, in addition to the MOOG circuit and active electronics. All Artist models were built in Nashville and feature a specific headstock logo with the letters “LP” in script style, a gold truss-rod cover engraved “Les Paul Artist,” a brass nut, a TP-6 fine-tuning tailpiece, two gold-plated, wax-potted Gibson humbuckers, a five-piece laminated maple neck with volute, and an ebony fingerboard. It includes a bass control, a treble control, and a master volume. These Les Paul Artist models also have a new “scarfed” cutaway design, black speed knobs, a gold jack plate, a Nashville bridge, block fingerboard inlays, multi-ply binding on the top, neck, and headstock, and the MOOG electronics include three mini switches for compression, expansion, and brightness. The tone controls are active, with a center detent (“0”). In this central position, the Artist’s sound is similar to that of a traditional Les Paul. Below (positions 1 to 5) or above (positions 1 to 5) this midpoint, the tone controls actively cut or boost the corresponding frequencies. The active circuit is engaged (and the battery begins to drain) when a cable is plugged into the guitar’s jack. And ladies and gentlemen, everything works and delivers crazy tonal possibilities!

This guitar is a superb and flawless instrument, with good frets—slightly low but perfectly playable and very comfortable—a pleasant weight at only 4.29 kg, which is excellent for a Les Paul from the ’70s, and it offers incredible tonal possibilities thanks to its perfectly functional MOOG electronics. But above all, it is comfortable and truly an excellent instrument, and in outstanding condition.

It comes with an original Gibson Chainsaw case in good condition, with all latches working properly.