The Gibson Les Paul Artisan from 1976 features a mahogany body paired with a carved maple top, finished in walnut to highlight the ornate character of this limited-run model. Its ebony fingerboard is fitted with the distinctive “hearts and flowers” mother-of-pearl inlays that set the Artisan apart from standard Les Paul designs of the era. Multi-ply binding on the body, neck and headstock reinforces its high-end construction, while the volute-equipped three-piece maple neck reflects Gibson’s mid-1970s build style.

Electronics on the 1976 Artisans include three gold-plated humbuckers wired through a two-volume, two-tone control layout with a three-way selector, matching the model’s upscale specifications. Gold hardware is standard throughout, including the Tune-O-Matic bridge and a Gibson TP-6 tailpiece, giving the instrument its period-correct appearance. Grover tuners and the large bound headstock complete the distinctive Artisan aesthetic associated with its introduction in the mid-70s.

This particular example includes a signature on the back of the headstock by Slash in 1992, applied without altering the factory specifications or structural features of the guitar. The original construction, electronics, finish and appointments remain defined by the 1976 Artisan’s design, maintaining the characteristics that distinguish this model within Gibson’s Les Paul lineup of the time.