This 1979 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe is a distinctive modified vintage Gibson that combines genuine late-1970s Les Paul construction with carefully chosen updates for the modern player.

Professionally refinished in Tobacco Sunburst by Birmingham's Jaydee Guitars, it is now fitted with a pair of modern Gibson BurstBucker humbuckers in place of the original Les Paul Deluxe mini-humbucker configuration. The result is a guitar with authentic Norlin-era Gibson character but a fuller, more familiar humbucker voice suited to blues, classic rock, hard rock and expressive lead work.

Presented in Very Good Condition and supplied with a hardcase, this individual guitar carries serial number 71719646, dating it to 1979 Nashville production.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Gibson
Model	Les Paul Deluxe
Year	1979
Finish	Tobacco Sunburst – Jaydee Guitars Refinish
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition
Pickups	Modern Gibson BurstBuckers
Serial Number	71719646
Included	Hardcase
Main Appeal	Vintage USA Les Paul with professional refinish and modern humbucker conversion
Best For	Blues, classic rock, hard rock, studio and live performance

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This 1979 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe is presented in Very Good Condition, showing some cosmetic wear consistent with careful ownership while remaining fully functional and well presented.

The guitar has undergone two significant changes from its original Deluxe specification: it has been professionally refinished in Tobacco Sunburst by Jaydee Guitars and is fitted with modern Gibson BurstBucker humbuckers.

These changes make it particularly appealing as a playable vintage Gibson rather than an untouched collector-grade example.

What’s Included?

✔ 1979 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

The guitar displays some signs of previous use consistent with its Very Good condition grading.

Notable modifications include:

• Professional Tobacco Sunburst refinish by Jaydee Guitars
• Modern Gibson BurstBucker humbuckers
• Pickup configuration converted from the original Les Paul Deluxe mini-humbucker specification

No further repairs or modifications are recorded.

Serial Number: 71719646

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Gibson Les Paul Deluxe has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Checks include:

• Gibson BurstBucker pickups tested
• Pickup selector checked
• Individual volume controls checked
• Individual tone controls checked
• Output jack tested
• Neck condition assessed
• Rosewood fingerboard inspected
• Frets checked
• Tuners checked
• Tune-O-Matic bridge assessed
• Stopbar tailpiece checked
• Hardware inspected
• General playability assessed
• Hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are checked for setup and general playability before leaving the shop.

This Les Paul has been assessed for:

• Action
• Neck relief
• Fret condition
• Intonation
• Tuning stability
• Pickup operation
• Electronics
• Bridge setup
• Hardware
• General playability

As with any wooden instrument, minor setup movement can occur during transportation as temperature and humidity change.

What Makes The 1979 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Special?

This guitar brings together genuine 1979 USA Gibson construction and thoughtful later modifications. The original Les Paul Deluxe platform provides the substantial feel, mahogany-and-maple construction and set-neck character associated with late-'70s Gibson production, while the modern BurstBuckers move the sound towards the powerful full-size humbucker voice most players associate with a Les Paul Standard.

The Jaydee Guitars Tobacco Sunburst refinish adds another layer of interest. Jaydee is a respected Birmingham guitar-building name with roots stretching back to the 1970s, making the professional refinish particularly fitting for a vintage Gibson being offered through a Birmingham independent music store.

Key Features & Benefits

Modern Gibson BurstBucker Humbuckers

The BurstBuckers give this Les Paul a broader, fuller humbucker response than its original mini-humbucker design. Expect strong midrange, plenty of harmonic character and the depth required for blues, classic rock, hard rock and driven amplifier tones.

Professional Jaydee Guitars Refinish

The Tobacco Sunburst finish was professionally applied by Jaydee Guitars, giving the instrument a classic Les Paul appearance while clearly forming part of this guitar's individual history.

Late-'70s Gibson Construction

The combination of mahogany body, carved maple top and three-piece maple neck is characteristic of Les Paul Deluxe production from this period, giving the guitar a substantial feel and a distinct identity compared with many later Les Paul models.

Bound Rosewood Fingerboard

The rosewood fingerboard, trapezoid inlays and cream binding retain the familiar visual character of a traditional Les Paul while providing the smooth playing surface expected from Gibson's set-neck design.

Traditional Les Paul Controls

Two volume controls, two tone controls and a three-way pickup selector give independent control over each BurstBucker, allowing the neck and bridge pickups to be balanced or preset for contrasting rhythm and lead sounds.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

1979 Les Paul Deluxe vs Modern Gibson Les Paul Standard

A current Les Paul Standard offers factory-original full-size humbuckers and a modern ownership experience. This 1979 Deluxe offers something very different: genuine late-'70s Gibson construction, vintage character and decades of history, combined with BurstBuckers that bring its electronics closer to the familiar full-size humbucker Les Paul sound.

Modified Les Paul Deluxe vs Original-Spec Les Paul Deluxe

An original-spec Deluxe is generally sought for its distinctive mini-humbuckers and greater collector originality. This example is better suited to the player who values the age and construction of a vintage Les Paul but prefers the broader output and familiar response of full-size Gibson humbuckers.

1979 Les Paul Deluxe vs Gibson Les Paul Classic

A modern Les Paul Classic provides strong rock-oriented performance and contemporary reliability, while this 1979 guitar delivers genuine vintage construction and an individual history that a new production instrument cannot replicate.

Who Is It For?

Vintage Gibson players – Ideal for someone who wants a genuine late-1970s Gibson to play regularly rather than an untouched museum piece.

Classic rock guitarists – The BurstBuckers, set-neck construction and Les Paul format are naturally suited to driven British-style amplifiers and classic rock tones.

Blues players – Neck-pickup warmth and responsive volume controls make this a strong platform for expressive blues playing.

Working musicians – The full-size humbucker conversion makes the guitar particularly practical for players who want vintage character with a familiar modern Les Paul voice.

Players who appreciate modified vintage guitars – Its Jaydee refinish and BurstBucker conversion give this guitar a clear individual identity while preserving the underlying 1979 Gibson platform.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Blues
• Classic rock
• Hard rock
• Southern rock
• Alternative rock
• Indie
• Rock and roll
• Heavy blues
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Rhythm guitar
• Lead guitar
• Overdriven valve amplifiers
• Pedal-based rigs

Why Choose A Modified Vintage Les Paul?

A modified vintage guitar can offer a different kind of value from a completely original collector's instrument.

Originality is important to collectors, but musicians often prioritise sound, feel and usability. Professionally executed changes can create a guitar that retains the construction and character of an older instrument while providing a specification better suited to the current owner.

This Les Paul is a strong example of that approach. The guitar retains its genuine 1979 Gibson identity, while the BurstBucker conversion gives it the bigger humbucker sound many players expect from a Les Paul and the Jaydee refinish provides a professionally presented Tobacco Sunburst appearance.

Story & Context: The Gibson Les Paul Deluxe

The Les Paul Deluxe emerged at the end of the 1960s as Gibson re-established Les Paul production after the model's earlier discontinuation.

Its defining feature was a pair of mini-humbuckers rather than the full-size humbuckers associated with the late-1950s Les Paul Standard. These pickups gave the Deluxe its own identity, with a tighter and more focused response while retaining hum-cancelling operation.

By the late 1970s, Les Paul construction reflected what is now commonly known as the Norlin era, a distinctive chapter of Gibson history with its own construction methods and following among players.

This guitar was manufactured in Nashville in 1979. Serial number 71719646 follows Gibson's eight-digit YDDDYRRR system and dates the instrument to the 171st day of 1979, with the 646 production ranking identifying Nashville manufacture.

Its later history has taken the guitar away from standard Deluxe specification. The BurstBucker conversion shifts it towards the sound of a full-size humbucker Les Paul, while the Tobacco Sunburst refinish by Jaydee Guitars of Birmingham gives this example a particularly interesting connection to British guitar-making history.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Gibson
Model	Les Paul Deluxe
Year	1979
Serial Number	71719646
Country of Manufacture	USA
Factory	Nashville
Finish	Tobacco Sunburst
Finish Status	Professional Refinish by Jaydee Guitars
Body Material	Mahogany
Top Material	Maple
Neck Material	3-Piece Maple
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	12"
Fingerboard Inlays	Trapezoid
Scale Length	24.75"
Number of Frets	22
Pickup Configuration	HH
Pickups	Modern Gibson BurstBucker Humbuckers
Electronics	Passive
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way Toggle
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic
Tailpiece	Stopbar
String Configuration	6-String
Included	Hardcase
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition

Modification Note

The Les Paul Deluxe originally used mini-humbucker pickups. This guitar has been converted to accept modern Gibson BurstBucker full-size humbuckers.

The Tobacco Sunburst finish is a professional Jaydee Guitars refinish and is not represented as the guitar's original factory finish.

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required.

The Gibson BurstBuckers use passive electronics and connect to a suitable guitar amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or audio interface with a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

This 1979 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe is a particularly interesting proposition for the player who wants genuine vintage Gibson construction without paying a premium purely for untouched originality.

The modern BurstBuckers give it the fuller humbucker voice many rock and blues players want from a Les Paul, while the professionally executed Jaydee Guitars Tobacco Sunburst refinish gives the instrument a striking traditional appearance with an interesting Birmingham connection.

In Very Good Condition and supplied with a hardcase, this is a characterful vintage Gibson designed to be played, enjoyed and taken back onto the stage rather than hidden away as a collector's piece.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Pre-owned guitars can provide access to instruments, production eras and individual specifications that simply cannot be replicated by buying new.

Vintage and modified instruments require particularly clear descriptions, which is why every pre-owned guitar at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed before sale.

This allows customers to understand both the appeal of the instrument and important details such as refinishing, replacement pickups and other modifications before making their decision.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music is Birmingham's largest independent music store, with decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging new, used and vintage musical instruments.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Experienced musician-led advice
• Extensive knowledge of new, used and vintage guitars
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Support before and after your purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Have another guitar sitting unused?

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges a wide range of guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and other musical equipment.

Your existing gear could help reduce the cost of this 1979 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe. Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your current equipment could be worth towards your next purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this an original 1979 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe?

The guitar itself is a genuine 1979 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe. It has subsequently been professionally refinished and converted from its original mini-humbucker pickup specification to full-size Gibson BurstBuckers.

What does serial number 71719646 tell us?

The serial number dates the guitar to 1979 and identifies it as Nashville production. Gibson's serial format also places its manufacture on the 171st day of that year.

Is the Tobacco Sunburst finish original?

No. The guitar was professionally refinished in Tobacco Sunburst by Jaydee Guitars.

Who are Jaydee Guitars?

Jaydee is a highly regarded Birmingham guitar-building name established by luthier John Diggins in the 1970s. The company became particularly well known for its custom instruments and longstanding associations with professional musicians.

Are the pickups original?

No. The original Les Paul Deluxe specification used mini-humbuckers. This guitar is fitted with modern Gibson BurstBucker humbuckers.

How will the BurstBuckers differ from original Deluxe mini-humbuckers?

Full-size BurstBuckers generally provide a broader, fuller response with the strong midrange and harmonic richness associated with traditional Gibson humbucker tones. Mini-humbuckers tend to offer a tighter, more focused response.

Is this guitar aimed at collectors or players?

It is particularly compelling as a player's vintage Gibson. The refinish and pickup conversion reduce the emphasis on untouched originality while providing a very usable specification for regular playing, recording and live work.

What styles of music suit this Les Paul?

Its BurstBucker-equipped HH configuration makes it particularly effective for blues, classic rock, hard rock, alternative music, rock and roll and other styles where a warm, powerful humbucker sound is desirable.

Does this guitar require a battery?

No. The BurstBucker pickups and traditional Les Paul electronics are passive.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A hardcase is included.

Can I try this guitar before purchasing?

Yes. This individual pre-owned Gibson can be viewed at the Fair Deal Music Birmingham showroom while it remains available.

Can I request a video of the guitar?

Yes. A Request a Video Demo is particularly useful for vintage and pre-owned instruments, allowing you to take a closer look at the individual guitar before purchasing.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges on a wide range of guitars and other musical equipment. Contact the team for a no-obligation valuation.

Is a modified vintage Les Paul suitable for regular gigging?

Absolutely. For many players, a professionally modified vintage guitar can be particularly attractive for regular use because the emphasis is on sound, feel and character rather than preserving absolute collector originality.