This 1979 Gibson Les Paul Standard in Tobacco Sunburst is a genuine late-1970s USA-made Les Paul from Gibson's Norlin era, offering a distinctly different specification and personality from both the original late-'50s guitars and modern Les Paul Standards.

Its maple-topped mahogany body is paired with a 3-piece maple neck, bound rosewood fingerboard, traditional twin-humbucker electronics and Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece. The result is the substantial feel, strong sustain and powerful midrange expected from a vintage Les Paul, with the maple neck adding an important period-specific feature.

This example is presented in Very Good Condition, displaying some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership and its vintage age while remaining fully functional. Serial number 70509033. A hardcase is included.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Gibson
Model	Les Paul Standard
Year	1979
Era	Norlin
Finish	Tobacco Sunburst
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition
Serial Number	70509033
Manufacture	Kalamazoo, USA
Included	Hardcase
Main Appeal	Genuine late-'70s Les Paul with maple neck and vintage Gibson character
Best For	Classic rock, blues, hard rock, studio use and vintage Gibson enthusiasts

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This 1979 Gibson Les Paul Standard is presented in Very Good Condition.

Under the Fair Deal Music grading system, Very Good Condition means the guitar shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional.

Given its age, this is best considered as an authentic vintage player's Les Paul with the natural character expected from an instrument approaching five decades old.

What's Included?

✔ 1979 Gibson Les Paul Standard Tobacco Sunburst
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

• Very Good overall condition
• Cosmetic wear consistent with age and previous use
• Hardcase included
• Serial number: 70509033

No specific faults, repairs or modifications are recorded.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

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

Our checks include:

• Neck humbucker tested
• Bridge humbucker tested
• 3-way pickup selector checked
• Individual volume controls tested
• Individual tone controls tested
• Output jack checked
• Neck condition assessed
• Rosewood fingerboard inspected
• Frets checked
• Tuning machines assessed
• Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge checked
• Stopbar tailpiece inspected
• Hardware assessed
• Neck joint and body condition checked
• 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.

Key areas assessed include:

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

Vintage wooden instruments can respond noticeably to changes in temperature and humidity, so minor setup movement during transportation can occasionally occur.

What Makes The 1979 Gibson Les Paul Standard Special?

The 1979 Les Paul Standard captures a distinctive period in Gibson history. Rather than simply repeating the specifications of the 1950s originals, Norlin-era Les Pauls incorporated features such as a 3-piece maple neck, Nashville bridge and contemporary Gibson hardware, creating an instrument with its own recognisable feel and identity.

Today, these guitars are appreciated precisely because they represent genuine period Gibson production rather than a later recreation. The Tobacco Sunburst finish, substantial Les Paul construction and nearly five decades of natural ageing give this example a character that cannot be reproduced simply by choosing a modern vintage-style model.

Key Features & Benefits

3-Piece Maple Neck

One of the most distinctive features of late-'70s Les Paul Standards is the 3-piece maple neck. It gives the guitar a different constructional character from the mahogany-necked Les Pauls associated with the late 1950s and many modern Gibson models.

Maple-Topped Mahogany Body

The classic combination of mahogany and maple provides the strong midrange, sustain and attack closely associated with the Les Paul Standard.

Twin Humbucker Configuration

The traditional two-humbucker layout covers everything from warm neck-pickup sounds to stronger, more focused bridge tones suited to rock rhythm and lead playing.

Nashville Tune-O-Matic Bridge

The Nashville bridge provides individual saddle adjustment for accurate intonation while representing an important part of the Les Paul specification Gibson was using during this period.

Tobacco Sunburst Finish

Tobacco Sunburst gives the guitar an unmistakably late-'70s appearance, transitioning from a warm centre into a considerably darker outer burst.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

1979 Les Paul Standard vs Modern Les Paul Standard '50s

A modern Standard '50s deliberately revisits late-1950s features such as a mahogany neck and historically inspired hardware. The 1979 guitar represents genuine Norlin-era production with its maple neck and Nashville bridge, making the two instruments fundamentally different despite sharing the Les Paul Standard name.

1979 Les Paul Standard vs Les Paul Custom

Period Les Paul Customs add more elaborate appointments including multi-ply binding, ebony fingerboards and distinctive Custom cosmetics. The Standard retains the more traditional Sunburst appearance with a rosewood fingerboard and trapezoid inlays.

Vintage Les Paul vs Modern Reissue

A modern reissue can recreate dimensions and specifications with impressive accuracy, but it cannot reproduce decades of genuine material ageing and individual playing history. A 1979 Standard offers its own authentic era-specific construction rather than attempting to reproduce an earlier period.

Who Is It For?

Vintage Gibson enthusiasts – A genuine late-'70s Les Paul from an increasingly collectable period of Gibson production.

Classic rock players – Twin humbuckers, substantial construction and strong sustain make it a natural match for overdriven valve amplifiers.

Blues guitarists – The shorter Gibson scale and neck humbucker provide an expressive platform for bends and sustained lead work.

Hard rock players – The bridge humbucker delivers the weight and definition required for powerful rhythm and lead sounds.

Players who appreciate Norlin-era Gibsons – The maple neck and period hardware give this guitar an identity quite separate from modern vintage-inspired Standards.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Classic rock
• Blues
• Blues rock
• Hard rock
• Rock
• Southern rock
• Alternative
• Progressive rock
• Jazz
• Fusion
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Rhythm guitar
• Lead guitar
• Vintage amplifier rigs

Why Choose A Norlin-Era Les Paul?

Norlin-era Gibson guitars were once judged primarily against the specifications of late-1950s instruments, but they are increasingly appreciated on their own terms.

Features such as maple neck construction, Nashville bridges and the generally substantial feel of these instruments give them a distinct character rather than making them lesser copies of an original Burst.

For players interested in Gibson history, they also represent genuine vintage guitars from the period rather than modern instruments built to imitate one.

A 1979 Standard therefore offers something very different from a Historic Reissue or present-day Les Paul Standard: an authentic late-'70s Gibson with the construction methods and hardware Gibson was actually using at the time.

Story & Context

The Les Paul Standard returned to regular Gibson production during the 1970s after the original single-cut design had spent much of the previous decade out of the catalogue.

By 1979, Gibson was firmly within what is now known as the Norlin era, and Les Paul construction reflected the company's contemporary manufacturing philosophy.

Maple necks, Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridges and substantial construction became characteristic features of these guitars, giving late-'70s Les Paul Standards a recognisable feel of their own.

Serial number 70509033 places this guitar in 1979. The production ranking of 033 is also consistent with manufacture at Gibson's historic Kalamazoo, Michigan factory, which remained operational alongside Nashville until the early 1980s.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Gibson
Model	Les Paul Standard
Year	1979
Era	Norlin
Serial Number	70509033
Country of Manufacture	USA
Factory	Kalamazoo, Michigan
Finish	Tobacco Sunburst
Body Shape	Les Paul
Body Material	Mahogany
Top Material	Maple
Neck Material	3-Piece Maple
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	Approx. 12"
Scale Length	24.75"
Number of Frets	22
Fingerboard Inlays	Trapezoid
Pickup Configuration	HH
Pickups	Twin Humbuckers
Electronics	Passive
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way Toggle
Bridge	Nashville Tune-O-Matic
Tailpiece	Stopbar
Hardware Finish	Chrome
Included	Hardcase
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition

Vintage Specification Note

Period 1979 Les Paul Standards are commonly found with Gibson Patent Number / T-Top humbuckers, but pickup originality and exact component specification should be confirmed on the individual instrument rather than assumed solely from its year.

For that reason, this listing identifies the current configuration simply as twin humbuckers without making an unsupported claim regarding exact pickup model or originality.

Serial Number Note

Gibson used the YDDDYRRR eight-digit serial system during this period.

Serial number 70509033 decodes as:

• 7 + 9: 1979 production
• 050: 50th day of the year
• 033: Factory production ranking

For instruments built before the Kalamazoo factory closed, production numbers 001–499 identify Kalamazoo manufacture. This serial is therefore consistent with a 1979 Kalamazoo-built Gibson.

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required.

The traditional humbucker electronics are passive and connect to an amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or audio interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

This 1979 Gibson Les Paul Standard in Tobacco Sunburst is an excellent opportunity to own a genuine vintage Les Paul from one of Gibson's most distinctive periods.

The 3-piece maple neck, maple-topped mahogany body and Nashville bridge give it genuine Norlin-era identity, while the twin-humbucker electronics retain everything players expect from a Les Paul as a working rock and blues instrument.

Its Very Good Condition means it carries visible evidence of previous use without losing its fundamental appeal, making it particularly attractive to a player who wants an authentic vintage Gibson to enjoy rather than simply preserve.

Supplied with a hardcase, this is a compelling late-'70s Les Paul with genuine Kalamazoo heritage.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Vintage guitars should be judged as individual instruments, with condition, functionality and component history considered alongside their original catalogue specification.

Every pre-owned guitar at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed before sale so its condition and included items are clearly represented.

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, combining a major showroom with nationwide ecommerce and decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging new, used and vintage musical equipment.

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
• Expert musician-led advice
• Extensive experience with Gibson and vintage guitars
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Clear condition grading
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing gear could help towards the cost of this vintage Gibson.

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

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your current gear could be worth towards this 1979 Gibson Les Paul Standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year is this Gibson Les Paul Standard?

Serial number 70509033 identifies the guitar as a 1979 Gibson.

Where was this guitar made?

The serial's production ranking of 033 falls within Gibson's Kalamazoo numbering allocation for this period, making this a Kalamazoo, Michigan-built instrument.

Is this a Norlin-era Gibson?

Yes. A 1979 Les Paul Standard falls firmly within Gibson's Norlin era.

Does it have a mahogany neck?

No. Late-'70s Les Paul Standards of this specification use a 3-piece maple neck, an important feature of the period.

What is the body construction?

The guitar uses the classic Les Paul combination of a mahogany body with a carved maple top.

What fingerboard does it have?

It has a bound rosewood fingerboard with trapezoid position inlays.

What scale length does it use?

It uses Gibson's traditional 24.75" scale length.

What pickups are fitted?

The guitar currently has a traditional twin-humbucker configuration. The precise pickup model and originality are not assumed without individual component verification.

Would a 1979 Les Paul originally have T-Top pickups?

Many 1979 Les Paul Standards were fitted with Gibson Patent Number/T-Top humbuckers, but vintage guitars can undergo component changes during their lifetime, so originality should be established on the individual instrument.

What bridge does it use?

It uses a Gibson Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece.

How does a 1979 Les Paul differ from a modern Standard?

The most obvious construction difference is the 3-piece maple neck. Modern Les Paul Standards generally return to mahogany neck construction and more closely reference specifications associated with the 1950s.

Is this suitable for regular playing?

Yes. Despite its vintage age, a properly maintained Les Paul Standard remains a highly capable working instrument for rehearsal, recording and live performance.

Does it require a battery?

No. Its traditional humbucker electronics are passive.

Does it come with a hardcase?

Yes. A hardcase is included.

Is the hardcase original?

No claim is made regarding original factory case status unless separately confirmed. The hardcase currently accompanying the guitar is included in the sale.

Can I request a closer look at the guitar?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is particularly useful for vintage instruments, allowing you to see the individual Tobacco Sunburst finish and cosmetic condition in greater detail.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges a wide range of modern and vintage musical equipment. Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.