The 1976 Gibson Les Paul Artisan is one of the most distinctive and ornate Les Paul variants of the Norlin era, combining the familiar power and sustain of Gibson’s single-cut design with elaborate appointments that set it apart from both the Les Paul Standard and Les Paul Custom.

The Artisan is immediately recognisable by its highly decorative Hearts & Flowers fingerboard and headstock inlays, pre-war-style Gibson script logo, bound ebony fingerboard, gold hardware and traditional three-humbucker layout.

Adding considerably to the individual character of this particular guitar, it carries a Slash signature dated 1992.

The signature is an important and highly visible feature of the instrument, particularly for collectors of Guns N’ Roses and Slash-related memorabilia, although no claim is made here that the guitar was personally owned by Slash.

This vintage example is in Very Good condition, weighs a substantial 11.58 lbs, and includes a hardcase.

AT A GLANCE

Detail	Specification
Brand	Gibson
Model	Les Paul Artisan
Year	1976
Type	Vintage Solid Body Electric Guitar
Pickup Layout	Triple Humbucker
Fingerboard	Ebony
Inlays	Hearts & Flowers
Artist Signature	Slash, Dated 1992
Weight	11.58 lbs
Condition	Very Good / Vintage Pre-Owned
Case	Hardcase Included

PRE-OWNED / VINTAGE CONDITION REPORT

This is a Pre-Owned 1976 Gibson Les Paul Artisan in Very Good condition.

As expected from a genuine vintage Gibson of this age, buyers should expect signs of previous ownership, handling and natural cosmetic ageing consistent with decades of use.

The guitar carries a Slash signature dated 1992, which forms an important part of the instrument’s individual appearance and collector interest.

This individual guitar weighs 11.58 lbs.

A hardcase is included.

SIGNED BY SLASH – DATED 1992

This Les Paul Artisan carries a Slash signature dated 1992.

Slash is one of the most recognisable Les Paul players in rock history, making a signed vintage Gibson particularly interesting to collectors of both Gibson guitars and rock memorabilia.

The signature is described specifically as a signature dated 1992.

No further ownership or performance history is being claimed without accompanying documentation.

THE LES PAUL ARTISAN

The Les Paul Artisan was conceived as an especially elaborate member of Gibson’s Les Paul family.

It combined a traditional mahogany-and-maple Les Paul platform with highly decorative appointments more commonly associated with Gibson’s premium banjos and archtop instruments.

Its Hearts & Flowers inlay pattern, ornate bound headstock and pre-war-style Gibson script make it one of the most visually distinctive Les Paul models Gibson produced during the 1970s.

KEY FEATURES

• Genuine 1976 Gibson Les Paul Artisan

• Vintage USA-made Gibson

• Norlin-era production

• Mahogany body

• Carved maple top

• Set neck construction

• Ebony fingerboard

• Elaborate mother-of-pearl Hearts & Flowers inlays

• Bound fingerboard

• Bound headstock

• Decorative Hearts & Flowers headstock inlay

• Pre-war-style Gibson script logo

• 24.75" scale length

• 22-fret layout

• Three humbucking pickups

• 3-way pickup selector

• 2 Volume controls

• 2 Tone controls

• Tune-O-Matic-style bridge

• Stopbar tailpiece

• Gold hardware

• Slash signature dated 1992

• Actual measured weight of 11.58 lbs

• Very Good vintage condition

• Hardcase included

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

The Artisan offers something very different from a conventional Les Paul.

At its core, it retains the familiar thick midrange, sustain and power associated with Gibson’s mahogany-and-maple single-cut construction.

Visually, however, the Hearts & Flowers inlays and elaborate headstock make it considerably more decorative than almost any mainstream Les Paul.

The three-pickup configuration further adds to its distinctive identity, offering a broader range of tonal combinations than a conventional two-humbucker Les Paul.

The Slash signature dated 1992 gives this particular example another layer of collector interest.

DETAILED FEATURES & BENEFITS

Vintage 1976 Gibson

This guitar dates from 1976, placing it within Gibson’s Norlin-era production.

Instruments from this period have developed a strong following among players and collectors who appreciate their substantial construction, distinctive appointments and unmistakable 1970s Gibson character.

Mahogany Body

The body uses mahogany as the tonal foundation.

This provides the strong midrange and sustain traditionally associated with the Les Paul design.

Carved Maple Top

A carved maple cap adds attack, definition and visual depth while retaining the familiar Les Paul tonal balance.

Set Neck Construction

The neck is glued into the body using traditional Gibson set-neck construction.

This contributes to the sustained, connected feel associated with the Les Paul.

Ebony Fingerboard

The ebony fingerboard provides a smooth playing surface with a clear, immediate attack.

It also provides the dark background that makes the elaborate inlays especially striking.

Hearts & Flowers Inlays

One of the Artisan’s defining features is its ornate mother-of-pearl Hearts & Flowers inlay pattern.

This decorative motif extends across the fingerboard and headstock and is central to the model’s premium identity.

Bound Headstock

The headstock uses multi-ply binding and elaborate decorative inlays, making it considerably more ornate than a conventional Les Paul Standard.

Pre-War-Style Gibson Logo

The Artisan is known for its unusual script-style Gibson logo, visually referencing earlier Gibson instruments.

24.75" Scale Length

The traditional Gibson 24.75" scale length gives the strings a slightly softer feel than longer Fender-style instruments.

This works particularly well for expressive bending and vibrato.

22-Fret Layout

The guitar uses the familiar 22-fret Les Paul configuration.

Triple Humbuckers

The Artisan is strongly associated with a three-humbucker configuration.

This gives the guitar a visually imposing appearance and expands the tonal possibilities beyond those of a standard two-pickup Les Paul.

Traditional Control Layout

The electronics use Gibson’s familiar arrangement of two Volume controls, two Tone controls and a 3-way selector.

Tune-O-Matic Bridge

The bridge provides individual intonation adjustment for all six strings.

Stopbar Tailpiece

A fixed stopbar tailpiece anchors the strings securely and contributes to the familiar Les Paul feel.

Gold Hardware

Gold-plated hardware reinforces the Artisan’s position as one of Gibson’s most luxurious Les Paul designs of its period.

11.58 lbs Actual Weight

This individual guitar weighs 11.58 lbs.

That is a substantial figure even by vintage Les Paul standards and gives the instrument the solid, reassuring feel associated with many 1970s Gibsons.

WHO IS IT FOR?

The 1976 Gibson Les Paul Artisan is particularly well suited to vintage Gibson collectors, Les Paul enthusiasts, classic-rock players and musicians looking for a rarer alternative to the familiar Standard or Custom.

This particular example should also appeal to Slash and Guns N’ Roses collectors because of the dated 1992 signature.

PLAYING STYLES & APPLICATIONS

The Les Paul Artisan is particularly well suited to:

• Classic rock

• Hard rock

• Blues

• Heavy rock

• Lead guitar

• Rhythm guitar

• Studio recording

• Vintage-style rock tones

• Clean humbucker sounds

• Overdriven valve-amp tones

Its triple-humbucker arrangement gives it additional tonal flexibility compared with a conventional Les Paul.

HOW IT COMPARES

Artisan vs Les Paul Custom

The Les Paul Custom is already a highly appointed guitar, but the Artisan pushes the decorative concept even further.

Its Hearts & Flowers inlays, pre-war-style logo and triple-pickup configuration give it a much more unusual visual identity.

Artisan vs Les Paul Standard

A Les Paul Standard typically uses simpler cosmetic appointments and two humbuckers.

The Artisan adds significantly more decorative work and a third pickup.

Vintage Artisan vs Modern Les Paul

Modern Les Paul models offer contemporary consistency and a wide variety of specifications.

A genuine 1970s Artisan offers period-specific construction, natural ageing and a much rarer place within Gibson’s historical catalogue.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Specification	Details
Product Type	Vintage Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Gibson
Model	Les Paul Artisan
Year	1976
Country of Manufacture	USA
Era	Norlin
Body Shape	Les Paul
Body Material	Mahogany
Top	Carved Maple
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Fingerboard	Ebony
Fingerboard Inlays	Mother-of-Pearl Hearts & Flowers
Headstock	Bound with Decorative Inlays
Logo	Pre-War-Style Gibson Script
Scale Length	24.75"
Frets	22
Pickup Configuration	HHH
Pickups	Three Humbuckers
Electronics	Passive
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way Toggle
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic Style
Tailpiece	Stopbar
Hardware	Gold
Signature	Slash
Signature Date	1992
Weight	11.58 lbs
Case	Hardcase Included
Condition	Very Good / Vintage Pre-Owned

POWER REQUIREMENTS

None.

The Gibson Les Paul Artisan uses passive electronics and requires no battery or external power supply.

FAIR DEAL MUSIC EXPERT VERDICT ★★★★★

Best suited for: Vintage Gibson collectors, serious Les Paul enthusiasts and rock memorabilia collectors looking for a genuinely unusual 1970s Gibson.

Customers usually upgrade from: Gibson Les Paul Standards, Customs, Traditionals and other premium USA-made single-cut guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Valve amplifiers, overdrive, boost, fuzz and classic analogue effects.

Our tip: The Artisan is already a rare and instantly recognisable Les Paul. The dated Slash signature gives this particular example an additional collector dimension, so preserving the signed area carefully makes sense.

Showroom feedback: At 11.58 lbs, this is a seriously substantial vintage Gibson, but that weight is very much in keeping with the feel many players associate with 1970s Les Pauls. The Hearts & Flowers inlays and triple-pickup layout make the Artisan stand out immediately.

WHY BUY PRE-OWNED FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

Buying a Pre-Owned 1976 Gibson Les Paul Artisan offers the opportunity to own one of Gibson’s more unusual and decorative vintage Les Paul models.

This example is in Very Good condition, weighs 11.58 lbs, carries a Slash signature dated 1992, and includes a hardcase.

Fair Deal Music has decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging vintage, rare and high-value guitars.

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 combines a large Birmingham showroom with nationwide ecommerce and knowledgeable musician-led advice.

Customers benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987

• Birmingham's largest independent music store

• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews

• Knowledgeable musician-led advice

• Extensive experience with vintage and high-value Gibson guitars

• Experience with rare and collectible instruments

• Large Birmingham showroom

• Secure online ordering

• Fast UK delivery

• Friendly customer support

• Part-exchange and trade-in service

• Request a Video Demo option

TRADE IN. TRADE UP. SAVE MORE.

Your current guitar, vintage instrument or collection could help towards the cost of this 1976 Gibson Les Paul Artisan.

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

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.

PART EXCHANGE / TRADE-IN

If you own a Gibson, vintage guitar or other high-value musical instrument you are considering replacing, Fair Deal Music can assess it for part exchange.

Trading in can remove many of the complications involved in privately selling valuable instruments while allowing their value to go directly towards your next purchase.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is this a genuine 1976 Gibson Les Paul Artisan?

Yes. This is a 1976 Gibson Les Paul Artisan.

Where was the Les Paul Artisan made?

It was produced in the USA.

Is the Artisan rare?

Yes. The Les Paul Artisan was produced in much smaller numbers than mainstream Les Paul Standard and Custom models.

What makes the Artisan different from a Les Paul Custom?

Its most obvious differences are the Hearts & Flowers inlays, ornate headstock, pre-war-style Gibson script and triple-humbucker layout.

What is the body made from?

The Artisan uses the traditional Les Paul combination of a mahogany body with carved maple top.

What fingerboard does it have?

It has an ebony fingerboard.

What are the fingerboard inlays?

The Artisan uses elaborate mother-of-pearl Hearts & Flowers inlays.

How many pickups does it have?

Three humbuckers.

Are the electronics active?

No. They are passive.

How many controls does it have?

Two Volume controls, two Tone controls and a 3-way pickup selector.

What bridge does it use?

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

Does it have gold hardware?

Yes.

Is the guitar signed?

Yes. It carries a Slash signature.

When was the signature dated?

The signature is dated 1992.

Was this guitar owned by Slash?

No ownership claim is being made. The guitar is described specifically as signed by Slash and dated 1992.

Is Slash associated with Gibson Les Paul guitars?

Yes. Slash is one of the most famous Les Paul players in rock music.

What condition is it in?

This example is in Very Good condition for a vintage guitar of this age.

How much does it weigh?

This individual guitar weighs 11.58 lbs.

Is that heavy for a Les Paul?

Yes. It is a substantial instrument, although heavier weights are not unusual among 1970s Gibson Les Pauls.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A hardcase is included.

Is the hardcase original?

The case has not been confirmed as original, so it is simply described as a hardcase.

Does it require a battery?

No.

Is it suitable for classic rock?

Absolutely. Its Les Paul construction and triple-humbucker layout make it particularly well suited to classic and hard rock.

Is it collectible?

Yes. The Artisan is already an uncommon vintage Gibson, and the Slash signature dated 1992 gives this individual example additional memorabilia interest.

Can I request a video demo?

Yes. A video demo is strongly recommended for a rare vintage instrument like this and provides a useful opportunity to inspect both the guitar and the signed area closely.

Can I arrange an in-person inspection?

Yes. A vintage Gibson of this significance is especially well suited to an in-person inspection at Fair Deal Music’s Birmingham showroom.

Can I part-exchange another vintage guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers vintage, collectible and modern musical instruments for part exchange.