1978 Quality/Prestige/Innovation catalogue

Part 1

Throughout the 1970s, Gibson had produced publicity material split into segments: thinlines, Les Pauls, solid bodies, basses etc: this 1978 catalogue was the first time since Norlin took control (in fact since 1966) that a full-line electrics (no acoustic guitars or amplifiers) catalogue had been printed. And Gibson did a great job, producing a very full 36 page guide to Gibson's 1978 product line. 28 pages of guitars in full-colour 11" x 8 1/2".

The 1978 Gibson catalogue was most likely produced in the second half of that year: certainly it contains new models not included in the January or May 1978 price lists. The last Gibson catalogue of the seventies, and also the last catalogue appearance for several models. It is however, the first for quite a few more, such as the newly launched RD guitar and RD bass ranges, The Les Paul, the Les Paul Artisan, the Les Paul 55/78 and the ES-347TD.

78 was a great year for the Gibson Les Paul - sales, especially of the Les Paul Custom, far exceeded the levels of the rest of the Gibson range. The 78 catalogue featured 3 Customs; the two pickup, three pickup and the maple fretboard versions.

Click on the images for full size versions of each page, or click on the model names below

Guitars:
The Les Paul and Les Paul Artisan
Les Paul Custom
Les Paul Recording and Les Paul Custom
Les Paul Pro Deluxe and Les Paul Standard
Les Paul Deluxe and Les Paul 55
Les Paul Special double cutaway and The Paul
L5-S and SG Custom
SG Standard and L6-S Custom
L6-S Deluxe and Melody Maker
S-1 and Marauder
EDS-1275
RD Artist
RD Custom and RD Standard

Basses:
RD Artist and RD Standard bass

Part 2