The Les Paul Pro Deluxe was first available in 1978, described as "a hybrid version of our popular Les Paul Deluxe model". Like all late 1970s Les Pauls it had a maple neck, but also features of the Les Paul Custom (ebony fingerboard), the 1950s or reissue 1960s Les Paul Standard (P90 single-coil pickups) and trapezoid inlays and headstock inlays common to the Deluxe and Standard. The truss rod cover engraving is simply has the word Pro in script. In some Gibson literature of the time, the 'Deluxe' is dropped, and this model is referred to as the Les Paul Pro.
At the time of Pro Deluxe's inception, Les Pauls were selling well, and Gibson released a plethora of new variants. As can be seen from the pricing below, this guitar was somewhere in the middle of the Les Paul range; finely built and appointed, the cream pickups, pickguard and binding giving it a very distinctive look.
The Pro Deluxe was available until 1982; it was included in price lists from May 1978-Jan 1982. Unusually, it was launched in Europe some months prior to being available in the USA.
The Gibson Les Paul Pro Deluxe was listed in just two US catalogues, the 1978 and the 1980, but also one by UK distributor Rosetti. Follow the links below to see this model as listed in the catalogues of the time.
Available finishes for the Les Paul Pro Deluxe were Gold, Ebony, Cherry Sunburst and Tobacco Sunburst. The Gold finish was a traditional gold top, with natural mahogany back and sides. This was no longer listed in the 1980 US Gibson catalog (but was still listed in the 1981 UK catalog).
Prices are as follows (US zone 1).
1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 |
$789 | $839 | $889 | $999 | $999 |
Prices in comparison to other models, May 1978.
The Les Paul | $3000 | Les Paul Pro Deluxe |
$789 |
Les Paul Artisan | $1039 | Les Paul Standard | $749 |
Les Paul Custom | $799-949 | Les Paul Deluxe | $699 |
RD Artist guitar | $859 | Les Paul 55 | $519 |
Les Paul Recording | $799 | S-1 | $519-559 |
ES-335TD | $799 | Marauder | $419-469 |
$3695
$4495