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GIBSON | CATALOGS | 1978

1978 Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog

Gibson guitar and bass catalog

1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog front cover
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog, inside cover
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 1
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 2 - The Les Paul, and the Les Paul Artisan
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 3 - Les Paul Custom
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 4 - Les Paul Custom and Les Paul Recording
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 5 - Les Paul Pro Deluxe and Les Paul Standard
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 6 - Les Paul Deluxe and Les Paul 55/78
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 7 - Les Paul Special Double Cutaway and The "Paul"
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 8 - Gibson L5-S and SG Custom
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 9 - Gibson SG Standard and L-6S Custom
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 10 - Gibson L-6S Deluxe and Melody Maker
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 11 - Gibson S-1 and Marauder
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 12 - Gibson EDS-1275
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 13 - Gibson RD Artist
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 14 - Gibson RD Custom and RD Standard
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 15 - Gibson RD Artist bass and RD Standard bass
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 16 - Gibson ES-355TDSV and ES-347TD
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 17 - Gibson ES-345TDSV and ES-335TD
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 18 - Gibson ES-350T and ES-175T
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 19 - Gibson Super 400C and L-5C
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 20 - Gibson Kalamazoo Award Model and Super V CES
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 21 - Gibson Super 400CES and L-5CES
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 22 - Gibson JS and Byrdland
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 23 - Gibson Howard Roberts Artist and Howard Roberts Custom
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 24 - Gibson ES-175D and ES-175/CC
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 25 - Gibson Les Paul Triumph and EB3 bass
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 26 - Gibson Ripper L9-S and Ripper Fretless basses
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 27 - Gibson G3 and Grabber basses
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog page 28 - Gibson protector case
1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog inside back cover

1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation Catalog

Throughout the 1970s, Gibson had produced publicity material split into segments: thinlines, Les Pauls, solid bodies, basses etc: this 1978 catalog was the first time since Norlin took control (in fact since 1966) that a full-line electrics (no acoustic guitars or amplifiers) catalog 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 catalog 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 catalog of the seventies, and also the last catalog 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 catalog 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

ES-355TDSV and ES-347TD
ES-345TDSV and ES-335TD
ES-350T and ES-175T
Super 400C and L-5C
Kalamazoo Award Model and Super V CES
Super 400CES and L-5CES
JS and Byrdland
Howard Roberts Artist and Howard Roberts Custom
ES-175D and ES-175/CC

Basses:

RD Artist and RD Standard bass
Les Paul triumph and EB3
Ripper L9-S and Ripper fretless
G3 and Grabber
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