Les Paul Custom and Les Paul Recording

1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalog. Page 4. Details of the Gibson Les Paul Custom and Les Paul Recording guitars.

As explained on the previous page (where two more LP Customs are shown) 1978 was a good year, sales-wise, for the Les Paul Custom. Almost half of the instruments shipped were the same as the model illustrated here - the two pickup version with Ebony finish.

The low-impedance Les Paul Recording guitar, on the other hand was failing. Sales in 1978 were just 180 - a tenth of their peak year 1973. This model lasted one more year and was discontinued in 1979/80. This was the final catalog inclusion of this guitar. It was, however, the first time it was shown in a US catalog with the second generation electronics, i.e. two output jacks (one high, one low impedance) replacing the hi/lo impedance switch, and the control pots in a straight line.

Recommended US retail prices for these two models in 1978 were as follows: Les Paul Custom (2 pickups) $849-$899, Les Paul Recording $799. These prices are telling in themselves... in 1971 when The Les Paul Recording was launched, it was pitched above the Custom, priced $650 and $595 respectively.