Gibson Les Paul Recording Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Recording ( 1971 -1980 ) 

In 1969 Gibson introduced 2 guitars with low impedance pickups these gibson guitars were called the Gibson Les Paul professional and the Gibson Les Paul personal. Although the idea sounded great these guitars were short lived and off the market after 2 years in production , in 1971 Gibson introduced the Gibson Les Paul recording with higher expectations, 

 the Gibson Les Paul recording had integral transformers to make the output impedance compatible with normal high impedance amps, they had a single cutaway bound mahogany body , two slanted low impedance pickups with Gibson logo on covers ( see pic ), rosewood fingerboards, 

 2 high low impedance selector switches , bound peg head with diamond logo inlays and were made in various colors (most early models 71-75 were made in walnut finishes) the Gibson Les Paul recording guitars were fairly successful and led to the making of the Gibson Les Paul signature and the Gibson triumph bass in 1973. 

However these guitars never became household names like the deluxe , standard and the custom , they are known as techie guitars meaning you can get some great sounds but there can be lots of tweaking involved between the amp and guitar, the Gibson Les Paul recording guitars are considered vintage and somewhat historical Gibson guitars but not very popular amongst players, they were discontinued in 1980. 

These guitars went up in price considerably since last year and they are getting harder to find , I remember a couple of years back I would see quite a few on ebay, people that have this guitar tend to keep it because of it's unique look.

Selling Or Buying Advice

Always consult with someone who knows vintage guitars before buying or selling. Otherwise, I strongly suggest you get a guitar price guide with detailed specs that can change the prices dramatically. Knowledge is everything when you are dealing with old and used music instruments.

> View used and vintage Gibson Les Paul Recording guitars for sale.

Gibson Les Paul Recording Price Guide (Updated April-16-2021)
  • 1971 - 1977 > $1800 to $2500 (Walnut)
  • 1975 - 1979 > $2800 to $3500 (White)
  • 1978 - 1980 > $1800 to $2500 (Black, Natural & Sunburst)

Comments

  1. howsit fellow Gibson fans...

    this was by far the best Christmas i ever had! my ole man gave me his Les Paul Recording as a present! STOKED!

    im in south africa so i think it might be one of very few in the country...

    if anyone has any info on the availibilty or rarity of this magnificent piece of musical instrument, please post a reply...

    thanks
    Sean Marshal Chisholm

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The website below will tell you a lot about the LPR. It also shows the total numbers shipped by year. The grand total is about 5,300 shipped. The second link scroll down a little and you can type in the serial number and you will get the year and where it was made. Just keep in mind that Gobson did sometimes duplicate serial numbers. And, i think in 2012ad, they did put out a re-issue of the LPR. I have 6 of the LPR's. Put the time in to mix all the settings. It's extremely versatile.

      https://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/gibson/Les_Paul_Recording.php

      https://zinginstruments.com/gibson-serial-number-lookup/

      Delete
    2. Anonymous9:38 PM

      The website below will tell you a lot about the LPR. It also shows the total numbers shipped by year. The grand total is about 5,300 shipped. The second link scroll down a little and you can type in the serial number and you will get the year and where it was made. Just keep in mind that Gobson did sometimes duplicate serial numbers. And, i think in 2012ad, they did put out a re-issue of the LPR. I have 6 of the LPR's. Put the time in to mix all the settings. It's extremely versatile.

      https://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/gibson/Les_Paul_Recording.php

      https://zinginstruments.com/gibson-serial-number-lookup/

      Delete
  2. Anonymous6:10 AM

    Question: Les paul recording
    Can Someone tell me what the
    relative effects of the controls
    are. ( phase in-out switch,low - high switch,and especialy the decade knob. )
    This is a 1975 model.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:50 PM

      The following email has brochures from the time they were new. It mentions a little about the decade Knob. Basically it changes the sound in a gentile process. Just play with the decade knob until you like the sound. I have 6 of them.

      https://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/gibson/Les_Paul_Recording.php

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:11 PM

      Recording Controls
      Bass, Treble and Volume Self explanatory. The bass and treble have a very wide range, but most importantly work independently from each other, dialing in more treble does not affect the level of bass, and vice versa

      Decade Control This eleven position switch tunes or alters the treble harmonics. Produce "biting" or "silky" highs with simplicity.

      Phase Control Only works when both pickups are selected.

      Impedance Selector Hi for live use or Low for studio use (or live use with a Low-Impedance amplifier).

      Tone Selector Three settings: 1, 2, and 3. This switch does not actually change the tone produced by the instrument per se.. it acts as a bypass, inactivating certain controls - hence allowing quick and reversible changes between settings that would otherwise be impossible particular in a live setting. In position 2 (middle), nothing is bypassed. All controls function as described above. In position 1 the pickup selector switch and treble and bass controls are inactive - both pickups are selected by default. In position 3 only the treble and bass controls are bypassed. These controls are explained in detail on pages 2 and 3 of the Les Paul Recording owners manual.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous4:29 PM

    I Have a Les Paul Signature that I would like to get any info I can about. It was bought used in 82 by my Dad. I cant find a SN or other numbers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The serial number should be on the back of the head. No serial number, maybe not a Gibson. Maybe a copy. Copys are now being made with serial numbers that when searched thru online site make it appear legit when they are not. And the manufacturers are stamping "Made in USA" on them. So, no serial and no numbers could mean it's a copy. Sometimes called "lawsuit guitar". During the 1980's copies were always being made in Asia. Some copies are great. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones. Your dad kept it for a reason.

      Delete
  4. I owned one of these but sold it in 1997 for about $300 to get a Taylor acoustic. Ahhhhhhhhhh.....if I knew then what I know now. Sigh.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous8:03 AM

    Recently purchased a 69 Les Paul bass. The 3 position tone selector switch is broken and I can't find a replacement. Can anyone help?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous2:14 AM

    I bought a Les Paul Recording in 1977. I still play on it. It's a marvelous instrument. A little complicated at the beginning but when you get it, sticks to you for ever. I'll never get rid off this one.
    Henri. Belgium

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Henri, ben je tevreden met deze gitaar ?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:24 PM

      Hij heeft het sinds 1977. Ik denk dat hij er blij mee is. Ik heb 6 LPR's. Ik ben blij met alle 6. Google translate gebruikt.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous2:27 AM

    I have to replace the original now defective impedance transformer in my '74 LPR.
    Would someone enlighten me as to what transformer value to go with?Thanx Dudes!!!Or who makes them?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous3:28 AM

    I have a '73 LPR - brand new in 1974 - still got it, and play it on a regular basis. In fact, it's the *only* guitar I play. there just isn't anything else like it - except another LPR :')
    for the defective impedence transformer - don't fret too much, it sounds better when you feed the guitar through a low impedence (microphone) cable, and then use a transformer (about $US20) into the amp - or feed direct into the sound desk (lowZ and NO to phantom power :')
    hth,
    .h

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous3:33 PM

    I have had my 72 LPR since 1990 when I was 16 years old. It was the first thing I ever bought with my own money from my first job and I still have it to this day. I haven't seen a Recording model other than my own in person ever, and I have had many an offer for it and I will never part with it. I came to thsi site to find out it's value, but in all honesty the sentiment will never be covered with any dollar value..just curious tho

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. $2,500-$6,000+ depending on condition and color. Check auction sites.

      Delete
  10. Does anyone have specs on the transformer or how to get one? or alternatives?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous7:44 PM

    My 1973 Triumph Bass was bought new in MS. I still have the original hardshell case. More bass than some can handle but I finished my gig life in 79 and put it back in the case. Still plays and looks great. Not many made in those few years of manufacturing.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous11:02 PM

    I just bought a '73 Triumph bass...LOVE it but even with all the switches and knobs in the HI posistions, the volume of this bass is substantially lower than my Fenders. Anybody else have this problem?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:39 PM

      Impedance Selector Hi for live use or Low for studio use (or live use with a Low-Impedance amplifier).
      Follow link for more info on LPR's.
      It depends own what your amp requires for input. If it sounds good and loud on low impedance, then keep it on low. That's what I do when using Fender twin reverb amps. Then switch to hi going through my Marshall JMP900's. It is normal.

      https://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/gibson/Les_Paul_Recording.php

      Delete
  13. Anonymous3:31 PM

    Here are links to other sites regarding the Les Paul Personal, Professional, Recording, and other low-impedance pickup Les Paul guitars:

    http://jbwid.com/guitar/lpp01.htm (info on how the Decade knobs works)

    http://www.gould68.freeserve.co.uk/lprusers/lprusers.html (the most comprehensive)

    http://www.ntw.net/~w0ui/family_webpage/linkpages/music/music_lespaulrecording.htm (lots of history)

    http://vintageguitars.org.uk/LPrecording_showcasept1.php (much of the same info as here)

    http://www.coutant.org/matching/5.html (info on the Shure A95UF transformer)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous8:55 PM

    Found this info about the LPR.
    (Shipping totals: 1971 - 236; 1972 - 1314; 1973 - 1759; 1974 - 915; 1975 - 204; 1976 - 352; 1977 - 362; 1978 - 180; 1979 - 78).

    http://www.gould68.freeserve.co.uk/lprusers/lprusers.html

    http://www.rlinwood.com/family_webpage/linkpages/music/LPR/LPR_Main.htm

    ReplyDelete
  15. Martie10:16 PM

    1948 gibson elect 4 sale,R10500 ONCA,call me on 0790499207 martie

    ReplyDelete
  16. Martie10:18 PM

    1948 gibson elect 4 sale,R10500 onco.call me 0790499207

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous8:50 AM

    1963 Gibson J160 with original box, 4 sale, R18500 call 082 7400 998(SA)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous11:34 AM

    I bought my first Gibson LP Recording (a 1972) in 1980 from my old guitar teacher - he had just bought another high-end Gibson and didn't need them both. I cherished the guitar until I foolishly sold it when I was getting married (now ex-wife!). Happy to say that I recently managed to acquire another Recording - in pristine condition - this one I will keep forever!

    People always say it isn't a great guitar and not popular with players - but those comments only come from those who don't have one or who have not taken the time to appreciate what it can do. This model was Les Paul's guitar of choice in all his live performances in the NYC jass club until he passed away, and Jimmy Page himself owns and uses one as well - so dont tell me it isn't worthy to be recognized as a member of the Gibson Les Paul family...you just stick with your knock-offs and leave the vintage guitars to those who know better.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous11:54 PM

    For Sale: Gibson Les Paul Recording Vintage Guitar
    with case 2700.00 USD

    contact buzznmee@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous1:23 AM

    I own a Les Paul Personal and it´s a -69/70
    I bought this in a music shop in Sweden 10 years ago.
    It´s all original but the chord is missing :-)
    I think it´s a beautiful guitar but i don´t play it very often.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have a '72 that had been sent back to Gibson in Nashville and they went over it completely...everything works. Has a replaced switch tip and a repaired cracked pick guard, but it is a gem otherwise.

    ReplyDelete
  22. 1975 Recording mode Les Paul all original except case. case is a new Gibson Les Paul case with white carpeting inside.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gibson Serial Numbers, Specs & Info

GIbson Les Paul Deluxe Guitar

Vintage Guitar Prices (How Much Is Your Guitar Worth?)

Gibson Les Paul Custom