One of Gibson's Most Ornate Les Pauls — And It's the Real Deal
There are vintage guitars, and then there are vintage statement pieces. The 1979 Gibson Les Paul 25/50 Anniversary lands firmly in the second camp. Built to commemorate 25 years of the Les Paul model guitar and 50 years of Les Paul's career in music, this limited-run instrument packed in more distinctive features than almost anything else leaving Kalamazoo at the time — and it's aged into one of the most visually striking and historically interesting Les Pauls you're likely to find.
The Antique Sunburst finish on this example brings out the flame in the carved maple top in a warm, amber-to-dark-brown sweep that reads as simultaneously understated and stunning. It's the kind of finish that photographs beautifully and looks even better in person. If you've been hunting for a 25/50, the Antique Sunburst is one of the more sought-after color options from the original run.
Only around 3,400 of these guitars were shipped across 1978 and 1979, making every example a legitimate piece of Gibson history. If you're a collector, a working player who appreciates the finer details of late-'70s Gibson craftsmanship, or both — this one deserves your attention.
Built Like a Custom, Spec'd Like a Showpiece
The 25/50 Anniversary was essentially Gibson's top-of-the-line Les Paul variant for its brief production window. The foundation is a solid mahogany body topped with a carved, highly figured flamed maple top — the same basic architecture as a Les Paul Custom, but loaded with anniversary-specific appointments. The set-neck construction uses a multi-piece flamed maple neck with walnut strips, contributing to the visual drama that runs from headstock to body.
The bound ebony fingerboard carries Super 400-style split block parallelogram inlays — a detail shared with only one other Les Paul production model at the time. Up on the headstock, you'll find the intricate pearl and abalone "25/50" inlay, one of the most elaborately decorated headstocks Gibson ever put into regular production. The truss rod cover is brass, engraved with "Les Paul Anniversary."
Scale length is the standard Gibson 24 3/4", and the nut is brass at 1 11/16" width. Hardware is a mix of gold and chrome — a deliberate design choice to symbolize the silver/gold anniversary dual theme — including Schaller-style Gibson tuners with gold bodies and silver buttons. The Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge pairs with a TP-6 fine-tuning tailpiece, which gives you per-string intonation adjustment right at the tailpiece itself.
Pickups, Electronics, and the Coil Tap
The 25/50 came loaded with Gibson Series VII "Tarback" humbuckers — high-output pickups from Gibson's Norlin era that are widely known for their full, aggressive character. The standard wiring setup gives you two volume and two tone controls, a three-way pickup selector, and — notably — a mini-toggle coil tap switch. At the time of production, this made the 25/50 one of very few production Les Pauls with factory coil-splitting capability, giving you access to a cleaner, single-coil-adjacent voice without any modifications.
The coil tap isn't a gimmick here — it meaningfully expands the tonal range of what is otherwise a very high-output guitar. Clean tones, rhythm work, or bridge-humbucker crunch: the 25/50 covers more ground than a standard Les Paul wiring setup allows.
Product Features:
- Body: Solid mahogany with carved, highly figured flamed maple top
- Neck: Multi-piece flamed maple with walnut strips, set-neck construction
- Fingerboard: Bound ebony with Super 400-style split block parallelogram inlays and abalone side dots
- Scale length: 24 3/4"; nut width: 1 11/16" brass nut
- Pickups: 2x Gibson Series VII "Tarback" humbuckers (HH configuration)
- Electronics: 2x volume, 2x tone, 3-way pickup selector, mini-toggle coil tap switch
- Bridge: Nashville Tune-O-Matic with TP-6 fine-tuning tailpiece
- Hardware: Mixed gold and chrome finish; Schaller-style Gibson tulip tuners
- Headstock: Pearl and abalone "25/50" inlay; brass "Les Paul Anniversary" truss rod cover
- Finish: Antique Sunburst — one of the original finish options for this limited run
- Limited production: approximately 3,400 total units shipped 1978–1979
- Frets: 22
- Weight: 11lbs 3.9oz Heavy Weight, which translates to incredible sustain.
Condition Description
This is a used vintage electric guitar from our inventory. Pictures are of the actual instrument you will receive.
This guitar shows normal signs of use consistent with its age, including light surface scratches, minor dings, finish wear, and other cosmetic imperfections that may be present from regular playing and handling over the years. There is some minor binding discoloration that is typical of many vintage Gibson instruments.
The electronics have been tested and are functioning as intended. The guitar is currently set up with comfortable action and plays well across the fretboard.
Our licensed guitar technician has inspected, tested, and professionally evaluated this instrument to ensure it is playing and functioning properly.
Please review all photos carefully, as they are considered part of the description. Feel free to contact us with any questions prior to purchase.
Brand: Gibson
Model: Les Paul 25/50 Anniversary
SKU: U-1979-LP25/50|70739144
Condition: Used - Very Good
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