Vintage 1981 Gibson "The Paul" Deluxe Mahogany Electric Guitar With OHSC
It's not A Paul, it's The Paul. Here is a bona fide legendary Gibson "The Paul" Deluxe Mahogany electric! This awesome vintage guitar was built in 1981, the same year that MTV launched and changed the world of popular music forever. We're not going to say that The Paul changed the world of guitar, but it's an interesting reference nonetheless.
This Gibson The Paul Deluxe represents a unique chapter in Gibson's history, offering a tonally rich solid-body electric guitar with a distinctive aesthetic. Its solid mahogany body delivers a warm, resonant tone with excellent sustain, a hallmark of classic Gibson guitars. The natural finish, with visible wood grain, contributes to its raw and unpretentious appeal. The mahogany neck has a C profile, offering a comfortable playing experience. It being the Deluxe model, it has an ebony fretboard. The pearl dots are a nice touch.
Equipped with two powerful humbucking pickups. The neck position is a Gibson 490R, which is a humbucker with the tonal characteristics of an original Patent Applied For, with a slight increase in upper midrange response. The bridge position is a unique aftermarket addition. There, you'll find a killer DiMarzio X2N Power Plus. This is a “take-no-prisoners, in-your-face” humbucker. Twin, wide-bar pole pieces give it a unique look. It was created to push tube amps into total overdrive. The magnetic field of the X2N is very powerful and focused. It still has versatility: single-coil and series-parallel modes are particularly effective, because the X2N pickup’s power gives these sounds more authority than is possible with weaker humbuckers.
The Paul Deluxe delivers a thick, punchy, and versatile sound. Plugged in to rig, the tone is impressive and suprisingly versatile. From warm, bluesy tones to aggressive rock crunch, this guitar has the sonic muscle to handle a variety of musical styles. With the straightforward controls, including individual volume and tone knobs for each pickup and a three-way selector switch, you're in place for easy tonal shaping. The two added mini switches are a phase switch and a series/parallel switch. That gives you even more tonal options.
The 1981 Gibson The Paul Deluxe stands as a testament to Gibson's legacy of tone and playability. Its solid construction, powerful pickups, and comfortable neck make it a workhorse instrument for players seeking authentic Gibson sound without the ornate appointments of higher-end models. As a bonus, this one has a lot more going on!
The guitar has straplock buttons added and new pickup rings. Interestingly, this one had a truss rod cover that says Firebrand - so that must have been added later.
This guitar is in good condition especially for its age, and comes with its original hardshell case. The techs in our shop have set it up to play perfectly, and it's ready for it's next home. This Gibson classic is a great find.
Serial Number: 82691500