Description

1981 Gibson Heritage Series Les Paul Standard 80 Elite Honey Burst Quilted Maple Top w/OSHC

Up for sale is a stunning 1981 Gibson Heritage Series Les Paul Standard 80 Elite in its original Honey Burst finish, featuring an exceptionally figured Quilted Maple Top. This is a 100% all original, collector-grade example in excellent condition, complete with its original Lifton-style hard shell case and original tags. Weighing 9.4 lbs, it’s right in the sweet spot for a Les Paul Standard of this era.

Part of Gibson’s acclaimed Heritage Series produced in the early 1980s, this model paid tribute to the craftsmanship and specifications of the late ’50s Les Paul Standards while blending subtle modern refinements. The guitar features a one-piece mahogany body with a beautifully carved quilted maple top, a one-piece mahogany neck with a medium-to-large profile, and an ebony fingerboard with trapezoid mother-of-pearl inlays. The narrow binding in the cutaway, Grover kidney tuners, and “Heritage Series Standard–80” rear neckplate further distinguish this limited production model.

This Les Paul retains its original set of Tim Shaw-designed humbuckers, highly regarded for their clarity, warmth, and vintage PAF-like response. All electronics remain completely original and function flawlessly, with untouched solder joints and smooth pot operation. The neck is straight, the frets have plenty of life left, and the action is perfectly set for effortless playability.

Aesthetically, the guitar is in excellent shape for its age. The Honey Burst finish has developed a deep, rich glow that accentuates the quilted maple’s dramatic figure. There’s only minor evidence of light playwear consistent with careful use over four decades, but no cracks, breaks, or modifications of any kind.

This 1981 Heritage Series Les Paul Standard stands as one of Gibson’s finest early reissue efforts, a bridge between vintage tone and modern reliability. It’s an outstanding collector-grade example that delivers exceptional looks, tone, and feel.

It ships to the continental US and select international destinations.