Shipping figures generally represent the details of completed instruments as recorded by Gibson in their ledgers during production. These figures (according to Gibson shipment totals by Larry Meiners) are somewhat confusing, as the transition from Les Paul Bass into Les Paul Triumph doesn't seem to have been recognised until 1975. Data is as follows:
| 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | total | |
| Les Paul Bass | 33 | 710 | 321 | 768 | 959 | 526 | 2 | 2 | 3321 | |||
| Les Paul Triumph - Natural | 126 | 82 | 101 | 57 | 27 | 393 | ||||||
| Les Paul Triumph - White | 80 | 87 | 23 | 17 | 207 | |||||||
| Total | 33 | 710 | 321 | 768 | 959 | 526 | 208 | 171 | 101 | 80 | 44 | 3921 |
| 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | total | |
| Les Paul Signature Bass | 3 | 428 | 26 | 44 | 45 | 23 | 58 | 627 |
So what's wrong with these figures? The original Les Paul bass was produced between 1969 and 1971, so these years figures will be almost exclusively this model. The Triumph was first announced in 1971, appearing in price lists from November, but perhaps did not ship in volume until 1972? 1971's figure may or may note include prototypes or show models. Early (six digit serial numbers beginning 6) Triumphs do have summer 1971 pot codes, but whether these actually shipped before the end of the year isn't certain. From 1972, a significant proportion of the instruments recorded as Les Paul Bass were actually the Triumph - impossible to say how many but probably almost all, certainly from 1973 onwards. So why do shipping figures not count it as a Triumph until 1975? comment
1975 was of course the year that the White finish became available on the Triumph, and statistics now become more distinct. Note the four instruments labelled in the chart above as Les Paul Bass for the years 1975 and 1976. When models were discontinued it was quite common for stray examples to trickle from the Kalamazoo plant over a number of years - either as special order guitars, for buyers that specifically requested an old-style model, or just to finally use up parts/bodies. This suggests the final two non-Triumph Les Paul basses were shipped as late as 1976. If anyone has any more information, again, please comment.
Shipping figures are not available for the 1980s, but Triumph production did continue at least into the first years of 1980, with odd examples shipping as late as 1982.
As can be seen, the Les Paul Signature Bass was the least commercially successful of all of these instruments, despite having a longer scale than the other models (34" vs 30"); so often quoted by detractors as one of the least desirable features of Gibson basses.
Gibson Les Paul Triumph for sale
ORIGINAL VINTAGE 1970s Gibson Les Paul Triumph Recording Bass Walnut Orig. Case
West Islip, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3860
HAS AMAZING TONE AND SOUND WITH A REAL NICE SMOOTH FEEL AND ACTION ALL TUNERS, ELECTRONICS, GIBSON PICK UPS, SWITCHES, VOL , TONE. WORK REAL WELL ALSO AS SHOWN HAS A TINY HAIRLINE ON GUARD BY INPUT JACK CONSIDERING THIS GEM IS APPROX. 50 YEARS OLD AS SHOWN IN REAL NICE ORIGINAL CONDITION BUT TO BE EXPECTED TO HAVE SOME SCUFFS, SCRATCHES AND NORMAL USAGE WEAR .PLEASE ... more
1972 Gibson Les Paul Triumph Bass Walnut
Tarzana, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3400
Up for sale, an incredible and unique 1972 Gibson Les Paul Triumph Bass in a Walnut finish. Norlin era. Made in Kalamazoo, MI USA. All Original, stock with its Black tolex hard case.
11 0 Lbs, which is average for a Les Paul Bass
This short scale bass guitar has an Incredibly comfortable Mahogany body and neck with rosewood fretboard. No volute, perfectly straight, allowing low action playing well all across the fretboard.
The two low ... more
gibson les paul bass guitar
Ronkonkoma, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1250
... more
1991 Gibson Les Paul Bass Guitar | Rare | Transparrent Red | Preowend | GITA
Mansfield, NG18***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1995