Shipping figures for the Gibson Les Paul Bass, Les Paul Triumph Bass and Les Paul Signature Bass guitars >> FlyGuitars

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

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1970s Vintage Gibson Les Paul Recording / Triumph Bass Knob Clean

Kingston, Michigan, 487**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5000

The product is a vintage Gibson Les Paul Recording / Triumph Bass Knob from the 1970s. This knob would have been used on the bass guitar of a Gibson Les Paul Recording / Triumph model from that era. Made by Gibson, known for their high-quality instruments, this knob is likely to be a rare and sought after collectible for vintage guitar enthusiasts.... more

1972 Gibson Les Paul Triumph Bass Walnut 100% Original w / Case

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3700

Up for sale, a 1972 Gibson Les Paul Triumph bass in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. A first-year example of the bass sibling of the Les Paul Recording, the Triumph is easily one of Gibson??s most versatile, feature-rich basses ever produced, boasting a pair of Gibson??s Low Impedance humbuckers with a wide array of controls.
Tonewoods include a ??sandwich?? mahogany body, three-piece mahogany neck, and bound rosewood... more

1968 GIBSON EB SERIES, LES PAUL BASS CHROME TUNERS SET OF (4) WITH SCREWS

Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$225

"IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR" SALE& FREE USA SHIPPING!
This is a chrome set of (4) tuners from a 1968 EB-O that will also fit EB-2 and EB-3 basses. These are correct for models from 1968 thru 1972. Vintage Fender bass tuners are a dime-a-dozen (well maybe not that cheap) but these areextrremely difficult to fins as a complete set. All (4) tuners are in great shape and operate very smoothly; these were made by Schaller and are branded 'Gibson' on the little dust cover. Includes the mounting ... more

Shipping figures for Les Paul Bass and Les Paul Triumph bass, 1969-79