Until the Artisan, the Les Paul Custom was considered the high end of the Les Paul line. The Artisan was issued as an upgrade to the Les Paul Custom model, a showcase for the art and craftsmanship Gibson could put into a guitar. The first upgrade one notices when looking at the Artisan are the hearts and flowers inlayed into the neck. Note the flashback Gibson script and pearl hearts and flowers inlays on the heastock.

Initially issued with three pickups in 1977. In late 1978 or early 1979 the Artisan was overhauled to a two pickup model, with the three pickup version only available as an option.