1971 GIBSON LES PAUL TRIUMPH BASS
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In 1971 the Triumph Bass was introduced. It included a much larger plastic control plate that held switches for hi-lo impedance, phasing, tone and pickup selection. In addition, the control plate now included the input jack and knobs. It also included the split diamond pearloid inlay and fine trim on the headstock, neck binding and pearloid block fret inlays.
Other 1971 Les Paul Triumph bass characteristics: Pearloid inlaid Gibson logo on the headstock with no "i" dot and closed "o", Schaller M-4 tuners with Gibson name stamped into the gear cover, two screw truss rod cover including model name, "MADE IN U.S.A." stamp on back of headstock beneath the serial number, no volute, bound Brazilian rosewood 24-fret board with pearloid block fret markers, five piece laminated mahogany glued in neck, Honduran Mahogany body with fine trim, strapholder on upper bout, two black plastic low impedance pickups including Gibson embossed logo and chrome surround, three silver top/black bell shaped knobs including numbers and volume/tone words, two pole tune-o-matic bridge with four intonation adjustable plastic saddles, chrome bridge cover, input jack on controls plate, CTS potentiometers, resistors, Natural finish, molded black tolex case including Gibson name and purple interior.
Gibson shipped a total of 321 Les Paul Basses in 1971. For 1971 serial numbers see the "Gibson Serial Number Chart". For more precise dating cross reference the serial number with the instrument's potentiometer codes.