coffeecupman

it happened before his ownership. He'd owned it for the last 15yrs. Guess that's a risk when a guitar is 37yrs old.

Hi Michael, Thanks for the photographic advice. I'll use this to get this thread fully pictured out, and likely in higher rez. I always loved the guitar (and still do), just wanted to make sure I paid a fair price for its true condition. Which I now feel I have.

Epilogue: I had the guitar X-rayed at a local medical clinic that offered "any X-ray for $50". Initially, they were not sure on whether to allow it, but the techs called the doctor and he said "sure go ahead". Attached are the results. It looks as though there was no neck break. The other test I performed however was a black light test. Reading around the internet, you don't need anything but a black light bulb to shine on a finish. Apparently components of a nitrocellulose coat yield luminescence. Also attached are the results of this. You can see play wear differences on the two types of paint. In the end the seller agreed to partially refund me 600 bucks, bringing the cost to 2k, which I regard as fair, given the instrument is intact, I like how it plays, and it's a very cool model. He was also willing to accept a return, but I'm happy it didn't come to that. Thanks guys for all of your help, particularly the helpful links to the reverb listing and the Trogly video, both of which I was having trouble finding on my own. I would have kept the original guitar pics up but I'm on the edge of my 500kb total upload limit just showing these final three.

OK, I'm not keeping secrets. I got it for 2600. The Norlin custom I bought recently was a nice and rare Ferrari red with no broken neck and I got it for 2200. It's true people list goldies such as these for $4K, but they never sell. I paid what I considered a $400 premium for the gold. That was my rationale, anyway. Opinions may vary about whether or not it's still a steal with a repaired neck at $2600, but the seller must have known what he was doing here and he didn't disclose it. That's just wrong.

Hey Charlie, I'm not worried about the repair. But I AM worried about the seller not disclosing this and charging me non-repaired prices. Looking for someone around Houston or further afield who can get this settled.

Hi Guys, OK, so the guitar has arrived and I've had a chance to check it out in person. I now have no doubt that this is an original of the 50 gold series, with many thanks to you guys for your links to similar guitars (good ol' Trogly). I also have a The Les Paul, which has a serial number plate that uses "Reg no. X", so that confirms Gibson's use of that nomenclature. What is now clear with the guitar in person is that it has had the back of the headstock re-painted, down to around the back of the first fret. So worst case I've got to suspect a neck break/repair here. There is no crack line on the front (black) side of the headstock, but that wouldn't rule out a break that runs along the nut seam. Indeed, the nut HAS been replaced, as the original one was white and this one is black. Is there anyone who does guitar X-rays of this kind of stuff? I'd like to be sure. It plays well and stays in tune.

Hi Guys, Charlie, it does have a volute. What's continuing to freak me out is that the serial number looks painted over. It's not readable. Is it even possible that one left the Gibson factory like that? I'm getting cold feet that there's been some fakery going on here.

Hi Guys, I bought this Les Paul last week on ebay, and was rather excited about this model and finish. Here was the blurb in the listing: "Early 80's Gibson Les Paul Custom in a very rare run of 50 guitars. There have only been a few of these that have come on the market. This guitar is not mint but in normal wear condition for its vintage. In addition to the serial number, there is a small plate indicating this was number 9 of the total run. All gold finish on front, back and neck. Usual greening of the gold finish typical of this era. Frets and action are in great shape. Still lots of life left in the frets, no need for any work. Has the usual few scratches, nicks, etc but is a great playing guitar. I am including two sets of pickups with this guitar. It had a 1979 T Top humbucker in the neck and a 81 T Top in the bridge when I acquired the guitar. I put in my favorite set of Seymour Duncan JB humbuckers in it and both sets are included with the guitar. I get 9lbs 14 oz. on my scale. Pretty typical for this era. Has the original case. See pictures for condition. Works fine and could use some of the edge covering to be glued down but I leave that up to you." I know the pickups aren't orginal on this one - I don't care about that. It was only after I bought it that I noticed that the serial number appears to be painted over on the back of the headstock, which to me pretty much means this is a refinish job. I thought it could have been legit since it looks like the harvest gold or goldburst finish, and it seemed logical that they might have done a few of these during that same period. I couldn't find any information anywhere on a limited run of 50 gold Lesters, but any search for gold and Lesters obviously gives you a mountain of gold top keyword spam. The "Reg No" plate on the back of the headstock - has anyone seen this type of language for limited Gibson runs before? Also, on the back of the headstock pic, you can see where there have been dings that go through the paint. This also shows what appear to be prior paint coats, but I'm unsure if that was a primer layer for the gold finish. Anyone with a beat up goldburst/Harvest Gold LP that can confirm that they've got a similar undercoat? I have more pictures but apparently I've got a 500K global upload quota. Maybe I'll get to add more in another post below this...