lindsteen Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 Hi all Not sure if this is the right place, if not - my apologies. I have recently gotten the opportunity to buy a Gibson Explorer Government Series I in Gunmetal grey from 2013 w/ original green hardcase, including all documentation - batch of 100 made of this model. But I can´t seem to find much info about the guitar online, more specifically the value. I can see that the Government Series II in beige is sold at about $1,100... Do any of you have an estimate in regards to price, he wants to sell it at $ 2,500. Best, Nicholas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 It just an Explorer. What are they going for. I would not pay 2.5k for a used Explorer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindsteen Posted April 6, 2021 Author Share Posted April 6, 2021 14 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said: It just an Explorer. What are they going for. I would not pay 2.5k for a used Explorer. That´s the thing, it´s "just" an Exlorer but in a limited edition and being that there are aboslutely no other of its kind for sale, he believes the price is in the low end... But if others can confirm that your take is the general opinion, I don´t see any reason to purchase it for that price. Thanks for the reply. Best, Nicholas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 13 minutes ago, lindsteen said: That´s the thing, it´s "just" an Exlorer but in a limited edition and being that there are aboslutely no other of its kind for sale, he believes the price is in the low end... But if others can confirm that your take is the general opinion, I don´t see any reason to purchase it for that price. Thanks for the reply. Best, Nicholas I guess then if you want it, its 2.5K. Here was mine. Think I paid $1000 or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 42 minutes ago, lindsteen said: That´s the thing, it´s "just" an Exlorer but in a limited edition and being that there are aboslutely no other of its kind for sale, he believes the price is in the low end... Why do people assume that because there are so few of something the few that are are worth some egregious amount of money? There just might be so few because it wasn't a good idea. I don't remember people clamoring for those guitars at all. 2500 should buy three of them. rct 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 It's transferring the concept or 'rareness' and 'they don't make it anymore' from gold and diamonds to things like Cabbage Patch dolls. All marketing hype. Gibson does it regularly "Limited Edition of 50" Unless the guitar has more quality materials or workmanship than a 'standard' - it's not worth more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindsteen Posted April 6, 2021 Author Share Posted April 6, 2021 Wasn’t aiming to start a discussion - just asking for input in regards to price. But concluding from your replys I should not pay the full price he asks for. :-) Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 (edited) 20 minutes ago, lindsteen said: Wasn’t aiming to start a discussion - just asking for input in regards to price. But concluding from your replys I should not pay the full price he asks for. :-) Thanks! I and it looks like rct think it is overpriced, but then again I'm not looking for one. Edited April 6, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Gibson Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 Don’t buy anything that has the word government attached to it. Lol. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinch Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 (edited) I see the Gov. series Vs and Explorers go for cheap more often than not. Apparently, people, myself included, didn't like the drab colors. $700-$800, tops. Edited April 6, 2021 by Pinch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 (edited) Well it depends on if you like the story behind the series... They were made as a bit of an FU to the government after the Gibson raids I think it was in 2010.. I think they made that series with the confiscated Rosewood for which the Government eventually gave them back... Which is why they are the colour they are.. Its kind of a very very small part of their history.. I guess if that means something too you and you dont mind the colour, pay what you want.. But apart from that theres nothing special about the guitars and I doubt any of us on here would pay that for it or it will be worth any more in the future because of that story. So no.. Not worth that much at all even as a Ltd Ed... Edited April 6, 2021 by Rabs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Supply and demand.. What ever the market will bear.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Supply is small and demand is also small Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinch Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 It's not really gun metal gray tho, is it? There's some green in it... Bile Burst... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnytuinals Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 When these were NEW I was on a Guitar spending spree since most New guitars were being blowout. These were going for $1000 new and got 20% off at MF for $800. These came with the DirtyFingers,Rosewood,Nice guitar tuners and its lovely Green guitar case. They only made 100 and you cannot find these on Ebay(maybe once or twice a year}Yep some say you might be overpaying if you spend $2000 and others are NUTSSSS thinking they can buy one for under $1000.Mine was played for less then 15 mins and has been in its case since 2013(Have many other guitars to play if I want too.The 15 mins I played it for sounded greattttt if my memory is ok.Many people complain about these guitars and put them down for no reason cause many missed the bandwagon and was not able to buy one......These were sold out with in 1 week being released....>JT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinch Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 On 6/9/2021 at 3:50 AM, Johnnytuinals said: When these were NEW I was on a Guitar spending spree since most New guitars were being blowout. These were going for $1000 new and got 20% off at MF for $800. These came with the DirtyFingers,Rosewood,Nice guitar tuners and its lovely Green guitar case. They only made 100 and you cannot find these on Ebay(maybe once or twice a year}Yep some say you might be overpaying if you spend $2000 and others are NUTSSSS thinking they can buy one for under $1000.Mine was played for less then 15 mins and has been in its case since 2013(Have many other guitars to play if I want too.The 15 mins I played it for sounded greattttt if my memory is ok.Many people complain about these guitars and put them down for no reason cause many missed the bandwagon and was not able to buy one......These were sold out with in 1 week being released....>JT If you like it, great. Me, I don't want one. So we're both happy I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 Limited editions, custom shop, 1 of 50. Great marketing. The one of 50 gets me the most. Just because a color change made it different. The custom shop sticker guitars. Theres more of those out there than the standard runs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinch Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 And where is the 1984 Explorer re-issue... Come on Gibson... You know you want to. Make one black, one white, no annoying pickguard. DF pups. Hop to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbluesplayer Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 The color's supposed to be like a file cabinet. They were making fun of the Fish and Wildlife Service for busting them with illegal wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 (edited) 4 hours ago, badbluesplayer said: The color's supposed to be like a file cabinet. They were making fun of the Fish and Wildlife Service for busting them with illegal wood. Hey Gibson you just caught with ton of illegal wood. What are you going to do next. Make a limited run of guitars and pat ourselves on the back for breaking the law and getting caught, and try to rub in the the governments face. Edited June 14, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, Sgt. Pepper said: Hey Gibson you just caught with ton of illegal wood. What are you going to do next. Make a limited run of guitars and pat ourselves on the back for breaking the law and getting caught, and try to rub in the the governments face. No, I think that was the whole thing.. From what I remember it wasnt illegal which is why the government gave it back.. And is what they used to build them..... Still doesnt make them particularly special guitars in any way unless you just happen to really like the colour.. Or lack there of. Edited June 14, 2021 by Rabs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Rabs said: No, I think that was the whole thing.. From what I remember it wasnt illegal which is why the government gave it back.. And is what they used to build them..... Still doesnt make them particularly special guitars in any way unless you just happen to really like the colour.. Or lack there of. Then why were they banned from using ebony for many years till JC took over? Wasn't Gibson doing shady stuff like having wood delivered on pallets made of ebony? Who makes ebony pallets? No one. Edited June 14, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 Just now, Sgt. Pepper said: Then why were they banned from using ebony for many years till JC took over? Im not sure but this was about Rosewood not Ebony? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 This is off the net so take it with a grain of salt. Authorities raided Gibson's Tennessee factories in 2011, taking ebony and rosewood they suspected were illegally imported from India. They were acting to enforce the Lacey Act, passed more than a century ago to stop illegal trade in wildlife and amended in 2008 to ban illegally logged woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said: This is off the net so take it with a grain of salt. Authorities raided Gibson's Tennessee factories in 2011, taking ebony and rosewood they suspected were illegally imported from India. They were acting to enforce the Lacey Act, passed more than a century ago to stop illegal trade in wildlife and amended in 2008 to ban illegally logged woods. Thats not what I remember at all.. I didnt even know Gibson were banned from using Ebony.... Gibson get their Rosewood from India, they have done for years and it comes from sustainable plantations... Ebony is only legal to get in one place now (Bob Taylor) and the reason I think they stopped using it is because pure black ebony is getting harder and harder to come by. So aesthetically using something like richlite or whatever gives them much more consistant quality when it comes to the looks.. The thing from what I remember with the Rosewood was that whatever deal they have with the Indian government. It included a clause that Indian workers provide the end product so they get paid to make the fretboard rather than supplying blanks.. Gibson were buying blanks and fret slotting them in the US.. Now (again all with a grain of salt really) no one in India apparently had any issues with this. It was brought to the US governments attention by someone from the US.. Which is why in the end they had to give the Rosewood at least back to Gibson because they were actually doing it within the law... I donno.. Whatever the real story it still doesnt make the guitar worth more than a usual version.. 🙂 Edited June 14, 2021 by Rabs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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