buckskin Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 I own a 1978 Gibson Les Paul Silverburst. I bought this guitar in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada in 1978. There seems to be a shroud of mystery concerning this guitar. I just recently read a post somewhere else that stated that there were only 40 made in thatyear (although Gibson cannot verify that number), 3 went to the same music store in Toronto, 1 to Winnipeg, 36 throughout the US. The poster claims he has the one that went to Winnipeg. Can anyone shed any light on this??? I contacted Gibson quite awhile ago, they asked me to send the serial #, which I did, never heard anything back. This guitar also has an original Gibson Dirty Fingers PU in the bridge position, something I have never seen on any ebay post. Any idea how much it is worth????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesus Is Dead In My Basement Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 They are worth $300. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckskin Posted April 26, 2009 Author Share Posted April 26, 2009 They sell on ebay for between $3000-$4000 US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckskin Posted April 26, 2009 Author Share Posted April 26, 2009 Probably should have mentioned, I have been playing for 40 years and own a guitar shop. Know what I am talking about, don't let newbie status fool you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LPC Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 Any idea how much it is worth????? There's a guy on here with a guitar shop who's been playing for 40 years and knows what he's talking about. He should know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 Is it a custom? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 Woops. My bad. Do you have any pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Plains Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 In Canada, I'd say $2,500 - $3,500..depending on condition. In the US, $2,500 - $3,000. $3,000 if there's not a scratch on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckskin Posted April 26, 2009 Author Share Posted April 26, 2009 There's a guy on here with a guitar shop who's been playing for 40 years and knows what he's talking about. He should know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckskin Posted April 26, 2009 Author Share Posted April 26, 2009 There's a guy on here with a guitar shop who's been playing for 40 years and knows what he's talking about. He should know... Right, 80LPC got me there (it was a response to Jesus $300 remark) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckskin Posted April 26, 2009 Author Share Posted April 26, 2009 It is a custom. I would say that judging by what I have seen on ebay, Are Nine is right about the price. Was hoping the pickup would raise the price a few grand. oh well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LPC Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 Right' date=' 80LPC got me there (it was a response to Jesus $300 remark)[/quote'] Sorry, couldn't resist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckskin Posted April 26, 2009 Author Share Posted April 26, 2009 Got to tell you, though this thing is a work horse. My primary guitar for many years. Love the way it feels and sounds. Everyone who has played it wants it. Nothing like a Gibson. Was demonstrating the main riff from Metallica's For Whom The Bell Tolls to a student. After playing it on my Ibanez, switched over to the Les Paul. After I had finished playing, I was thinking............****. At the same time she said ****. No comparison between the 2 guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzboy Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 Can you post some pictures for us to take a look at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Plains Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 Yeah, I wouldn't mind a few silverburst pictures, either. If you don't start posting them, I will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bram Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Take the vintage LP Custom price ($3,000) + extra cash for the Silverburst finish. Silverburst Les Pauls have always been made in limited numbers, still to this day. They are are never mass produced, unlike the 'standard' Customs like the Black Beauty, White/Creme, Tobacco, Wine Red, Cherry Sunburst Les Paul Customs. Silverburst Les Pauls are unique, especially the originals from the 70's and 80's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bram Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 70's Norlin Les Pauls become slowly more popular too. Many prefer these Norlin Les Pauls over their brand new R7, R8, R9...They seem to rock really hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichCI Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 It is a custom. I would say that judging by what I have seen on ebay' date=' Are Nine is right about the price. Was hoping the pickup would raise the price a few grand. oh well[/quote'] I wouldn't count on the Dirty Fingers pup bringing up the price; legend on the internet has it that they're not very desirable pickups. Then again, collectors seem less concerned with functionality than rarity so it might bring some extra money but I wouldn't expect an extra grand. Not that your guitar doesn't sound good, just that the netarazzi has deemed the Dirty Fingers to be uncool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solacematt Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 I wouldn't count on the Dirty Fingers pup bringing up the price; legend on the internet has it that they're not very desirable pickups. Then again' date=' collectors seem less concerned with functionality than rarity so it might bring some extra money but I wouldn't expect an extra grand. Not that your guitar doesn't sound good, just that the netarazzi has deemed the Dirty Fingers to be uncool. [/quote'] It's not that they're uncool pickups, it's that they're sh!tty pickups. The biggest reason that there's been a demand on thise Silverburst LP's is thanks to Adam Jones of Tool (yuck) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckskin Posted April 28, 2009 Author Share Posted April 28, 2009 Not too sure if the pickup really makes that much difference in the sound. Always figured it was the fact that the guitar weighs a ton that gives it that huge full sound. Take a listen to Gary Moore's Still Got The Blues. The solo at the end when he switches from the neck to bridge. Very noticeable. Every Les Paul I have owned has sounded like that. I will post some pics soon. Got a reply from Gibson about the guitar: Hi, Thanks for the email. The information below is not true. The Les Paul Custom Silverburst models from this time were not “leftovers” or “blemished” guitars. Factory blemished guitars had a “2” stamped, referring to a factory second. This finish was available in standard production from 1979-1982. Regarding values, Blue Book Publications, Inc. provides excellent online services on both vintage and new Gibson guitar (acoustic and electric), amplifiers, and mandolins – some of them at no charge. Click on this link, and you will be directed to the Blue Book site: www.bluebookinc.com Additionally, you may want to contact one of the dealers listed below for appraisal services. Please note that there may be a charge for such services. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LPC Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 There's a few more '78s around. (Copy and paste link). 'Hagman' relates an interesting story how Gibson told the dealer he got his guitar from, that this small run of 1978 Les Paul Customs in silverburst were made from 'left over parts'. Gibson know of them, but don't have precise records. http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj195/gtscabs/78Silverbusrt-6_resize.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php%3Fp%3D1742101&usg=__3IqkbMPSZglwH2HIaVsn7rZdEmM=&h=1024&w=768&sz=184&hl=en&start=12&tbnid=630CobecBaVa5M:&tbnh=150&tbnw=113&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dles%2Bpaul%2Bsilverburst%2B1978%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/Gear/1610757/p1_ukx325eg1_ss.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.samashcustomguitars.com/details.aspx%3Fitem%3D1610757&usg=__1OKWIDLaUUpqr30qEMYXCYrk39A=&h=500&w=334&sz=135&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=cvppRLGI0rx5iM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=87&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dles%2Bpaul%2Bsilverburst%2B1978%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckskin Posted April 29, 2009 Author Share Posted April 29, 2009 Thanks for the links 80PLC. This thing just gets weirder. Got a feeling if I keep persuing it, the CIA or FBI will show up at my door one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LPC Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 The mystery and rarity of this early batch of silverbursts can only help their value. Les Paul Customs from this era have great tone and sustain - one piece bodies, maple necks and no holes ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LP712 Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 I just bought a 1978 silverburst last month and i love that guitar, big big sound, beats the new les pauls. I've also read from some other forum that all the 78's dont have a dot over the "I" in the gibson logo on the headstock...guess its true because mine doesn't have one.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckskin Posted April 29, 2009 Author Share Posted April 29, 2009 You know I didn't notice that until I read it on the net 2 days ago. After all these flippin' years I looked at it and thought, man I can't believe I missed it. Just never noticed. Very cool, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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