nuge Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 How valuable are guitars that have been played by certain rock and roll legends? I have the chance to aquire one of the guitars that Dickey Betts used on the Brothers and Sisters album. I'm comfortable with it's authenticity and below is a rundown of the specifics. Clearly I wouldn't pay the requested price for a regular 72 les paul, but given it's history does that provide value? Thanks Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 I was an Allman Bros freak during this period, I do not ever remember Dickey playing a natural finished (or unfininshed) Les Paul. His guitars at the time were (in order), the cherry SG, then a cherry sunburst LP Deluxe, and then the famous goldtop. I guess this could be the cherry sunburst refinished. With all the mods, the ONLY value this guitar has is in the provenance (I learned that word from the Antiques Road Show on PBS) of having been owned/played by Dickey. This would be authenticated by photos of him playing the guitar, and/or some sort of "certificate of authenticity" signed by him, or some other documentation. Otherwise it's just a heavily modified '72 LP Deluxe. With all the mods, and without the provenance, this guitar is worth nothing on the collectors market. The seller has quoted and name dropped properly, Joe Dan Petty was associated with the ABB, and then later went on the be the bass player of the great band Grinderswitch, but.... I would say "run away" Back in the mid 80's a vintage guitar dealer of note said he could get me Duane's flame topped LP. He wanted to trade me the guitar for my Corvette. I told him he was crazy and that I would never trade a car for a guitar. Well looking back, Duane's or not, headstock repair or not, that late 50's sunburst LP would be worth way more than what I eventually sold the Corvette for. So that said... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elantric Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 then a cherry sunburst LP Deluxe, Yes - i saw ABB in 1973 and at the time he used a cherry sunburst 1972 LP Deluxe, tuned Open E to cover Duane's Slide parts in "Done somebody Wrong" - while Chuck Leavell ( Piano) played alternate solos . He used his '57 Goldtop standard for bulk of the show. Its quite possible the guitar is authentic and the mods were done years later. But I agree - with no pic of Mr Betts and this guitar in its present condition, and no Signature from Mr Betts, then its merely conjecture if this specific guitar was ever actually owned by him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuge Posted May 23, 2009 Author Share Posted May 23, 2009 I have the paperwork and it's notarized. I also have pictures of Dickey with the guitar. I am a bit concerned given your great comments. I will need to ask if it's refinished. Think it's worth 30K? Thanks guys Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Think it's worth 30K? That's an easy question to answer - NO F****** WAY. Without the Dickey connection the guitar MAY be worth $3K. Let's face it, it's a heavily modified Norlin era early 70's LP Deluxe. Not known as the best era of Gibson guitar building, nor is it a "collectable" model. It's ONLY value on the collectors market is the Dickey connection, and even then it's not a guitar he was "famous" for playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elantric Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 That's an easy question to answer - NO F****** WAY. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuge Posted May 23, 2009 Author Share Posted May 23, 2009 Thanks I do have pictures (current) of Dickey with the guitar and a notarized statement with his signature attesting to the fact that he used the guitar on the album and on tour. But given it's not a model he's been famous for (as you mentioned) I'm not willing to go that high. What about 15k? Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elantric Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 3k tops Its not in pristine condition - and its not a famous paint stripped guitar - like John Lennon's '65 Casino. A '72 LP Deluxe guitar sold for $425 new in 1972, It has holes and partial remnants of a missing acoustic piezo PU mod. Its all a function of finding the right buyer Perhaps you are the right buyer if you are willing to pay $30k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuge Posted May 23, 2009 Author Share Posted May 23, 2009 Not me If either of you are in Boston I owe you both an adult beverage Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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