Fair price for 1996 Les Paul?

[JackMak]

Hi,

I'm a newbie to this forum and would welcome any advice members can pass on re a 1996 Les Paul.

 

A friend wants me to buy his 1996 Sun Burst Les Paul for USD1,000 (he bought it second hand here in Vietnam)

I have three Fenders and a Fender bass and would love to have an LP but I have no idea of their current worth.

 

I also don't know wether 1996 was a good year for Gibson. (Fender had some terrible years)

 

I looked up it's serial number and it was made in the Nashville plant March 13th 1996.

It does not have a Gibson case nor any handbook etc.

 

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

Kind regards,

JackMak

[saturn]

If it's in decent shape and it's a genuine Gibson, I would say that $1000 is not outrageous. For some reason, used Les Paul Standards, no matter what the year, regularly sell for well over $1500, unless they are really beat up. I'm not an expert on "good years" but I think I've seen others say that the 90's were generally good for Gibsons.

[littlekenny]

if you do decide to jump on it, definitely get a case to protect it.

[GuitarJunkie]

Depending on the finish and the grain of the top (among other things) a used LP Standard generally goes for between $1500 to $1800. As a rule, they are usually much more expensive overseas. All that makes me wonder why someone would only be asking $1000 for a genuine LP Std.

 

Make sure it's real!!! If you can get photos and post them here, we can try to help you out.

 

If I could find used '96 Standards for only $1000, I'd buy one a week.

[Tim Plains]

JackMak never said anything about it being a Standard. Did Studios ever come in sunburst? $1,000 for a 12 year old Studio isn't a very good deal...at least here in Canada it's not.

 

Show some photos.

[GuitarJunkie]

JackMak never said anything about it being a Standard.

 

D'oh!

I guess I saw "Standard" in one of the other responses and I didn't even notice that he never mentioned which model. I still have a feeling that in that corner of the world, ANY used Gibson would fetch a pretty decent price. Plus Vietnam shares a border with China, if you get where I'm going...

[Tim Plains]

D'oh!

I guess I saw "Standard" in one of the other responses and I didn't even notice that he never mentioned which model. I still have a feeling that in that corner of the world' date=' ANY used Gibson would fetch a pretty decent price. Plus Vietnam shares a border with China, if you get where I'm going...[/quote']

I see where you're going with this...he should buy a Chinese knock-off...why didn't I think of that??

 

jk

[Silverbursted]

In a country generally not renowned for western music, I would be very wary if it was being touted as a Standard, but would expect those kind of ducets for a Studio or less. Good luck on your acquisition, and welcome aboard.

[JackMak]

Many thanks for all the replies guys. It is much appreciated.

I will get some photos and post them.

For what it's worth, the serial number and "Made in USA" is pressed into the wood on the back of the head stock.

It has chrome Grover machine heads albeit a little corroded. It is damned heavy.

 

Of course in Vietnam I always worry about copies ...... you wanna see all the fake JBL and Peavey PA bins here. I don't know how they get away with it.

 

I'll get the photos up as soon as I can.

 

Cheers,

JakMak