Benoit Trow Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 After lurking around here for a while and quickly getting LPGAS, I had an opportunity yesterday to play and behold a couple of Murphy-aged beauties, a 50th. Anniversary and the Bloomfield. They also had a Jeff Beck in Ox Blood and though I’m a huge fan, past, present and seemingly future, I was simply not interested in JB’s rather odd axe. Anyway, long story short, I did not pull the trigger but it did peak my interest in acquiring something special to play and record with. As this forum was unavailable most of last evening, after a couple of key strokes I came across an interesting news item about Billy Gibbons’ 'Pearly Gates' 1959 Les Paul that Gibson’s Custom Shop will soon be producing. My impression(s) of the marketplace at this point and respectfully given are that there is a never-ending issue and reissue of Jimmy Page LPs along with various and, again, seemingly never-ending reissues, the most sought after being the Brazilian Rosewood Boards and some, but definitely not all of the JPs. This BG Pearly Gates model if, as insinuated in some posts at another forum, true, would represent a legitimate limited run, all personally inspected by Mr. G and, thus, would protect value and, possibly, even represent a slight investment. Yet, even as I write this, my cynical side is screaming that based on Gibson’s “quest for the gold” (our hard earned cash) and their constant reissuing of reissuing of reissuing of reissuing of reissuing of reissuing of reissuing, etc. This may just be another ploy where they will simply reissue again and again. My goal, btw, is to buy a “keeper”, a stunning example of the most magical year of the LP that clearly has “the Mojo”, the intangibles and that “magic” that you can’t quite describe but immediately know when you see, hear or touch it! So, your thoughts, opinions, guesses on when, quantities and pricing and any other salient facts or comments would be appreciated. Cheers! Trow
The Fool on The Hill Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 I don't understand the point of reissuing why don't they just make it the way they used to? Its not that hard they seem to be doing it on the daily basis and charging an unnecessary amount of money for them. I tend to shy away from Reissues it is just another ploy for Gibson to get your hard earned money because they are to lazy to make a decent Guitar in their Regular Factory.
Tim Plains Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 I don't see it as a ploy. It's Gibson making some extra cash but also giving their customers what they want. From what I heard...same with the Jeff Beck & JP No. 2 reissues coming out this year, there are going to be three choices: a VOS version, an aged version and an aged/signed & played by Billy Gibbons version. The VOS will likey cost $6,000 - $8,000, the aged will likely cost $8,000 - $11,000, and the autographed one will be in the neighborhood of $20,000 - $25,000. The signed one is the only one I see as a true investment and the only ones that will actually appreciate. Just like the 25 JP guitar that were signed by JP, himself back in 2004. They sold for $25,000 and have SKYROCKETED in value. The VOS and aged ones will likely just hold their value and maybe appreciate a little bit. I know what you mean about the constant JP reissues. Pearly Gates will only be around for a short while and then that's it. Then again, the same applies to the Bloomfield signature. A lot of the Bloomfields I've seen are drop dead gorgeous! My goal' date=' btw, is to buy a “keeper”, a stunning example of the most magical year of the LP that clearly has “the Mojo”, the intangibles and that “magic” that you can’t quite describe but immediately know when you see, hear or touch it![/quote']This here is you buying into the whole marketing thing. My 2007 R9 is a better guitar than two of the 2009s I've played. A keeper is a great sounding guitar that sounds/plays superior to the rest. It has nothing to do with the year it was assembled. As for 2009 being a magical year...I don't think so. Look for the specs on the '09s and you'll be happy to hear that all reissues (R8, R9, R0, etc) for the next five or so years will be built the exact same way. I don't understand the point of reissuing why don't they just make it the way they used to? Brazilian rosewood...enough said. The point of the reissue line up is to offer a Les Paul that was built like the ones from the 1950s. Solid mahogany bodies with long neck tenon. They're not exact replicas. The whole "1958 reissue" and "1959 reissue" mumbo jumbo is plain ole marketing.
The Fool on The Hill Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 I don't see it as a ploy. It's Gibson making some extra cash but also giving their customers what they want. From what I heard...same with the Jeff Beck & JP No. 2 reissues coming out this year' date=' there are going to be three choices: a VOS version, an aged version and an aged/signed & played by Billy Gibbons version. The VOS will likey cost $6,000 - $8,000, the aged will likely cost $8,000 - $11,000, and the autographed one will be in the neighborhood of $20,000 - $25,000. The signed one is the only one I see as a true investment and the only ones that will actually appreciate. Just like the 25 JP guitar that were signed by JP, himself back in 2004. They sold for $25,000 and have SKYROCKETED in value. The VOS and aged ones will likely just hold their value and maybe appreciate a little bit. I know what you mean about the constant JP reissues. Pearly Gates will only be around for a short while and then that's it. Then again, the same applies to the Bloomfield signature. A lot of the Bloomfields I've seen are drop dead gorgeous! Brazilian rosewood...enough said. The point of the reissue line up is to offer a Les Paul that was built like the ones from the 1950s. Solid mahogany bodies with long neck tenon. They're not exact replicas. The whole "1958 reissue" and "1959 reissue" mumbo jumbo is plain ole marketing.[/quote'] I just checked the prices on an R9 and holy jumping monkey balls they are expensive and they have over 15 different ones. For $6,000 dollars i can get me 3 Les Pauls.
ant7629 Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 Ok, stupid question here. If I wanted a reissue of a 1959 burst, like they used to make it and like it had just been made (not aged), would it be the VOS I would need to go for? That is one of my "some day" guitars and I think I would prefer it not to be aged, but to age with me.
The Fool on The Hill Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 Ok' date=' stupid question here. If I wanted a reissue of a 1959 burst, like they used to make it and like it had just been made (not aged), would it be the VOS I would need to go for? That is one of my "some day" guitars and I think I would prefer it not to be aged, but to age with me.[/quote'] Yes you will need to spend an extra 1,000 dollars for VOS.
delawaregold Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 If you want one of the signed models, you had better be talking to one of the premier Dealers now, if it's not too late already.
Tim Plains Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 I just checked the prices on an R9 and holy jumping monkey balls they are expensive and they have over 15 different ones. For $6' date='000 dollars i can get me 3 Les Pauls.[/quote'] 15 different ones but they're basically all the same guitar. I can buy three townhomes for the price of my house, 15 Honda Accords for the price of a Ferrari F430 (I don't have an F430)...somethings are more expensive in life, that's just the way it is. I'd rather have one R9 than three USA Les Pauls. By the way, you can also buy a used R8 for much less than the price of a new Standard. R8s & R9s are the same, just different tops. ant, I don't get the question. Like they used to make it? Make what, a real '59 LP? You'd have to find a luthier built replica for that. If you just want a new Gibson that doesn't look beat up, you want a VOS or a high gloss. Although, they won't be making any glossy Pearly Gates I am told. VOS just means the hardware looks like it's 10 years old and the top isn't overly shinny. Here's a gloss R9 beside a VOS R9. (I just like posting pictures ) Not much difference, as you can see. Spend $30 on Virtuoso Cleaner & Polish and use it on the maple top. The only thing that'll look a bit older is the hardware and trust me, the aged hardware looks great in person.
ant7629 Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 R9, sorry if I wasn't clear. I meant if I wanted a 1959 reissue, without the aged parts and the under shiney top. Would that be a high gloss? Always a pleasure to see your pics BTW!!
deepblue Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 For $6,000 dollars i can get me 3 Les Pauls No, three Les Paul "lites" *wink*
RichCI Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 I don't understand the point of reissuing why don't they just make it the way they used to? Its not that hard they seem to be doing it on the daily basis and charging an unnecessary amount of money for them. I tend to shy away from Reissues it is just another ploy for Gibson to get your hard earned money because they are to lazy to make a decent Guitar in their Regular Factory. They make reissues and the like because people WILL pay more money for them.
deepblue Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 They make reissues and the like because people WILL pay more money for them So true...Im not a big fan of Ed Roman but he hit the nail on the head. He said (more or less) All these signature reissues ( Page, Bloomfield, Gibbons etc)...are all Les Pauls. There is little if any difference between them and a regular historic. I love my Gibson, but guys Gibby lovers are the biggest suckers going!
dmeds Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 +1 It's the very reason why Ed Roman, like him or not, has a business. When the US went into recession the ripple was felt across the world. Americans are the number one consumers on the planet, hence, the reason why there are so many varieties and flavors for anything manufactured. Chances are, US consumers will buy it if the are led to believe it is special. Hi, my name is Dave and I'm a Gibby addict. Play On!
Tim Plains Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 Thanks ant. Yes, gloss = shinny. I love my Gibson' date=' but guys Gibby lovers are the biggest suckers going![/quote']At least we're happy suckers. I wouldn't have it any other way.
deepblue Posted June 4, 2009 Posted June 4, 2009 At least we're happy suckers. I wouldn't have it any other way. True Timbo. The only signature Les Paul id ever consider is the Oxblood......the price is ridiculous.
Pink_Floyd Posted June 4, 2009 Posted June 4, 2009 R9' date=' sorry if I wasn't clear. I meant if I wanted a 1959 reissue, without the aged parts and the under shiney top. Would that be a high gloss? Always a pleasure to see your pics BTW!![/quote'] Yep, you buy the Gloss version, it will have a shiny top and non-aged hardware. It will basically look 'new' Prices in the UK for a VOS are £3700-3900 and Gloss £4200 + although I am told by a dealer they are going up, again..........
The Fool on The Hill Posted June 4, 2009 Posted June 4, 2009 Yep' date=' you buy the Gloss version, it will have a shiny top and non-aged hardware. It will basically look 'new' Prices in the UK for a VOS are £3700-3900 and Gloss £4200 + although I am told by a dealer they are going up, again.......... [/quote'] I wish i still lived in Britain but i just couldn't stand the weather.
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