brogh Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 Hello guys, So at the end of it all I'm going to buy me a gibson ( that's the idea ) I'm looking for a LP 57 custom vos Black Beauty 2 pickups, and actually I got an offer from a person who offered me this guitar for, a right price I would say ( would i ? ). I have a question about the production years, this guitar has been made in the 1992, and the price is not that different from a new one, something around 500- 600 bucks, does this particular year have something to do with that ? is it a particular " vintage " ( excuse this word ) guitar ? I think, and please advise me if i'm wrong, that a played guitar sounds better than a new one, or am i wrong ? so buying it would have it sense. This guitar seems to be in excellent conditions i've got some pictures of it and i will go to give a look to her the next week i hope. So the point is ... Does it make sense to buy this used guitar ( in perfect conditions with all the gibson certificates labels etc etc ) or to buy a new one, with as a plus the warranty, and for sure a new perfect instrument ? Hope you can point me out in some way. Cheers Brogh
Tim Plains Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 That's a rip off. That guitar should be in the $2,000 - $2,500 (mint) US price range. Around 1/2 the price of a new one. I realize that you're in Europe but that's way too much money to be asking for an older one. A played guitar does not sound better than a new one. Guitars with nitro finishes should sound better as they age but if the guitar was a pile of crap when it was new, chances are it'll be a pile of crap when it gets older. Does it have a COA? I thought those came out in the early 2000s?
Boston004681 Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 I'd get a new one. Check these links... Here's a faded one... if you don't want do worry about dings... Bigsby... Korina Wood.... Here's a '54 with P-90's and Bigsby... You decide... or here...
dmeds Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 Welcome to the forum Brogh, I don't really think that Gibson had a bad/questionable period for Historic RI's. If you say that all the original docs and case candy is there, then I'd say you've got a pretty good deal going on. You could treat yourself to a nice amp with the extra cash you save. Some say that the wood in an LP ages and in the course of time produces "magical" tone. I tend to agree with this thinking after having played a friend's '67 LP. That guitar had "mojo" that I feel has to do with it's age. Then again, they used woods that are not readily available today. Also, I don't know if "aging" has any relevance to the guitars now being produced. Only time will tell. As far as warranty, it is peace of mind for the original buyer, however, I have quite a collection of guitars from at least 9 makers and have never had to send any of them in for warranty issues. YMMV. Play On!
brogh Posted June 3, 2009 Author Posted June 3, 2009 Hello again and thanks for the welcome ! Just to be clear and non confused i'm talking about this particular model : http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-Custom/1957-Les-Paul-Custom-2-PU-VOS.aspx Not this one http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-Custom/Les-Paul-Custom.aspx The one that i intend to buy is the $6351 ( list price from gibson website ) wich actually you can find in italy surfing over the net for something around $ 4100 new from a shop, with all the papers and certificates. this person is offering this guitar to me for $ 3100 so it's basically not 500-600 but 1000 bucks difference wich is really good money for filling my little rack and we guitarist need just one nanosecond to decide where to throw 1000 bucks if you have em in the hand. So new ? not new ? i'm confused :( @Are Nine yes it has all the certificates and original papers, labels etc, and as far as I can see from the pictures that he sent me this guitar is 99% mint conditions, used ( he told that to me ) only in studio few times, never seen a live, never left home of the owner, and always in his case. @Boston004681 please don't tempt me i wan'em all :D @dmeds: i didn't mean that gibson has bad/questionable period, what i ment is , ( i'm not that expert ) that in that particular year it was built from the last mahogany tree from the sacred isle of kukurrupoo ( or some thing like that it's just a joke ), and that's why this price should be that high. Maybe it was a very good period for mahogany and the woods were top rated that's why i'm asking here :D In any case thanks for the advices ! :D Cheers brogh
FennRx Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 $3100 for a used 57 BB VOS is a little high...at least here in the US with the current market. but if theey are harder to come by and this one is in good shape and you have to have it, i dont think the price is outrageous.
pippy Posted June 4, 2009 Posted June 4, 2009 $3100 for a used 57 BB VOS is a little high...at least here in the US with the current market. but if they are harder to come by and this one is in good shape and you have to have it' date=' i dont think the price is outrageous.[/quote'] The prices in Europe are a fair bit higher than in the USA. I've just checked and the cheapest deal for a new '57 VOS 2pu Custom in the UK over the net works out at $4,920.54. In-store would normally be higher. If it's in as good condition as it sounds then $3,100 is a pretty good deal.
brogh Posted June 4, 2009 Author Posted June 4, 2009 Thanks again for the hints guys So basically i'm more confused than before At least i will give a look to it next week, and i will tell ya, and eventually post some pics of it. maybe i will try to get a little discount from him, the only thing that concerns me is that this guitar that this person told me it is a vos, is completely shiny, actually i'm not sure if this is a VOS or not ( i know they come also in glossy finish wich make them cost a little bit more ), is there a way to know that .. maybe from the serials ? @pippy As i've said i've found it here in italy new in a shop for 4100 $ maybe you buy ine in Italy if you have to pay 800 bucks more in uk. thanks to all for the hints. Cheers Brogh
FennRx Posted June 4, 2009 Posted June 4, 2009 if you have the serial#, gibson can verify if its vos. remember the VOS can be removed by polishing or even sweat. you can look at the pickup covers and tell instantly, assuming the owner didnt replace them. if vos, they will be very dull due to the "aging."
Duende Posted June 4, 2009 Posted June 4, 2009 With the current UK to US exchange rate guitars such as Gibson are only about 20-30 percent cheaper. They were half price for us for a while when the pound was strong. Here is the guitar you are looking for, uk prices c. £3000 plus new http://www.coda-music.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_22_47&products_id=3349 So new in dollars about $4500 Matt
Duende Posted June 4, 2009 Posted June 4, 2009 If I was in the market for a Les Paul and had that kind of money I would probably buy one made by a luthier of my choice. I love Morgan Guitars. If it was a Gibson I would try loads of older ones too. Sure there can be bad apples (just like new ones) but keep your options open.
brogh Posted June 4, 2009 Author Posted June 4, 2009 Hey thanks again for the good answers ! :D The option of making a Custom one by a luthier was also considered i was looking at manne guitars an italian production almost custom guitars, the price would be some kind around there but i'm not yet sure to create one for my own at the moment, i think a gibson like the one i'm talking abount is also a good investment. Thanks again, ASA i have news or pics i will post em . Cheers Brogh
Bram Posted June 9, 2009 Posted June 9, 2009 A reissue still aint the real thing. New Les Pauls sound like new, just different compared to the old ones. This is what I like (1972 Custom): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2d4c99L9tE
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