Help with CS value

[azaxman]

Hello everyone...new user here. I have a "Worn Silver" CS Les Paul that I bought in 2010 from Rainbow Guitars. Original owner, played about 3 hours total time if that. Perfect condition. Pics are attached. Anyone want to chime in on the value?

 

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

 

[Tim Plains]

Tough one to answer because I don't think there is much of a market for that guitar (no offence).

LPCs tend to range in the $1,800 - $2,500 range. That, being somewhat unique, can work for you or against you.

[azaxman]

Tough one to answer because I don't think there is much of a market for that guitar (no offence).

LPCs tend to range in the $1,800 - $2,500 range. That, being somewhat unique, can work for you or against you.

Thanks....doh! I paid $3400 for her so hopefully more than what you are quoting, but I understand the uniqueness of this guitar and not on the "traditional" LP style.

[Guest rogerb]

For an after-market value we recommend www.bluebookinc.com or phone Bluebook Publications (800-877-4867). You can also contact a vintage instrument dealer for an appraisal (be advised a fee is typically charged for appraisals)

Gruhn Guitars, 615-256-2033 www.gruhn.com

Mandolin Brothers, 718-981-3226 www.mandoweb.com

[Angellus]

a face only a mother could love lol

 

 

i must admit the faded element of it does look a bit scruffy like a well gigged LP but IMO i dont think it would help to sell it

[azaxman]

There is nothing unique about that guitar its just butt ugly. What did they use on it, looks like a steel brush. I'm sorry your going to have major issues just breaking even with that guitar.

 

Seriously, guitarest? Guys like you have no business chiming in on "helping" someone by providing such rude behavior. While your snobbish opinion may be "butt ugly", I remind you that everyone has tastes, and have already had several offers that are not far off from what I paid and have had many people say they wish they had the money for that guitar. Being that I am not an expert on Gibson guitars, as I have only had this one, searching a Gibson forum for assistance, one would think would yield a more professional approach.

 

IF you are correct in that there isn't enough of a market for this "butt ugly" guitar to yield a fair price, then your knowledge and experience is appreciated. However, keep your rude comments to yourself and offer someone some courtesy.

[azaxman]

You know what a new custom costs , $3900.00 , I have never seen one of those , I would hang on to that one , im sure you won't be sorry .

It is a one off from the custom shop. They made one silver version and one red version. Was a special shipment to Rainbow Guitars in Tucson, AZ. Another local musician has the red version and it's just as unique obviously. I'd like to hang on to it, but kind of need the money and figured it would be enjoyed by some fellow gibson lovers here before it goes on Ebay.

[azaxman]

It may have started as a custom but it so looks like someone hacked it up and ruined the finish. Seriously I have see some of the work they do at the CS and its very hard to believe thats Gibsons work. Look at the scratches around the pup selector, thats not the work of a pro, it appears someone was attempting to do a relic and it got out of control.

 

Yeah my comments may have appeared to be rude; its not intended.

 

Look at those scratches, I have 30 year old guitars and have owned even older and they didn't look even 1/4 of the way this guitar looks. The custom shop did not do this

 

 

Ok..you are the expert. Call Rainbow Guitars and ask them if you don't believe. I have original certificate (referencing the serial number) and you can have any Gibson dealer check the database for this guitar. It is called "WORN SILVER"...hence the word, "Worn" it is supposed to look worn.

[azaxman]

Ok..you are the expert. Call Rainbow Guitars and ask them if you don't believe. I have original certificate (referencing the serial number) and you can have any Gibson dealer check the database for this guitar. It is called "WORN SILVER"...hence the word, "Worn" it is supposed to look worn.

Here is the COA that came with it....new in 2010. Those scratches are under the clear on the paint.

 

[azaxman]

Here is the other version of it, played by a friend of mine, Steve Shell, from an outstanding classic rock band called "Shell Shock"(check em out..plug http://www.shellshockrocks.com/)

 

Steve's was shipped at the same time and sold within a week or two of mine...both from Rainbow Guitars. His is called "Worn Red"...the scratches aren't as prominent in the deep red, but they are there....I do live music photography for a hobby and I shot this picture of him playing and then enlarged the scratches area. It was in a club so it's not as bright as it my worn silver is in the driveway in the afternoon.

 

[LSAR]

As far as a value, I can't help.

 

However, I love the look of it.

 

I think the issue with putting an accurate value on this would be that most people who want a guitar that looks like that either can't afford one, or could have one made for them...

[Malchik]

It may have started as a custom but it so looks like someone hacked it up and ruined the finish. Seriously I have see some of the work they do at the CS and its very hard to believe thats Gibsons work. Look at the scratches around the pup selector, thats not the work of a pro, it appears someone was attempting to do a relic and it got out of control.

 

Yeah my comments may have appeared to be rude; its not intended.

 

Look at those scratches, I have 30 year old guitars and have owned even older and they didn't look even 1/4 of the way this guitar looks. The custom shop did not do this

Dude, it's obviously been done intentionally to look like black paint wearing off of steel; kind of a gunmetal look. I've seen a few similar, not the same, customs on eBay, right now. They have a solid black back and colored tops with a similar wear pattern.

 

See if you can sell it to a Metal head.

[Angellus]

Seriously, guitarest? Guys like you have no business chiming in on "helping" someone by providing such rude behavior. While your snobbish opinion may be "butt ugly", I remind you that everyone has tastes, and have already had several offers that are not far off from what I paid and have had many people say they wish they had the money for that guitar. Being that I am not an expert on Gibson guitars, as I have only had this one, searching a Gibson forum for assistance, one would think would yield a more professional approach.

 

IF you are correct in that there isn't enough of a market for this "butt ugly" guitar to yield a fair price, then your knowledge and experience is appreciated. However, keep your rude comments to yourself and offer someone some courtesy.

 

 

blah blah blah you asked for an oppinion an got one. If you dont like my oppinion dont assume that I am being rude or snobbish my comments were in relation to what I believe the resale value would be based on the asthetics of the guitar and the model.

 

 

IMO i think you were being a little over sensitive. If you like the guitar and think it looks great then why are you asking for the value and other peoples oppinions then get upset when their oppinion doesn't please you? that shouldn't matter unless you were buying it hoping to re-sell.

 

 

based on my experiences of working on Gibsons it is the more traditional aesthetics of a Gibson that helps it keep a value to the majority of potentional buyers as they want a Gibson that looks like their favourite guitarists guitar. thats my oppinion because not all buyers are collectors

 

 

 

my last oppinion is that the red custom looks better in the 'abbrasive faded' finish. I would personally have interest in that guitar more than the silver as I think the choice of colours used in the finish are key to pleasing aesthetics when using this faded technique

[RUSHian]

Wow! Well I like the look of this Custom! It has a punk look to it. I really like the red one, you should have no problem selling her- a punk or metal player would be all over this!

[JellyWheat]

guitarest is usually a pretty helpful and constructive member. I am sure he did not mean to be intentionally rude or offensive in describing your guitar as "butt ugly".

 

If I may take the liberty of paraphrasing him in a somewhat more delicate and genteel way, I believe he was trying to convey something like:

 

"Although there is no doubt in my mind that this is a superbly-crafted instrument that plays and sounds marvelously, it might appeal to a broader spectrum of potential purchasers if, aesthetically, it did not give the impression of having been duct-taped to the drive shaft of a 4 x 4 and driven, at high speed and for a protracted period, across the Mojave desert."

 

... or something softer, to that effect. Nothing to take personally here, folks.

 

My $0.02/FWIW

B)

J/W

[Yaff]

Regarding the looks, it not for me but I can understand why some people may go for that type of look.

 

The Black and red version looks nicer and if I was in the market, it had the tone and feel, plus the a reasonable price,I would consider it.

 

Buy the way, my 12 year old girl loved the Silver version, so its just shows its all about personal taste.

 

For me, its:

 

 

All the best

[charlie brown]

"Value" is whatever someone will pay for it. You paid, what you felt it's "value" was, already.

If you're wanting to make a profit, on it...you'll have to find someone that's willing to pay

more that you did...that's all. Good Luck...

 

As to the "worn" look...I'm always amazed, at what the Custom Shop

thinks of, as "worn!" That guitar isn't finished in any way close to

what an actual guitar player would (normally) wear in his/her guitar,

even after 50 years. The normal wear points, one would expect to see,

are (essentially) non-existent.

 

CB

[Eracer_Team]

That guitar isn't finished in any way close to what an actual guitar player would (normally) wear in his/her guitar,

 

i agree with this 100%..

 

 

BTW from MLP forum link provided: Paid $3400. Will sacrifice for $3,000

That's not a flip I'd like to make in less than 2yrs.

 

(p.s. the guitar is butt ugly, but then again beauty is in the eye of the beer holder)

[Yaff]

the OP buys and sells instruments for a living. Which is OK as long as your honest and up front about it.

 

Good points well made.

 

Have a good weekend and don't let this get to you, life is too short.

 

All the best

[Yaff]

Have a good trip

 

These are my girls:

 

The Husky Mix is about 2 (Sheba) and German Shepard is about 1 (Jess).

[dem00n]

Psh, screw you guys i love this guitar!!

Must be the greekness in side me.

[Yaff]

Psh, screw you guys i love this guitar!!

Must be the greekness in side me.

 

Sorry

[azaxman]

I looked on Ebay and thats all he does is buys and sells. So he came here looking to get a value of more than he paid hoping to sell the guitar at a gain. Its not for sale yet on Ebay; although he wasn't totally honest about it here also. I really dislike those people even more than collectors. I did call Gibson and the guitar is a Worn LP Custom although the Cstmr Svs guys said it should be lightly worn. Unsure what that meant although I am sure it does not include what we have seen here. What I believe happened is that the original purchaser of the guitar decided to add to the worn look; and thats where the real scratchy job came from. Again no one really knows and in all honesty I am pretty sure we haven't been given the "actual story" either. Maybe he doesn't know or maybe it was a really bad day at Gibson and Henry chewed out the Custom Shop guys when this guitar was being made? Yup a few facts that are not really known here except one, this is not a regular worn guitar and the OP buys and sells instruments for a living. Which is OK as long as your honest and up front about it.

Negative my friend...I bought it for my Motley Crue Tribute band, "Live Wire". I played this guitar on stage on a few occasions....I'm not in the band anymore, and don't play it. FWIW, I have Fenders, Kramers, etc. So no, I'm NOT a buyer/seller, but yes, I have bought and sold music gear that I don't use anymore for one project or another. Who else has sold gear they don't use? I'm sure you have as well.

 

So the attached pic, yes I'm sure it will generate responses as well...anyway, thanks for all the info....just received an offer for $2400 so thats where the value is currently I suppose.

[azaxman]

I looked on Ebay and thats all he does is buys and sells. So he came here looking to get a value of more than he paid hoping to sell the guitar at a gain. Its not for sale yet on Ebay; although he wasn't totally honest about it here also. I really dislike those people even more than collectors. I did call Gibson and the guitar is a Worn LP Custom although the Cstmr Svs guys said it should be lightly worn. Unsure what that meant although I am sure it does not include what we have seen here. What I believe happened is that the original purchaser of the guitar decided to add to the worn look; and thats where the real scratchy job came from. Again no one really knows and in all honesty I am pretty sure we haven't been given the "actual story" either. Maybe he doesn't know or maybe it was a really bad day at Gibson and Henry chewed out the Custom Shop guys when this guitar was being made? Yup a few facts that are not really known here except one, this is not a regular worn guitar and the OP buys and sells instruments for a living. Which is OK as long as your honest and up front about it.

Amazing...everyone has a conspiricy theory. I bought the damn guitar myself, as it looks, and it's been played a few times....not sure what else to tell you, but I am the original owner, the shop knows the guitar and what it looks like, and knows I'm in a band...amazing you guys.... really.

[azaxman]

Lastly, lets look at ebay rating...184 feedbacks since 2000. If I did this for a living as you say, I must really suck at it. Of those 184 they sure as hell aren't all sales...

 

Here's a post I made on my facebook a couple years ago with pics of *my* guitars...the LP being one of them on display on my wall, and comments from Steve Shell, the guy with the red version of that guitar.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1445687020470.2062311.1181970152&type=1&l=50ad87ee66

 

I totally understand what you guys are talking about with buyers and sellers..really. And frankly, I like the guitar, but since I don't play it anymore and I need the money, I have to sell. Trust me, if I could afford to collect, I would! When I bought it I said I was going to keep it (especially knowing I couldn't get full value for it unless it got REALLY old and people believed that Gibson really took a wire brush to it!)

 

Anyway, I'm putting it to bed fellas....I bought it new from the dealer that way, played it on stage a few times, and it sounded great. Hopefully someone will appreciate this unique, wire brushed, butt ugly guitar in the future!