Upgrades - will they add value to an LP?

[tremolo arm]

Which of these is likely to add value on a standard / classic LP?

 

- Metal tuners?

- Special pick-ups (eg. Bare Knuckle, DiMarzio, SDs, etc.)

- Tonespro bridge

[RichCI]

None. If you're looking to retain resale value, buyers are more interested in a stock guitar than a modified one, particularly when it comes to brands like Gibson and Fender. Modifications tend to actually have the opposite effect and bring down the value. If you're thinking about modifying a guitar to play it but are concerned about resale value later on, keep the original parts that you replaced so that you can put them back in when you decide to sell the guitar.

[AXE®]

I agree with Rich.

for resale %100 is the way to go.

Just like a car.

[Bram]

Very interesting question. I think that true collectors don't like any upgrades to a Les Paul Standard, Custom or Classic (even if the guitar would be improved with the upgrades).

[RichCI]

I agree with you to an extent, Bram. But, I think that you end up narrowing who might potentially be interested in a guitar, even players, when trying to sell one that has been modified. That seems to be more the case when it comes to selling guitars online through Ebay and the like where the player can't actually try out the instrument first; with a stock guitar, the player can have a good idea of what they're getting through prior experience but a modified one adds elements of the unknown.

[Bram]

I agree with you to an extent' date=' Bram. But, I think that you end up narrowing who might potentially be interested in a guitar, even players, when trying to sell one that has been modified. That seems to be more the case when it comes to selling guitars online through Ebay and the like where the player can't actually try out the instrument first; with a stock guitar, the player can have a good idea of what they're getting through prior experience but a modified one adds elements of the unknown.[/quote']

 

I completely agree with your clarification.

[Tim Plains]

I'm alright with modifications as long as they are reversable and don't show any noticable signs. Things like caps, pickups, etc. As long as all the original parts come with it. If a top has two holes from a Bisgby or somebody routed out the pup cavity, I don't want it.

 

tremolo arm, the only time the value of your LP will go up is when the price of a new one goes up. The way I see it, that guitar is yours for X years, might as well enjoy it while you have it. Big deal if you tweak it to your likings and you end up losing $200 when you end up selling it.

[cvansickle]

Recently, I sold a Strat at a guitar show. I had upgraded it with boutique pickups - WCR SR single coils, no longer made and highly sought after - but every dealer told me that the pickup swap meant nothing, and if anything it hurt the resale value.

 

I have upgraded every guitar I've ever owned, and each time it was for something that I wanted in the guitar as a player. I don't think ahead about resale, I just realized that this guitar wasn't seeing any play anymore and it needed to go.

[Thundergod]

When I buy a guitar I never have the intension of selling it; ever.

 

 

+1