kleinman Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 I am looking to buy (maybe early next year) one of these models (not vintage). What would be a fair price to pay for a pre-owned ? Anyone here who has one for sale perhaps ? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabberwocky Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 I am looking to buy (maybe early next year) one of these models (not vintage). What would be a fair price to pay for a pre-owned ? Anyone here who has one for sale perhaps ? Thanks. It depends on condition and finish. By "not vintage", I assume anything from 1975 onwards. I prefer the period from the 1990s onwards when Jim Hutchins was in charge. For an L-5CES with twin pickups, you can expect to pay between $5500 and $6000 for a Sunburst in excellent plus to mint condition. Add a premium of $500 to $1000 for one in Natural with particularly curly maple. For a Wine Red or Ebony L-5CES, $5000 and $5500 would be the ballpark for one in excellent plus to mint condition. You may get lucky and find an owner willing to sell it for about $500 lower than the range I stated sometimes. For anything less than excellent plus, between $4500 and $5000 would be the range for Sunburst. For a Super 400CES, the range for a Sunburst starts at $6000 and runs to $7000. Add $500 to a $1000 for Natural. A Wine Red Super 400CES starts at $5500 to $6000. Elderly Bros. sold a 1998 Super 400CES Sunburst recently with a listed price tag of $5500. This one had a repaired back center seam which had opened up and a few lacquer checks around the headstock. For L-5Cs and Super 400Cs, the price tags are $1000 higher for the respective finishes. So you can expect to pay $7500 for an L-5C Natural in Mint condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleinman Posted September 14, 2012 Author Share Posted September 14, 2012 It depends on condition and finish. By "not vintage", I assume anything from 1975 onwards. I prefer the period from the 1990s onwards when Jim Hutchins was in charge. For an L-5CES with twin pickups, you can expect to pay between $5500 and $6000 for a Sunburst in excellent plus to mint condition. Add a premium of $500 to $1000 for one in Natural with particularly curly maple. For a Wine Red or Ebony L-5CES, $5000 and $5500 would be the ballpark for one in excellent plus to mint condition. You may get lucky and find an owner willing to sell it for about $500 lower than the range I stated sometimes. For anything less than excellent plus, between $4500 and $5000 would be the range for Sunburst. For a Super 400CES, the range for a Sunburst starts at $6000 and runs to $7000. Add $500 to a $1000 for Natural. A Wine Red Super 400CES starts at $5500 to $6000. Elderly Bros. sold a 1998 Super 400CES Sunburst recently with a listed price tag of $5500. This one had a repaired back center seam which had opened up and a few lacquer checks around the headstock. For L-5Cs and Super 400Cs, the price tags are $1000 higher for the respective finishes. So you can expect to pay $7500 for an L-5C Natural in Mint condition. Thanks a lot for the detailed info. Much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flameburst Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Why not vintage? There are some deals out there. A 1960's L5-C or CES can be had for the same or not much more than a new Custom Shop guitar. "This is madness." "This is Sparrrttttaaaaa!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleinman Posted September 14, 2012 Author Share Posted September 14, 2012 Why not vintage? There are some deals out there. A 1960's L5-C or CES can be had for the same or not much more than a new Custom Shop guitar. "This is madness." "This is Sparrrttttaaaaa!" Sure...but normally the vintage guitars on offer are waaay to expensive for my budget. I am looking at no more than say $6500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR56 Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Sure...but normally the vintage guitars on offer are waaay to expensive for my budget. I am looking at no more than say $6500. Here's an example of an interesting one that's $1,000 under your max price: Go to: http://new.gruhn.com/Inventory.aspx?Cat=eh and look for the 1939 L5N. The more affordable price is a result of the stupid modification someone did, but a floating DeArmond (or other floating pickup) at the neck could turn this into a real winner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleinman Posted September 14, 2012 Author Share Posted September 14, 2012 Here's an example of an interesting one that's $1,000 under your max price: Go to: http://new.gruhn.com/Inventory.aspx?Cat=eh and look for the 1939 L5N. The more affordable price is a result of the stupid modification someone did, but a floating DeArmond (or other floating pickup) at the neck could turn this into a real winner. Wow ! Thanks JimR....What a beauty ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleinman Posted November 2, 2012 Author Share Posted November 2, 2012 Guys I think I have found the one I've been looking for...an early 70's Super 400. Once I have done the deal I will post a few pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabberwocky Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Guys I think I have found the one I've been looking for...an early 70's Super 400. Once I have done the deal I will post a few pics. Great! Do tell and show. Let me hazard a guess: the 74-75 Super 400CES from Joe V.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleinman Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 Great! Do tell and show. Let me hazard a guess: the 74-75 Super 400CES from Joe V.? No....not that beaut ......will post some pics in due course and tell you a bit of the history behind the deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orpheoet Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 If the op is anything like me they don't want a guitar they have to worry about devaluing. Vintage Gibsons are amazing, but I went nuts playing out with a 52 175. That would be greatly compounded with a L5 or Super 440! I've learned to stick with player guitars with a few exceptions;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny W. Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 If the op is anything like me they don't want a guitar they have to worry about devaluing. Vintage Gibsons are amazing, but I went nuts playing out with a 52 175. That would be greatly compounded with a L5 or Super 440! I've learned to stick with player guitars with a few exceptions;) Life is too short to play anything but great guitars. I've done hundreds of gigs with this guitar and it still looks great: This one too: and this one: Is it possible they'll get damaged? Sure, that's why I have insurance, but I could never see the point in playing beaters and leaving the nice stuff at home. Danny W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleinman Posted November 11, 2012 Author Share Posted November 11, 2012 Great pics (and guitars) Danny. Thanks for sharing. You are blessed to play in a set-up like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabberwocky Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 No....not that beaut ......will post some pics in due course and tell you a bit of the history behind the deal. Got your beauty yet? Do show and tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleinman Posted November 26, 2012 Author Share Posted November 26, 2012 Got your beauty yet? Do show and tell. Bought it...but will pick it up only in March/April. Can't wait fellas ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleinman Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share Posted February 27, 2013 Bought it...but will pick it up only in March/April. Can't wait fellas ! Guys...the Super 400 is due to arrive on Friday coming !! Will post a few pics soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabberwocky Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Guys...the Super 400 is due to arrive on Friday coming !! Will post a few pics soon. March/April arrived early! Do show so that we may all share in your joy! What is its vintage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleinman Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share Posted February 27, 2013 March/April arrived early! Do show so that we may all share in your joy! What is its vintage? Thanks Jabberwocky... Yip...earlier than I initially thought it would. I believe it's an early 70's....will check the ser# once I have it and then post some pics for you guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleinman Posted March 1, 2013 Author Share Posted March 1, 2013 Well guys here she is. Gibson Super 400 CES. Arrived this afternoon from England. The serial number dates her to '70-72 or '74-74. No volute....Question: Does that make her a '70 would you say ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR56 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 According to Van Hoose, volutes appeared on Super 400's around 1973-74, and were discontinued around 1980-81. That's a real beauty you've got there! Love the flame on it (I'd say that's exceptional grade maple for that time period). When I got my first Super 400 back in the mid-80's, it really inspired me and took my playing to a new level. I hope yours will do the same for you, and that you'll enjoy it for a long time. I've had three of them over the years, and didn't manage to keep any of them, but I'll probably always fantasize about getting another one someday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Congratulations on a super great looking guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleinman Posted March 1, 2013 Author Share Posted March 1, 2013 Thanks guys...Yes I'm really chuffed with this guitar Question: You'll notice that the neck pup's pole pieces are flipped from the normal position relative to the neck. What do you make of this ? Unusual or not ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR56 Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Not all that rare to see someone rotate a pickup 180 degrees like that. I would probably put it back to the standard position, but if the guitar sounds great the way it is, it's no big deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleinman Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 Another one...a bit more closeup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleinman Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 Not all that rare to see someone rotate a pickup 180 degrees like that. I would probably put it back to the standard position, but if the guitar sounds great the way it is, it's no big deal. Thanks Jim. I hear that Wes Montgomery had his pup flipped like that and many jazzers followed the example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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