KingMetalHeart Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 I just wanted to say hi to all,and share a story that many may find amusing and some may not....I am 41 yrs old and have been a machinist ever since I started working,to make a long story short I was working back in the late 80's early 90's and was responsible for some CNC equipment to be running,I had one machine that required a technician,so a call was made and a tech showed up. I indicated to him the machine in question and he responded with "You play guitar?"....puzzled and surprised I responded with "Yes" (not realizing until a few seconds later that I had a Gibson USA T-shirt on). He later comes up to me and stated that he was selling a Les Paul...and asked if I was interested? I asked "What kind of LP?" Him: "A KM" Me:"I've never heard of that one"............"How much,what year and what kind of shape is it in?" Him: "$400,1979 and it's in great shape but the case is in poor condition" Now at this point for 400 bucks I knew 2 things: Either it was a low line model that was an LP copy or he didn't know jack about what he had. I was all ears at this point and he indicated that he didn't want to sell it but needed the cash for his rent. So I go to his house to check it out and he showed me a 1979 "KM" LP that was in great shape!(the clear coat still present on the neck and body,even the back of the neck!...this guitar was barely played!).....now I have to admit that I am no expert in determining the factors involving guitar values etc( I did know how to decipher serial #'s).....I noticed right away that this particular fiddle had a plastic "Custom Made" plate attached to the front of the body,below the tail piece and initially thought "Why on earth would anyone ever bolt something onto the Natural flametop facade of the body?"........That did not seem right at ALL! So because of that fact alone I thought I could be buying a lemon here but for 400 bucks it was worth the risk....I offered 300,and he said no man I need 4 no less.....I went directly to atm and got him the cash. At present I still do not know the value,I would estimate the guitar to be in a much better than good condition,no chips,hardly a ding,a small corner of the top pu cover missing,absolutely no wear on the back of the 3-pc neck,the guitar plays unbelievably well,most of the clear coat still present on this all natural flametop reissue. KM = Kalamazzo Model.When all other Les Pauls were made in Nashville, this model was made in the old factory where they still made the L-5s,Super 400s etc. Very rare. Only 1500 made -limited Edition. Looks like a 1959 plaintop! Original double cream T-top pickups!! All finish remains of back of neck. I guess this can be chalked up against the old saying: "If it sounds too good to be true,it probably is" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGBENDS Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Sounds like a nice score. How does it play and sound? When are you going to post pics so we can put some stock into this story of yours? Pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingMetalHeart Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 Sounds like a nice score. How does it play and sound? When are you going to post pics so we can put some stock into this story of yours? Pics! Lol' date='all I have are pics from a web cam,it doesn't do the guitar justice,I need a better camera,but I'll show what I do have. [img']http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr349/KingMetalHeart/Picture65.jpg[/img] ^^^^ you can see the corner chunk missing on the pu surround Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toogy Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Very cool guitar, and very cool story! Sure beats clicking the buy it now button on ebay! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingMetalHeart Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 Very cool guitar' date=' and very cool story! Sure beats clicking the buy it now button on ebay! lol[/quote'] HaHa Thanks I guess I'll have to buy some more Gibson T's,perhaps I'll land and L5 someday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Martin Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Great guitar! The Custom Made plaque is a little weird though...looks kind of out of place. Why wouldn't they just put that on the TRC??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRom Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Excellent score indeed. Some come on man, details. How does it play/sound/feel??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingMetalHeart Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 Great guitar! The Custom Made plaque is a little weird though...looks kind of out of place. Why wouldn't they just put that on the TRC??? I couldn't agree with you more....that was the one thing that was a question as to buying it' date='I thought the guy put it on himself and I thought"He just wrecked this guitar" but I went to a bookstore later and bought a Bluebook for Guitars and viola.....there it was all in black and white,it stated that the first run of these instruments displayed this plaque and only 1500 were made,I saw on Tip Top Musik.com that one has just recently sold and the plaque is missing and the wood looks much cleaner where it once existed. [img']http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr349/KingMetalHeart/SomeonesKMLesPaul.jpg[/img] ^^^ heres the one that sold on Tip Top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crabby Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Great story and guitar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveinspain Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 I couldn't agree with you more....that was the one thing that was a question as to buying it' date='I thought the guy put it on himself and I thought"He just wrecked this guitar" but I went to a bookstore later and bought a Bluebook for Guitars and viola.....there it was all in black and white,it stated that the first run of these instruments displayed this plaque and only 1500 were made,I saw on Tip Top Musik.com that one has just recently sold and the plaque is missing and the wood looks much cleaner where it once existed. [img']http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr349/KingMetalHeart/SomeonesKMLesPaul.jpg[/img] ^^^ heres the one that sold on Tip Top How much did it sell for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingMetalHeart Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 Great story and guitar! Thanks Crabby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingMetalHeart Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 How much did it sell for? I wish it stated how much,I suppose I could e-mail them to find out......I won't sell mine though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solacematt Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Great story, what are the odds. His loss, your gain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingMetalHeart Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 Excellent score indeed. Some come on man' date=' details. How does it play/sound/feel???[/quote'] It plays by itself....no kidding one of the sweetest tones I've ever heard,the three piece neck feels great,and belting out some of the classics like Zep,Black Sabbath Deep Purple and even the Animals sounds alot like that era! It's one of the heaviest guitars I have ever played,it's solid mahogany.....so it's not that easy on the shoulder,but it's great sounding as well as a feel that makes you just want to play more and more.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingMetalHeart Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 Great story' date=' what are the odds. His loss, your gain [/quote']Thanks man,yes I still feel guilty for picking it up so cheap......had I known that it was as rare as it is,I would've given him more for it.........again that plate led me to believe that it may have been tampered with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solacematt Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Thanks man' date='yes I still feel guilty for picking it up so cheap......had I known that it was as rare as it is,I would've given him more for it.........again that plate led me to believe that it may have been tampered with.[/quote'] I don't blame you, if I saw that cheap plaque looking thing my first thought would be 'what asshole ruined the guitar with this' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingMetalHeart Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 I don't blame you' date=' if I saw that cheap plaque looking thing my first thought would be 'what asshole ruined the guitar with this'[/quote'] I heard that the latter of the bunch just came with the plaque in the case...with the screws left for the buyer to install,but I'm not sure how true that is.......I agree....the first thing I wanted to do was yank that dayum thing off and fill the holes and modify,but I know that would be the worst thing to do......I have a book that calls it one of the most undesireable guitars of it's time lmao but I think it is what it is.... Perhaps the Edzel of Pauls? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd_artist Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 I noticed you called it a plaintop but from the pictures it looks a little quilty(if thats a word) to me nice score, that reminds me of my 77 standard I found in a pawn shop in the late 80s I paid $400 bucks for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingMetalHeart Posted December 11, 2008 Author Share Posted December 11, 2008 I noticed you called it a plaintop but from the pictures it looks a little quilty(if thats a word) to me nice score' date=' that reminds me of my 77 standard I found in a pawn shop in the late 80s I paid $400 bucks for.[/quote']You bring up a good point! It appears to have a quilted look,it states in the bluebook that it's a carved maple top(very vague)it is definitely a bookmatched piece of maple,I can see the line throught the center and looks to be even a little birdseyeish.<lol I'm ruling out curly maple but I'm not sure about the type,and the cut. I guess $400 was the going price for the Lp's back then,I'd like to see pics of your '77. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.