Gibson Les Paul Special?

Mallowpuff

New member
Sorry I'm kinda in a rush.

Alright, so today whilst we were in the local shop looking at guitars that I don't need(I REALLY need to start playing what I already own....) and can't afford, I saw something that caught my eye.

So it was supposedly a Gibson LP Special, but I don't know much about any of this so here's a bad description.


First: The paint just looked wrong. It was a black stain like I've seen on many a Gibson, but the grain was showing through like crazy. And it kinda looked like someone did some "Touch up work" on it with a paint brush.

Second: Alright so the headstock. Where all the Gibsons say Les Paul, under the Gibson logo, this one said "Les Paul Special" and said nothing on the truss rod cover. Chances are, I'm just stupid and that was normal, but I'm not sure..



They were asking $550 OBO. I didn't ask but I'm pretty sure they'd easily let it go for $450, and if the owner is there(friends with my father) possibly even less.

No, I'm not buying it, but how much do you guys think it's worth? Really, it would need a new paint job for it to ever look good again, and even if painted an original color, it would probably not be worth anything.




And before someone asks, yes I still have that ESP LTD on layaway.. I'm still buying it, only $60 left I've just had other stuff on my mind. Getting my money up for a car! :rolleyes:
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul Special?

Like this? This would be a real one. But sounds like the one you saw has been abused.

2005
riffhard-albums-gear-picture60806-img-2790.jpg


1956
30U-17356_headstock-front.jpg
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul Special?

+1

The 2005 headstock illustrated above looks identical to my LP Junior Special of approximately the same date. The 1956 is spoiled slightly by the non-original truss rod cover plate.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul Special?

I paid $400 plus shipping for a nicely refinished one that had all the hardware, but no pickups. If the paint was really that screwed up, and I wanted a project, I might pay $300 for it.
 
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Re: Gibson Les Paul Special?

Depends on which model of Special it is. The finish sounds like one of the faded versions, which can look pretty rough; not my favorite. Some came with P-90s, or P-100s, or single cut or double.

I'd want pics to make any recommendations.

Bill
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul Special?

Like this? This would be a real one. But sounds like the one you saw has been abused.

2005
riffhard-albums-gear-picture60806-img-2790.jpg


1956
30U-17356_headstock-front.jpg

Looked just like the 2005 example.

I paid $400 plus shipping for a nicely refinished one that had all the hardware, but no pickups. If the paint was really that screwed up, and I wanted a project, I might pay $300 for it.

Thanks for the estimate! The paint does look terrible. Also, the tuners aren't original. They don't look right, and on the back of the headstock there are holes where the old ones screwed on.

Depends on which model of Special it is. The finish sounds like one of the faded versions, which can look pretty rough; not my favorite. Some came with P-90s, or P-100s, or single cut or double.

I'd want pics to make any recommendations.

Bill

Will try to get pics today!
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul Special?

They had a double-cut LPS @ GC a while back,seemed pretty nice.
Actually had neck binding,too,pretty sure it wasn't a Faded model.
If only it had been TV Yellow...

Looking forward to pics,tho!
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul Special?

Sorry.. Yesterday didn't work out like planned.. Today I'm going and I'll take some pictures with my fathers' phone. It's kinda old so it could be difficult getting them off, but I'll try.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul Special?

i had a faded lps with humbuckers and it was a cool guitar. ended up selling it to lucid i think, great guitar for what it is. sounded like rock and roll
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul Special?

This thread is useless without pix but Les Paul Specials can be had in the $500 ballpark any day of the week.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul Special?

Hmm, ok then, forget the Special and buy an Iceman. Then this thread will really satisfy.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul Special?

Sorry.. This whole week has been a mess....

I'll just not promise anything and hope I can get some tomorrow.. The owner hasn't been in in a week and he's coming in tomorrow so I guess it's not that bad..
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul Special?

Alright, my father talked to the owner. The owner said it was just a beat up faded series with different tuners.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul Special?

Same guitar I have. Single cut with humbuckers. I'd stick by the estimate that I wrote above. If the finish is really that jacked up, I wouldn't pay more than $300 for it.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul Special?

2005 example ... the tuners aren't original. They don't look right, and on the back of the headstock there are holes where the old ones screwed on.

Those snot green/grey "keystone" 'heads with the hex nut and washer are period correct for 2005-6. The additional screw holes must be for another 'head style. The previous owner probably replaced the original Gibson 'heads immediately prior to selling.
 
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