Les Pauls over priced?

[Luke Duke]

Re: Les Pauls over priced?

We have yet to see if the current era gibsons will be worth as much as the old ones. I say no. Gibson is copying their old stuff cool3: old is good), but is not being an innovator. A copied 57 isn't revolutionary like an origianl. The pickups have been out now for almost 50 years. They, the guitars, will hold decent value I'm sure but they won't appreciate like those old ones, probably due to CNC as well. It seems to me that only innovative guitars appreciate. The original PRS' the original g&L's the original strats and the original SG's, 335s, and LP's.

I also believe the ceiling is eventually gonna fall in on Gibson and Fender. Especially Fender vintage b/c I think there is much counterfeiting going on.

Luke

 

[Mkf411]

Re: Les Pauls over priced?

It seems to me that only innovative guitars appreciate. The original PRS' the original g&L's the original strats and the original SG's, 335s, and LP's.
Luke

I hope your right. I betting on my Parker Fly fftopic: . Especially now that Parker sold to Washburn.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Les Pauls over priced?

I hear this a lot, but being the owner of literally dozens of Gibsons (new and used) over the past 4 years (since my out-of-control gear whoring kicked in), I have only run across one unacceptable QC issue on a Gibson. It was a production Iommi sig where the ebony fretboard was dried and shrunk causing some fret overhang. Other than that, my Gibsons have been incredibly nice (from the faded series to the custom shop, I've had them all). I’ve also owned other high-end gear like PRS, Fender, ESP, and others so I have a basis to compare. I think the Gibson QC issue has been blown out of proportion to the point of almost being an urban legend on guitar forums; it just gets repeated and repeated without a lot of substantiation. There will always be some issues, that's just the way it goes. But IMO it’s not epidemic the way it would appear by reading various guitar forums.

From my experience, you've been lucky, or smart enough to buy from a dealer who has their sh*t down. Whenever I walk into my local gibson dealer, I see finishing and binding issues, all kinds of weight variances, poorly cut and seated nuts, rudimentary fretwork and the usual setup issues. The same shop has about 10 PRS guitars, and finding a flaw of any type except for maybe the singlecuts weighing a bit much, is almost impossible.

 

[Lee_M.]

Re: Les Pauls over priced?

Absolutely. I love the lawsuit stuff but there's nothing quite like a nice Gibson. I think a used R7 is one of the best deals going. The market for Gibson's higher priced guitars probably has things in common with that of Harley Davidson; guys in their thirties and up who don't want to settle.

Yes and agreed. The used R7 is the best deal running. Those are phenomenal playing guitars at great prices.

And, at my age, I also refuse to settle for anything other than the real deal. Simply put, I work my bum off to own nice guitar equipment. And, I'm a big boy - I know what's a good deal and what isn't. No one is forcing me to purchase the $2,000 Standard with a crappy fretjob and flawed finish. That is why people like me shop at quality, respectable stores that exhibit upfront quality control. I can assure you that Wildwood isn't going to sell me a hunk of crap.

Additionally, exercising a bit of research will also yield you a price much lower than Guitar Center. Take a look at Wildwood Guitars and you'll see that all of their Gibsons are priced well below Sam Ash, Guitar Center and other superstores.

I do agree with Lew in that there is no reason for guys like me to come into his furniture store and try to lowball him on a nice chest or armoire. I am willing to pay a premium for good, quality service and product - no two ways about it.

Like I said......don't blame Gibson for the prices. They can do as they please. Instead of complaining about it, be proactive and look on E-bay and the other Forums for a used Lester. Chances are, it has already been set-up properly and taken care of by its owner, saving you the extra hassle and upfront dollar depreciation on the guitar.

Lee Moore

 

[Marty Horne]

Re: Les Pauls over priced?

If you think Gibsons are overpriced (and they are), check out out the vintage market. $20-30,000 for 50s strats and teles, $100-250,000 for 58-60 sunbursts; now that's total insanity. I've owned several vintage guitars (when they were reasonably priced) and they are not magical or worth it at any cost instruments.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Les Pauls over priced?

If you think they are, then get a used Hamer USA! Most bang for the buck of any American made guitar, IMO. Lew

I'll second that!

 

[poopsmith921]

Re: Les Pauls over priced?

Its always good to shop around. When i started, i went right ahead to Sam Ash and bought a standard tele for 350. About a week later I realized that i could have bought the sam guitar at a pawn shop for about 200.