What's My Les Paul Worth?

Pink Unicorn Horsey

Megä Pöny Rÿdr
I have an ebony '94 Gibson Les Paul Standard that's in excellent condition. I've replaced the stock pickups with a '59 neck and JB bridge, and the speed knobs with top hats. Also, all four pots have been replaced with push-pulls, and the whole thing has been given the Jimmy Page wiring treatment.

I'm not looking to sell this guitar, but I'm wondering what the street value is. People who don't know much about guitars, but have heard of a Les Paul, often ask me what it's worth. I never know what to tell them. I don't know if it's gone up or down in value.

I have the original hardshell case for it as well, and that's in very good condition, but I'm more interested in the value of the guitar itself.

- Keith
 
Re: What's My Les Paul Worth?

I'll buy that for a dollar!



Seriously though, I would think that a Standard in that condition would go for around $1300 to 1500.
 
Re: What's My Les Paul Worth?

I was gonna say $1500 if its in *really* good shape. The mods prolly hurt the value some though..or rather don't add anything to it.

Early 90s models are good stuff in general. I had a 91 black standard that was my best production paula ever. Still wish I had that one! Loved the neck shape they used back then.
 
Re: What's My Les Paul Worth?

I think I bought it for $1,100 back in '94. Is it likely to go up in value, or is it just going to keep up with inflation (assuming it stays in good shape)?
 
Re: What's My Les Paul Worth?

I think it will go up in value..over time. ESPECIALLY now that you cannot buy a production Les Paul that isn't chambered..I don't mind the chambered versions tone, but they def DONT sound the same.

Hell my new PRS 250 is chambered, but i wasn't going for that exact Les Paul vibe. With the diff in scale length it makes for a fuller/balanced sounding guitar. On a short scale, it makes for a more middy sounding guitar..approaching a ES335 type thing.
 
Re: What's My Les Paul Worth?

I think it will go up in value..over time.

Well, yeah...but the time span is longer than a year or two. I've seen nice 'burst mid-late 80s LPs (so-called "Slash Era") in great shape from respected dealers for around $2k or so.

Hang on to it for another 20 yrs, and yeah, it should be worth a bit more. Very unlikely that it'll go down.
 
Re: What's My Les Paul Worth?

Black isn't the most desirable color but that doesn't hurt the value that much. Watching Ebay as often as I do I'd say between $1200 (in rough shape) and $1600 in mint with a mint case.....
 
Re: What's My Les Paul Worth?

Keith, I'll tell you what, ship it to me and I'll look it over and give you an honest evaluation.......really.......honest.....
...no, I really mean it....:sword:
 
Re: What's My Les Paul Worth?

Gibson quality control and build quality isn't what it used to be and a lot of buyers know it. I only see the value of these guitars going up rather than down over the years.
 
Re: What's My Les Paul Worth?

Sit it out in the snow for an hour then drag it in and sit it on the furnace. All that checking will make it worth a bazillion dollars. :laugh2: But you have to *drag* it in, no carrying allowed, and with a chain preferably. :D

As much as the short scale doesn't get a long with me, I like ebony Les Pauls much more than the bursts. Gold Tops are still my fav.

The early 90's Studio I had was a heck of a guitar. Stupid me sold it off. Wish I didn't. It was black with chrome hardware and an ebony board.
 
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Re: What's My Les Paul Worth?

I always just do a search of completed listings on Ebay for the same thing I'm selling and see what they sold for. The average is about they're worth! Lew
 
Re: What's My Les Paul Worth?

I always just do a search of completed listings on Ebay for the same thing I'm selling and see what they sold for. The average is about they're worth! Lew

I did that, but only three came up. Two were the same guy, same guitar, and it never met the reserve price. The third was an Epi. :(
 
Re: What's My Les Paul Worth?

I did that, but only three came up. Two were the same guy, same guitar, and it never met the reserve price. The third was an Epi. :(

Well at least you know how much it's NOT worth! :scratchch
 
Re: What's My Les Paul Worth?

Can't put a price on a good broken in Paul with character and vibe. You'd spend $1,800 - $2,200 for the same guitar new and have to go through the whole process again. I've got the exact same guitar (an '89 and minus the mods) that is beat but in a good way and it is worth way more to me than anybody else.

Not worth exploring unless you are getting out of the 'Les Paul Business' altogether.
 
Re: What's My Les Paul Worth?

Can't put a price on a good broken in Paul with character and vibe. You'd spend $1,800 - $2,200 for the same guitar new and have to go through the whole process again. I've got the exact same guitar (an '89 and minus the mods) that is beat but in a good way and it is worth way more to me than anybody else.

Not worth exploring unless you are getting out of the 'Les Paul Business' altogether.

I follow you. I have no designs to sell this guitar, but I've always been curious to know what it's worth. Funny that I never took the time to check on eBay till today to see what these things go for. If I ever sell this, which I doubt, it'll be many moons from now.

Sounds like the street price is somewhere between $1,200 and $1,400, which is good to know for my personal edification.

- Keith
 
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