How much is too much restoring a les Paul custom?

[bigdaddyd]

I think a grand is too much. Refret and a bad non original paint job. You'll be hard pressed to get your money out of that. I'd pass unless they were willing to come down a couple hundred.

I've seen '87 LPC's in the 3k range. 1k for one in that condition is not too much. Add $400 for a refret of his choice, plek'd and it's a fucking deal. As long as there is no structural damage, it is good. If he is keeping it, it really doesn't matter. Shit, unless I am missing something, you are talking about 1500 for a guitar with an ebony board. New Gibsons for 1800 don't even come with rosewood. Who gives a shit about paint? He gets it finished how he wants and with whatever frets he wants. Seems win/win to me. Sounds like a dream project to me.

OP, if you are on the fence, tell the seller you want it for a few hundred less and see what he says. Maybe he will sell it for $800. You never know.

Just saying, this sold for $3600. Granted it was in good shape, but so what? Same guitar. This is essentially, what you will be turning your guitar into, except much cheaper.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-Gibson-Les ... 1c2f8b5d49

 

[Evh5150]

Ya that guitar DID bring high dollars BUT we might have a guy that became emotionally attached to this guitar. Most are not fetching this high. Plus I have to do a shit load of work. I'm struggling to see the gain. Also it is possible I have been told it may need a new nut also. The fretboard is fairly worn also not in the best shape.

 

[bigdaddyd]

not sure what you mean by emotionally attached. A lot of them go in that ball park. A new nut cost nothing and typically goes with a refret. If the fretboard is shot, that is something else. No offense, but you don't seem to know enought to be buying a guitar like this. You are better off saving for a completed guitar that is already how you want it. A deal like this is for someone that understands what they are doing. Then again, you do add something new everytime you post, so who knows...

 

[BC Audio]

I've had a couple Gibsons refretted, and I let 'em take off the nibs. It doesn't quite look "correct" with the new frets over the top of the binding, but it's not worth more than twice the price, to me.

I say go for the deal. Do a $200 re-fret and whatever the re-finish costs (I have no idea), and you'll still come out ahead.

Or, go the other way, no holds barred, and send it to Hostoric Makeovers...

 

[Schaf]

I think a grand is too much. Refret and a bad non original paint job. You'll be hard pressed to get your money out of that. I'd pass unless they were willing to come down a couple hundred.

I've seen '87 LPC's in the 3k range. 1k for one in that condition is not too much. Add $400 for a refret of his choice, plek'd and it's a fucking deal. As long as there is no structural damage, it is good. If he is keeping it, it really doesn't matter. Shit, unless I am missing something, you are talking about 1500 for a guitar with an ebony board. New Gibsons for 1800 don't even come with rosewood. Who gives a shit about paint? He gets it finished how he wants and with whatever frets he wants. Seems win/win to me. Sounds like a dream project to me.

OP, if you are on the fence, tell the seller you want it for a few hundred less and see what he says. Maybe he will sell it for $800. You never know.

Just saying, this sold for $3600. Granted it was in good shape, but so what? Same guitar. This is essentially, what you will be turning your guitar into, except much cheaper.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-Gibson-Les ... 1c2f8b5d49

I'm just saying that I had a 2005 CS LPC that fn killed that I sold here for $2100 in great condition. I wouldn't give any more for an 87 than I would a newer CS LPC. I don't see an 87 being anything that special. They weren't considered anything special then. If he's going to keep it it will be worth something to him. But with the refinish, It isn't worth that much. Maybe $1500. I know I wouldn't buy it with the refinish because it won't be worth shit for resale.

 

[bigdaddyd]

I think a grand is too much. Refret and a bad non original paint job. You'll be hard pressed to get your money out of that. I'd pass unless they were willing to come down a couple hundred.

I've seen '87 LPC's in the 3k range. 1k for one in that condition is not too much. Add $400 for a refret of his choice, plek'd and it's a fucking deal. As long as there is no structural damage, it is good. If he is keeping it, it really doesn't matter. Shit, unless I am missing something, you are talking about 1500 for a guitar with an ebony board. New Gibsons for 1800 don't even come with rosewood. Who gives a shit about paint? He gets it finished how he wants and with whatever frets he wants. Seems win/win to me. Sounds like a dream project to me.

OP, if you are on the fence, tell the seller you want it for a few hundred less and see what he says. Maybe he will sell it for $800. You never know.

Just saying, this sold for $3600. Granted it was in good shape, but so what? Same guitar. This is essentially, what you will be turning your guitar into, except much cheaper.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-Gibson-Les ... 1c2f8b5d49

I'm just saying that I had a 2005 CS LPC that fn killed that I sold here for $2100 in great condition. I wouldn't give any more for an 87 than I would a newer CS LPC. I don't see an 87 being anything that special. They weren't considered anything special then. If he's going to keep it it will be worth something to him. But with the refinish, It isn't worth that much. Maybe $1500. I know I wouldn't buy it with the refinish because it won't be worth shit for resale.

No offense, but a '58 flying V wasn't considered anything special then either. I would rather have the original over a new custom shop version of something. The problem is that most people can't afford a '58 V. Not sure what the relevance of your CS 2005 guitar is, other than it is a great guitar on its own. If you don't get it, I understand, but many people do. Also, here is a 35th Anniv. Custom. It isn't mine and was a random grab of the internet. I don't know when it sold, but I've seen the go for over 4k.

I have one. I bought mine for 1500 back in the 90s. I will probably never sell it. Based on your "wasn't special then logic..." it should still be worth well, $1500. The point is, these guitars are going up. The time they were made in was known as a good period for these guitars. If the guitar in question was structurally sound, it is a good deal, especially if he is keeping it. That is what we are telling him. Even at 1500 or so all told, he will definitely make his money back should he sell in the future. When mint versions are going for 3k, he can unload for 1500-2 should need be. Now, if things aren't what he says and the fretboard is now shot, or the neck is cracked, or whatever....

http://used.samashmusic.com/item.php?id=21905

 

[Evh5150]

not sure what you mean by emotionally attached. A lot of them go in that ball park. A new nut cost nothing and typically goes with a refret. If the fretboard is shot, that is something else. No offense, but you don't seem to know enought to be buying a guitar like this. You are better off saving for a completed guitar that is already how you want it. A deal like this is for someone that understands what they are doing. Then again, you do add something new everytime you post, so who knows...

Im not saying I DO know enough about buying a guitar like this, BUT I try to learn and ask questions so that I can feel comfortable making a purchase this large. That is the whole reason this thread is going. Im not trying to be a dick, I'm just trying to get opinions and learn.

 

[Evh5150]

also, I do really excel in kick-ass paint jobs and refinishing. Just not up to date with luthier skills.

 

[bigdaddyd]

also, I do really excel in kick-ass paint jobs and refinishing. Just not up to date with luthier skills.

Which is a super awesome talent that I wish I had... One day, when I move out of this God forsaken city, I hope to have room to learn how to do that. I figure it will take some trial and error, but there really is nowhere to do that here in my tiny apt. One of the guys from the old JCF, Sully, has a cool page on youtube where he shows all that stuff..."Sully's Garage." He is pretty awesome, and I used to sit and watch his videos all the time.

http://www.sullyguitars.us/

 

[rupe]

Send me some pics...I'll most likely give you a grand for it.

Sully is a great dude