Just found out my Les Paul is rare AF

[SnikPlosskin]

I always thought I bought my LP in 78. But Gibson says it’s a 1980 according to the serial number. They also said just five were made in what they call Bahama Blue. These were made by the US custom shop in Nashville. They did another run in 1981 but I’m not sure how many.

Over the years, before I knew this I noticed I never saw another one in Bahama Blue. I didn’t even know the name of the color until a few months ago. I searched online for several years and never found one like it.

I did see one in Amy Mann’s guitar rack backstage in Milwaukee at Bastille Days festival and I read that Edge from U2 has one. I have recently found a number of listings online for one but it turned out to be the same guitar changing hands.

Mine has an ebony fretboard like a Custom but trapezoid inlays that are supposed to go with rosewood. All the others apparently have rosewood.

So I know of four of these. They have the most desirable pickups called the Tim Shaw pickups. I paid $750 new. The one I saw online sold for about $8k ten years ago. Run of the mill, 1980 tobacco sunbursts are going for $7,500.

Mine could be worth $15k. However the paint is pretty worn. Had a refret about five years ago plus restored original electronics.

I don’t know if the worn look would be worth more or less than a garage queen. I’m not selling it but holy shit.

I also bought my amp for $1800 - an all original ‘64 Deluxe. I see those going for about $8k now assuming you could find an original one. Mine even has the original tubes.

I’ll post some photos later. Just wow.

[Louie Detroit]

Is that ‘64 amp a Fender?

[GTOguy]

Quality items that were desirable when new tend to gain value over the years and remain desirable. Guitars, guns, antiques, hot car, you name it. I have a couple of cars that have gone up 40 times what I paid for them 40+ years ago. And fountain pens, and other neat old stuff. No instruments, though. The old tube amps like yours sound way better than the later ones, IMO. There will always be a market for cool stuff that was well made and has a purpose.

[Frankie the Fink]

That comes under the heading of, "sh!t that will never happen to Frank"

I read a story where some clown unknowingly bought a pre-war Martin herringbone D-28 dreadnaught at a garage sale. Worth $25,000 at the time, prob 30% more now.

Good score for you ! IMO (unlike my take on classic cars) do NOT restore it...

[Louie Detroit]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

That comes under the heading of, "sh!t that will never happen to Frank"

I read a story where some clown unknowingly bought a pre-war Martin herringbone D-28 dreadnaught at a garage sale. Worth $25,000 at the time, prob 30% more now.

Good score for you !

I would say the clown was the guy who sold it.

[SnikPlosskin]

Originally Posted by Louie Detroit

Is that ‘64 amp a Fender?

Yes. 22 watts, single 10” speaker, no reverb

[Tikiman]

Originally Posted by SnikPlosskin

I always thought I bought my LP in 78. But Gibson says it’s a 1980 according to the serial number. They also said just five were made in what they call Bahama Blue. These were made by the US custom shop in Nashville. They did another run in 1981 but I’m not sure how many.

Over the years, before I knew this I noticed I never saw another one in Bahama Blue. I didn’t even know the name of the color until a few months ago. I searched online for several years and never found one like it.

I did see one in Amy Mann’s guitar rack backstage in Milwaukee at Bastille Days festival and I read that Edge from U2 has one. I have recently found a number of listings online for one but it turned out to be the same guitar changing hands.

Mine has an ebony fretboard like a Custom but trapezoid inlays that are supposed to go with rosewood. All the others apparently have rosewood.

So I know of four of these. They have the most desirable pickups called the Tim Shaw pickups. I paid $750 new. The one I saw online sold for about $8k ten years ago. Run of the mill, 1980 tobacco sunbursts are going for $7,500.

Mine could be worth $15k. However the paint is pretty worn. Had a refret about five years ago plus restored original electronics.

I don’t know if the worn look would be worth more or less than a garage queen. I’m not selling it but holy shit.

I also bought my amp for $1800 - an all original ‘64 Deluxe. I see those going for about $8k now assuming you could find an original one. Mine even has the original tubes.

I’ll post some photos later. Just wow.

If the wear is natural (as I am sure that it is), it can indeed enhance the value of the guitar. The ones that are "relicted" with a belt sander in someone's garage, not so much.

Congrats on finding out you have a gem.

[SnikPlosskin]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

That comes under the heading of, "sh!t that will never happen to Frank"

I read a story where some clown unknowingly bought a pre-war Martin herringbone D-28 dreadnaught at a garage sale. Worth $25,000 at the time, prob 30% more now.

Good score for you ! IMO (unlike my take on classic cars) do NOT restore it...

Damn. That’s wild. I won’t restore it. It was in unplayable condition and disassembled for about a decade. I wore it out playing it for years. One pickup’s lead came undone but the guitar tech I use disassembled the pickup and reconnected it. She also managed to clean the pots and reassemble with original wiring and replace the frets without jacking up the bindings.

At first she wouldn’t touch it. But after I had her refret two of my custom strat type guitars I wore her down. She was afraid of ****ing it up. Although she is a “luthier to the stars” so that would be unlikely.

I just remembered, one thing that would negatively impact the value is that I installed a locking nut on it at some point so there are two screw holes in the head. I was a dumb kid.

[Frankie the Fink]

My Dad traded in a car in Norfolk from some sailor in the 60s that then went to sea for 9 months...the car had a sunburst Fender Jaguar and a Princeton amp in the trunk (had the tremolo bar and the original bridge cover)....I had it for years and even did a few amateur gigs with it; went to my brother when I joined the Army and he has no clue what happened to it - dammit.

So many "the one that got away stories" after 73 trips around the sun

[Tikiman]

Originally Posted by SnikPlosskin

Damn. That’s wild. I won’t restore it. It was in unplayable condition and disassembled for about a decade. I wore it out playing it for years. One pickup’s lead came undone but the guitar tech I use disassembled the pickup and reconnected it. She also managed to clean the pots and reassemble with original wiring and replace the frets without jacking up the bindings.

At first she wouldn’t touch it. But after I had her refret two of my custom strat type guitars I wore her down. She was afraid of ****ing it up. Although she is a “luthier to the stars” so that would be unlikely.

I just remembered, one thing that would negatively impact the value is that I installed a locking nut on it at some point so there are two screw holes in the head. I was a dumb kid.

Shouldn't be an issue. It is a "working man's" guitar. What we call a "player". I have an old 6120 with most of the gold plating worn off the bridge and pickups. I don't care. That's what happens when you play them.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by SnikPlosskin

Mine could be worth $15k.

I’d sell it.

[SnikPlosskin]

Originally Posted by Tikiman

Shouldn't be an issue. It is a "working man's" guitar. What we call a "player". I have an old 6120 with most of the gold plating worn off the bridge and pickups. I don't care. That's what happens when you play them.

I was thinking of having Norms Guitars appraise it. Or maybe Austin Vintage Guitars. Not sure what the point is though. Ain’t gonna sell it.

[Tikiman]

Originally Posted by SnikPlosskin

I was thinking of having Norms Guitars appraise it. Or maybe Austin Vintage Guitars. Not sure what the point is though. Ain’t gonna sell it.

Understood. However, it is sometimes a good idea to have things appraised so that one's heirs have an idea of the value. Feeling my own mortality, I wrote down all my guitars and what I felt the value of each one was for my wife. I certainly don't need to croak and have her sell them for what I told her I paid for them. I really need to do the same thing with my amps. I have half a dozen very good amps that I'm sure are worth something, but even I don't know how much.

Here is a mint condition 1964 Blonde Bassman (6G6-B). Definitely not the original tubes - it currently has a pair of matched JJ 5881's in it. It does still have the original cones and a paper inside the head that is stamped "Feb 1964". No idea what it is worth, but I paid $1,200 for it nearly 25 years ago.

[GTOguy]

Originally Posted by LATB

I’d sell it.

Why? Doesn't sound like he needs the $$$. And $$$ isn't any fun unless you convert it into something that is.

Stuff like that is too cool just to have around, IMO. At least until you get ready to get rid of all your stuff and die.

[SnikPlosskin]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

Why? Doesn't sound like he needs the $$$. And $$$ isn't any fun unless you convert it into something that is.

Stuff like that is too cool just to have around, IMO. At least until you get ready to get rid of all your stuff and die.

I probably do need the money but it is the first good electric guitar I bought. My hope is that I pass it to my son and he can sell it.

I can’t get rid of guitars or my Deluxe. My customs are not really worth much although they are first rate instruments. The Deluxe is something I’ve waited for my entire life. The sound is just ****ing special.

Even dumber, the studio I’m recording in has every guitar and amp imaginable from the late 1800’s to modern boutique amps. Literally a hundred guitars, mandolins, basses, banjo guitars, ****ing weird guitars I’ve never heard of, etc.

Want to record with a ‘57 strat? Matt has four. Dumble? Take your pick. The collection is so extensive they don’t disclose the location publicly.

Rock stars rent the entire house, live upstairs (full apartment up there) and record for a month at a time. It’s nuts. I get to use it because the guy that does the engineering is a friend and my producer. He is also a renowned guitar animal and amazing teacher. Has all kinds of endorsements so a lot of gear he gets for free.

He’s playing on my last show.

I likely shared this before. This guy….

YouTube (Short URL)

We did Train Train and I used a slapback so every note I play is doubled. Then Matt comes ripping in playing similarly but with no echo at 2 min. mark.

[GTOguy]

Amazing!

[LATB]

Originally Posted by LATB

I’d sell it.

Originally Posted by GTOguy

Why? Doesn't sound like he needs the $$$.

Originally Posted by SnikPlosskin

I probably do need the money...

Well there you go.

[SnikPlosskin]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

Amazing!

Humbling

[Chemtrails99]

Don't sell it, you'll never stop regretting it. I wouldn't let that go for under $40,000.00. it's rarity, one owner and details shove the price higher. I've spent a lot of time researching selling a one off custom made Hamer Standard over the last six months. Prices are beyond stupid.

[SnikPlosskin]

Originally Posted by Chemtrails99

Don't sell it, you'll never stop regretting it. I wouldn't let that go for under $40,000.00. it's rarity, one owner and details shove the price higher. I've spent a lot of time researching selling a one off custom made Hamer Standard over the last six months. Prices are beyond stupid.

Holy shit. Now I have to find out.


I think I will get it appraised. It plays beautifully. Always has. Paired with a vintage amp, it sounds incredible. If I turn up my Deluxe to 10, it sounds like angus young. Don’t even need a distortion pedal. My single coils can’t achieve that sound. I think part of the reason is the Tim Shaws.