Might pick up this LP Trad in ice tea...opinions?

[ChiroDoc78]

A fellow in Tennessee (a couple hrs from me) has this 09 LP Traditional Plus for sale and I've conducted "negotiations" (essentially I mean I'm trying to talk down his price). He's at $1700. He says it's in excellent condition, some "slight worming/buckle rash" on the back, but nothing deep into the finish. Also, says a few little dings, but again, no chips in the finish or anything. Normal play wear. I bought an 08 standard plus in the same finish 2 years ago that I got used from GC out the door for $1800, so his $1700 price seems a bit high. Just wondering if I should pass or not. My mind is saying to pass and wait for a better deal, but the striping on this one has my heart telling me to buy it.

[doodles90210]

that one is beautiful! 1700 is not too high. If you hold out for a better deal youll find a less attractive one for 1600? that top is pretty killer, worth the extra few bucks. I say go play it and if it plays and sounds as sweet as it looks go for it.

[thexmadxtopxhatter]

With that top i'd be pleased at 1700.

[ll IrOn CiTy ll]

my opinion is that is beautiful.

[Shawn Lutz]

I think it is too high myself. You could probably buy a brand new one for $1800, infact I bought my 2012 Trad Plus a couple months ago for $1875 shipped and no tax.

Just look on eBay, you'll find several better deals.

also that does have a sweet top but its not a rarity in the Trad + line. Search for the official trad plus thread and look at all the beautiful tops. and lookie at mine in my avatar

[ChiroDoc78]

yeah it is a little high. where did u get ur new one 4 $1875?

[Shawn Lutz]

Originally Posted by ChiroDoc78

yeah it is a little high. where did u get ur new one 4 $1875?

eBay. It was slightly used from swing city music. It had a 1-31-2012 inspection date. Prices have came down a bit on Trad +'s since 2012 Standards coming out.

Trad +'s on eBay
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...+plus&_sacat=0

[ChiroDoc78]

Ahh. I've always wanted a Goldtop, but I'm so drawn to the ice tea finish. I'm conflicted.

[02589]

It sure is pretty

I think it's worth the drive. Go give it a test session. If it feels like the guitar you've been missing, it's worth $1700. If not, tell him it doesn't really sing to you and make a counter offer. Maybe have another ad for a similar guitar with you to show him that you are serious.

BE PREPARED TO DRIVE HOME EMPTY HANDED. Don't start justifying fuel cost and drive time and cave in to something that you don't want.

[Jim]

Take it at 15.

[ChiroDoc78]

Originally Posted by 02589

It sure is pretty

I think it's worth the drive. Go give it a test session. If it feels like the guitar you've been missing, it's worth $1700. If not, tell him it doesn't really sing to you and make a counter offer. Maybe have another ad for a similar guitar with you to show him that you are serious.

BE PREPARED TO DRIVE HOME EMPTY HANDED. Don't start justifying fuel cost and drive time and cave in to something that you don't want.

been there...done that. I know exactly what you mean.

Drove 2 hours once for a strat in a very rare color that I wanted badly...was supposed to be in Excellent condition...2 hours later, it was in pretty good condition, definetly NOT excellent. And he wouldn't move on the price. I wanted it bad enough that I paid his asking price. Had instant buyer's remorse. A few days later, I cleaned it up, and it has become my favorite guitar. So glad I didn't go home empty handed on that one.

Did the same thing on a motorcycle once...rented a trailer and drove 2.5 hours to find a bike that was supposedly in "New" condition without a scratch, and found it to be dirty and scratched. Bought the bike, but the price was right...in hindsight, I shoulda walked away from that one.

I really want one of these, but I'm also itchin for one in a Gold Top. I hate to let this one pass though.

[LPBill]

It's touching the high side. I've seen used Trad +'s go for $1,500 at GC.
I bought my 2009 for $1,850- Ice Tea as well.

Here it is...

[Thiago]

If what you really want is a GT forget about that Tea.

[Obsequio]

That top makes it hard to say the price is too high, but I agree you might want to see if you can get a lower price. Then again that top really is nice, not all flames look that good you know.

[Shawn Lutz]

Originally Posted by Obsequio

That top makes it hard to say the price is too high, but I agree you might want to see if you can get a lower price. Then again that top really is nice, not all flames look that good you know.

it is nothing rare in the Trad + line, sweet tops are not too hard to come by...

[LuisPaul]

Well it has a very sweet top, and the price he is asking is not to high, actually I think its OK, so, if the guitar is in very good shape, and its functioning well electronic-wise, then I think you should buy it, its a good deal. Try to negociate for 1,600, if he doesn´t want to, then buy it for those 1,700 dlls.

[GibsonMarshallGuy]

1700 is just ok, but these guitars are beautiful and sound great. The prices on these guitars aren't going down as much as we would all like them to. It's just not happening unless it's in rough shape or someone's desperate. So ya if you pay 1700 it isn't the best or worse deal, but shit your going to get a sweet guitar!!!


If I were selling this I wouldn't take less than 1800, which is why it wouldn't sell anyway lol...

[ChiroDoc78]

valid points everyone. I do like the Tea. I do like Gold Tops. I'm gonna hold out for a bit to see if I come across one I really want. If this one sells out from under me, so be it. As Shawn Lutz mentioned, although beautiful, tops like that are not that rare. I'm gonna keep a sharp eye out for a Gold Top, as well as an Ice Tea. I'd like to pay $1600 for a nicely flamed traditional, or $1500 for a GT.

[budg]

Originally Posted by ChiroDoc78

valid points everyone. I do like the Tea. I do like Gold Tops. I'm gonna hold out for a bit to see if I come across one I really want. If this one sells out from under me, so be it. As Shawn Lutz mentioned, although beautiful, tops like that are not that rare. I'm gonna keep a sharp eye out for a Gold Top, as well as an Ice Tea. I'd like to pay $1600 for a nicely flamed traditional, or $1500 for a GT.

Might be doable.I have seen them go for that every so often on ebay. I am really impressed with mine.Its one of the few Gibsons I have really bonded with.It is rock solid .The only one I have had that stays in tune and it weighs over 10 lbs.The tops on these things are very nice.Build quality on mine is superb too.

[ChiroDoc78]

This will be my second foray into Les Pauls. My last one was a purchased 2 years ago to replace a strat that was stolen from me the day after I got married...It was the most beautiful strat I ever owned it was a sienna sunburst with a gorgeous wide ash grain pattern...truly one of a kind...only had it for a couple months when it was stolen. I knew I'd never find another strat like it, so I started shopping for a Les Paul...because with any other strat I looked at, I found myself comparing it to the one that was stolen, so looking at Les Paul's kind of raised the bar a little bit. I was in NJ visiting my parents while I was waiting for a business loan to go through with a local bank, when I found an 08 Standard plus in ice tea at a guitar center 3 hours away in Long Island, NY for $1799. I called and had the manager go over the guitar in full detail before I drove up there. I got there, played it, and found that when I switched to the Neck pickup, I got no sound. Something was up with that, and I was pissed. I talked to the salesman, he called the manager, and they said they could have the tech take care of it the next day, and give it to me for $1575 and ship it to me for my trouble. Got the guitar a few days later, and it played fine...the switch was crappy and they replaced it.

Held onto it for almost a year, when I decided I really wanted a motorcycle, and I never bonded with the 08 Standard...wasn't a fan of the chambering or the assymetrical neck shape. Just felt wrong...I couldn't really reach the higher frets. Sold it for $100 more than I payed for it, and moved on to a motorcycle. I haven't regretted selling it...it was a gorgeous guitar, but it didn't feel right to me...too light for a Les Paul, and ther Burstbuckers were too bright. I didn't get that classic rock tone out of it that I had hoped for.

I have a completely different opinion of the LP Traditional. Although I've only played a couple, it feels like a different guitar, and right up my alley. The search continues. I've always wanted a Gold Top...I've felt drawn to them my whole life...but the Ice Tea finish was and is so beautiful too. I'm still conflicted!!

[Rumbling1]

Hey ChiroDoc78,

Is that the Trad on CL in Bham? If so I was a little bit skeptical becaue the pictures of it were back from Christmas...I would make sure you are looking at updated photos if so. If not I might hold off...trust your gut which says hold out for a goldtop. Its a beautiful guitar but it obviously isnt "the one" or it would already be in your hands.
PS...we live down the road from each other, Im in Trussville.

[GERRYGTR62]

dude, get a GT!!!!! I think you should stick with your convictions and huntone down, if that's the case

[GERRYGTR62]

dude, get a GT!!! Let my Epi Elitist '57 GT convince you!

[ShoalsRanger]

Schedule an appt to go look at it. Look it over...pretend to call your wife on your cell phone. Pull out $1520 out of your wallet (make sure you empty it and leave $1520 in it before you get there). Begin to hand him the money and say "this is all I have, I will take care of it for you". And see what happens.

Works for me all the time with several different items.

At $1520 you will have a great guitar plus instant equity. If you don't like it. Sell it on eBay for 1700 and buy something else.

[Obsequio]

Originally Posted by Shawn Lutz

it is nothing rare in the Trad + line, sweet tops are not too hard to come by...

Please forgive my inexperience. I bought an Ice Tea 2008 Standard Plus last year and I believe its a AA as opposed to a AAA flame. I noticed other members had the same AA flame on the Standard Plus.


I'm learning that AAA flames are 1. more traditional 2. more desirable in traditional colors like Ice Tea, Honey, Cherry and Light flames. 3. Are the most beautiful. So to me this Ice Tea really getst the job done. Its also a rimburst which is a bit different too.

Question, What is the difference between AAA flame and burst? It seems to me that they are the same except for you only use the term burst when speaking of a '58,'59,'60's Vintage or Reproduction?

[ChiroDoc78]

Originally Posted by Obsequio

Please forgive my inexperience. I bought an Ice Tea 2008 Standard Plus last year and I believe its a AA as opposed to a AAA flame. I noticed other members had the same AA flame on the Standard Plus.


I'm learning that AAA flames are 1. more traditional 2. more desirable in traditional colors like Ice Tea, Honey, Cherry and Light flames. 3. Are the most beautiful. So to me this Ice Tea really getst the job done. Its also a rimburst which is a bit different too.

Question, What is the difference between AAA flame and burst? It seems to me that they are the same except for you only use the term burst when speaking of a '58,'59,'60's Vintage or Reproduction?

the burst is the color...ice tea burst, honey burst, desert burst, etc. The flame is the "optical illusion" in the wood that makes it look like tiger stripes. AAA flame is a much more elegant, more flamed wood. AA is less flame, and A or plain top is very little or no flame at all.

[Shawn Lutz]

it is just the grade of the flame maple top. The higher the A rating the tighter and more pronounced the flames are. It has nothing to do with finish options

AA Flame on my Trad plus


AAAA on a GMW Strat


See the difference between the two?

[ChiroDoc78]

I went and looked at it...definetly looks clean...I was expecting some dings or dents, but none to be found. The amount of flame was exceptional, too. She sure was pretty. I didn't buy it...I've got a line on a goldtop that has peeked my curiosity...hoping to hear back from the seller soon. I'm only holding out because I've owned an Ice Tea LP before, and as gorgeous as it may be, I'm going to keep my options open. I may give this fella a call tomorrow and let him know...we'll see. I'm not in a rush, and I can afford to buy new...so I don't want to buy used unless it's a killer deal, and this one is an average deal. I usually buy from sweetwater, and they don't have many traditionals in stock...if they did, I could get the guy I usually deal with to swing me a deal on a new one...but since they don't have many in stock, it's a longshot.

[Lowdown]

Get together another $2-300 and grab yourself a nice RI.

I am partial to Trads,but that price could drop a bit more…

[ChiroDoc78]

Originally Posted by Rumbling1

Hey ChiroDoc78,

Is that the Trad on CL in Bham? If so I was a little bit skeptical becaue the pictures of it were back from Christmas...I would make sure you are looking at updated photos if so. If not I might hold off...trust your gut which says hold out for a goldtop. Its a beautiful guitar but it obviously isnt "the one" or it would already be in your hands.
PS...we live down the road from each other, Im in Trussville.

Rumbling...yes this was from CL in birmingham. I just said Tennessee, because I've been sniped by forum members before. Happened to me on the strat forum when I posted up asking for opinions on a strat from CL, and another forum member nearby saw it, and snatched it up from under me...can't blame him though.

Decided to pass on this guitar...it is pretty, and I would like it, but for $1700, I'm gonna keep looking. If he'd go to $1600, I'd scoop it up. For $1700, I'd rather wait for a gold top or for a better deal on a ice tea LP. Emailed my "sales engineer" at sweetwater, and he said he'd be able to do $2000 on a new LP Trad goldtop if I wanted one. Might go for it unless I come across a good deal.