Sam Ash : Gibson Custom 1960 STD LP VOS - Ebony ???

[calmac8360]

Hello from Australia,

Could anyone here enlighten me on these ? I'm looking to buy my first LP, a long term keeper and stumbled across these @ $3200 (RRP $ 8033). I've searched through the forum but only found a few posts relating to 1960 VOS....Is this is what you guys refer to a R0 ? Basically are these really a $3000 guitar in your neck of the woods ?

I want to buy before President Obama realizes that we are getting one of your dollars for one of our dollars at the moment and banishes us to trading with seashells or spices or the like.

Personally I love the Ebony & that vintage looking vibe and with shipping, customs fees & taxes I'm only looking at the price of a new LP Std over here. I know I could probably do better on the 2nd hand market but I'm not keen on buying used from overseas and the majority of sellers won't ship in any case.

Any info or advice re this model would be appreciated. Pls remember that $3000 + only just buys you a LP Traditional or a bloody nice Didgeridoo Downunder !

Regards

calmac8360

[boombox]

Yes, that's what is called an R0. I have the Sam Ash Ebony R0 and I love it. These things can be very subjective, but I love the look of the black Standard (I get a bit tired of all the "burstiness" business sometimes), and find the balance of the sound, strong throughout the spectrum, the power and great sustain, the neck and feel of the whole thing, really do remind me of a good vintage model. And I've owned a lot of old Gibsons, including a 58 burst. I can tell you this: I've never had a nicer new guitar. The one thing you would want to do, though, if you care about such things, is to email Sam Ash and ask about weight. Some are a bit heavy and they might be able to find a lighter one for you if it matters.

[calmac8360]

boombox,

Thanks for the reply. I'm awaiting a reply from Sam Ash to confirm they have them will ship and the next one I shoot off I'll definitely ask about finding me a light one. Why would these be selling these at 60% of the retail price.

Can I ask what you paid for yours if it's not too rude ?

[boombox]

Well, that's sort of a phantom discount, which is to say I think the list price is inflated to make it seem like the asking price is a huge discount. I believe their "sale" price on that item is the same you'd pay for an R8 plaintop at SA. I paid their price for mine, though I got a tax break since the lighter one they found for me came from another state. And I have to say, though the big stores sometimes get a bad rap, the people I dealt with at Sam Ash were incredibly accommodating. And they delivered a great guitar.

[joesnewmatch]

I played one at a local shop, found it to be a great player, nice weight, and great quality. I didn't want to pay retail, so I looked around for a used one, but finally gave up -- never found any. It must be that the owners don't want to sell them! In the end, I got an Ebony '68 RI Custom, also made by the Custom Shop, but with very different appointments, and much heavier. I highly recommend the 68, if weight isn't an issue for you, particularly since I bought the '68 used, for a great price that was well under the $3k mark that Sam Ash is asking for its Ebony R0. For me, it was a no-brainer.

[calmac8360]

Many thanks for the replies so far. I see new flame / burst tops in these listed at $ 5000+ what do they really sell for ?

Is weight an issue ???? Funnily enough I'm laying in bed writing this after back operation number 5 last Friday, which is when this GAS started, so I literally only play sitting down at home. I've heard the heavy ones are punishing on the leg sitting but I must have a Les Paul ! Up to the 10 Lb mark I should hopefully be ok.

[boombox]

Weight's an issue for some. I happen to strongly prefer LPs to be around 9lbs or a bit more or less, but not too much more or less! Call me Goldilocks. Some people like them way light and some have customs that weigh 11lbs and love them, too. You can always get a good strap, and if you play seated (I do, too, since I mainly record and don't take my LPs out on gigs) it should be no issue at all. I think most of these Sam Ash models are in the 9-10lb range.

[BostonGuitar]

Originally Posted by joesnewmatch

I played one at a local shop, found it to be a great player, nice weight, and great quality. I didn't want to pay retail, so I looked around for a used one, but finally gave up -- never found any. It must be that the owners don't want to sell them! In the end, I got an Ebony '68 RI Custom, also made by the Custom Shop, but with very different appointments, and much heavier. I highly recommend the 68, if weight isn't an issue for you, particularly since I bought the '68 used, for a great price that was well under the $3k mark that Sam Ash is asking for its Ebony R0. For me, it was a no-brainer.

Grrrrr!!!!

DIBS!!!!

[coldengray]

One has been hanging on the wall at my local Sam Ash for almost 6 months...it's gorgeous. I wish I could buy it. Don't think it's more than 9 pounds. I'm happy to be "your man in the States" if you'd like and help you acquire it. They would probably negotiate on the price as it's been collecting dust for months now.

[calmac8360]

coldengrey,

Man I'd love to have an inside man in the US of A, boy that would make things easier but there's the tiny little matter of the potential to loose the $ 3 big ones, and no matter how small or BIG, its a risk that financially I can't afford to take.

Damn Nigerians have shattered my faith in my fellow man !!!

If I weren't married I'd honestly probably risk it but I have a WIFE.... and I'd like to possibly be allowed to buy more guitars or even chewing gum in the future without having to ask her permission. Damn if i weren't married it would be worth jumping on a plane to come and find my own USA Gibson seeing as though our dollars doing so well but then there's the small issue of about 40 hrs in a plane ! I don't like flying.

I hope you understand where I'm coming from but thank you sincerely. I would have PM'd you this but no PM buttons for me.

Sam Ash haven't responded to 2 emails as yet ?

[rob9]

Does Sam Ash ship to Australia?

[calmac8360]

Rob9,

I'm waiting on a reply but their website certainly says that international customers can email them about purchases, with the exception of Fender products. I sent the email via a link re International Sales so we'll wait and see.

[budd]

Make sure you get a Statement of Origin so you don't have to pay the 5% duty on USA made goods. Just having "Made in USA" on the commercial invoice isn't enough for most brokers if you shipping with Fedex or UPS etc.

[coldengray]

Originally Posted by calmac8360

coldengrey,

Man I'd love to have an inside man in the US of A, boy that would make things easier but there's the tiny little matter of the potential to loose the $ 3 big ones, and no matter how small or BIG, its a risk that financially I can't afford to take.

Damn Nigerians have shattered my faith in my fellow man !!!

If I weren't married I'd honestly probably risk it but I have a WIFE.... and I'd like to possibly be allowed to buy more guitars or even chewing gum in the future without having to ask her permission. Damn if i weren't married it would be worth jumping on a plane to come and find my own USA Gibson seeing as though our dollars doing so well but then there's the small issue of about 40 hrs in a plane ! I don't like flying.

I hope you understand where I'm coming from but thank you sincerely. I would have PM'd you this but no PM buttons for me.

Sam Ash haven't responded to 2 emails as yet ?

I understand completely, it is difficult to trust people on the interwebs these days. I can at least go check out the condition and get you on the phone with them if you'd like....or try and set up an email exchange with one of the salesguys. They are always selling me hard on whatever I'm looking at, I'm sure they would figure out how to sell you the guitar.

[calmac8360]

Coldengrey

Well what can I say......If you have some time to kill and are able to check out a few guitars at Sam Ash for me I would be be endebted to you my friend.

Firstly can you check and see if they do indeed ship overseas as I have still not received a reply from the company after 3 days.

No rush do your thing and let me know when you able.

Big thanks again

Calmac8360

[coldengray]

Originally Posted by calmac8360

Coldengrey

Well what can I say......If you have some time to kill and are able to check out a few guitars at Sam Ash for me I would be be endebted to you my friend.

Firstly can you check and see if they do indeed ship overseas as I have still not received a reply from the company after 3 days.

No rush do your thing and let me know when you able.

Big thanks again

Calmac8360

I'm glad you edited your post and removed the Slash and Chad Kroeger models...I was going to talk you out of those if you have the chance to get an R0!

I went by at lunch to play a couple guitars and played the Ebony R0 - it's awesome, great weight, fast neck. I loved it so much I started thinking about selling my plain top R0 and buying it! I spoke to the salesman and he checked with his manager - they will indeed ship to Australia. I got his card with his email, I will PM you with the info. I told him your situation so he will know when you call. Keep in mind this guitar has been on the wall and being played for the past 6 months, so don't pay full price. It's VOS but there are some minor signs of being played....nothing that should stop the sale though.

Something else - this model has a proper serial number that starts with 0. The Guitar Center exclusives start with a G0 which makes them a second-class reissue in some people's eyes (not mine). So you have that going for you...which is nice.

[calmac8360]

Coldengrey

Wow thanks, what state, town, is this Sam Ash in ? What would you offer SA for this geet... Hypothetically speaking ?

I actually got an email from Mr ? Ash Managing Director today stating that regrettably they could not send Gibson O/S ? Ill play dumb and email these guys, see what they have to say. Could tell me your name via PM to quote in my email ? No PM buttons for me apparently.

Thanks again my new stateside friend.....I'll keep you posted !

P.S. Sorry about loading you up with those " other guitars" to check out for me. Apparently morphine given to me after recent surgery exagerates the symptoms of GAS.

Kind regards hope you have a good weekend.

Calven McCullough

I also can get a new Ebony CS LP Custom for the same price as the 1960 VOS
New in the box, warranty etc over here. What is your opinion on that ? I love the look of the beast
The only thing that may put me off is the big 50 neck.

[coldengray]

Originally Posted by calmac8360

Coldengrey

Wow thanks, what state, town, is this Sam Ash in ? What would you offer SA for this geet... Hypothetically speaking ?

I actually got an email from Mr ? Ash Managing Director today stating that regrettably they could not send Gibson O/S ? Ill play dumb and email these guys, see what they have to say. Could tell me your name via PM to quote in my email ? No PM buttons for me apparently.

Thanks again my new stateside friend.....I'll keep you posted !

P.S. Sorry about loading you up with those " other guitars" to check out for me. Apparently morphine given to me after recent surgery exagerates the symptoms of GAS.

Kind regards hope you have a good weekend.

Calven McCullough

I also can get a new Ebony CS LP Custom for the same price as the 1960 VOS
New in the box, warranty etc over here. What is your opinion on that ? I love the look of the beast
The only thing that may put me off is the big 50 neck.

Sent you a visitor message with the info. Play dumb.

[Sam Ash Guitars]

@Coldengrey, calmac8360 & Gibson fanatics outside of the US...

No, Sam Ash Music will NOT ship Gibson guitars to Australia - or anywhere else outside of the US. This would be a violation of our dealer agreement with Gibson. While we would like to accomodate all customers we value our relationships with our vendors greatly and cannot breach our agreements. Hopefully you can find a Les Paul to your liking locally - or if you're ever in the USA we'd be happy to see you.

Best Regards,
John Conley
Product Manager
Sam Ash Music
P.O.Box 9047
Hicksville, NY 11802
"Serving Musicians Since 1924"

[coldengray]

such is life. maybe I'll buy it for myself after all.

[1959burst]

if that is the case, i'd get a friend to buy and ship. sam ash is cool and i can see their point completely............trust me when you are in business you don't want to piss off the suppliers.

[jmfreeland]

I think I always say this when I see these guitars mentioned, but I really want one of these guys. I don't know what I'd have to sell to rationalize it, but I'd sure like one.

[boombox]

I don't think you'd be disappointed.

[coldengray]

Originally Posted by boombox

I don't think you'd be disappointed.

TAX REFUND = Sam Ash Ebony R0

[boombox]

Originally Posted by coldengray

TAX REFUND = Sam Ash Ebony R0

Funny you should say that. Right around the time I first saw the ebony R0, I got an email from someone who had owed me money for a while, saying they were sending a check for almost exactly the price of the guitar. I took it as a sign from a higher power.

[Justin_Case]

In Paramus NJ's Sam Ash store there is a Prototype RO that keeps calling me.. just killer.

[b3john]

Somebody here dropped a dime on the OP? Really?

[Justin_Case]

Originally Posted by boombox

Funny you should say that. Right around the time I first saw the ebony R0, I got an email from someone who had owed me money for a while, saying they were sending a check for almost exactly the price of the guitar. I took it as a sign from a higher power.

I like your spin on things.

[calmac8360]

Mr Conley,

Thanks for the reply. Can't blame me for having a try they're bloody sensational looking geet's @ a price point that's unmatched over here.

Respectfully

Calven McCullough

P.S. I see a LP Custom in my future !

[coldengray]

Originally Posted by b3john

Somebody here dropped a dime on the OP? Really?

I suspect it was Gibson - they are well aware of this forum.