R9 2003 Cherry Burst Value

[Mtntrekker01]

Do you think this guitar would is worth $4500? Friend traded it to me, I'd love to keep it and play it...but I don't have that kinda fundage.

Gibson 1959 Reissue Les Paul Standard Custom Shop 2003 Cherry Burst

[Tim Plains]

No

[mxk116]

Originally Posted by Mtntrekker01

Do you think this guitar would is worth $4500? Friend traded it to me, I'd love to keep it and play it...but I don't have that kinda fundage.

Gibson 1959 Reissue Les Paul Standard Custom Shop 2003 Cherry Burst

Beautiful guitar; I love the wide flame, very classic IMO. I think that is at the upper limit of what R9's are going for but anything is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Very subjective unless you are a serious collector.

For example I just purchased this lovely 1999 R9 for a lot less than $4.5k. I walked away from several opportunities because they were not in my budget. Patience is a virtue especially if you're on a budget.

[JimmyAce2006]

Originally Posted by Mtntrekker01

Do you think this guitar would is worth $4500? Friend traded it to me, I'd love to keep it and play it...but I don't have that kinda fundage.

Gibson 1959 Reissue Les Paul Standard Custom Shop 2003 Cherry Burst

so it is not a braz? what is the serial #?

[LPCollector]

Originally Posted by JimmyAce2006

so it is not a braz? what is the serial #?

Crap, ya beat me to it!

[XKnight]

I would say its at least $1000 over priced in today's market.

[uburoibob]

Originally Posted by JimmyAce2006

so it is not a braz? what is the serial #?

By "braz" he means it has a Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard which is worth a small fortune to a few folks around here. Depending on the serial number, it may be worth closer to $7K-$12K depending on the day of the week and the motivation of the buyer (there are some being offered for nearly twice THAT right now!!!!). There's been a lot of talk about it lately, so interest may be high.

Right at the top of the HISTORIC forum, there is a checker so you can see if it's Brazilian. If it is, you've hit the jackpot!

Bob

[JimmyAce2006]

Originally Posted by uburoibob

By "braz" he means it has a Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard which is worth a small fortune to a few folks around here. Depending on the serial number, it may be worth closer to $7K-$12K depending on the day of the week and the motivation of the buyer (there are some being offered for nearly twice THAT right now!!!!). There's been a lot of talk about it lately, so interest may be high.

Right at the top of the HISTORIC forum, there is a checker so you can see if it's Brazilian. If it is, you've hit the jackpot!

Bob

Yes, I am very familiar with what braz means, and what it may be worth and where to check the serial numbers. My post was asking what the serial number is so that I can verify for myself. Have you not seen the two braz 2003 R9s in my avatar? I did a big thread about them a while back.

[Danelectro]

I paid a little over $3K for a 2003 R9 at the Ohio guitar show a few weeks ago. It was loaded with a pair of Throbak SLE-101 Plus pups and the original Burstbuckers were included also. There are good deals to be had, you just have to find them.

[DEMENTED]

If the board is NOT Brazilian= $3500 or so.

[Tim Plains]

Dano, that's gorgeous! If you ever want to sell it, let me know.
It's a good thing you mentioned what you paid.

[JimmyAce2006]

Originally Posted by Danelectro

I paid a little over $3K for a 2003 R9 at the Ohio guitar show a few weeks ago. It was loaded with a pair of Throbak SLE-101 Plus pups and the original Burstbuckers were included also. There are good deals to be had, you just have to find them.

So this one does not have a Brazilian fret board?

[Danelectro]

Originally Posted by JimmyAce2006

So this one does not have a Brazilian fret board?

Late-year 2003, so no Brazilian

[JPP373]

Originally Posted by uburoibob

By "braz" he means it has a Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard which is worth a small fortune to a few folks around here. Depending on the serial number, it may be worth closer to $7K-$12K depending on the day of the week and the motivation of the buyer (there are some being offered for nearly twice THAT right now!!!!). There's been a lot of talk about it lately, so interest may be high.

Right at the top of the HISTORIC forum, there is a checker so you can see if it's Brazilian. If it is, you've hit the jackpot!

Bob

Bobbo..Why don't you just buy one then you'll really know. Guarantee you'll love the Braz Board. I know i love both of mine

[uburoibob]

Originally Posted by JimmyAce2006

Yes, I am very familiar with what braz means, and what it may be worth and where to check the serial numbers. My post was asking what the serial number is so that I can verify for myself. Have you not seen the two braz 2003 R9s in my avatar? I did a big thread about them a while back.

I wasn't explaining it to you, John. I was interpreting your post for the OP who has only 2 posts on this forum, just in case he had no idea what you meant (which if you read your post from a noob POV, is easy to do...)

Bob

[keller8191]

i picked up a 2004 R9 with coa and brown case like new condition for 3,200 6 weeks ago.

[uburoibob]

Originally Posted by JPP373

Bobbo..Why don't you just buy one then you'll really know. Guarantee you'll love the Braz Board. I know i love both of mine

I've owned, literally dozens of guitars with Braz boards. I've been doing this for years. Honestly, I KNOW. And for me, it's not such a big deal. If I were to jump in, it would be for the money, not the experience cuz, no matter how many owners join sing the praises, I don't find that being without a Braz RW board hinders me in any way.

Funny thing is, I wasn"t being critical of anything in this post. Just advising the OP that he might have something that's worth a lot to a group of people out there. Just to make sure he knows... You know, so he doesn't run into someone who might take advantage of his lack of knowledge. Nobody on THIS board, of course, but you never know where else he is posting.

One more thing... 'BOBBO??!'

Bob

[JPP373]

Originally Posted by uburoibob

I've owned, literally dozens of guitars with Braz boards. I've been doing this for years. Honestly, I KNOW. And for me, it's not such a big deal. If I were to jump in, it would be for the money, not the experience cuz, no matter how many owners join sing the praises, I don't find that being without a Braz RW board hinders me in any way.

Funny thing is, I wasn"t being critical of anything in this post. Just advising the OP that he might have something that's worth a lot to a group of people out there. Just to make sure he knows... You know, so he doesn't run into someone who might take advantage of his lack of knowledge. Nobody on THIS board, of course, but you neves know where else he is posting.

One more thing... 'BOBBO??!'

Bob

Bobby..Let me narrow that down. Have you owned a Les Paul with a Braz board? If so, lets see some pics.

[uburoibob]

Originally Posted by JPP373

Bobby..Let me narrow that down. Have you owned a Les Paul with a Braz board? If so, lets see some pics.

WHY would I buy something I have played several of and determined are overhyped, no-discernible-difference guitars that are WAAAAAY over priced? So no, I'd be nuts to buy something I flat out don't want.

Bob

[JPP373]

Originally Posted by uburoibob

WHY would I buy something I have played several of and determined are overhyped, no-discernible-difference guitars that are WAAAAAY over priced? So no, I'd be nuts to buy something I flat out don't want.

Bob

I think you're Flat out Jealous..And i don't believe you have played "Several" LP's with Brazilian Boards.

[uburoibob]

Originally Posted by JPP373

I think you're Flat out Jealous..And i don't believe you have played "Several" LP's with Brazilian Boards.

LOL! I think you are trolling me. In fact, I am sure of it.

Bob

[JPP373]

Originally Posted by uburoibob

LOL! I think you are trolling me. In fact, I am sure of it.

Bob

I firmly believe you are Not Qualified to Comment Good or Bad, Tone or otherwise on a 2003 Les Paul with a Brazilian board due to the fact you have never Owned one.

[uburoibob]

Originally Posted by JPP373

I firmly believe you are Not Qualified to Comment Good or Bad, Tone or otherwise on a 2003 Les Paul with a Brazilian board due to the fact you have never Owned one.

Dear Troll, you are entitled to your opinion. I don't own one because, on evaluation, they didn't pass the muster for me. If they do for you, then great! I am glad you have two. I hope you get more! Seriously, buy all five in Australia. You love em, you get em. I don't, so I won't. After playing several, I've detmined there is not a discernible difference. But again, I am old. I played Braz without even thinking about it for years. When I shifted to IR, I didn't notice a difference. My performance was not effected. But you are your own person. Go forth and get them. If you think they make you a better player or a better person, then great! That's a wonderful thing!

I fail to understand why my rejecting them as not being worth it bothers you so much... Why can't I simply not see the value in something I've taken to time to look for value in and came up empty? Does my not thinking they are worth it somehow devalue yours?

Really. It's ok. You be you. I'll be me. And that's a beautiful thing.

Bob

[DEMENTED]

Hahahahha, this is funny, I helped carry enough Brazilian boards into my buddy's shop today to know I don't care if a LP has a Brazilian board or not. The cost of them compared to Indian or Madagascian or Martian, or whatever is minor, but the upcharge from Gibson is silly . I refuse to believe it makes the LP worth twice as much. I cannot hear, feel or justify the difference. Those of you that think it makes a difference ....ugh, no.
Some of todays haul..... I am qualified to say I've seen Brazilian.

[JPP373]

So in the 50's the Craftsman at Gibson deciding what material to use for the Fret Boards chose Brazilian out of happen stance. Had nothing to do with Tone or Playability. Then in 2003 Gibson went out of their way to construct a limited run of Les Pauls with Brazilian Board just to get rid of the Wood.

[uburoibob]

Hey Demented,

There actually was no up charge from Gibson when they were sold originally. These have gone up in price due only to the scarcity of them, and the reaction of a handful of collectors around the world who have continued to drive the price up to each other.

I agree. No discernible difference. If they want to trade them as currency, more power to them. But I am a firm believer in caveat emptor and try to present the other side of the story whenever I can. As INSTRUMENTS, they are just R9 guitars - just like all of them - with some being better than others. But in my opinion, performance has nothing to do with the Braz. If it did, there'd be a run on 50s and early 60s Gibsons of all sorts. It's smoke and mirrors in this instance, proffered by folks who have a vested interest in keeping the smoke flowing and the mirrors reflecting.

Bob

[uburoibob]

Originally Posted by JPP373

So in the 50's the Craftsman at Gibson deciding what material to use for the Fret Boards chose Brazilian out of happen stance. Had nothing to do with Tone or Playability. Then in 2003 Gibson went out of their way to construct a limited run of Les Pauls with Brazilian Board just to get rid of the Wood.

It was chosen at the turn of the century because it was cheapest and closest. It was from this hemisphere and was readily available in unlimited quantities. The 'Craftsmen' were factory line workers, just like they are today. That isn't meant to diminish them, but the romantic notion that Gibson was a company of Luthiers is ludicrous. It was a factory that had to keep costs under control and chose what was plentiful and affordable. They didn't choose German Maple which they knew then was the best Maple tone wood because it was prohibitively expensive. They chose what was close, cheap and could make a good sounding guitar. That plain and simple. Read the various histories of Gibson. They used Braz for EVERYTHING that got Rosewood - not just fingerboards. Acoustic guitar back and sides got Braz. The BETTER Gibsons got Ebony as they do today - just to put the value of Braz in eyes of Gibson's guitar designers into perspective. If Braz was the holy Grail, why didn't they use it on L5s, Super 400s, Les Paul Customs, ES 355s? They used it cuz it was cheap, plentiful, readily available and nearby.

In 2003, it was a marketing opportunity. I am sure they are bemused by these forums and the fauxrensics that happen here, and instead of ignoring or fighting it, they looked around and said 'this will sell.' And built them. Henry doesn't do a thing unless it positively affects the bottom line. Not one thing.

As I said. You like em. You've got em. That's great. I don't dislike them, just don't think they are worth the inflated dough they go for. That's all. No big deal.

Again, I don't know why that notion has your knickers in such a twist.

Bob

[DEMENTED]

Originally Posted by JPP373

So in the 50's the Craftsman at Gibson deciding what material to use for the Fret Boards chose Brazilian out of happen stance. Had nothing to do with Tone or Playability. Then in 2003 Gibson went out of their way to construct a limited run of Les Pauls with Brazilian Board just to get rid of the Wood.

No...to make money.

[JimmyAce2006]

This sniping is too funny. I will have to chime in.

First, it isn't a handful of collectors who are driving up the price on the 2003 Braz board LPs (let's not forget the 2001 & 2002 models). How many did they make? In 2003 about 674ish (all reissues combined or is that R9s only)? The rarely come up for sale, so in that respect they are rare. Why do they rarely come up for sale? Maybe because they are very special instruments? But I would say 1,000 people is more than a handful. Those 1,000 people are creating the lack of supply.

As for braz not being a superior wood for the fret board compared to other rosewoods, that is nonsense. Gibson was already expert with acoustic guitars & braz board before the LP was invented. They already had done all of the testing of various kinds of rosewoods on the fret board to determine the best woods. Braz with its hard smooth surface proved to be the winner. Gibson's research into this is well documented. Paul Reed Smith agrees. That says something.

Now, as to how much of a better player it makes one person to the next may be neglible. As to how it affects tone may not be discernable to the human ear. I like ebony the best. But they don't typically use it on LP Standards - my favorite guitar. I like all types of rosewood on my LP Standards. But I have to say that when I got my first 03 braz r9, I did notice a difference, albeit not big. I will take every advantage I can get since I have to work at my playing more than many people. Slap some 1950s PAFs on the braz board guitar and you have something that is very close to a 50s burst. My braz r9 is 8 years old. When many of the players like Clapton, Bloomfield, Page, Allman, and many others made some of their best music in the 60s and 70s, their bursts were not much older than my braz r9. So as far as I am concerned, I am real close to where I want to be.

Peace.

[Mike60]

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