Shouldn't R7's R8's R9's & R0's be the Same Price ??

[BOBBO]

I was just on a website where you can buy tonewood's such as light weight mahogany and maple caps .. Really isn't that big a difference in price between plainer tops and ones with significant amounts of flame !! Heck even the eastern and hard rock and quilted stuff wasn't worth a $1000 to $2000 difference between a R7 and R8 to a R9 ?? Why does Gibson have such a big gap in price and better yet ! Why do we pay it ??

[LoKi]

I kinda prefer plain tops anyway... but it is a good question. Maybe they take more care with their 'fancy' tops in assembly, but I doubt it. I can't think of a good reason for the price increase except for that fact that people WILL pay more for a top that has some flame in it.

[Redfish]

I have a buddy that is a well known luthier and he told me that a set of AAA flame maple for a Les Paul sized top costs him between $80 and $140 depending where he gets it from. I love flames as much as anyone but I can't bring myself to pay a $2000 plus markup for it. I'll stick to my R8 unless I find a great deal on an R9. Gibson does really take advantage on this one.

[BOBBO]

Originally Posted by Redfish

I have a buddy that is a well known luthier and he told me that a set of AAA flame maple for a Les Paul sized top costs him between $80 and $140 depending where he gets it from. I love flames as much as anyone but I can't bring myself to pay a $2000 plus markup for it. I'll stick to my R8 unless I find a great deal on an R9. Gibson does really take advantage on this one.

Those prices sound about right ! That is exactly why I have an R8 ! I'm not paying $2000 for a $150 top ???

[DeafDumbBlind Kid]

simple, supply and demand. Good looking flamed maple is less common than plain maple. People perceive the flame as more desirable, the sellers can get more for it. The market will bear it.

Its kind of like asking why do girls with big boobs get more attention? I personally like smaller ones, more than a handful, etc.

Is it all silly? Yes. But then, when has the world ever made any sense, anyway?

[Liam]

Weight is also an issue I guess. Less people want a heavy Les Paul, so a chambered flame top is cheaper than a non-chambered.

Along similar lines, Brazilian rosewood wasn't that much more expensive, but has found its niche in the collectables.

Liam

[Redfish]

Originally Posted by BOBBO

Those prices sound about right ! That is exactly why I have an R8 ! I'm not paying $2000 for a $150 top ???

I agree but at the same time I must admit that I look with envy at the beautiful R9's here on the forum. I sure don't fault anyone for buying one.

[ReverendJWblues]

Originally Posted by BOBBO

Those prices sound about right ! That is exactly why I have an R8 ! I'm not paying $2000 for a $150 top ???

Originally Posted by Redfish

I agree but at the same time I must admit that I look with envy at the beautiful R9's here on the forum. I sure don't fault anyone for buying one.

I myself have come to the conclusion its not the flame that does it for me, but the color and mineral streaks, Im not buying anymore flametops for those kinda prices, even PRS's which I dont even like dont have those kinda costs plus Ive seen some gorgeous plain tops lately. Why buy 1 flame when you can buy 2 plain for about the same money.

[Harpozep]

This is my '07 R9. Kinda flamey, but on the plain side of flame if you know what I mean. Ice Tea color. Best LP I've owned as far as nailing vintage warmth. Cost $3,775.00 used. The guy owned it a couple of months.
Seemed like an OK price. I would not have paid more, and definitely not a lot more for deeper flames. I'm more interested in the sound.



My '06 R4 was a grand less used, so we must be paying for something more in the '09s and other Historics mentioned in this post. The R4, though made less frequently, is more unique since it has a P90 and an Alinico, but even lists a lot less than the rest of its kin.
I guess we pay more for the shiny flamey stuff because we will and they let us

[loneguitar]

I think it's a retro thing, I for one couldn't afford a LP in the 60's, and now I still can't see spending that much on a VOS, but I think it's all about the nostalgia, IMO, could be wrong just what I think, would I buy one if money wasn't a problem, YES they are beautiful, but alas I cain't afford it

[Axeman16]

because there are suckers that will.

[lp59aholicDon]

Only In a Perfect World Folks !

[Mike60]

Originally Posted by lp59aholicDon

Only In a Perfect World Folks !

and then the alarm clock went off...

[lp59aholicDon]

Originally Posted by Mike60

and then the alarm clock went off...

Ah Mike, Were ya readin my mind?

[Mike60]

[ReverendJWblues]

Originally Posted by Mike60

and then the alarm clock went off...

[QUOTE=lp59aholicDon;49625]Ah Mike, Were ya readin my mind?[/QUOTE

Damn boys I been living in my own little world for a while, please dont tell me I gotta move.

[lp59aholicDon]

[QUOTE=ReverendJWblues;49685]

Originally Posted by lp59aholicDon

Ah Mike, Were ya readin my mind?[/QUOTE

Damn boys I been living in my own little world for a while, please dont tell me I gotta move.

Brother Rev, ya gotta move Man , Like outta the path of those ice and snow storms first !

[ReverendJWblues]

[QUOTE=lp59aholicDon;49710]

Originally Posted by ReverendJWblues

Brother Rev, ya gotta move Man , Like outta the path of those ice and snow storms first !

Yeah, Hell bro we supposed to have 6 to 8 inches snow tonite, Im tired of this, hell it never snows here I mean WTF wheres this Global Warming? 50 yrs here Ive never seen anything like this here. Oh well Im sure back in the 60s next week. At least my electricity is back on.

[loneguitar]

Man, I remember my time in upstate NY, now that was some snow, I've heard that the month they haven't had snow is August, that is to say in the recorded archives, don't miss that at all, glad to hear y'all got the electricity back on Rev, but then again you must have all those candles around for confessionals, Right?????

[ReverendJWblues]

Originally Posted by loneguitar

Man, I remember my time in upstate NY, now that was some snow, I've heard that the month they haven't had snow is August, that is to say in the recorded archives, don't miss that at all, glad to hear y'all got the electricity back on Rev, but then again you must have all those candles around for confessionals, Right?????

Yeah brother I got the candles, the Rev dont do it in the dark.

[FUS44]

Each of the R flavors kinda hits a price point. Since '59 is generally regarded as "the year", they charge a premium for the flame top and the '59 association. I think the R0 is at the higher end with the '59 because they have a flame top(generally) and are produced in fewer numbers(it seems). The 57GT, 58PT and G0's are the entry level point(as far as humbuckered LP's).
The old figured top 58's and the new CR8's are kind of anomalies. They fall in between the two prices.
Why do we pay it? I got my CR8 at a good price. I rolled the dice, buying without playing. I bought it knowing that the top alone though would help resell it if I didn't like it. Now, you'd have to pry it form cold, dead hands.

[Liam]

Now, you'd have to pry it form cold, dead hands.

I think that pretty well sums up my vies of the "Historics are a rip-off" thread. They're nice guitars, in a way that the USA stuff isn't. And OK, we pay boutique prices, and evidently there are luthier built guitars of a similar standard for less money, but I'm quite cynical about luthier built guitars. (Most of the really good guys won't build electrics IME). Probably said this too many times, bought an R9 as an investment. Not sure I could ever sell it..it's just awesome.

I reckon the 57 GT is the "sleeper". Costs more to produce than an R8 PT, rare in comparison to most other models (and I don't think this post will change the popularity), but a great guitar s/h for the same sort of money as a new USA standard. The R4 and R6 similar, but when was the last time anyone saw one for sale?

[ReverendJWblues]

Originally Posted by FUS44

Each of the R flavors kinda hits a price point. Since '59 is generally regarded as "the year", they charge a premium for the flame top and the '59 association. I think the R0 is at the higher end with the '59 because they have a flame top(generally) and are produced in fewer numbers(it seems). The 57GT, 58PT and G0's are the entry level point(as far as humbuckered LP's).
The old figured top 58's and the new CR8's are kind of anomalies. They fall in between the two prices.
Why do we pay it? I got my CR8 at a good price. I rolled the dice, buying without playing. I bought it knowing that the top alone though would help resell it if I didn't like it. Now, you'd have to pry it form cold, dead hands.

If you bought your LP as an investmnt piece you'll be on the losing end Im afraid, as long as Gibson is a company these guitars will be produced there is nothing really special about them (you could come out better investing your money in a CD at the bank) As far as 57GT, 58PT, G0s being entry level LPs they are no different from a 59 RI there all made from the same wood sources except for the flamed top. They only make what the market will stand, a player doesnt really care if its a flame or a plain as long as it has the tone. So I hope you play your new LP and not let it collect dust. Because the market is way overloaded on recent RIs with people trying to make a dollar that they cant. Flames are way over rated unless you just like to look a them.

[FUS44]

I didn't buy it as an investment, but knew I would be able to sell it for what I got it for(used). I had no idea what a chambered Les Paul would sound like, so who knew I would love it? It's not going anywhere.

[Harpozep]

To me , I find long and short tenons to make the biggest difference in sound other than the wood and pickups of course. THe Reissues have the longer tenon and do sound different to me than most of the regular series Gibsons.
Not good investments though, these reissues. It seems the market is really flooded with them. Good deals if gotten at a firesale price though, which rarely happens. I found my 1980 335 to be a silly investment. Good thing I liked to play it. Bought it for $1,800.00 US used and could opnly get $1, 000.00 for it many years later. So just because it says Gibson does not mean it is blue chip.
Buy'em to play, unless they are "Vintage". Then play'em and pray you don't scratch 'em.

Collectors pieces in many ways become a real burden. Like the guy who loved Baseball cards but had to sell them because people were robbing him.

[ReverendJWblues]

Originally Posted by Harpozep

To me , I find long and short tenons to make the biggest difference in sound other than the wood and pickups of course. THe Reissues have the longer tenon and do sound different to me than most of the regular series Gibsons.
Not good investments though, these reissues. It seems the market is really flooded with them. Good deals if gotten at a firesale price though, which rarely happens. I found my 1980 335 to be a silly investment. Good thing I liked to play it. Bought it for $1,800.00 US used and could opnly get $1, 000.00 for it many years later. So just because it says Gibson does not mean it is blue chip.
Buy'em to play, unless they are "Vintage". Then play'em and pray you don't scratch 'em.

Collectors pieces in many ways become a real burden. Like the guy who loved Baseball cards but had to sell them because people were robbing him.

Well said brother............Gonna buy a guitar nowadays ya better play it, thats why I wont sell any anymore. I only buy if their players

I think R9s and R0s are worth it, and I consider R7s, R8s and G0s an economical way to get a reissue, if you do not want to pay for a R9 or R0!! But the market is flooded with R9s, you can get them cheap on Ebay!! Why buy new? In fact, why buy new ANYTHING except maybe home appliances?

I will never understand the desire to buy new and take the depreciation hit!

[lp59aholicDon]

Originally Posted by kink56

I think R9s and R0s are worth it, and I consider R7s, R8s and G0s an economical way to get a reissue, if you do not want to pay for a R9 or R0!! But the market is flooded with R9s, you can get them cheap on Ebay!! Why buy new? In fact, why buy new ANYTHING except maybe home appliances?

I will never understand the desire to buy new and take the depreciation hit!

I havent bought a new guitar in over 12 years ! I love previously owned gear, Some guy who has tone sense in his ______, finds that the " Magic Guitar or Amp," wont do anything for him and and or he has to move on to the next newest thing.

[ReverendJWblues]

Originally Posted by lp59aholicDon

I havent bought a new guitar in over 12 years ! I love previously owned gear, Some guy who has tone sense in his ______, finds that the " Magic Guitar or Amp," wont do anything for him and and or he has to move on to the next newest thing.

Brothr I'll buy new or used doesnt really matter to me, LOL my magic left long ago, I just buy playing collection, Hey watch me pull a rabbit outta my guitar. But Iv'e never seen a guitar I could just sit and look at.