Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off?

scottyk · 06-08-2012, 06:52 AM

I'm always leary about it, but wanted some other opinions.
I'm sure it would have an affect on the value of an old Custom?

acstorfer · 06-08-2012, 06:57 AM

No! It could be stolen and that's just bad Khama.

If someone went through the effort of scratching something out, they are trying to hide something.

guitarbob123 · 06-08-2012, 07:05 AM

Depends on how old it is. If it's a 50's one then I would, I don't care if it's stolen if it's cheaper..

Jack's back · 06-08-2012, 07:06 AM

Scratched out S/N = stolen. No other reason to do that.
Stay away!

J.T. · 06-08-2012, 07:39 AM

Depends on how recent the scratching looked. If it was done decades ago, the original owner will likely never be found, and I'd have less qualms about it...

scottyk · 06-08-2012, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.T.

Depends on how recent the scratching looked. If it was done decades ago, the original owner will likely never be found, and I'd have less qualms about it...

Guaranteed to be done sometime back in the 70's.
Second owner has had it in his possession since the early 80's.

Webtroll · 06-08-2012, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acstorfer

No! It could be stolen and that's just bad Khama

This kept me from buying a 50's LP with P90s back in the 80s from Rockin Robin in Houston. The price was right (cheap actually), but the SN# being scratched out bugged the crap outta me.

bscenefilms · 06-08-2012, 09:27 AM

I bought my 77 LPC from a music store. The serial had been tampered with and the store owner told me that the guitar had been stolen, recovered and sold to the store. $300 later and I owned my #1. NO regrets. Had it been private party I would not have looked...

your idol · 06-08-2012, 01:01 PM

Too much bad mojo with a scratched sn... No matter when it was done someone probably misses that guitar. Thats a wound time dont heal for me. Id pass but thats just me

cooljuk · 06-08-2012, 01:06 PM

Maybe it was used in a murder?

Thumpalumpacus · 06-08-2012, 01:30 PM

I wouldn't buy it.

The Refugee · 06-08-2012, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooljuk

Maybe it was used in a murder?

Hell I'd definitely buy it then. Start a hardcore punk band called "beat punk", and throw guitars at people in the audience.

cooljuk · 06-08-2012, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Refugee

Hell I'd definitely buy it then. Start a hardcore punk band called "beat punk", and throw guitars at people in the audience.

That's a great marketing tool.

I'll go to any show where the band throws Les Pauls into the audience. The music can suck, no problem. Just throw a guitar my way.

restless · 06-08-2012, 02:44 PM

Some Norlins had a sticker,

Kezman · 06-08-2012, 02:58 PM

Bad karma, Bad mojo, it just ain't right and wouldn't sit well with me.

acstorfer · 06-08-2012, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by restless

Some Norlins had a sticker,

And some stickers came with a Norlin. They were damn expensive stickers though!

acstorfer · 06-08-2012, 03:55 PM

Now, this is for those who would buy it. What if, where the serial number would have been, the word redrum kept appearing in blood? Would you still buy it then?

Roman4405 · 06-08-2012, 04:02 PM

Nope

joedonner2001 · 06-08-2012, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooljuk

Maybe it was used in a murder?

I see scratched out serial numbers...

Seriously, though - deliberately scratched out, or just worn with age? Any pics of it?

oli · 06-08-2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottyk

Guaranteed to be done sometime back in the 70's.
Second owner has had it in his possession since the early 80's.

If it was done like 35 years ago, then I would probably go for it... I mean, it would only be half-bad karma...

Definitely worth the risk !

DLChance · 06-08-2012, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acstorfer

Now, this is for those who would buy it. What if, where the serial number would have been, the word redrum kept appearing in blood? Would you still buy it then?

Yep!

If it was cheap enough that I could pay for the paper towels it would take to keep the blood wiped off, sure!

joedonner2001 · 06-08-2012, 06:44 PM

Maybe there was something about the serial number the original owner didn't like. Remember that craze/witch hunt back then when pretty much everyone and anyone who made music were accused of being into satanism, allegedly? From ABBA to Judas Priest - all of them were backward masking their songs to make you hear evil whisperings in the air and sh*t. The devil and the communists were hiding under every bed and in every dark closet corner, just waiting to grab your ankle as you walked into your room, whistling loudly to hold the fear at bay.

Maybe the serial number contained the number of the beast and the owner wanted to remove it.

ALZ · 06-08-2012, 06:48 PM

NO ! imho thats probly a indication of a stolen guitar , or a chinese fake , being used to look like a real deal one thats stolen , no matter i would never touch it ! no way man , see ya, ALZ

exPFCWintergreen · 06-08-2012, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLChance

Yep!

If it was cheap enough that I could pay for the paper towels it would take to keep the blood wiped off, sure!

Tape a maxipad to the headstock. Only have to change it once a month, I bet.

scottyk · 06-09-2012, 05:35 AM

The only reason I was considering it at all, the price was REAL good.
Love all the comments guys, I never thought this would turn into comedy thread, gave me some chuckles.

HOT-BRIT · 06-09-2012, 06:40 AM

Would have to be evaluated on a case by case basis

RedSkwirrell · 06-09-2012, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.T.

Depends on how recent the scratching looked. If it was done decades ago, the original owner will likely never be found, and I'd have less qualms about it...

It's still stolen.
You buy something that's stolen means someone can get compensated for either stealing the thing, or buying it.
If there's no market, there's significantly less point in stealing it.
If you wouldn't mind it being re-stolen from you, go right ahead.

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/sear...archid=6581855

scottyk · 06-09-2012, 08:28 AM

By the way, I do have problems with this...

Just wanted to hear some other opinions.

acstorfer · 06-09-2012, 09:02 AM

Wow, I need to keep track of this thread. If someone from mlp posts their LP, well any guitar were stolen, this might help me to decide if I should care.

Kezman · 07-05-2012, 10:41 AM

what about if the guitar was STOLEN & RECOVERED with serial # scratched off, and you where getting a great price on it? would it hurt the resale value for the LP purists?

06-08-2012, 06:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
scottyk Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Wrightsville, Pa. Posts: 1,124 Thanks: 16 Thanked 25 Times in 11 Posts	Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? I'm always leary about it, but wanted some other opinions. I'm sure it would have an affect on the value of an old Custom? __________________ 1954 Gibson LP Junior 1959 Gibson LP Junior 1980 Gibson LP Tobacco Burst Custom 1984 Gibson LP Cherry Burst Studio Custom 1987 Fender Black Stratocaster Plus 1990 Gibson LP Sunburst Junior 1995 Gibson LP Vintage White Studio 1995 PRS Black Sunburst Custom 10 Top 1997 Gibson LP Wine Red Standard 2009 Gibson SG Black Standard Marshall Studio 15 Amp(s) Orange Dual Terror Marshall 1960A 4x12 Cab Roland BC60 Blues Cube

06-08-2012, 06:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
acstorfer Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, Florida Posts: 9,429 Thanks: 163 Thanked 235 Times in 65 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? No! It could be stolen and that's just bad Khama. If someone went through the effort of scratching something out, they are trying to hide something. Webtroll, gtr-tek, your idol and 1 others like this. __________________ Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and you just cost him a six pack a day!

06-08-2012, 07:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
guitarbob123 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Birmingham, England Posts: 3,712 Thanks: 203 Thanked 17 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? Depends on how old it is. If it's a 50's one then I would, I don't care if it's stolen if it's cheaper.. oli likes this. __________________ Equipment: 2011 Gibson Les Paul Custom 68RI (Ebony) 2008 Epiphone G-400 Marshall JVM410h Marshall 1960A Cab Check out Brett at Eddie's Guitars if you're looking to buy! They're a great place and Brett is the best! PM him for some amazing deals, you'll be surprised!!!

06-08-2012, 07:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jack's back Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pa, USA Posts: 240 Thanks: 5 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? Scratched out S/N = stolen. No other reason to do that. Stay away! your idol, Thumpalumpacus, RedSkwirrell and 1 others like this.

06-08-2012, 07:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
J.T. Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: FLA, USA Posts: 1,568 Thanks: 16 Thanked 28 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? Depends on how recent the scratching looked. If it was done decades ago, the original owner will likely never be found, and I'd have less qualms about it... Thumpalumpacus, oli and joedonner2001 like this. __________________ LP's - '57 Alnico Custom, '61 Standard, '80 Heritage 80 Elite, '83 Spotlight Special ASB, '83 Flametop 59 Reissue, '84 Goldtop Reissue, '05 Music Rising, '08 Spotlight proto Others - '59 ES-225TD, '64 Melody Maker, '69 Firebird I, '07 Martin OMC-28E Amps - '57 Fender Super, '64 Fender VibroChamp, '77 MusicMan HD130R/212RH, '09 Orange Dual Terror 196? Echoplex EP-1 - serial # 856

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06-08-2012, 09:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
bscenefilms Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 7,388 Thanks: 490 Thanked 816 Times in 263 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? I bought my 77 LPC from a music store. The serial had been tampered with and the store owner told me that the guitar had been stolen, recovered and sold to the store. $300 later and I owned my #1. NO regrets. Had it been private party I would not have looked... __________________ I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long.

06-08-2012, 01:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
cooljuk Bartlett RetroPAF Vendor Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 9,119 Thanks: 567 Thanked 310 Times in 78 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? Maybe it was used in a murder? The Refugee, lespaul01, oli and 1 others like this. __________________ Video Demos and More Below www.re-wind.net ReWind Electric on Facebook My name is James and I build PAFs.

06-08-2012, 01:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
Thumpalumpacus Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 54,750 Thanks: 1,222 Thanked 689 Times in 80 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? I wouldn't buy it. RedSkwirrell likes this.

06-08-2012, 02:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
restless Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 64 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? Some Norlins had a sticker,

06-08-2012, 02:58 PM	#15 (permalink)
Kezman Identity Analyst Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: 43° N, 80° W Posts: 4,090 Thanks: 145 Thanked 66 Times in 21 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? Bad karma, Bad mojo, it just ain't right and wouldn't sit well with me. MrWrong, Webtroll and RedSkwirrell like this.

06-08-2012, 03:55 PM	#17 (permalink)
acstorfer Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, Florida Posts: 9,429 Thanks: 163 Thanked 235 Times in 65 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? Now, this is for those who would buy it. What if, where the serial number would have been, the word redrum kept appearing in blood? Would you still buy it then? __________________ Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and you just cost him a six pack a day!

06-08-2012, 06:44 PM	#22 (permalink)
joedonner2001 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Posts: 2,056 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? Maybe there was something about the serial number the original owner didn't like. Remember that craze/witch hunt back then when pretty much everyone and anyone who made music were accused of being into satanism, allegedly? From ABBA to Judas Priest - all of them were backward masking their songs to make you hear evil whisperings in the air and sh*t. The devil and the communists were hiding under every bed and in every dark closet corner, just waiting to grab your ankle as you walked into your room, whistling loudly to hold the fear at bay. Maybe the serial number contained the number of the beast and the owner wanted to remove it. oli likes this.

06-08-2012, 06:48 PM	#23 (permalink)
ALZ Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 800 Thanks: 105 Thanked 11 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? NO ! imho thats probly a indication of a stolen guitar , or a chinese fake , being used to look like a real deal one thats stolen , no matter i would never touch it ! no way man , see ya, ALZ

06-09-2012, 05:35 AM	#25 (permalink)
scottyk Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Wrightsville, Pa. Posts: 1,124 Thanks: 16 Thanked 25 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? The only reason I was considering it at all, the price was REAL good. Love all the comments guys, I never thought this would turn into comedy thread, gave me some chuckles. __________________ 1954 Gibson LP Junior 1959 Gibson LP Junior 1980 Gibson LP Tobacco Burst Custom 1984 Gibson LP Cherry Burst Studio Custom 1987 Fender Black Stratocaster Plus 1990 Gibson LP Sunburst Junior 1995 Gibson LP Vintage White Studio 1995 PRS Black Sunburst Custom 10 Top 1997 Gibson LP Wine Red Standard 2009 Gibson SG Black Standard Marshall Studio 15 Amp(s) Orange Dual Terror Marshall 1960A 4x12 Cab Roland BC60 Blues Cube

06-09-2012, 06:40 AM	#26 (permalink)
HOT-BRIT V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Miami Beach Posts: 19,348 Thanks: 87 Thanked 281 Times in 52 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? Would have to be evaluated on a case by case basis TKOjams, gtr-tek and Ginger Beer like this.

06-09-2012, 08:28 AM	#28 (permalink)
scottyk Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Wrightsville, Pa. Posts: 1,124 Thanks: 16 Thanked 25 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? By the way, I do have problems with this... Just wanted to hear some other opinions. RedSkwirrell likes this. __________________ 1954 Gibson LP Junior 1959 Gibson LP Junior 1980 Gibson LP Tobacco Burst Custom 1984 Gibson LP Cherry Burst Studio Custom 1987 Fender Black Stratocaster Plus 1990 Gibson LP Sunburst Junior 1995 Gibson LP Vintage White Studio 1995 PRS Black Sunburst Custom 10 Top 1997 Gibson LP Wine Red Standard 2009 Gibson SG Black Standard Marshall Studio 15 Amp(s) Orange Dual Terror Marshall 1960A 4x12 Cab Roland BC60 Blues Cube

06-09-2012, 09:02 AM	#29 (permalink)
acstorfer Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, Florida Posts: 9,429 Thanks: 163 Thanked 235 Times in 65 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? Wow, I need to keep track of this thread. If someone from mlp posts their LP, well any guitar were stolen, this might help me to decide if I should care. RedSkwirrell likes this. __________________ Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and you just cost him a six pack a day!

07-05-2012, 10:41 AM	#30 (permalink)
Kezman Identity Analyst Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: 43° N, 80° W Posts: 4,090 Thanks: 145 Thanked 66 Times in 21 Posts	Re: Would you ever buy an old Custom with the serial number scratched off? what about if the guitar was STOLEN & RECOVERED with serial # scratched off, and you where getting a great price on it? would it hurt the resale value for the LP purists? Last edited by Kezman; 07-05-2012 at 02:56 PM.

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