1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby

Agflyer · 04-24-2012, 04:28 PM

I have a 1956 Les Paul GoldTop with a Factory installed Bigsby. Anyone have any info about this guitar? Rarity, collectibillity, value, etc... I have gotten mixed answers from people that I have showed it too. I can't figure out how to post pictures (any help with that would be much appreciated)

The guitar is 100% original outside of the strings, it has the OHSC. Paint does have checkering but is all there. Neck is perfectly strait.

Thanks for any help

cherrick · 04-24-2012, 04:58 PM

posting pictures: join a website called Photobucket.com and store your pictures there. You can open each picture and photobucket will give you the [IMG] address you can post into your MyLesPaul posts and the pictures will show up.

The [IMG] address will start with IMG in square brackets and end with /IMG in square brackets and will have the HTTP address (url) between the two.

If you find any post with pictures embedded you can click "Quote" and you will see the [IMG] address for the pictures. Use that as a guide for yours.

Agflyer · 04-24-2012, 05:07 PM

Thanks! Will try to see if I can get it figured out.
Robert

RAG7890 · 04-24-2012, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agflyer

Thanks! Will try to see if I can get it figured out.
Robert

Cool Robert, I for one would love to see it.........................look forward to seeing pics.

If you want to see one in action have a look at the Thread in this section with the same guitar played by David Gilmour.

Cheers, Rudi

renzo_lao · 04-24-2012, 06:43 PM

Pictures!!!!

monsterwalley · 04-25-2012, 07:05 AM

I would love to see some pictures !!

mapleflame · 04-25-2012, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agflyer

I have a 1956 Les Paul GoldTop with a Factory installed Bigsby. Anyone have any info about this guitar? Rarity, collectibillity, value, etc... I have gotten mixed answers from people that I have showed it too. I can't figure out how to post pictures (any help with that would be much appreciated)

The guitar is 100% original outside of the strings, it has the OHSC. Paint does have checkering but is all there. Neck is perfectly strait.

Thanks for any help

#1 Is it all Gold
#2 Natural or Dark colored back.
#3 Original case (Condition)
#4 Any case candy (original paperwork, tags, purchase papers etc...)
#5 Pictures will help value the condition and determine if in fact the Bigsby was correct for that year or put on after with a later model.

A bigsby all Gold Would draw the least amount of money, followed by the all Gold No Bigs, then the natural back Bigs, and the most value would be Darkback no bigs. They start around 45k down for pristine all the way down to 25-30K for the all Gold/Bigs.

In this market and economy it's really hard to tell what they will go for and being the tax season just came around.

Agflyer · 04-25-2012, 11:25 AM

Agflyer · 04-25-2012, 11:28 AM

I think we finally got the pictures posted. Took all night but... LOL. Thanks for the replies so far. In adavance, Thanks for any help that ya'll can send my way.
Robert

yeti · 04-25-2012, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agflyer

WOW, probably my favorite version of a Goldtop. Beautiful!

cherrick · 04-25-2012, 04:49 PM

Interesting ... it does not have an ABR-1 style bridge. I've seen those strange ones, I think they shipped with Bigsby from Bigsby. If the Bigsby went on at the factory there might never have been an ABR bridge on the guitar.

Very nice, by the way.

Agflyer · 04-25-2012, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAG7890

Cool Robert, I for one would love to see it.........................look forward to seeing pics.

If you want to see one in action have a look at the Thread in this section with the same guitar played by David Gilmour.

Cheers, Rudi

Pics are posted!
Thanks for the thread of David G

Robert

Agflyer · 04-25-2012, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renzo_lao

Pictures!!!!

Here ya go!!!!
Hope they are not disappointing for ya...

Agflyer · 04-25-2012, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monsterwalley

I would love to see some pictures !!

Here ya go!!!!!

Agflyer · 04-25-2012, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherrick

Interesting ... it does not have an ABR-1 style bridge. I've seen those strange ones, I think they shipped with Bigsby from Bigsby. If the Bigsby went on at the factory there might never have been an ABR bridge on the guitar.

Very nice, by the way.

Thanks ! Thats the type of info I am looking for. The guitar is "as is" from Gibson in 1956 ( there was an amp that came with it but, it is long gone) Gruhns has looked at it and confirmed it is all original sans the strings. I still have Doubting Thomas's tho. I am just trying to get some concrete evidence of what I have. I have heard everything from... Just an "old" GoldTop to the Holy Gr... ( ail left off on purpose).
Again... Thanks for the info
Robert

Agflyer · 04-25-2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yeti

WOW, probably my favorite version of a Goldtop. Beautiful!

I kinda think the same!,,,

Liam · 04-25-2012, 06:38 PM

Absolutely beautiful, but tend to be worth less than the stop-tail versions. The tapered arm Bigsby from the factory definitely adds interest though, they look great. Were Gruhn's not keen to put a value on it? Bit of a lottery just now, but I'd be very surprised if it's not worth well over $30K. However you'd still need someone willing to part with the cash...

Liam

slapshot · 04-25-2012, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherrick

Interesting ... it does not have an ABR-1 style bridge. I've seen those strange ones, I think they shipped with Bigsby from Bigsby. If the Bigsby went on at the factory there might never have been an ABR bridge on the guitar.

Very nice, by the way.

Bigsby Compensated Bridge

Agflyer · 04-25-2012, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liam

Absolutely beautiful, but tend to be worth less than the stop-tail versions. The tapered arm Bigsby from the factory definitely adds interest though, they look great. Were Gruhn's not keen to put a value on it? Bit of a lottery just now, but I'd be very surprised if it's not worth well over $30K. However you'd still need someone willing to part with the cash...

Liam

They did quote $30k in July of 2009. Not sure it's for sell tho

I kinda like it..
Robert

mapleflame · 04-25-2012, 09:59 PM

Even though the pics aren't close enough for me for sure to tell, but yes it doesn't appear to be drilled for a stoptail and there probably isn't abr-1 holes either. Factory for sure. 09 prices are a bit higher but this guitar is in good shape and should still command that. Our Man Blue Suede Shoes played this configuration GoldTop guitar I believe. Not Elvis.

Thanks for sharing your guitar. I had a 56 that was drilled for stop, but had a bigsby and a ABR-1. I would love to see the control cavity, I bet the ground goes through a small hole in the butt straight to the bigs end screws.

yeti · 04-25-2012, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agflyer

I kinda think the same!,,,

Don't ever sell it. easy for me to say, I know but just keep playing and enjoying the guitar.

tex_lt · 04-25-2012, 11:18 PM

Damn that thing is baaaaaaddddddd!

mdubya · 04-25-2012, 11:27 PM

Sweet guitar.

Thanks for sharing.

renzo_lao · 04-25-2012, 11:50 PM

Oh my god. That's the sweetest GT ever!

Cookie-boy · 04-26-2012, 12:35 AM

A thing of beauty!

johnbeloe · 04-26-2012, 03:13 AM

Yum yum

monsterwalley · 04-26-2012, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mapleflame

Even though the pics aren't close enough for me for sure to tell, but yes it doesn't appear to be drilled for a stoptail and there probably isn't abr-1 holes either. Factory for sure. 09 prices are a bit higher but this guitar is in good shape and should still command that. Our Man Blue Suede Shoes played this configuration GoldTop guitar I believe. Not Elvis.

Thanks for sharing your guitar. I had a 56 that was drilled for stop, but had a bigsby and a ABR-1. I would love to see the control cavity, I bet the ground goes through a small hole in the butt straight to the bigs end screws.

Beautiful guitar. It's perfect in every way!!
I wouldn't mind seeing under the hood either.

Agflyer · 04-26-2012, 07:49 AM

mapleflame · 04-26-2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agflyer

Thank you, this confirms that it was indeed a factory Bigsby and has the ground going from the control cavity straight to the end pin at the bigs attachment. Solder joints untouched. Appears someone put tape to help ground at the input jack. That may have been factory as well. Very clean guitar and the neck looks like that soft V taper that I love. It's great to see an untouched 56 LP in it's glory.

Agflyer · 04-26-2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mapleflame

Thank you, this confirms that it was indeed a factory Bigsby and has the ground going from the control cavity straight to the end pin at the bigs attachment. Solder joints untouched. Appears someone put tape to help ground at the input jack. That may have been factory as well. Very clean guitar and the neck looks like that soft V taper that I love. It's great to see an untouched 56 LP in it's glory.

Thank you for the info!
Robert

04-24-2012, 04:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
Agflyer Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: South Alabama Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby I have a 1956 Les Paul GoldTop with a Factory installed Bigsby. Anyone have any info about this guitar? Rarity, collectibillity, value, etc... I have gotten mixed answers from people that I have showed it too. I can't figure out how to post pictures (any help with that would be much appreciated) The guitar is 100% original outside of the strings, it has the OHSC. Paint does have checkering but is all there. Neck is perfectly strait. Thanks for any help

04-24-2012, 04:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
cherrick Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Jeddo, Texas Posts: 1,417 Thanks: 4 Thanked 20 Times in 7 Posts	Re: 1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby posting pictures: join a website called Photobucket.com and store your pictures there. You can open each picture and photobucket will give you the [IMG] address you can post into your MyLesPaul posts and the pictures will show up. The [IMG] address will start with IMG in square brackets and end with /IMG in square brackets and will have the HTTP address (url) between the two. If you find any post with pictures embedded you can click "Quote" and you will see the [IMG] address for the pictures. Use that as a guide for yours. __________________ --- cherrick

04-24-2012, 05:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
Agflyer Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: South Alabama Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby Thanks! Will try to see if I can get it figured out. Robert

04-24-2012, 06:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
renzo_lao Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 295 Thanks: 16 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Re: 1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby Pictures!!!! __________________ “I forgot to mention that to play the blues was like a jailbreak out of those meticulous bars with the notes crammed in like prisoners. Like sad faces.”- Keef

04-25-2012, 07:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
monsterwalley Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: kansas Posts: 1,820 Thanks: 73 Thanked 21 Times in 9 Posts	Re: 1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby I would love to see some pictures !! __________________ ______________________________________________

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04-25-2012, 11:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
Agflyer Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: South Alabama Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby rideski, Alvinfan, LouieTM and 9 others like this.

04-25-2012, 11:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
Agflyer Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: South Alabama Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby I think we finally got the pictures posted. Took all night but... LOL. Thanks for the replies so far. In adavance, Thanks for any help that ya'll can send my way. Robert

04-25-2012, 04:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
cherrick Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Jeddo, Texas Posts: 1,417 Thanks: 4 Thanked 20 Times in 7 Posts	Re: 1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby Interesting ... it does not have an ABR-1 style bridge. I've seen those strange ones, I think they shipped with Bigsby from Bigsby. If the Bigsby went on at the factory there might never have been an ABR bridge on the guitar. Very nice, by the way. kdm and Backstage like this. __________________ --- cherrick

04-25-2012, 06:38 PM	#17 (permalink)
Liam V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom Posts: 5,184 Thanks: 87 Thanked 105 Times in 24 Posts	Re: 1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby Absolutely beautiful, but tend to be worth less than the stop-tail versions. The tapered arm Bigsby from the factory definitely adds interest though, they look great. Were Gruhn's not keen to put a value on it? Bit of a lottery just now, but I'd be very surprised if it's not worth well over $30K. However you'd still need someone willing to part with the cash... Liam mdubya likes this.

04-25-2012, 09:59 PM	#20 (permalink)
mapleflame V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Burke Va. Posts: 2,446 Thanks: 0 Thanked 107 Times in 26 Posts	Re: 1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby Even though the pics aren't close enough for me for sure to tell, but yes it doesn't appear to be drilled for a stoptail and there probably isn't abr-1 holes either. Factory for sure. 09 prices are a bit higher but this guitar is in good shape and should still command that. Our Man Blue Suede Shoes played this configuration GoldTop guitar I believe. Not Elvis. Thanks for sharing your guitar. I had a 56 that was drilled for stop, but had a bigsby and a ABR-1. I would love to see the control cavity, I bet the ground goes through a small hole in the butt straight to the bigs end screws. __________________ No thank you to Burst I'll Bronze instead. I just love the green left on my arm in the morning. It Looks Like Victory.

04-25-2012, 11:18 PM	#22 (permalink)
tex_lt MLP Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 1,629 Thanks: 70 Thanked 48 Times in 14 Posts	Re: 1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby Damn that thing is baaaaaaddddddd! __________________ Frank Danna SqueeTone's Guitars Shop: (915) 500-6035 Cell: (210) 685-8142 email: frdanna@squeetonesguitars.com "Like" Us on Facebook, for a chance to win FREE STUFF!

04-25-2012, 11:27 PM	#23 (permalink)
mdubya Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,976 Thanks: 472 Thanked 267 Times in 87 Posts	Re: 1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby Sweet guitar. Thanks for sharing. __________________ I'm down with the pappy wap.

04-25-2012, 11:50 PM	#24 (permalink)
renzo_lao Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 295 Thanks: 16 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Re: 1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby Oh my god. That's the sweetest GT ever! __________________ “I forgot to mention that to play the blues was like a jailbreak out of those meticulous bars with the notes crammed in like prisoners. Like sad faces.”- Keef

04-26-2012, 12:35 AM	#25 (permalink)
Cookie-boy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Under the care, custody and control of Matron. Posts: 15,214 Thanks: 552 Thanked 1,611 Times in 316 Posts	Re: 1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby A thing of beauty!

04-26-2012, 03:13 AM	#26 (permalink)
johnbeloe Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: UK Posts: 1,884 Thanks: 126 Thanked 190 Times in 46 Posts	Re: 1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby Yum yum

04-26-2012, 07:49 AM	#28 (permalink)
Agflyer Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: South Alabama Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1956 Gold Top w/ Factory Bigby mdubya likes this.

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