Buying a used '57 Reissue Les Paul Custom: Fair price and differences by year?

[fidosuperfly]

Hey folks!

I've been in the market for a used Historic 57' Reissue Les Paul Custom and I'm fairly close to making an offer on one! This would be my first Historic Les Paul, so I wanted to check in with the experts before I make a move.

I'm looking at an 01 57' Reissue that is in really good shape, according to the seller. There's apparently one small scratch near the pickup selector switch but, otherwise, it's in "case queen" condition. It comes with the original case and there haven't been any mods. I just asked if it comes with the COA and the seller should be getting back to me about that soon (it's on consignment, so they have to check with the original owner).

Right now, price-wise, we're at $2500 plus shipping costs, but I'm going to try and talk them down to at least $2500 shipped, but does that seem fair? Could I go any lower (and should the lack of COA affect the price)? I know it's a buyer's market, but I don't want to make an unfair offer. I'm just not sure what similar models are going for these days (they don't seem to sell all that often on eBay, so it's hard to get a good feel for the market).

Also, how do these earlier models compare to the more recent reissues. I know that the more recent ones have Kluson tuners, but are there any other major differences? They should all be solid mahogany with a long neck tenon by '01, right?

Thanks for your help!P

 

[bonchie]

I think that's too much for a '57 reissue. But being on consignment, you are gonna pay $200-300 more then market value because there's a 3rd party involved who's gotta make money.

No COA = about $100 discount.

 

[THDNUT]

I think $2500 including shipping is a fair price for that guitar in that condition.

It has an ebony fingerboard!

A few low ballers will chime in I'm sure.

 

[fidosuperfly]

I think that's too much for a '57 reissue. But being on consignment, you are gonna pay $200-300 more then market value because there's a 3rd party involved who's gotta make money.

No COA = about $100 discount.

Yeah that's kind of what I was thinking. So, if I were patient, I could snag one for somewhere between $2200 and $2400, right? Is that realistic?

I'm not in a huge rush to buy (I'm actually having shoulder surgery in a month, so I wouldn't be able to do much playing for a little while anyway), so I maybe I should just be patient. I'm guessing that I'll probably find the best prices on the forums, anyway.

Maybe I'll offer the $2300 plus shipping costs ($2400 max) and see what they'll do.

 

[The_Nuge]

One thing to watch of on those is the weight! You don't want one that weighs more than about 4.0kg (whatever that is in lb), and those are pretty rare. The price seems OK, but I'm used to the European prices.

 

[Maple Top]

I reckon 2500 USD is very fair considering that the guitar is mint, but COA is missing. I've seen a mint BB7 from 06 in mint condition at a dealer and the seller wanted 4000 USD! But that was also here in Europe. The BB7 is an awesome guitar, and one that will surely hold its value with the ebony fretboard and all... but they can be quite heavy (even though I think that a little weight sometimes gives a ballsier tone when amplified), and the necks on these rascals are pretty chunky. It should be all mahogany, either one solid piece, or with a one inch top of mahog, glued to the mahogany back. If you remove the neck pickup and look inside the walls of the pickup cavity, you'll the find out what the constructions is like on this one. As far as I can see the historics from 01 does have the long neck tenon

 

[BigDipper15]

See below link for differences by year. For me no COA is a deal breaker but that's me. I would think $2500-2600 is FMV with a COA.

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86299

 

[bonchie]

Well, he never said it was mint. The seller saying it's a case queen could mean anything. And what's the mark near the pickup switch selector like? A very noticeable mark on a top will lower the value and certainly wouldn't qualify as mint IMO. What's the fret wear like? It's a 15 year old instrument after all.

I was also thinking he was talking about a regular run of the mill used R7 when he said 57 Reissue.

Is it actually a Black Beauty Custom? Or did you use the word Custom just to mean Custom Shop in the title? That obviously makes a difference.

As others have backed me up on, no COA does lower the value. So if it doesn't have it, that's a bargaining chip.

 

[bonchie]

I reckon 2500 USD is very fair considering that the guitar is mint, but COA is missing. I've seen a mint BB7 from 06 in mint condition at a dealer and the seller wanted 4000 USD! But that was also here in Europe. The BB7 is an awesome guitar, and one that will surely hold its value with the ebony fretboard and all... but they can be quite heavy (even though I think that a little weight sometimes gives a ballsier tone when amplified), and the necks on these rascals are pretty chunky. It should be all mahogany, either one solid piece, or with a one inch top of mahog, glued to the mahogany back. If you remove the neck pickup and look inside the walls of the pickup cavity, you'll the find out what the constructions is like on this one. As far as I can see the historics from 01 does have the long neck tenon

When you've got guys who can't sell beautiful 2013/14 Flametop R8s for even 3k on this forum, I just can't believe anyone is paying 4k for a BB7. In Europe maybe, but not in the states.

But there's always the exception out there. For every $2300 sold older R8, you'll find that one guy who got $2600 for his.

 

[fidosuperfly]

Well, he never said it was mint. The seller saying it's a case queen could mean anything. And what's the mark near the pickup switch selector like? A very noticeable mark on a top will lower the value and certainly wouldn't qualify as mint IMO. What's the fret wear like? It's a 15 year old instrument after all.

I was also thinking he was talking about a regular run of the mill used R7 when he said 57 Reissue.

Is it actually a Black Beauty Custom? Or did you use the word Custom just to mean Custom Shop in the title? That obviously makes a difference.

As others have backed me up on, no COA does lower the value. So if it doesn't have it, that's a bargaining chip.

Yeah I meant a 57' Reissue Black Beauty Les Paul Custom. And yeah, it was described as virtually 'mint' (aside from the aforementioned scratch) and looks to be in good condition in the pictures I was sent but, as I'm sure y'all know, folks can use the term 'mint' very loosely haha.

And I'll definitely be sure to use the potential lack of COA as leverage (I haven't gotten confirmation either way, but suspect that the seller doesn't have it). I hope to hold on to it for a while but, if I ever have to sell, it would stink to take a hit for something like that. The sellers market is tough enough as it is!

 

[fidosuperfly]

And thank you all for your advice, everyone! I'll check with the seller this evening and keep you all posted

 

[freebyrd 69]

One thing to watch of on those is the weight! You don't want one that weighs more than about 4.0kg (whatever that is in lb), and those are pretty rare. The price seems OK, but I'm used to the European prices.

Most people aren't weight weenies. If you want a light axe, buy a Strat. OP, don't get hung up on weight.....99% of the time! that is only a question people who never buy guitars for sale will ask.

 

[The_Nuge]

Most people aren't weight weenies. If you want a light axe, buy a Strat. OP, don't get hung up on weight.....99% of the time! that is only a question people who never buy guitars for sale will ask.

I didn't think I was! And I shouldn't be, being 6'7" with weight to match However, with lesters I start feeling the weight at 4kg, and by 4,2kg they start feeling very heavy...

 

[Justin_Case]

FWIW - not all 2001's went out with COAs. A little in to 2001 is when Gibson did decided to issue COAs with all Historics, but early production shipped with out them.

A good read from 2007:
http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?128247-Certificate-of-authenticity-Question-!!!

 

[LpCustom2007]

Most people aren't weight weenies. If you want a light axe, buy a Strat. OP, don't get hung up on weight.....99% of the time! that is only a question people who never buy guitars for sale will ask.

We discussed this plenty times before.. saying something stupid like that (even with a smiley) is like saying most people aren´t tone weenies, most people aren´t colour weenies, neck weenies or whatever. Weight is a big deal when it comes to Les Pauls, especially at the prices range historics are in. Just deal with that.

I´m also a big and relatively strong dude. Three of my Les Pauls are below or around 9 pounds, and those are great to play, but my custom is 10.5 pounds, and while that sucker sounds great it sure aint fun to play for longer than 30-40 mins at a time.

How many guitars in the 10-11 lbs weight range do you have and play regularly standing up for longer time periods, Freebyrd?

 

[bluefrog]

OK what I had and liked was a 2009 R7 dark back - abt 4.2kg weight and beefy neck.
dark back are more wanted and yes so good looking- and a tad + pricewise.
I wd take the one which talks to you and feels good in the hand for first!
play the R7 unplugged first (and with eyes shut don't let distract you )
if it rings in and gets IT then fire the amp on.
.....
then check the price. not all are sounding the same mine was more sweet and fuller.
I cd compare with my R9 which was a tad brighter.
Both had sustain for days.
range of 2300 to 2600 USD is to expect.
if PUPS are upgraded even better

 

[bonchie]

If you just want an R7 with a big neck and you don't have to have a black beauty, you should be buying this right now at $2150 shipped:

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/showthread.php?t=378973

Just saw that on the classifieds (no relationship to seller). I commend the seller for not listing it for $2600 or something stupid and actually being realistic in this market.

 

[Dilemma]

I've got an '04 R7. You'll love it.

 

[LenPaul]

I don't have issue with heavier guitars if they play nice & sound good.
The initial "this is heavier than my other LP"s" only lasts a minute or 2 , by then
I've forgotten about it , but I suppose it depends on how good your boat anchor plays
& sounds & whether or not enduring a couple more pounds for a few hours is worth it or not.
By the end go the night, ya take that thing off & it feels like it's time to put it back on.

& I dislike pics of guitars that look like they never been played.

 

[dale5150]

My 01 R7 is my number one guitar , and I have a few. I have been on the lookout for another BB and I would say his price is in the ballpark. Maybe a touch high but lower than most I see advertised. Also a lot of 01s didnt have COAs at all.