Beauty of the Burst (BOTB) Documentation

[delawaregold]

2003 / 2004 BEAUTY OF THE BURST REISSUE SERIES GUITARS.
I am interested in building a database of photographic documentation
for the Les Paul BOTB Reissues. If you have photo's of any the Beauty of
the Burst Reissue Series guitars, please post them here or PM me for
an email address. I am specifically interested in the Control Cavity Serial
Number and the COA, Checklist or anything that would have accompanied
the guitar that shows "both" of the Serial Numbers. Of course photo's of
the Top and Headstock and Serial Numbers, as well.
Thanks,
Artie

Thanks for your help.

 

[weirdotis]

I think BurstMeUp has/had a Perry replica? I remember seeing pics somewhere.

 

[pinefd]

Artie, I'll try and get you some photos of mine in the next couple of days.


Frank

 

[delawaregold]

Thanks Frank, I really do appreciate it.

I want to get as much information as I can about the
BOTB, R9K (Killertops), Murphy Aged Brazilians,
and a few other of the very limited Gibson guitar series.
I find that it is getting harder to put a fair value on these
guitars, because they were made in such small quantities.
Gibson no longer supplies any real authoritative or definitive
information about them. Some people don't even know they
were made. Great guitars, but I believe there were less
than 50, (far less) of each made. When one comes up for sale,
the asking price raises some eyebrows, but that's because
most people don't know how truly rare they are.

 

[ctkarslake]

I remember reading somewhere that after Gibson got well into this project and the word got out to the original bursts owners, they threatened to sue Gibson for using the original burst serial #s on the headstocks-and hiding away the copy serial #s in the control cavity. Gibson dropped the project like a hot potato due to these objections and tries to deny these even exist.
If I had an original burst, I don't think I would be too keen on Gibson doing an EXACT copy-my serial # on the headstock, the same worn areas, checking, fading etc. I wish you the best of luck acquiring this information. The way I read it, it was almost a top secret operation that Gibson would just as soon forget they even attempted.
That said, I would LOVE to see how yours compares to the one it's modeled after!

 

[mraajr]

I remember reading somewhere that after Gibson got well into this project and the word got out to the original bursts owners, they threatened to sue Gibson for using the original burst serial #s on the headstocks-and hiding away the copy serial #s in the control cavity. Gibson dropped the project like a hot potato due to these objections and tries to deny these even exist.
If I had an original burst, I don't think I would be too keen on Gibson doing an EXACT copy-my serial # on the headstock, the same worn areas, checking, fading etc. I wish you the best of luck acquiring this information. The way I read it, it was almost a top secret operation that Gibson would just as soon forget they even attempted.
That said, I would LOVE to see how yours compares to the one it's modeled after!

I am wondering if the owners of those guitars would even have a suit. It is not up to them how Gibson does serial numbers. It just doesnt make any sense that they could bring legal action against a company for copying one of their own products. On top of that just because they have the same serial number does not make them even close to the same.

 

[delawaregold]

It just doesnt make any sense that they could bring legal action
against a company for copying one of their own products.

As I understand it…
The Serial Number identifies a specific guitar, and as such it
becomes intellectual property, and that intellectual property
belongs to the owner of the guitar.
There was also the issue of not getting permission to use the
name "Beauty of the Burst", which was Copyrighted.

 

[mraajr]

As I understand it…
The Serial Number identifies a specific guitar, and as such it
becomes intellectual property, and that intellectual property
belongs to the owner of the guitar.
There was also the issue of not getting permission to use the
name "Beauty of the Burst", which was Copyrighted.

The copyright with the book is def understandable but the SN thing seems a bit far fetched. Maybe not I really do not know jack about it it just doesnt seem like they would have a case.

 

[pinefd]

The copyright with the book is def understandable but the SN thing seems a bit far fetched.

I have to agree. Especially considering that Gibson repeats serial numbers on the Historics every 10 years.


Frank

 

[ctkarslake]

Everyone gets all upset about the Chinese copying LPs, going so far to cover up their serial # when posting pix so THEIR guitar isn't copied. From what I understand these BOTB guitars were as exact as possible as I mentioned before. So much so, it wouldn't be beyond comprehension that someone down the road could pass it off as the real thing. If the top is close enough the guitar's page in BOTB could work as proof (far fetched I know). What are the chances a top is the same when a serial # rolls over in 10 years? Probably zero. But then again, Gibson isn't trying to copy ones they made 10 yrs ago. In this case they ARE trying to copy an existing guitar. As EXACTLY as possible. Different situation, which is why Gibson wants nothing to do with it anymore...

 

[pinefd]

Artie, here are some photos of my guitar and documentation that I just created: BOTB Stanley Burst - Les Paul Gallery


Frank

 

[delawaregold]

Thank you, Frank.
I can’t see them at work, as all photographs are blocked, but
I will see them tonight.
Artie

 

[thedonal]

Wow- I didn't realise that Gibson started a reissue series based on the book.

Now- if they did the Brockburst as a regular finish, I'd have that- reissue or not!

 

[delawaregold]

Perfect, Frank.
Exquisite photography, as usual.
Thank you!!

 

[solsurfr]

Thanks Frank, I really do appreciate it.

I want to get as much information as I can about the
BOTB, R9K (Killertops), Murphy Aged Brazilians,
and a few other of the very limited Gibson guitar series.
I find that it is getting harder to put a fair value on these
guitars, because they were made in such small quantities.
Gibson no longer supplies any real authoritative or definitive
information about them. Some people don't even know they
were made. Great guitars, but I believe there were less
than 50, (far less) of each made. When one comes up for sale,
the asking price raises some eyebrows, but that's because
most people don't know how truly rare they are.

Artie... what have you collected regarding Murphy Aged Brazilians? Let me know if you need anything from me.

 

[uburoibob]

Thanks Frank, I really do appreciate it.

I want to get as much information as I can about the
BOTB, R9K (Killertops), Murphy Aged Brazilians,
and a few other of the very limited Gibson guitar series.
I find that it is getting harder to put a fair value on these
guitars, because they were made in such small quantities.
Gibson no longer supplies any real authoritative or definitive
information about them. Some people don't even know they
were made. Great guitars, but I believe there were less
than 50, (far less) of each made. When one comes up for sale,
the asking price raises some eyebrows, but that's because
most people don't know how truly rare they are.

I hear you. I had one of the seven pre-war blonde Super 400's (non cutaway) - mine was a 1939 x-braced. Trying to assign a value to one of the Magnificent Seven was really pretty tough.

Bob

 

[delawaregold]

Artie... what have you collected regarding Murphy Aged Brazilians?
Let me know if you need anything from me.

Yes Carlos, I do want to get a thread started for both the Murphy
Aged Brazilians, and the Edwin Wilson Blister Top Run. They are
also very under documented guitars. I didn't want to have too
many threads going at one time. I love the way Frank did his
BOTB documentation. That is perfect! If you could get me some
photo's like that of your Murphy Aged Brazilian, I will have a head
start when I get to that project. Thanks, Artie.

 

[pinefd]

Artie, I can do the same with my Murphy Braz. I would assume you wouldn't need any info on Sue and Suit however, since they were both one-offs, and not part of any particular limited run?


Frank

 

[delawaregold]

Artie, I can do the same with my Murphy Braz. I would assume you wouldn't need any info on Sue and Suit however, since they were both one-offs, and not part of any particular limited run?

Au Contraire, mon amie!
They are the MOST limited run. No?

 

[solsurfr]

Yes Carlos, I do want to get a thread started for both the Murphy
Aged Brazilians, and the Edwin Wilson Blister Top Run. They are
also very under documented guitars. I didn't want to have too
many threads going at one time. I love the way Frank did his
BOTB documentation. That is perfect! If you could get me some
photo's like that of your Murphy Aged Brazilian, I will have a head
start when I get to that project. Thanks, Artie.

Ok.. will work on it... pics of control cavity, checklist, headstock, COA... that's it?