Condition of used Les Paul

[TheErkish]

After desperatly craving a proper Les Paul for a long time, but being slightly down on cash, I started looking around for used LP's. After months of frustration and tough bidding wars, I managed to finally land on a 2010 Traditional in Honeyburst. The guy who was selling it said he bought it new for around 18k NOK (Norwegian prices, take with a grain of salt). When it was all said and done, I got it for around 9k NOK. I was and still am pretty stoked about cutting the retail price in half.

I got it yesterday and my jaw dropped at the sight of this beautiful piece of mahogny and maple. It does have what I would call light-medium playwear on the front, but I'm fairly okay with that, as it only show in certain lights.

Getting to the point, my main concern are the small chips/dents in the paint that runs along the back edge, mainly around the around the strap button.

I'd say a handfull of these types of "damages" run along the edge. The questions are:

Considering the price and the fact that it's 5 years old, are these types of wear normal? (Basically, did I make a good deal?)
Would I be better off sending it back and look for one in a better condition? And with these types of dents and chips, should I be worried about it spredding and ruining more of the laquer?

I appreciate any answers, more pics can be uploaded later.

 

[tzd]

When you start playing it, you will be putting some of those on it yourself as well. Looks great and you got it at a very good price (US$1116).

 

[Colnago1]

The only way that it would stay pristine is if it wasn't played. I know this as I have a Standard from 2006 that I barely touched, for fear of damaging it, for 7 years and then I started playing it and now it has nicks and scratches. At least I play it now...

 

[Howard2k]

That doesn't look like 'careful' wear to me, it looks like carelessness. But whatever... as was said, you will collect dings and nicks, and real wear, over time anyway.

 

[Birdseyeview]

Mine has that type of wear. I play mine daily, and that is the cost of doing business!

 

[dangerdog]

I am not sure about the market in Norway but I would suspect that you got that guitar for about $500 less than the seller could have sold it for.

Returning that guitar (a 5 year old used guitar) over a few tiny marks would be a mistake.

 

[stgreg]

That doesn't look like 'careful' wear to me, it looks like carelessness. But whatever... as was said, you will collect dings and nicks, and real wear, over time anyway.

Yes ^ In my experience, and the fact I am overly careful and totally OCD (that's the disclaimer).. I agree it's not careful wear, or appropriate for a 5 year old. But if the price boils down to having compensated for those horrors, I'd keep it. If those bangs and dents start getting to you.. there's really nothing about a Gibson that can't be fixed (one way or another). IMHO!

 

[TheErkish]

Thanks all for the answers! I needed to be sure that I want to keep it, as the return date expires while I'm away for the holidays. The more I play it, the less I notice the imperfections. From what I understand, I should be happy with the condition, especially considering the price. The seller never claimed it was pristine or anything like that, and said it had been used quite frequently in concerts and jams during its 5 year lifespan.

Think I can finally say that I'm a proud Les Paul owner

Additional questions to you wise people: Would you recommend the Gibson Guitar care kit? I want to keep it beautiful and shiny!
And what strap locks would you recommend? (Possibly matching my chrome hardware).

 

[Pwrmac7600]

I think you got a great price on it! HNGD!
Don't worry about the battle scars. They are what I like to call, mojo!

As for polish, the great folks here at this forum turned me on to virtuoso polis and cleaner, and now I swear by it. And a nice microfiber cloth.

Strap locks, you will get many different opinions, but I only use schaller strap locks on my guitars.

 

[preamp]

Battle scares from carelessness but still nothing to worry about. If it does they're nothing a good luthier can't fix up new.
HNGD mate, good looking git.

 

[TheErkish]

Battle scares from carelessness but still nothing to worry about. If it does they're nothing a good luthier can't fix up new.
HNGD mate, good looking git.

If you think about it, aren't all battlescars from carelessness? Anyways, thanks! I think it looks great too.

 

[frankv]

First off people pay extra for a worn relic. So don't worry. I once purchased a 1980 les paul that was so beat and worn you couldn't believe it. The frets were so worn down it was impossible to play the thing anymore.. Why would I buy a guitar like that you ask? It's simple. I did because its been played so much it had to sound incredible. Who plays a guitar that long and that hard if it sound like ****?

Anyway, over the next few months I restored that baby and I was correct. It sounded incredible. The fact that your new old guitar has play dings and dents only means someone liked it so much that they actually used it.. and that is what its about right? Playing them... Put some of your own dents and dings on that baby.. Make it your own.

 

[DanL]

Nitro is so damn soft that tapping or bumping into anything will almost always leave a permanent reminder. I wouldn't worry about it. If you're one of these guys that carefully take their guitar out of the case and only play it sitting down with silk pants then it might bother you, but for those who want an LP to jam out with and take everywhere with them, you'll literally never notice that type of stuff because you're too busy playing.

Some people buy Les Pauls and treat them like original Van Gogh's, others treat them like a blank canvas. It's up to you to decide which category you fall into.

 

[TheErkish]

Nitro is so damn soft that tapping or bumping into anything will almost always leave a permanent reminder. I wouldn't worry about it. If you're one of these guys that carefully take their guitar out of the case and only play it sitting down with silk pants then it might bother you, but for those who want an LP to jam out with and take everywhere with them, you'll literally never notice that type of stuff because you're too busy playing.

Some people buy Les Pauls and treat them like original Van Gogh's, others treat them like a blank canvas. It's up to you to decide which category you fall into.

I think I'm something inbetween those 2 types of people. I will play it everyday, but I will also put it gently in its case, and more often than not take a step back and just admire it. Use, without abuse I guess.

 

[Electric Funeral]

I think that's pretty normal for a guitar that's been played honestly and often, and been gigged.

I've seen guitars that were bought new at the start of a tour look like the fender road-worn series by the end of a six month run.

 

[nautical_sausage]

Just love marks. Don't worry about them as long as the guitar itself is functioning correctly.

 

[DanL]

I think I'm something inbetween those 2 types of people. I will play it everyday, but I will also put it gently in its case, and more often than not take a step back and just admire it. Use, without abuse I guess.

Use without abuse is exactly what I'm talking about. Even things that aren't abused take a beating over time. I've never abused myself or my car but both of us have our fair share of dings and dents, scrapes and bruises.

To me, when you're constantly worried about your guitar getting damaged you can't really enjoy it. Don't get me wrong, if it got dropped from head high or something I'd freak out. But if I end up tapping it on the hard wood arm rest of my chair or my dog paws up at me and I get a little nitro blemish I just smile and keep on playing. Modern Les Pauls will never be $200k guitars like 59s, and in my opinion there is no need to treat it like an investment because it's not, plain and simple.

I know, trust me, I've got a near mint '89 custom that rarely sees the light of day and goes back in the case immediately, but I can tell you with certainty that I haven't loved and enjoyed it nearly as much as my Axcess which I've used in gigs and let kids strum on.

I keep it because I over paid for it and if I don't sell it and lose money I feel better. It's also my reminder that to keep a guitar mint it has to be sheltered to extreme lengths like my Custom.

 

[RRfireblade]

First off to the OP congrats on your new guitar day. It is a beautiful example. As far as the damage goes, only you can decide whether it is worth the price for that or not. If you are fine with it and love the guitar then that is all that matters.

To the others, I guess I am just from a different camp. I have been gigging both professionally and casually since I was in my teens. I take multiple guitars and I have played in places that some people would be afraid to drink from a glass in.

Have I had the occasional mishap? Of course. But I have guitars that are 30 to 40 years old that do not have the amount of damage that is pictured in the OPs example. If I had done any significant damage, I would fix it or have it repaired. That is just the way that I am. My guitars are very precious to me, they are like part of the family. I would no more let my daughter walk around with a chipped front tooth then I would a guitar with significant obvious damage. This is probably why I have so many pristine examples that are as old as they are, & I am very proud of that fact. Trashed and abused guitars are a dime a dozen and that is about how much they are worth financially in my opinion.

But I understand that that is only my opinion, to those who feel otherwise, more power to you.

That is probably why I have rarely if ever lost money selling a used guitar. More often than not they are in equal or better condition when I sell them then when I have received them. And I am kind of proud of that too.....and so is my wife.

 

[TheErkish]

First off to the OP congrats on your new guitar day. It is a beautiful example. As far as the damage goes, only you can decide whether it is worth the price for that or not. If you are fine with it and love the guitar then that is all that matters.

To the others, I guess I am just from a different camp. I have been gigging both professionally and casually since I was in my teens. I take multiple guitars and I have played in places that some people would be afraid to drink from a glass in.

Have I had the occasional mishap? Of course. But I have guitars that are 30 to 40 years old that do not have the amount of damage that is pictured in the OPs example. If I had done any significant damage, I would fix it or have it repaired. That is just the way that I am. My guitars are very precious to me, they are like part of the family. I would no more let my daughter walk around with a chipped front tooth then I would a guitar with significant obvious damage. This is probably why I have so many pristine examples that are as old as they are, & I am very proud of that fact. Trashed and abused guitars are a dime a dozen and that is about how much they are worth financially in my opinion.

But I understand that that is only my opinion, to those who feel otherwise, more power to you.

That is probably why I have rarely if ever lost money selling a used guitar. More often than not they are in equal or better condition when I sell them then when I have received them. And I am kind of proud of that too.....and so is my wife.

Thank you, it's a beautiful guitar indeed. I'm impressed that your guitars are in that good of a condition, especially with you gigging way more than I do. I have researched ways to repair (or atleast improve) the scratches and dents, as I'm worried that more of the nitro will come off. But mostly, they dont even go through the lacqeur. I am looking locally for repairers too. I agree with you, as guitars are precious to me too. I will probably treat it better than the previous owner, yet play it everyday, as these guitars are designed to do

 

[misled]

That's a sweet looking guitar! Personally, I don't think these dents are too bad.

HNGD!