I need help!

[BR549]

I am no very knowledgeable of Les Paul guitars (or any others really!). I rarely even play much anymore. My question to you guys is this;

I have a car for sale, and a guy sent me this offer;

"If this is still available, I wonder if you would be willing to trade for a Gibson Les Paul Signed BFG. There were three colors (red, blond, and black) in this limited edition guitar. Only 52 of each color were manufactured and signed by Les Paul at the factory the year prior to his death. The numbering starts at 1951 F mine is a Red model stamped 1954 F - yes the fourth one signed out of 52. Mine has never been played and sits in it's original hard shell case"

I don't really need a Les Paul guitar, but is collectable? if so what would be the ballpark value of it, and also how would I know that it is not a fake?

I'll trade stuff for most anything, but I am clueless about this deal. Any help from you guys? (and if I trade, anybody want it?).

 

[bosnialove]

Does he mean this ugly thing? If yes, NOOOOOOO WAAAAAAYYY, keep the car, even if it's a Fiat Multipla..

 

[justbob]

I can't say what they are worth but I like the BFG.
They are rugged just like the Marlboro man.

 

[jstarr]

I've never heard of any "Limited Edition" Les Paul BFG that was signed by Les Paul himself. I can't imagine why Les Paul would sign one of those. Sound fishy. Maybe I'm wrong. In my opinion, even with a REAL Les Paul signature, this particular model wouldn't have any real collectible value. If it were a Traditional or something of that nature, then I'd say differently. Those BFG models fall into that "love 'em or hate 'em" category. With most people falling into the latter category.

 

[jstarr]

My bad... I guess he did sign these:

Gibson Les Paul BFG Limited-Edition Electric Guitar | Musician's Friend

 

[tzd]

Yes the guitar is legit. I've seen someone on this forum who has it. But I don't know how much it will be worth... I just checked eBay, there are people trying to sell it for $2,500, but there no buyers. So it's probably worth less than that. It's not a very expensive guitar to begin with, and also not a popular model, so any value will be in the signature.

 

[BR549]

Yes the guitar is legit. I've seen someone on this forum who has it. But I don't know how much it will be worth... I just checked eBay, there are people trying to sell it for $2,500, but there no buyers. So it's probably worth less than that. It's not a very expensive guitar to begin with, and also not a popular model, so any value will be in the signature.

Thanks so far guys! Keep opinions coming though!

I saw the same on e-bay, and also the site jstarr823 linked.

Can you shed some light on why this isn't really a popular model? or any history on this model?

I know what my car is "worth" and I haven't sold it yet at my asking price. The thing is, I feel this guitar will not lose value where as the car probably will. Still just don't know if this would be a good swap.

I've also watched to much "Pawn Stars" on TV. I worry about the authenticity of this guitar! I haven't a clue how to verify it.

 

[tzd]

Just talking about the model itself (without Les Paul's personal signature) the BFG is designed to be 'raw' - the wood will feel rough and unfinished. Sure some people swear by it but it's not a mainstream Les Paul model that appeals to everyone.

Some people buy BFGs as a project guitar and do their own refinishing of it. See this one - Gibson Les Paul BFG CUSTOM studio standard special ONE OF A KIND !! | eBay - this is a BFG refinished by a talented member in this forum and put up for sale.

You said the one in your trade will be a red one, it should look exactly like this one Gibson Les Paul Autograph BFG Rare Limited Edition | eBay so you can compare it with the pictures here. (Don't get misled by the eBay Buy It Now price, because it does not reflect the market price unless someone actually buys it, so you have to monitor it to see if it sells, or if it gets relisted at a lower price before it sells, etc)

And if you can get hold of pictures of the guitar in question, post them in this forum and we can tell you if it's real or not.

 

[jstarr]

Nobody is copying the BFG models, so you don't have to worry about it being fake. They're not a popular model of Les Paul, that's why they're not selling for $2500 on eBay. Due to the design of the guitar, I highly doubt that it would ever be considered a "collector", even with the Les Paul signature. The signature doesn't hurt (as a matter of fact, it probably helps this particular guitar value wise), but keep in mind that this isn't your regular Les Paul guitar... this is one case where odd or different probably isn't better. People (collectors especially) like their Les Pauls to be of the traditional variety, the BFG with it's rough-cut alligator like finish is light years away from what a "real" Les Paul is... meaning that it doesn't have that classic timeless look. I'd stay clear... the prices of those are likely to head south before rising to any level worth collecting. Then again, if your car is only worth $1000, I'd jump all over it. Maybe you could get some better input of you told us about your car.

 

[BR549]

Well, it's a 69 VW Baja Bug in decent shape. Nothing fancy, but runs great. I'm holding out for 2600, have turned down 2300. In my area of the country, VW's are still out there, but not nearly as abundant as in SoCal!


I'm learning more about this BFG, but wonder why it was made that way? minus the bar cover, fret marks, finish and such?

Surely there was a purpose behind the strategy. Sounds like the marketing ploy didn't work, but neither did the Edsel, or my VW "Thing!"

Then again there was "The New Coke!"

The raririty of the 52 signed of each color is what intrigued me. I like weird and odball rare stuff, but Just don't know on this one.

 

[jstarr]

If you're holding out for $2600 on your Baja, I wouldn't take the trade. Regular BFGs are selling in the $700~$800 range, and I doubt that the Limited Edition one would fetch triple that price. There's a multitude of LPs that fall in that $2500 range... the BFG is certainly not one of them.

BTW ~ I'm a huge VW fan.

 

[BR549]

If you're holding out for $2600 on your Baja, I wouldn't take the trade. Regular BFGs are selling in the $700~$800 range, and I doubt that the Limited Edition one would fetch triple that price. There's a multitude of LPs that fall in that $2500 range... the BFG is certainly not one of them.

BTW ~ I'm a huge VW fan.

Want to buy one? Baja, Buggy, Bus (Bay not a splitty), Mercedes kit car, Fastback, Thing?

Looks like I won't be trading for the BFG unless the guy wants to kick in some "boot," He seems to think the guitar is worth around $3200 though, so he's probably gonna keep it!

 

[jstarr]

Want to buy one? Baja, Buggy, Bus (Bay not a splitty), Mercedes kit car, Fastback, Thing?

I'll take one of each... thank you. Seriously though, I'm not on the market right now. I want a camper bus so bad, but the funds aren't in place right now. What's the story on the bus? Tub buggy?

 

[BR549]

I'll take one of each... thank you. Seriously though, I'm not on the market right now. I want a camper bus so bad, but the funds aren't in place right now. What's the story on the bus? Tub buggy?

Bus is a 79 Bay Window Walk Through. Last year for the Bay's. Has rebuilt 2.0 engine, still fuel injected. "Freeway Flyer" tranny (easily cruises at interstate speeds). All rust cut out and sheet metal replaced. Original interior in great shape. New brakes, cylinders and hard and soft lines. New white over red (original colors) paint. Built that one for the son. It turns heads everywhere he goes.

The buggy is a Manx clone on a 65 pan. Have pan rebuilt, ready to paint tub and assemble.

VW's I know, Les Pauls, well......

 

[Greezyburl]

if the fact that Les Paul signed it is worth that much to you go for it, but personally the bfg is worth around 700-800 used.........just remember your paying around $1,700 extra just because the writing on the headstock. If your into the guy that much go for it, otherwise I would say take the 2,300 or better and buy a lot more guitar for you buck. The BFG's are cool but they need work, unless your looking for the rough, I made this guitar in my garage look. I personally own one, not signed, and love it but I had to do some mods to it before I was truly happy with it. Pretty much what Jstarr said now that I look back.