Info on Faded Traditionals

[BrainMan]

What about the traditional faded models? Is $600 plus a 2011 faded traditional too much to be asking for a trade for my 2016 traditional? If so, what should I be asking. Like how much has my guitar depreciated since buying it brand new just over a month ago?

 

[MoPaul]

BrainMan, my advice would be to hang on to the Trad you have and wait for one to come along. The 2016 you have will be worth the same next month. Not sure what part of Canada you live in but I have seen them come up on kijiji from time to time. One Sunday last year someone put one up for $900, a faded honey burst.....it was on the other side of the province....it actually stayed on for a few days. I doubt you'd see a deal like that again but you never know. L and M blew out the honey bursts for $1499 if I remember correctly and the goldtops were $1699. That was when the dollar was strong.

 

[BrainMan]

Im in Ottawa but yeah I'll hold onto it until I find one. It just sucks cause its hard to find one that someone is selling and persuade them to trade me as well as add cash when the reason why they are selling is usually because they need the cash. And if a good deal comes up I likely won't have enough time to sell mine for what it's actually worth fast enough to grab the good deal on the faded trad.

 

[Jeffguy]

Yea the 2011 Fadeds were specifically for Long and Mcquade in Canada. From what i've heard they mostly sound and play awesome. Tops are all very unique from mostly plain tops to little bits of flame .. I've seen a few on Kijiji ranging from $1300-1800. Just keep your eyes open.

Here's some porn in the mean time .. My 2011 Trad Faded (left) I call Dimples, and my 2007 Standard Faded. Apologies for the photo quality - was done with the old iPhone 5s.

 

[MoPaul]

I see one on kijiji Halifax, nice light flame on it, seller wants $2200. In some of the pics it looks almost like a lemon burst.

 

[BrainMan]

Yeah I saw that one on kijiji, and I have one guy around Montreal but I think I scared him off by asking $600 plus his guitar for mine lol

 

[BrainMan]

Yea the 2011 Fadeds were specifically for Long and Mcquade in Canada. From what i've heard they mostly sound and play awesome. Tops are all very unique from mostly plain tops to little bits of flame .. I've seen a few on Kijiji ranging from $1300-1800. Just keep your eyes open.

Here's some porn in the mean time .. My 2011 Trad Faded (left) I call Dimples, and my 2007 Standard Faded. Apologies for the photo quality - was done with the old iPhone 5s.

Goddamn those sure are tasty! Those pictures are only making me want one even more now!

 

[Gojo03]

Yeah I saw that one on kijiji, and I have one guy around Montreal but I think I scared him off by asking $600 plus his guitar for mine lol

I think you might be able to trade your guitar straight up for a Trad faded if you are patient. Unless you find someone who doesn't know anything about them, I doubt you'll get cash on top. If you can get a guitar plus cash for yours, you better make that deal fast

 

[BrainMan]

So even though mine is practically brand new it's value is around the same as a faded trad even though those faded trads were way less then mine originally? Not trying to sound like a dick or anything im legitimately wondering so i can be more informed when it comes to making a trade.

 

[Jeffguy]

So even though mine is practically brand new it's value is around the same as a faded trad even though those faded trads were way less then mine originally? Not trying to sound like a dick or anything im legitimately wondering so i can be more informed when it comes to making a trade.

If I had your guitar there's no way that I'd trade straight across unless the trad faded has a STELLAR top.. Remember that although these guitars are amazing, they work best as "Platform guitars" - meaning, to get the most of them you'll be modding the guts, tuners, and possibly pickups, etc.

If it was me, I'd have your guitar up for a $1700+ trade value. Cash only $1500 for a quick sale - but i'd list it at $1800.

TBH, I think you should just keep your guitar, it's gorgeous! Save up your pennies and grab the right one when it comes around

 

[Gojo03]

So even though mine is practically brand new it's value is around the same as a faded trad even though those faded trads were way less then mine originally? Not trying to sound like a dick or anything im legitimately wondering so i can be more informed when it comes to making a trade.

Look at the prices of other things in the world. If you find something awesome but has been discontinued, the used prices generally exceed the original "new" price. It doesn't take long for the value to exceed the brand new current model simply because you can't get it like that anymore.

That's probably the biggest reason for reissues in the guitar world. Since the price of the original is going through the roof, the manufactures try to get in on it and produce reissues.

 

[sc-closer]

I know the faded Standards really went up in value the last couple of years. I have heard them described as a poor man's R9.

That 2011 faded Trad in the pic looks nice..with abr1 style bridge. Dark rosewood board. Since these guitars you are looking to trade for were limited in nature, and no longer made and are only available second hand they will be harder to come by. Couple that with the fact that they have apparently all been pretty good players and have the rep of sounding great, they are becoming more sought after. When I put mine up for sale in the local CL last year, money changed hands and it was gone in less than 6 hours.... I kid you not. And I had 3 other folks calling.

 

[sc-closer]

BrianMan, post a pic of your Trad.

 

[MoPaul]

Something to remember is that in 2012-13 the Canadian dollar was almost Par with the US dollar and there were amazing deals to be had.....the Custom Lite was $1500 new, the Captain Kirk Sg was 1500, the Traditional Zebras were in the same ballpark. Not so much now......$1500 cdn will not even buy a studio now...

 

[Jeffguy]

That 2011 faded Trad in the pic looks nice..with abr1 style bridge. Dark rosewood board..

Yea I lucked out huge .. I just walked into Long and Mcquade to kill time and saw it on the wall .. that top was better then most of the other guitars up there. Played it and I knew I had to buy.. Then I saw the price tag and was pleasantly surprised at the $1499!

I've modded it heavily though.. ABR bridge, RS guts/caps, modern wiring, pickup rings, switch tip/ring, grover tuners, Duncan custom 5 bridge pup, Sheptone BK custom neck pup, lightweight aluminium tailpiece, and Virtuoso polish job. The fretboard is so dark because I use Lemon oil on it about 4x per year and really let it sink in. I'll eventually get a bone nut on there. It's the best sounding LP i've ever heard and has been the main guitar for all parts for both of my band's studio albums.

 

[FUS44]

Post pics of both guitars if you can.

If the Faded has a nice top, and depending on your Trad, you may end up paying cash on top of the Trad if you want the faded. Check Ebay for completed sales and look at what folks are trying to get now. I paid a few bucks shy of $2K USD last year, but I think I got an above average top and the guitar just so happens to play effortlessly. (It also had upgraded PU's).


The Trad is still being made. For better or worse, the Faded is discontinued and has a very enthusiastic fan base.

 

[BrainMan]

BrianMan, post a pic of your Trad.

here ya go! sorry for the sideways orientation

 

[colchar]

BrainMan, my advice would be to hang on to the Trad you have and wait for one to come along. The 2016 you have will be worth the same next month. Not sure what part of Canada you live in but I have seen them come up on kijiji from time to time. One Sunday last year someone put one up for $900, a faded honey burst.....it was on the other side of the province....it actually stayed on for a few days. I doubt you'd see a deal like that again but you never know. L and M blew out the honey bursts for $1499 if I remember correctly and the goldtops were $1699. That was when the dollar was strong.

Agreed.

For the record, the Gold Tops were a completely different run entirely.

 

[colchar]

What about the traditional faded models?

They are excellent. Read the thread that was linked earlier.

Is $600 plus a 2011 faded traditional too much to be asking for a trade for my 2016 traditional?

Depends if the other party thinks it is worthwhile.

The Fadeds originally sold for $1499 (before tax).

And you can always ask L&M to check their inventory nationwide to see what Fadeds are available. There are usually one or two kicking around (I know that there was one available at one of their locations during the inventory blowout sale last weekend). If they find one have them bring it in to see if you like it. If you do, sell your LP privately and use the cash to buy the Faded. Or keep yours and finance part of the Faded (if necessary) during their Gibson Month promotion in April because they have three year financing available and that way you get two LPs.

If so, what should I be asking. Like how much has my guitar depreciated since buying it brand new just over a month ago?

I don't even know what they are selling for these days.

 

[FUS44]

Not a bad top at all BrainMan. What about the faded?