Was this a wise purchase

[Keithers]

Just curious if some of you more expert les paul owners thing I got a good deal here. I love the flame, but should I be worried about the headstock?


Gibson Les Paul Classic (1996) - eBay (item 160233079711 end time Apr-27-08 14:02:18 PDT)

 

[jomo]

Not sure about that head stock. If it's ok then you got a good deal.

 

[Liam]

Good score! At the time they were called a Classic Plus or Premium Plus, depending on the flames. I'm guessing your one has got to be a Premium Plus, lovely top. They were not a cheap guitar.

The headstock break will most likely be pretty stable that far up and at that angle, looks like there was plenty of area to get a strong glue join. But if you have trouble with it a good luthier will get it sorted in no time (Headstock repairs are only generally expensive if you want them to look real pretty or invisible). Post more photos if you're worried or find it's moving at all, there are plebty round here that can advise.

Pickups are a bit harsh for me in those, but great guitars all the same...

 

[LoKi]

I never worry about headstock repairs. Check out some of the threads in the luthiers subforum to see some of the AMAZING repair jobs by Greg and Roman. A headstock repair is always stronger than the original piece of wood anyway, and with Les Pauls, it ALWAYS means you can buy em cheaper.

Great score!

 

[Axeman16]

you got a great deal. repaired heads are always stronger than before if its done right.

 

[Belzeebub]

congrats

 

[integra evan]

Nice guitar, I bought my guitar with a headstock repair, and it feels stronger now than a usual headstock

 

[b-squared]

Love the reverse chevron flames. You got a great deal!

If the headstock repair looks dicey, Roman can sort that out easily enough.

BB

 

[Keithers]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I love being a part of this community. ALthough I usually just read the threads. This guitar is my 3rd lp. A Tobacco Sunburst '78 LP Deluxe that I got in 78 for my 13th birthday! (how 'bout that mom and dad?) and a "08 Faded Standard in Tobacco sunburst. This will be my first cherry burst and I will be continuing to give them all plenty of sunshine baths this smmer.

Thanks again everyone for the advice.

 

[Schtang]

Personally I would never buy a guitar with a headstock broke - but if your happy and the price isn't too bad for a broken stock - thought i wouldn't pay more than about $500

 

[iownalps]

I bought a new 2007 Les Paul Supreme Cherry Heritage Suburst from a friend who deals in Gibson guitars. It had come straight from the factory.
This guitar was new, sold to someone, then damaged in transit (head stock break).
The guitar was covered by insurance. It has been repaired (£250), I was offered it for 1/4 of the new price. What could I do...it is beautiful.
The repair consists of 2 x dowels inserted into the headstock to cover the break then refinished without concealing the fact it had been damaged at some time in its life.
The playability has not been affected, I have played many Les Pauls to assure myself. The Supreme is a guitar I could only have dreamed of, the sustain is amazing and the pickups are incredible.
The finish on the top is beautiful;

Yes it would be difficult to sell to someone who knows nothing about a professional Luthier's repair but hey...a guitar like this is definately a keeper.

So is your Classic, you'll probably never want to sell.

 

[mplecha]

it looks nice, but I would never buy a guitar with a broken headstock. it may be stronger, maybe not. I just wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it.

 

[Jimbo]

There was one that had a break right across the back of the neck under the headstock in a store where I bought my LP standard faded. My faded cost me £999 and they wanted £999 for this LP standard, with a repaired break.. no way i was gonna buy it for that price.

Saying that, I think it looks like you got a good deal there, Im sure not all repaired LPs are not worth it, just could see how they could ask the same as my standard faded.

 

[Deftone]

My brother's LP Deluxe had the headstock repaired....he has not had any issues with it. It may not bas valuable to a collector, but it's still a player.

Nice purchase.

 

[LoKi]

A repair is ALWAYS stronger. Glue makes a better joint than a single piece of wood. As long as the headstock angle is still good, and it stays in tune *which it will, unless the nut is cut badly, but no luthier I know would repair a headstock and not check that* it'll be a great players guitar.

 

[docadillac]

It looks like a great deal, congrats. From everything I know the guys are right on the money about a headstock repair. No worries me thinks.

 

[ippon20]

A repair is ALWAYS stronger. Glue makes a better joint than a single piece of wood. As long as the headstock angle is still good, and it stays in tune *which it will, unless the nut is cut badly, but no luthier I know would repair a headstock and not check that* it'll be a great players guitar.

I have heard this before but don't quite understand. Isn't this like saying 2 welded pieces of steel are stronger than one solid piece?

 

[b-squared]

I have heard this before but don't quite understand. Isn't this like saying 2 welded pieces of steel are stronger than one solid piece?

Pretty close. In welded steel the weld is stronger than the steel next to it (I think...Discovery Channel freak here ), but the principle is the same.

BB

 

[Eddie]

You're not too far from BCR Greg. He could fix it up!

 

[Droog]

Pretty close. In welded steel the weld is stronger than the steel next to it (I think...Discovery Channel freak here ), but the principle is the same.

BB

Yeah you're right, on a steel joint the weld ( as long as it's not a garbage job ) is often the strongest area of the part.