What exactly is this?

[GreyhairedGuitarLover]

Hello all,

...and please forgive me if I've come to the wrong place.

I've found this (slightly) used guitar and is tempted to buy it. It is a lot of money for me (he is asking the equivalent of 3000 USD) so I wish to know what I am looking at.

Supposedly it is a 1992 Les Paul Custom '57 2PU Black Beauty. Solid body, mahogany top. Serial is 2 0820 and is inked on rather than stamped into the wood.
It's not been played much but has lived in its case the past 20 years. Was serviced last year and looks close to mint condition from what I can see.
I've emailed Gibson Customer Service but heard nothing so far - and anyway for me more input is better.

Does anyone know what sort of guitar this really is? It's specs? And its approximate value? I don't want to get conned and don't want to rob the guy either.

I am going to check it out in a couple of days, but don't really know what to say to the seller if I like it but don't really know what it is. Can you help?

Best regards,
Martin

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

I'm sure it's really a Gibson. I don't know if it's the reissue it's alleged to be.

I don't know where you are, so I can't comment on the fairness of the price. Here in America, that would be a little overpriced, I think.

 

[bosnialove]

If it has two '57 Classic, then the pickups are not the stock ones.

 

[GreyhairedGuitarLover]

I'm in denmark... where most things are overpriced.
As an indicator of pricing differences - I've looked up a Les Paul '57 goldtop VOS (which I am also considering a possibility). Musicians Friend lists it at 3699 USD while the price here would be 15% more... about 4270 USD

 

[omfug4life]

I agree that the price is a little high. Don't the historics come in the case with the deep red interior? That looks like the Gibson USA case.

 

[rmc9a7]

In 1992, they would've likely come with a tan/pink Gibson USA case. The black and red came much later.

 

[bufbills]

If it has two '57 Classic, then the pickups are not the stock ones.

They came with 57s

 

[Dino Velvet]

Looks like a regular ROTM Lp custom. But its got those cheap ass dogshit knobs on it. Tell him to put the right knobs on it or knock a $1000 off it. Even outside the US that should be a crime.

 

[GreyhairedGuitarLover]

Thank you all for your prompt input.

I have a pic of the case but didn't post it because I thought it was not important. But yes - it's a Gibson USA case.

I'll go try it and then see what I think. Also, right now I am seriously confused between second hand vs new and custom vs standard. Guess I have to try out more guitars.

Again, thank you all.
Martin

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Also, right now I am seriously confused between second hand vs new and custom vs standard. Guess I have to try out more guitars.

What, exactly, are you confused about?

The guys here are amazingly knowledgeable.

 

[joedonner2001]

Gibson customer services can sometimes take a few days to reply to enquiries, but they will confirm the model and year, and give you some information about specs if you ask for it.

That looks like a very nice guitar, indeed. I'd try to negotiate with the seller and try to knock at least $200 off the price. That still wouldn't exactly be the bargain of the year, but I think it would be a reasonably fair price for Europe.

I have a '57 reissue Custom and they are lovely guitars. Mine came stock with 57 Classic pickups.

And the tuners and volume/control knobs on that one appear to be consistent with what should be on an earlier '57 reissue, by the way.

 

[oli]

If it has two '57 Classic, then the pickups are not the stock ones.

It's a pre-2001, so 57 Classics ARE the stock pups...

Looks like a regular ROTM Lp custom. But its got those cheap ass dogshit knobs on it. Tell him to put the right knobs on it or knock a $1000 off it. Even outside the US that should be a crime.

It's NOT a run of the mill Custom, it actually is a 57 Reissue : it's got an ABR-1 bridge, and those "cheap ass dogsh*t knobs", as you call them, are original. Serial number is legit too : early reissues (pre-92/93) have an inked-on SN which begins with a number indicating the year of production, as opposed to post 92/93 reissues that have an SN beginning with the model code (last digit of the year of the reissue).

As for the price, well, 3000$ for a mint BB7 is not that high considering the crazy prices we have here in Europe... You could always try to lower the price a little, say down to 2700/2800$...

 

[joedonner2001]

I recently saw this one sell on Ebay UK. Very similar.

BLACK BEAUTY 1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom, 1994 vintage re-issue No Reserve! | eBay

 

[frizzleblink]

That is a sweet guitar man!

 

[frizzleblink]

In fact I want one!

 

[oli]

I recently saw this one sell on Ebay UK. Very similar.

BLACK BEAUTY 1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom, 1994 vintage re-issue No Reserve! | eBay

Nice one ! Looks like it sold for a fair price too (considering prices in the UK).

 

[Oranjeaap]

Its a pre-historic. The 2 xxxx serial means 1992. It it was a '57 reissue the serial would be 7 xxxx.
It has the regular LP Custom specs: Short tenon and weight relieved. They are Gibsons first runs of 'reissue' models, but without the correct specs.
Theres one for sale local to me for about €1700.

 

[joedonner2001]

Nice one ! Looks like it sold for a fair price too (considering prices in the UK).

Yeah - was tempted to buy that myself. I think that was a very fair price for a 2nd had reissue in good condition. Just as an example of price.

 

[joedonner2001]

Theres one for sale local to me for about €1700.

Where? I'll take it!

 

[oli]

Its a pre-historic. The 2 xxxx serial means 1992. It it was a '57 reissue the serial would be 7 xxxx.
It has the regular LP Custom specs: Short tenon and weight relieved. They are Gibsons first runs of 'reissue' models, but without the correct specs.
Theres one for sale local to me for about €1700.

Nope. Not exactly a "pre-historic", but actually a "Custom Shop Historic Collection" reissue (91-93). Check my post above. You're right about incorrect specs, though. It probably has a short tenon, but it shouldn't be weight-relieved, and most of all, it's all mahogany (no maple top). It was a pretty confusing period...