What should I know about this?

Rock City · Mar 19, 2019

Hi,
my first time in Historic section, first time to (maybe) pull a trigger.
I have some money and I would add some more if I could learn some more about this one.
R8 Ice tea, made in 2003. No COA. Asks for 2,800 euros. 200 km from me so I would have to be smarter before I take a ride to it.
Pics:

Maestro Fuzz · Mar 19, 2019

It seems to be in great condition. You should call Gibson to make some inquiries regarding the serial number. Unscrew the humbuckers and check if anything was changed. The R8 stamp in the control cavity seems legit. I think that the nut has been changed?
All in all, a great guitar but not worth 2800€. Its more of a 2200-2300€ price range imo

L96A1 · Mar 19, 2019

That looks to be a 2012/13 to my eyes. Case not original. WIth that kind of money I say you have more options.

Gold Tone · Mar 19, 2019

That’s not a 2003, much more recent

freebyrd 69 · Mar 19, 2019

You need more info....the orange certificate pictured in the case in the background would be indicative of a 2003, not a newer model like others have said. HOWEVER, the guitar itself.....that looks like a 2013 or newer based on the back (looks to be aniline dye), and the switch plate cover on the back with the gold medallion. What is the serial number on the guitar itself?

digbob · Mar 19, 2019

go for a 2018 or 2019

none2low · Mar 19, 2019

freebyrd 69 said:
You need more info....the orange certificate pictured in the case in the background would be indicative of a 2003, not a newer model like others have said. HOWEVER, the guitar itself.....that looks like a 2013 or newer based on the back (looks to be aniline dye), and the switch plate cover on the back with the gold medallion. What is the serial number on the guitar itself?

I agree for the most part here... Yes, the COA is the older style and correct for an '03. The nut does not appear to be nylon, so that would also be correct for 2003. Switch cover plate is newer than '03 and probably changed. But as far as the back color is concerned, unless I'm mistaken, Gibson was using aniline dye in 2003.

amorrow · Mar 19, 2019

Everything with the guitar (minus cert and case) appear to be 2013 if the serial is 8 3XXX. I think the nut does look to be nylon, and aside from the other things already mentioned the tuners, thumbwheels, binding dots, and slotted pickguard screw also indicate 2013.

none2low · Mar 19, 2019

amorrow said:
Everything with the guitar (minus cert and case) appear to be 2013 if the serial is 8 3XXX. I think the nut does look to be nylon, and aside from the other things already mentioned the tuners, thumbwheels, and binding dots also indicate 2013.

Curious, could you clarify about the thumbwheels and side dots? I'm not at home to look at my 03's but I'm pretty sure they had the thinner thumbwheels and correct tortoise dots.

I do know Gibson went backwards on a few things in subsequent years, before again switching back, but I'm pretty sure in '03 they had these right.

amorrow · Mar 19, 2019

The newer thumbwheels have a coarser knurl, and I rarely see the strong contrast/lighter shades like that in the dots used in the older ones.

I don’t see anything on the guitar that would be a certain identifier for 2003, and nothing that doesn’t look like 2013....other than case and cert.

Frozen Rat · Mar 19, 2019

That is a very nice looking example. Whether it is a 2003 or a 2013. The price difference, judging by what I've seen on the used market, is not very great between the two years. Being a 2013 probably only makes it worth a hundred or two hundred more euros; not enough to worry about. And even then, that's just a general observation and on a case-by-case basis may not apply. I mean, that's a clean looking Les Paul there.

The case and the cert indicate '03. If the cert matches the serial # then it's most likely a 2003. The previous owner may have put the medal medallion on there after the purchase. I've seen this done a couple times already because people like the look of the medallion.

As for the price, Europeans pay more for these, and even at that 2800 euros ($3179 US) for one that clean, the price seems good to me. I think that guitar would sell for $3179 here in the US.

Rock City · Mar 23, 2019

Thanks to all, you're most kind!

mudface · Mar 26, 2019

The tuners are wrong for a 2003,.... green keys double row kluson deluxe would be correct for 2003
(these look like single row with the white pearl keys like 2013 and up models. Also note the round dome on top of the peg on the tuner,.. this was a 2013 to mid 2014 anomaly as they are flat before and after)

The OP's pic (note the domed string peg)

A pic of my 2014 R8 with same tuners (domed string peg)

serial number pic of my 2014 R8

A pic of my 2014 CC28 (R8) with the flat top peg tuners

serial number pic of my 2014 CC28

I did this just to show the type of tuners from the 2013-early 2014 era..... 2003 were green key with flat top pegs.

Switch cover plate has been mentioned already is not correct.
(this is a later model custom shop badge cover)
The worn VOS look is also wrong for a 2003..... Pickup covers/Control Cavity cover/Headstock Veneer
Looks to be a nylon nut,.. also wrong for 2003.

If it's a 2003 it should have stickers under the pups indicating "burstbuckers"... unless they have been replaced.
(custom buckers have nothing but the PAF sticker on a 2013 and up models)

Some of this stuff can be replaced......and could have........ Knowing that 2003 and 2013 models can share the exact same serials there are differences to be noted. The question is why fool someone into believing it's a 2003 ??

Maybe the Brazilian Fretboard that some 2003 models had, as a selling point.... though this seems to be not mentioned.
I don't know if the serial number falls in that group?..... (I'm too lazy to look it up)

As already mentioned though,.... the price is good either way,..... 2013's are excellent guitars..... though without the original COA or case this might have some effect on its price.... wouldn't bother me for the right price.

I'm not convinced it's 2003,... but that is just my opinion on what limited information we have here.

blackie2 · Mar 26, 2019

The 2013 guitars would have had the brown Lifton cases and the 2003 would have the black cases.

mudface · Mar 26, 2019

blackie2 said:
The 2013 guitars would have had the brown Lifton cases and the 2003 would have the black cases.

yup............ but a 2013 R8 would fit perfectly in a 2003 R8 case...... not the best way to authenticate a year of a GUITAR by a case.

blackie2 · Mar 26, 2019

mudface said:
yup............ but a 2013 R8 would fit perfectly in a 2003 R8 case...... not the best way to authenticate a year of a GUITAR by a case.

Yeah I knew that but I didn't know if the OP had any idea about the cases.

mudface · Mar 26, 2019

Here is my 2004 R7 with double row "Gibson-Deluxe" green key tuners (with the flat top string peg) the same as you would find on any 2003 Historic reissue..

ESchmidt · Mar 26, 2019

An easy way to identify for certain if its is a 2013 or a 2003--ask for a close up picture of the inlays. The '03 would be swirled acrylic and the '13 celluloid. It is very easy to tell the difference.

Rock City · Apr 1, 2019

Thanks a lot!
Enough good reasons for me to run away from this one. Seller was not honest, which in this kinda amount I always expected.
Another one and if you can tell me just one thing:
Is this one or two pieces top?
R8 2013.