Why pay such outrageous prices for beat up replicas of 58-60 Les Pauls?

[golfnut]

I get it, however, this question comes up a little too often and the answer is so obvious, “because we want to“, pretty simple!

These types of subjects that get raised so often along with "I don't understand relics" are basically just trolling. Its been answered so many times how could be anything but.

 

[mjross]

We need to tell them “search is your friend” and request the mods to shut down the thread. All this does is polarize people and eventually it gets out of hand, seems that they get off on that! I just don’t get some people. Why do they want to start shit? People like what they like, what’s wrong with that?

If a person has the funds and wants to spend it on a relic or replica, nothing wrong with that. However, people keep insisting on asking for a justification, calling people fools and shit. Here’s the justification, BECAUSE I WANT TO! Nothing else needs to be said. These people would not appreciate having to justify purchases, it’s nobody business!

 

[moreles]

It's easy to forget that some people just have a lot of money, and their decisions as to what to spend it on are very different from those of us at other levels in the social pyramid. A lot of these buyers are in a position of self-indulgence where they can afford to pursue hobbies and whims even when the price tag is high. You can see this in any collectibles market. Many (most?) of us think from a player's perspective, or as prospective owners of instruments that may cost a chunk of discretionary income. I don't think most buyers of these prissy novelty guitars, made for collectors, are like that.
My issues with the Murphy Lab productions are simply that the ones I've seen are pretty but do not, to me, look real/old/used much at all. Also, unlike Fender Custom Shop where rolled fretboard edges and other aspects of relic-ing do in fact add to feel and playability, the Gibson stuff doesn't seem to accomplish that. The aging, with Gibson, often seems just sprayed on. IMO, some of the Fender Custom Shop builders are nailing enhanced-playability, visually correct relics that don't break the bank.
People used to spend loads of money on Thomas Kincaide "paintings," too. And Beanie Babies.

 

[mjross]

It's easy to forget that some people just have a lot of money, and their decisions as to what to spend it on are very different from those of us at other levels in the social pyramid. A lot of these buyers are in a position of self-indulgence where they can afford to pursue hobbies and whims even when the price tag is high. You can see this in any collectibles market. Many (most?) of us think from a player's perspective, or as prospective owners of instruments that may cost a chunk of discretionary income. I don't think most buyers of these prissy novelty guitars, made for collectors, are like that.
My issues with the Murphy Lab productions are simply that the ones I've seen are pretty but do not, to me, look real/old/used much at all. Also, unlike Fender Custom Shop where rolled fretboard edges and other aspects of relic-ing do in fact add to feel and playability, the Gibson stuff doesn't seem to accomplish that. The aging, with Gibson, often seems just sprayed on. IMO, some of the Fender Custom Shop builders are nailing enhanced-playability, visually correct relics that don't break the bank.
People used to spend loads of money on Thomas Kincaide "paintings," too. And Beanie Babies.

You are correct, but some people PLANNED to be in a position of “self-indulgence“. In the beginning of my engineering career, that was my dream. I worked for the same company for 40 years before finally retiring just to accomplish it. Self-indulgence was part of my plan. However, I’m not selfish, I’m constantly helping others and contribute to a lot of charities.

Yeah, some people have a plan, they should not have to face criticism or their sanity questioned for a decision to buy a nice guitar, relic or not! If I had my way, everyone would have the guitar of their dreams. I remember those days!

Peace

 

[CoolRene]

My Murphy lab unltra light relic is not really beat up like some CS Fenders, I’ve played VOS, the shiny ones and Murphy Labs and will say the Murphy labs simply sound and play better

Stunning looks...! And I bet the tones go with it. I have a VOS '59 RI (my avatar) that I purchased in 2019. It is one of the first made with the '13 specs (hyde glue, custombuckers, bumble bee caps etc.). Best one I've played. This one's a keeper !

 

[dro]

I don't like it when I buy a used guitar and it's beat up/
I really don't want a new one that's beat up.
I wanna be the one to defile it.

NEW

18 YEARS BEING MY #1

AND STILL LOOKS PRETTY GOOD

 

[Peter M]

You really have to sweat all over your Gibson for quite while to wear it down. Their high gloss finish has always been pretty tough. I wore down my first-ever Gibson (Explorer) in the 80s to a "moderately aged" appearance with some sweaty, sometimes shirtless, efforts lol. Then I got a bit more civilized in my attire and used sweat bands as well. I managed to keep my Pauls in relatively excellent condition, gigs and all, (still do).

 

[danzego]

There are vintage Ferrari owners who have duplicates of their own cars made that they can actually drive.

This has gradually become a good-sized business for several entities and they all dance around Ferrari's lawyers by using real (but lesser) Ferraris as the basis for the re-bodied cars.

I met a couple at the Pebble Beach Concours weekend (this was at the Italian show, which is separate) who'd parked their 250 California Spyder *in the lot* with the other door-bangers, not on the show lawn. They'd driven it the 400 miles from the LA area and would be driving it back. Jaws dropped. It was the real thing and worth stupid money. But finding someone treating their car like...well, a car is so rare as to be a one-off. Gotta admire their guts, their insurance company and their bankroll. They're not the original owners, but they've had the car so long they may as well be. The value has more or less bloomed around them.

I have an old '67 Lamborghini 400GT, purchased for $13K (new, they were $14,725) back in '83. As Lamborghini's 50th anniversary approached, they began to look around for the original 350/400GT cars. They made around 250 of my model, and they weren't very popular and a lot of drivers bought them, crashed them, repainted them (mine had five different paint jobs and three different colors of bonds when we took it down to bare metal) and even passed them on to the crusher. They weren't very precious in those days.

Suddenly the values skyrocketed (one went across the auction block at over $800K), and because there are few of them left and most of those are in collections and museums at this point, it's near-impossible to find even a ratty example for under $400K. Like that couple at Pebble Beach, I've seen the value of that car bloom around me, and I've become a caretaker for a tiny chunk of history. Ack!

Man, I don’t even care about cars other than I own one because I need to get to work, Wendy’s for my kid’s chicken nuggets, and the guitar store. But that seriously was a fascinating post!

 

[Mnc]

Opinion only! They may not be a fool, they just may have the money to spend, people need to understand that! There are people that plan and save their money for may years to purchase nice things. They are not fools Sir! Those that are not wise enough to do the same just may be the fools.

Yes, ha, ha, just opinion and if someone has the money to spend it's certainly their preogative to spend it as they wish. Most musicians play instruments for the sound and playability which, like wine, has little to do with price. Unless you're talking about the lowest cost, cheapo instruments.

 

[rjwilson37]

To Each His/or Her Own. I jump around sometimes just because I get the urge. I don't really need 6 Les Paul's, but I can't decide which to get rid of since they're all different than each other for pickups, neck profile, and weight. They each sound different with great feel & playability besides the tone. One day I will decide which to get rid of.

 

[theresstrange]

So does a relic'd guitar that is sold as new/never played and "Mint" mean that there are no new dings, scratches and chips? (Things to make you go hum)

 

[golfnut]

So does a relic'd guitar that is sold as new/never played and "Mint" mean that there are no new dings, scratches and chips? (Things to make you go hum)

I had a Martin D-18GE for sale that I had owned from new for about 4 months. I just couldn't bond with the 1 3/4 nut width and string spacing.
This guy came over to my house, answering the ad for it. He was there for 3 hours trying to convince me that there were a couple dings in it. As I had advertised "mint" he was trying to get some dollars knocked off. I really should have kicked his ass out but I guess I'm too nice and I don't really like confrontation.
I had my big magnifying glass out with the light on it trying to see what he was talking about. When I couldn't see anything he says. "Yeah but run your fingers over it, you can feel it". To which I couldn't feel it.
I finally said "the price is the price and maybe this guitar isn't for you". He started to complain about how far he'd come and he didn't want to come for nothing. He finally did pony up the money and buy the guitar.
All this to say the situation could have been completely avoided if it was an artificially aged guitar. So theres that benefit.

 

[Jamil Ecrire]

Why pay such outrageous prices for beat up replicas of 58-60 Les Pauls?​

It’s because you want to, nobody puts a gun to anyones head forcing them to buy these guitars. Damn, how many times do we have to answer this fucking question! Seems to pop up weekly causing all kinds of bullshit and arguments!

Lol amen! Don't shame someone for what they like. I'm a gloss finish guy myself. I like it because it's cheaper too! So win-win for me

 

[Peter M]

I'm a gloss finish guy myself. I like it because it's cheaper too!

CS offers M2M's in gloss, so you can spend a nice chunk on those too.

 

[danzego]

Meh, people get too bent out of shape over this and their “BECAUSE I WANT TO!! RRRARRRGH!” reaction happening here over and over.

Who cares? Murphy Lab guitars are a really expensive upcharge compared to most other brands that offer relicing and the whole relic thing in general is polarizing. Has been for years and people aren’t going to stop wondering about it. The discussion is going to continue.

You just have to leave it at “Some people like the look, some people like the feel, and some people don’t mind paying extra for that. Meanwhile, others feel differently.” Chill, boys and girls.

 

[mjross]

So does a relic'd guitar that is sold as new/never played and "Mint" mean that there are no new dings, scratches and chips? (Things to make you go hum)

How would you know, just sayin…lol?

 

[mjross]

Meh, people get too bent out of shape over this and their “BECAUSE I WANT TO!! RRRARRRGH!” reaction happening here over and over.

Who cares? Murphy Lab guitars are a really expensive upcharge compared to most other brands that offer relicing and the whole relic thing in general is polarizing. Has been for years and people aren’t going to stop wondering about it. The discussion is going to continue.

You just have to leave it at “Some people like the look, some people like the feel, and some people don’t mind paying extra for that. Meanwhile, others feel differently.” Chill, boys and girls.

Meh, Glazing over!

 

[LtDave32]

Funny thing, nobody is holding a gun to anyone's head, demanding them to post about it either..

Nobody is holding a gun to your head, forcing you to answer a question.

Mods do not delete threads because "someone doesn't like them".

If we did that every time, we wouldn't have any posts in the forum.

If you don't like something, then click to elsewhere. Big forum.

If someone personally attacks you or is causing big, nasty trouble, report it.

-Simple as that.

 

[AwfulQuiet]

Some people can afford to treat themselves to an expensive guitar or bass. If you can, good for you. If you can't, sorry but I hope you can some day... But it doesn't mean if you can't that you should denigrate or try to bring down anyone who can.

 

[mudface]

Get a student loan to buy one and get forgiven for not passing economics