Alright, let's have a crazy Gibson Les Paul Auction Week end!
I was waiting until midnight in front of the computer to get my own Facebook URL last night. Lucky You! I couldn't find anything better to do than browse eBay auctions for Gibson Les Paul's.
So here we go. A bunch of remarkable auctions that I picked up because the guitar was at the right price or because it is an original and rare model or because it's a nice vintage, or because I just like it.
Also I was given the feedback by some readers that I mostly feature expensive guitar. Not true but fair enough. So you'll find a few gems at $500 in there. I think it would be hard to go below this and still find a good looking / good sounding electric guitar. But prove me wrong in the comments!
Enough said! Here we go!
Unique Designs - Gibson Les Paul Auction Week End, Part I
Rare Vintage Gibson 55-77 - Gibson Les Paul Auction Week End, Part II
Les Paul Special vs Studio - Rematch! Gibson Les Paul Auction Week End, Part III
A Rootbeer Flame Les Paul! Gibson Les Paul Auction Week End, Part IV
Saturday, 13 June 2009
Thursday, 11 June 2009
1985 Flamed Les Paul Deluxe
Gibson Les Paul Deluxe guitars. I have a sweet spot for those (I covered a nice wine red Deluxe in my first post). So, here is a nice one: 
First time I see a flamed Deluxe and I guess they are pretty rare. I like the color of the burst.
And nevermind the critics of the 1980's Gibsons and of the Deluxe, these are still good guitars. They just have a different sound and vibe.
First time I see a flamed Deluxe and I guess they are pretty rare. I like the color of the burst.
And nevermind the critics of the 1980's Gibsons and of the Deluxe, these are still good guitars. They just have a different sound and vibe.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Scotty Moore would love this 1954 ES295 Gibson
"Scotty Moore, the guitarist for Elvis Presley, played an ES-295, essentially a dual P-90-equipped, all gold ES-175." -Wikipedia
Well. Another day, another beautiful and rare Gibson ES. Today an incredible vintage 1954 gold ES-295 that Scotty Moore could have played with the King.
Yes, the Gibson ES 295 is quite similar to the ES-175 vintage guitar I covered recently, with its florentine cut, its hollow body, etc.
But you've got to love this all gold finish and the floral graphics on the pickguard. The finish is beautifully cracked and the neck has this "leprosy" shared by many vintage guitars with a gold-painted neck (I think it adds to the charm).
It's a bit pricey at $6,700 but that's the price to pay for an "all original" guitar built 55 years ago. And this
is a stunner.
Oh, and Moore is still around but moved to a Gibson Super 400. You can see him playing one of the King's hit "That's all right mama" with Eric Clapton below. By the way, he reconnected with his ES295 (now owned by a collector) in 2007 (left picture).
Well. Another day, another beautiful and rare Gibson ES. Today an incredible vintage 1954 gold ES-295 that Scotty Moore could have played with the King.
Yes, the Gibson ES 295 is quite similar to the ES-175 vintage guitar I covered recently, with its florentine cut, its hollow body, etc.
But you've got to love this all gold finish and the floral graphics on the pickguard. The finish is beautifully cracked and the neck has this "leprosy" shared by many vintage guitars with a gold-painted neck (I think it adds to the charm).
It's a bit pricey at $6,700 but that's the price to pay for an "all original" guitar built 55 years ago. And this
Oh, and Moore is still around but moved to a Gibson Super 400. You can see him playing one of the King's hit "That's all right mama" with Eric Clapton below. By the way, he reconnected with his ES295 (now owned by a collector) in 2007 (left picture).Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Beatles Rock Band Game - insane Trailer
For something a bit different, it's not just vintage guitars that are in hot demand. Vintage bands are too, especially with guitar-inspired video games. After Aerosmith and Metallica on Guitar Hero, now the most iconic of them all, the BEATLES!
I was not sure what to think of Rock Band the Beatles. But I'm speechless after watching this insane trailer which is one of the best homages to the band through its different incarnations.
I might even consider buying an XBOX along with the complete set of Rock Band instruments now!
I was not sure what to think of Rock Band the Beatles. But I'm speechless after watching this insane trailer which is one of the best homages to the band through its different incarnations.
I might even consider buying an XBOX along with the complete set of Rock Band instruments now!
Monday, 1 June 2009
1966 12-String Epiphone Wilshire: a Nifty Vintage!
This one is a great deal for any serious collector: a 1966 Epiphone Wilshire 12-String electric guitar
. And the price is right, just short of $2,200.
Back in the days where Gibson was still seeing Epiphone as a brand on its own "shortly" after the acquisition in 1957, Epiphone's were produced at the same plant as Gibson's in Kalamazoo and Epiphone had its own line of original models.
I have covered the Wilshire and other vintage Epiphone from the 60's like the Crestwood in previous posts because I like them, they are usually affordable vintage guitars and they are unique in their design.
This one is no exception and is a rarity. It is the first 12-string Epiphone from that era I have found on eBay. It is in great condition and looks beautiful with its 12-string headstock, its cherry finish, its white pickguard, its mini-humbuckers and the volume/tone knobs typical of the Wilshire.
It's a real steal too, even if $2,200 can mean a lot of money in this economy. But this guitar sounds like a very decent investment. To give you an idea, a regular 6-string 60's Wilshire could fetch more than $4,000 just a couple of months ago ($5k to $12k according to Gibson) and a brand new Wilshire re-issue (without the history and the patina of time) will cost you close to $2,900!
I would seriously think about acquiring it if I had the funds right now -but I'd have to sell my 56 Fender re-issue which is just the best Fender I have ever played (more on that very soon!) I am still more a player than a collector I guess!
Back in the days where Gibson was still seeing Epiphone as a brand on its own "shortly" after the acquisition in 1957, Epiphone's were produced at the same plant as Gibson's in Kalamazoo and Epiphone had its own line of original models.
I have covered the Wilshire and other vintage Epiphone from the 60's like the Crestwood in previous posts because I like them, they are usually affordable vintage guitars and they are unique in their design.
This one is no exception and is a rarity. It is the first 12-string Epiphone from that era I have found on eBay. It is in great condition and looks beautiful with its 12-string headstock, its cherry finish, its white pickguard, its mini-humbuckers and the volume/tone knobs typical of the Wilshire.
It's a real steal too, even if $2,200 can mean a lot of money in this economy. But this guitar sounds like a very decent investment. To give you an idea, a regular 6-string 60's Wilshire could fetch more than $4,000 just a couple of months ago ($5k to $12k according to Gibson) and a brand new Wilshire re-issue (without the history and the patina of time) will cost you close to $2,900!
I would seriously think about acquiring it if I had the funds right now -but I'd have to sell my 56 Fender re-issue which is just the best Fender I have ever played (more on that very soon!) I am still more a player than a collector I guess!
Thursday, 28 May 2009
3 vintage Epiphone icons - the Crestwood, Casino and Zephyr guitars
Since I published my post about the Epiphone Wilshire, I've been meaning to write a follow up with more great vintage Epiphone models using examples found on eBay. So here we go!
First, the Wilshire's evil twin: the Epiphone Crestwood. There is a beautiful 1961 Crestwood up for grabs. Let me point out its nice features:
Going from solid body to semi-hollow (Epiphone's historical forte), the fairest of them all: the Casino!
What better claim to iconic guitar status than being the guitar in the hands of John Lennon for the Beatles famous last show on the rooftop of the Apple building. McCartney was actually the first Beatles to buy one -Lennon and Harrison followed shortly thereafter.
Back to our eBay example, a 1967 vintage Casino, one could say it is a Gibson ES-335 copycat. But what a beauty still:
The Year is now 1952. And you are looking at a gorgeous blonde archtop guitar, an Epiphone Zephyr Emperor. There is much to say, but in short:
And that's it for now for vintage Epiphones. I'd love to get your comments below or on twitter.
The Epiphone Crestwood
First, the Wilshire's evil twin: the Epiphone Crestwood. There is a beautiful 1961 Crestwood up for grabs. Let me point out its nice features:
- the mini-humbuckers (like the Gibson Firebird) - 1961 is the first year of production with those, replacing the "New York" pick ups
- the oval markers on the neck (also a change which happened in 61) - note that there is no marker after the 15th fret. You're on your own for high-pitch solos!
- the original transparent pickguard with the Epiphone E logo (which is surprising since the E got scrapped as part of the changes in that year of production too)
- the unique tremolo with also an E logo (2 logos on the guitar in 2 different directions! that's wacky design :)
The Epiphone Casino
Going from solid body to semi-hollow (Epiphone's historical forte), the fairest of them all: the Casino!What better claim to iconic guitar status than being the guitar in the hands of John Lennon for the Beatles famous last show on the rooftop of the Apple building. McCartney was actually the first Beatles to buy one -Lennon and Harrison followed shortly thereafter.
Back to our eBay example, a 1967 vintage Casino, one could say it is a Gibson ES-335 copycat. But what a beauty still:
- still built in the Kalamazoo factory
- it sports an awesome non-see-through burgundy finish
- it has these nice "hexagonal" pick up covers (these are P90's under the hood)
- I like the parallelogram inlays
- the distinctive pickguard with the E logo is a nice touch (Gibson doesn't apply logo on pickguards)
- And added bonus on this vintage: the cracks on the finish!
The Epiphone Zephyr
The Year is now 1952. And you are looking at a gorgeous blonde archtop guitar, an Epiphone Zephyr Emperor. There is much to say, but in short:- can you believe this vintage guitar has been through half a century? It looks new!
- the color and wood of the flamed maple top are breathtaking
- the headstock is a piece of art in itself with these flowers and the logo in mother of pearl
- the 3 New York pick ups and the push-button selector are not for the faint of heart
And that's it for now for vintage Epiphones. I'd love to get your comments below or on twitter.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
$25k for a Signed Gibson Jeff Beck 54 Oxblood
I didn't post about the Les Paul 54 Oxblood Inspired By Jeff Beck model when it was first announced by the Gibson Custom Shop.
But today, I just realized that GuitarCenter.com was selling a signed aged version for a mind blowing $25,000!
Ok, Beck's 54 Les Paul is a unique model just for its story before and with Beck. And sure, the specs are very specific as a result: a 54 Les Paul routed for humbuckers with two refinish ending in a peculiar color. So, of course, when the Custom Shop decides to build a few replicas (150) of this unique model, these are going to be unique guitars. And then pick a few (50, pictured left) to be aged by Gibson master luthiers to look exactly like the real one. And then get those signed and played by Beck, a living guitar icon. That's huge.
But is it worth $25k? Can anyone afford this in this economy? Probably not as many as expected - as staggering as this price is, this is indicated as a price drop on GC's site.
If you really like this guitar but don't have this budget, you still have options: GuitarCenter.com still lists the non-signed non-aged version of this Les Paul Oxblood by the Custom Shop. The price tag is $7,000.
And if that is still too high, you can go with a previous re-issue by the Gibson Custom Shop. You can find those on eBay between $2,750 and $4,000 (as of writing). Note that these seem to be chambered Les Paul's. See below for current search results.
But today, I just realized that GuitarCenter.com was selling a signed aged version for a mind blowing $25,000!
Ok, Beck's 54 Les Paul is a unique model just for its story before and with Beck. And sure, the specs are very specific as a result: a 54 Les Paul routed for humbuckers with two refinish ending in a peculiar color. So, of course, when the Custom Shop decides to build a few replicas (150) of this unique model, these are going to be unique guitars. And then pick a few (50, pictured left) to be aged by Gibson master luthiers to look exactly like the real one. And then get those signed and played by Beck, a living guitar icon. That's huge.But is it worth $25k? Can anyone afford this in this economy? Probably not as many as expected - as staggering as this price is, this is indicated as a price drop on GC's site.If you really like this guitar but don't have this budget, you still have options: GuitarCenter.com still lists the non-signed non-aged version of this Les Paul Oxblood by the Custom Shop. The price tag is $7,000.
And if that is still too high, you can go with a previous re-issue by the Gibson Custom Shop. You can find those on eBay between $2,750 and $4,000 (as of writing). Note that these seem to be chambered Les Paul's. See below for current search results.
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