Les Paul "Standard Plus" Closeout for $1599

[bongolation]

Gibson is closing out the Les Paul "Standard," "Deluxe" and "Standard Plus" guitars and remaining stocks are going for deep discounts at most of the chains.

I nearly bought a new Gibson Les Paul "Standard Plus" today For $1599 at GC, but passed as it had too many store dings on it (though, unlike many so-called "AA" maple tops on LPS+s it had an incredibly beautiful "AAA"-grade top and had almost all the purfling on right). I always said that in the unlikely event I found a decently-made Gibson, I'd buy it, but the store shredders had dinged this one up too much. SamAsh.Com has them for the same price, but I don't want to get one sight-unseen for that kind of dough, given Gibson's generally poor workmanship.

List on these is $3614, so I figured an out-the-door price of $1599 couldn't be beat and I could probably get out from under it at that price if I changed my mind.

I checked EBay when I got home and discovered that Les Paul Pluses sold as brand new from reputable music retailers on EBay rarely have gotten this much even before the current blowouts. Never mind what the used ones sell for.

The more I looked at Les Pauls, the worse the resale prices looked, especially considering how people always pay too much on EBay.

Do Les Pauls really lose such a tremendous amount of value generally speaking? I was pretty surprised.

 

[gibs]

Gibson does some strange things...

The 2002 regular Standards are AA tops, Kluson tuners instead of Grovers, and have Burstbucker pups...the first few of these have "Standard" on the truss rod cover, the later runs don't.....and surprise, no pickguard........also a choice of '50s or '60s style neck......

The "Standard" has never been "Standard", anyway, changes have been rampant for years.........

It was obvious that the Standard Plus would become toast, it's only reason for being prior to the 2002's was for the top......however, with the pup changes, they will be the only bursts with 490R and 498T's, and so might become collectible after a few years......

But then, of course, Gibson will change everything up again....

Gibson's website is never up to date for some reason, the new standards aren't up yet, but there are some in stores.....go figure.....

QC has improved tremendously the past 2 years, though....and at those prices, it should......gibs

 

[jimistone]

"SamAsh.Com has them for the same price, but I don't want to get one sight-unseen for that kind of dough, given Gibson's generally poor workmanship."

im still trying to figure out why your wanting to dish out that kind of dough on a guitar that you consider is being made with poor workmanship

as far as the resale value on les pauls....it has been real good. This high resale (in my opinion) is one of the reasons that les pauls are overpriced. I can't see les pauls apreiciating a whole lot when they are 2 or 3 grand to start with and not as high quality as the old ones.

i would like to have another les paul just to have one (im mainly a strat player)...but i sold mine ("75 custom) for 250 bucks a few years ago and haven't seen one cheap enough to interest me. plus, the new ones arn't as high quality as the old ones. If i do get another one it will be an older one and dings and playing wear don't bother me a whole lot. You should be able to find a used one for under a grand (i have seen some nice ones go for under a grand on e-bay.)

 

[rpe]

Don't woory about resale...........

IMHO, when you find a guitar that feels and sounds fantastic (as most LP's I've played) you should forget resale value and just enjoy owning and playing it. Although I only own one (LP Classic) now, I love they way it sounds and feels and really don't care what I could get for it. I plan on keeping it forever.

 

[jimistone]

i got offered 2500 bucks for my strat today. Man, that blew me away! damn, thats alot of money (I only paid 150 bucks for it). I have had it since 1976 ('66 model) and I think i would cry if i parted with it...so i don't guess im going to sell it.