Repair / Restoration Quote from Gibson

  • Thread starter Thread starter Zaphod B
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Zaphod B

Zaphod B

Raccoons-Be-Gone, Inc.
Out of curiosity, I called the Gibson repair and restoration shop to get a quote on taking my Les Paul Special back to its original configuration.

It's a 1976 LP Special originally equipped with two P-90s. Flat top, solid mahogony body and neck, bound fretboard, tobacco sunburst. Three-way switch with dual volume and tone controls.

When I was young and stupid I had the bridge P-90 replaced with a Dimarzio Super Distortion humbucker. This necessitated routing, so there went some wood that I'll never get back. (I did not keep the original pickup, or have lost it over the years.)

At the Gibson shop I spoke with a nice guy by the name of Dion Hooper. He said that what would be required would be to plug the bridge humbucker hole, re-rout it for a P-90, and veneer the plug to match the body grain. The entire guitar would then require refinishing, in the finish of my choice.

Cost: $1700 - $1800.

I also requested a quote for a re-fret (remember, it's a bound neck).

Cost: $525

So I could drop $2325 on a guitar that just might end up being worth that much money when it's finished, given that the restoration would be authenticated by Gibson.

Anyhow, it's an interesting study and I thought you guys might be interested. I doubt that I'll be in a hurry to pursue it, although it does need a fret job badly (and I can have that done locally.)
 
For that much coin I could buy a Custom Shop LP Special Reissue in TV Yellow (yes, notCardio, I know...;)) and still have a Frankenstein in need of a fret job. :D
 
Aloha again- It seems I'm giving you my opinions today, FWIW. I wouldn't invest in restoring a '76, because as you probably know, this was the height of the dreaded Norlin years. Though some of the instruments may be OK, few will become collectible, in my opinion. Spend the money on something else and enjoy your "players" Les Paul. Or if you really want another p/u, just slap it in there and forget what it looks like. Call it reliced.
 
What Really freaks me out is--why do people seek out OTHER people to fix their guitar problems?

There is enough shit on the Internet now, for everyone to modify, fix, and repair their own instruments; doesn't anyone know how to fix their own shit--or do they not know how to read?

:confused:
 
Slowrider said:
What Really freaks me out is--why do people seek out OTHER people to fix their guitar problems?

There is enough shit on the Internet now, for everyone to modify, fix, and repair their own instruments; doesn't anyone know how to fix their own shit--or do they not know how to read?

:confused:
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Dude.

I can swap another pickup in. No problem. It's not about that.

I can't do a convincing wood plug and refinish. I've already killed the resale value of the thing by half; why would I want to make it worse?

Sorry if I'm misinterpreting your post.
 
Horsedoc said:
Aloha again- It seems I'm giving you my opinions today, FWIW. I wouldn't invest in restoring a '76, because as you probably know, this was the height of the dreaded Norlin years. Though some of the instruments may be OK, few will become collectible, in my opinion. Spend the money on something else and enjoy your "players" Les Paul. Or if you really want another p/u, just slap it in there and forget what it looks like. Call it reliced.
Click to expand...
That's a good point about it being a Norlin-era guitar. As it happens, this must be one of the good ones. Stable neck, good finish - after all, after 30 years, many of which were subject to lots of road abuse - it is still, as you say, a player's guitar.

I think that previous sentence needs a few more commas. :D

Anyway, in no way would it make sense, and there is no emotional need on my part to do it. I just thought you guys might be interested in the quotes from Gibson and the overall economic equation.
 
Slowrider said:
What Really freaks me out is--why do people seek out OTHER people to fix their guitar problems?

There is enough shit on the Internet now, for everyone to modify, fix, and repair their own instruments; doesn't anyone know how to fix their own shit--or do they not know how to read?

:confused:
Click to expand...

Do you spray nitro in your living room???

Your post suggests you do.:rolleyes:
 
Slowrider said:
What Really freaks me out is--why do people seek out OTHER people to fix their guitar problems?

There is enough shit on the Internet now, for everyone to modify, fix, and repair their own instruments; doesn't anyone know how to fix their own shit--or do they not know how to read?

:confused:
Click to expand...



Because the guys in my shop do a much better job than you. End of story.

The fact of the matter is, truly professional musicians need their instruments to be at the absolute peak of performance, and they recognize that a great guitar repair person takes just as much practice as becoming a great guitar player. I don't care how much information you have, you don't work on hundreds of guitars a year, and you don't have the same skills as a great repair person does. Guys who do it all the time can diagnose the problems faster, and do a better job of making the repairs. This is particularly true of complex glue jobs and fretwork, where it is all about experience.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Light, you are a hilarious guy.You have people believing that they are NOT capable of repairing their own instruments.

You are a preacher, you dick.

Several people hang onto your every recommendation..little do they know.

Teach them the Fucking history, man.

Tell them how guitars and ALL instruments were repaired before your Sorry ass showed up.

You, young man, are not an authority on repairing guitars. You are a catalog ordering Fool.

Teach them correctly, Fool!
 
c7sus said:
Do you spray nitro in your living room???

Your post suggests you do.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

You know that is a dumb question, now don't you?

Answer this ....what did people use before nitro? Were there ANY musicians out there that worked on their own instruments, or did they always have to take them to a luthier?

Some people would have to wait several years, until a "pro fuckin luthier" came to their area:rolleyes:

So, see; those musicians could no longer play their instruments and make ANY kind of music, because they had to wait for the "pros":rolleyes::rolleyes:

Now, ya get it?:cool:
 
This is one of the few times I really agree with Light.
 
Light is the preacher man who tells you are too stupid to fix something you paid for.

This asshole does that for job security, no more, no less.
 
Slow, I suppose that if your TV were broken and you had no electronics experience, you'd pop it right open and fix it. Or if your transmission blew out and you had no automotive experience, you'd be able to rebuild it with no problem.

He's got a point, and you're just being bitter.
 
timthetortoise said:
Slow, I suppose that if your TV were broken and you had no electronics experience, you'd pop it right open and fix it. Or if your transmission blew out and you had no automotive experience, you'd be able to rebuild it with no problem.

He's got a point, and you're just being bitter.
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You are wrong. I've repaired guitars and stringed instruments since I was around 10. I didn't need a Stew Mac. Unless you study How to build guitars from scratch; you wouldn't understand what I'm trying to get across. Most all repairs can be done by you.

Listening to some Hack on the Internet telling you it can only be done as His Gospel....is like worshipping "Jimmy Light Swaggart".

People pay out the ass for their Baby...but are afraid to work on it. There is no common sense in that.

You ever changed plugs in your fav. car?:rolleyes: Probably not.
 
Slowrider said:
You are wrong. I've repaired guitars and stringed instruments since I was around 10. I didn't need a Stew Mac. Unless you study How to build guitars from scratch; you wouldn't understand what I'm trying to get across. Most all repairs can be done by you.

Listening to some Hack on the Internet telling you it can only be done as His Gospel....is like worshipping "Jimmy Light Swaggart".

People pay out the ass for their Baby...but are afraid to work on it. There is no common sense in that.

You ever changed plugs in your fav. car?:rolleyes: Probably not.
Click to expand...

Actually, I do 99% of the work on my guitars. I've done refinishing, body repair, shit even neck repair. However, if there's something that I don't feel comfortable working on or don't have the correct tools for, there's no way in hell I'm going to risk screwing it up to a point of no/very painful return. I work on my car all the time, but the same goes for it in a much bigger way. There's a certain point where the DIY or die mentality will get you into trouble (been there, done that) and there's no reason (other than petty pride) to do something that you're not entirely sure you can actually do if it involves risking something that is valuable to you.

And you're welcome for the negs. Can't handle the opinions of others I see?
 
When you get more life experience, especially the BS in the industry; you will learn what I mean. Until then..you'll just have to Neg away and follow your preacherman.;)
 
Slowrider said:
You know that is a dumb question, now don't you?

Answer this ....what did people use before nitro? Were there ANY musicians out there that worked on their own instruments, or did they always have to take them to a luthier?
Click to expand...
No you tell us as you seem to know the entire deal. I know already and I'm experienced and qualified to work on them.

I think if you take the time to read the posts guys like Light and myself make here they are mostly advising people about the best option to get their axe fixed properly. When people are confident enough to have a go themselves we give them the info they need on the best way to approach it, including the pitfalls that we see everyday when instruments turn up in the shop following a failed DIY attempt at a fix.

Anyway I'm sure Light and myself would rather be seen as "know it all fools" than "dumb ass trolls";) Each to their own mate. You keep fixing you instruments and good luck with them. In the meantime we'll just keep giving people the wrong advice.

Oh and by the way I doubt very much that you have the skill required to flawlessly plug and patch a veneered top so it is like new and then refinish it so it is near invisible. Very few people do.
 
Slowrider,

Please leave the personal insults out of your opinions. They are not helpful.

I do my own repair work and believe most guitar players should be able to make their own adjustments and more if they are so inclined. However, I have seen some nice guitars nearly ruined by well meaning individuals, Some of whom were both smart and handy. Some of them even took the time to get their advice from the internet.

Light, Muttley and others have generously provided a valuable service here.

Light, I know you are crying in your pretzels over this but buck up little camper. You and Muttley deserve a big pat on the back. Here's one from me.
 
To clarify things for Slowrider -

The purpose of this thread was not to solicit anyone's opinion on anything; rather, it was to inform. I never expressed a desire to attempt to refinish the guitar being discussed. I wanted to pass on the information that I received from the Gibson shop about their repair and restoration prices because I thought they might be of interest.

You've managed to turn it into another DIY / Professional mudslinging affair. :rolleyes:
 
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