Value of a Guitar?!
Question:
Value of a Guitar?
My father has an Original 1959 Les Paul Custom black beauty with original case and wire-work. Does anyone know of a site or an estimate on its value?
Answers:
A lot depends on Condition,,,
but they range from $35,000 to 50,000 as average starting price in decent condition.
They can go twice that high.
Easy.
There was only about 250 made in '59
My best suggestion is to contact :
Gruhn Guitars in Nashville,Tennesee
615 256-2033
fax 615 255-2021
gruhn@gruhn.com
400 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203
http://www.gruhn.com/
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They're probably the most Knowledgeable,Reputable source for appraisals on instruments like your Father's.
Be careful with that guitar,,far as who knows that y'all have it,,,where it's located,etc.
In other words,,,Careful taking it to a local store for appraisal,etc.
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Those have Long been in "Collector's Only" category.
Total Production from '54 to '60 was only about 1650 guitars.
Not all of them have survived.
(By comparison,,I have a '69~'70 Deluxe-a "low production guitar",,,almost 2700 were made in THAT year.
Over 1,000 MORE in a single year,,,that ALL CUSTOMS Total)....and 10 years later,,my '69 only cost $25 more than a Custom did in in '59
"New" a '59 was about $375,,,,HUGE money in '59,lol
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Black Beauties are now in the realm of "Price is No Object" Collectors
They're Old,Unique,and Rare besides being simply exceptional instruments ,,,,all making them a "must have" for any serious collector.
Don't be surprised when stating such as,,,
" I have an Original '59 Les Paul Custom......."
to be met with,,,
"No you don't/Not Likely/Probably Not,,,etc,etc"
And don't take that as an insult towards your/y'all's credibility.
Understand that such skepticism is simply confirmation of how rare those things are,,and how seldom Genuine Originals are seen.
Do Contact Gruhn,,,they are the correct folks to assist you with such an instrument.
Take care!