Gibson L-1

[Ripper]

Guys...
They had a Gibson, Robert Johnson signature L-1 for sale at Long & Mcquade. I just had to give her a whirl.
Its small. I was shocked how small this guitar is. Its like holding a feather its so light. But the biggest shock was the price.
$2400!!...I couldnt believe my eyes. I played it, and though the sound was okay, it was nothing to write home about.
For that kind of money I could get a nice Martin, or a nice Jumbo Gibson, that would sound as smooth as butter.

Very over priced. I was told that the L-1 was an entry level guitar back in the 30's

[sumgai]

deep,

Back when R.J. was still kickin' it, many guitars were that size.

Yes, it was an entry level unit, but then again, that's all Robert could afford, at the time.

If you think this thing is overpriced, check out any Les Paul, new, used or otherwise!



sumgai

[Ripper]

Sumgai...
*Ouch*
I know the LP wasnt cheap, but although Gibson has their flaws like every guitar manufacturer, they still make the Holy Grail of electric guitars. Love Les Pauls or hate them, they are still made with quality wood, quality electronics. I feel $2000+ is the going rate now for high end guitars. Sure you can get nice axes a tad cheaper here or there, but think of re-sale value of a Gibson as well.
I was told Gibby has really picked up their socks the last few years. Quality & workmanship are coming back up to par. Its a shame they slacked off, but hey!...They got caught up in their own press and reputation.

[sumgai]

deep,

They got caught up in their own press and reputation.

Gibson has no lock on that little foible! Since the dawn of the Yuppie revolution, swelled-heads have been the order of the day. Now you know the exact reason for inflation!!
</end of today's lesson in economics)


sumgai


<edit>
No, that's not right..... let me go further.

Gibson isn't the greedy one here, they're just charging what the market will bear. The underlying point is, the buyers have a distorted value system, which in turn feeds upon itself, particularly in the 're-sale' arena. That's where a guitar that cost no more than 5% above average when sold new, is now worth about 5,000 times what it should be selling for, used. It's called investment value, and it's based on a temporary blip (aging boomers), which won't last much beyond your generation becoming our elder statesmen. Aging Jimi-wannabes are all in a lather about acquiring intruments that will somehow surpass the lack of 40 years of diligent practice and experience, and suddenly catapult them into stardom. For this 'privilege' they are willing to spend their entire nest eggs, a foolish move if there ever was one, financially speaking.

Note that this phenomenon occurs only in the guitar (and bass) world. Not even drum kits command this level of outsider interference. Virtually all other valuable used instruments are owned by master musicians, not collectors for the sake of re-investment. That says something to me, how about you?

But enough of that. It's tiring and discouraging to ruminate on what can't be changed. It's a free market, and if it weren't, I'd move to where it is free, that's for sure. I'll shut up now. ;D
</edit>

[ccso8462]

I inherited a '57 Gibson student model from my mom. You could probably call it a 3/4 or 7/8 size. Not crazy about the vintage tuners, but as far as construction, playability, and tone? WOW!!

I think I'll save my $ and enjoy what I've got!

(It has only left the house twice in the last 8 years, for a couple of special gigs)

[Ripper]

Sumgai...
I understand what you are saying. Im an average guy, and the only reason I like the classic guitars ( Gibson/Fender) is because the guitars heros from my youth used to play them, and to me thats what a guitar should look like, and sound like. I love the way a Strat looks while being played. I cant take my eyes off of Pages Les Paul when hes "Ramblin on " ;D

Yes, the youth of today have different guitar heros, who in turn play different kinds of guitars. Ibanez, ESP, PRS, Dean etc.
Maybe when that kid whos 15 now grows up, he/she will dream of owning a nice 7 string Ibanez. I guess im a product of my generation...but, damn!...Those are some fine lookin guitars!

I wonder how much profit Gibson makes on a Les Paul? Ive also wondered if Les Paul still gets a few bucks for every LP sold?

[andy]

We're all allowed to be a bit picky when it comes to our choices of guitar- either we do this as a hobby or a vocation- only the very foolish or the unreasonably lucky can go into music expecting to get rich. Ultimately we do it because it makes us feel good, so why not choose a guitar with that same factor? I know I probably could have a Tele type guitar which is as good or better than the one I have and have paid a couple of hundred quid less for it without the F word on the headstock. But I feel better with that there, and I know people take me more seriously (rightly or wrongly) when I say I play a Fender, over some other perfectly fine brand.

I know that if we were sensible about it, we'd all have korean built knock-offs, with our own choice of upgraded pickups, a good setup and a really good sound! But this is entertainment, and fashion in a way, and that makes it worth the extra dough for a bit of sparkle on the side, that extra sense of luxury or edginess- thats rock'n'roll all over really- four or five geeks sit in a stinky backstage room chatting about what thay had for lunch, and then, for 45 minutes, put on the coolest guitars, put on the coolest clothes, pull the coolest moves, and trick some folks into thinking that they're watching something other than a bunch of geeks, playing bits of wood and glue, and frankly being far more exiting than they've been all week.

I guess what I'm saying is that no guitar can be worth more than the sum of its parts and workmanship in a physical sense. But even now, just thinking about Robert Johnsons guitar gives me that feeling in my tummy- the thing was only mahogany and glue, with some bog standard hardware on it, but it's those 45 minutes each week that he spent on stage which turn it into something else, which I can't afford, but which someone else might pay to feel every time they open that brown leather case...

[Ripper]

andy...
This is neither here no there, but the little woman says your picture is very sexy!

Note to self..*Im glad Andy lives in England* ;D ;D

[andy]

Why, thankyou.

I won't spoil her illusion by posting one of myself WITHOUT a hat covering my face!