Vintage Les Paul Value?

[min7b5]

I have a new student who’s uncle willed him an mint, apparently unplayed 1957 Les Paul Goldtop. I haven’t seen it yet, but I might this week... Anyway, I didn’t feel it was appropriate to ask about the money end of it, so I’ve been looking online because I’m curious what it might be worth. I couldn’t find anything. Any ideas? Inquiring minds want to know

[jalbert]

Contact Gruhn Guitars; if anyone is in a qualified position to give an estimate, they are. http://www.gruhn.com/appraise.html

[Bob Womack]

If it is in very good shape, you are looking at a very expensive guitar - they can be up in the $200,000 range. In reasonable shape, they can run from $50k and up. I agree with the above: get an appraisal from Gruhns and then some insurance. I would add that you and he would do well to help him keep his anonymity as these are VERY hot commodities to thieves.

Bob

[min7b5]

Thanks

He is getting an appraisal this week, and I told him to call Heritage and then compare with a home owners rider. I have a rider on my gigging guitars, but I’m switching to Heritage this month.

I’m very excited to check it out. He took it into a local repair shop to see if they did appraisals ( they don’t ) he said they described it as looking like as if it had never been played- NOS. They were apparently pretty blown away.

Very exciting stuff

[dylanheeg]

if it is a true '57 in unplayed condition......yikes.....

As Bob said, be careful where you speak of this info....hate to be a target...it is like being a lotto winner.

[kak1154]

Yeah, depending on condition, you are looking at $50K minimum. Gruhn will not likely appraise that guitar without actually seeing it. You will have to take it there or ship it (please don't ship it) there for them to see in person.

Sounds like you are sitting on a gold mine, but remember, anything that sounds too good to be true, probably is.

[min7b5]

Originally Posted by kak1154

....Sounds like you are sitting on a gold mine, but remember, anything that sounds too good to be true, probably is.

Just to be clear, it’s not me (unfortunately)

It’s a friend that has inherited this guitar from his uncle who was the original owner.

And though I haven’t seen it yet, he’s a very together kind of guy, I’m sure it’s everything he says it is. My impression is he just wants to get it insured this week. He doesn’t seem too interested in what it’s worth. He wants to keep it as a family heirloom, and I doubt he would ever need to sell.

[Lewguitar]

Most of these stories turn out to be BS.

If it sounds to good to be true, it's usually...well...to good to be true.

But there are exceptions.

Hope your student isn't mistaken or BSing you!

He may have a $100,000 guitar if he isn't.

[Bob Womack]

Of course, the time is right for people who bought them new to be passing them on.

Bob

[min7b5]

Originally Posted by Lewguitar

...Hope your student isn't mistaken or BSing you!...

I would say that is very very unlikely. He’s a pretty straight shooting corporate kinda guy

Originally Posted by lofapco

If there is anyway to post a photo, I am sure we all would be drooling.....

I told him not to bring it over until he gets it insured, but then I don’t see why he would object to me snapping a few pics. I'll ask.

[leeasam]

call Dave at www.davesguitar.com he has a personal collection of old guitars that is unreal and can give ya book value also.. He will be at NAMM so yopu need to hurry or wait til next week.

[MyuniqueGuitar]

WoW...you'd also want to add the cost of the seriously reinforced safe to keep it in, to the overall value, you don't want a guitar like that living on your sofa...however nice the idea sounds