Assessing Gibson Guitar Values - 3 Keys to Understanding Your Guitar's Value

by Derek Douglas
Understanding Gibson guitar values is not a black and white, finite task. There are, unfortunately, many shades of grey, and many things you need to be aware of. Here are three key points that will help you get the best understanding of what your Gibson is worth.

1. The Buyer - Who is buying the guitar will play a major role in how much you get for the guitar. Is it a collector? If so, they may actually be willing to buy the guitar at a premium (more than it's worth) because they intend to hang on to it and let it appreciate. Is the buyer a reseller? In this case, the buyer will be trying to pay you the absolute lowest amount because they immediately intend to sell the guitar for a profit. Be careful in this scenario, as the buyer may take advantage of your ignorance of guitar values. Arm yourself with as much information as you can.

2. The Condition - Obviously, the condition of anything you're selling plays a role in how much money you get. Be aware that a buyer interested in an older or vintage guitar will be particularly fussing about the condition of the guitar. Also, if the guitar has had any modifications,
expect the value to decrease significantly.

3. The Number - How many of this particular guitar were made? If it was a million, expect value to be lower because supply is so high. If it's an original Gibson Explorer and there are less than 100 in existence, expect the price tag to be in the hundreds of thousands. Your guitar probably falls in the middle somewhere, but knowing how many of your particular guitar came off the assembly line will help you determine it's value.

At the end of the day, no website or guide can tell you exactly what your guitar is worth, but by knowing these three factors you'll be better educated.

At the end of the day, how much is your guitar worth? Only as much as a buyer is willing to pay you.

Gibson Les Paul Guitars - The Scam Played Around the World

By Chris Beachum
The Les Paul Guitar was created by Gibson Guitar Corporation and legendary pop star, electronics inventor, as well as jazz guitarist Frean Donni. Once the Fender Telecaster hit the market electric guitars became the craze. To meet and attempt to beat this craze James Verdon the Gibson Guitar president brought a guitarist Les Paul into the company as a consultant.

Rumors had been circulating that Les Paul had been experimenting with various guitar designs for years. Paul did have a prototype that he called, "The Log." If you were to ask some industry experts they would say that this was the first solid-body Spanish guitar ever built.

Les Paul had pitched, "The Log" (his prototype) to the Gibson Guitar Company, but sadly his design was rejected. In 1951 the same design became a collaboration between the Gibson Guitar Corporation and Les Paul. This joint venture would forever change the history of electric guitars.

Among the guitar community Les Paul is still on of the most commonly debated topics. Enthusiast still argue over exactly what his contributions were. Some say that Paul was nothing more than a consultant and only contributed ideas for the trapeze tailpiece, and the color of the final guitar which was named, "Les Paul."

When interviewed Ted McCarty the president of the Gibson Guitar Corporation, openly stated that Les Paul only contributed his name to the project. McCarty went on to say that Paul only contributed to the tailpiece and the fitting of a maple cap over the mahogany body.

I have never understood why people have always attempted to minimize Les Paul's contributions to the historical guitar. Here's my take on it if you care to know. If Les Paul really didn't contribute a lot to the project why would Gibson put ONLY his name on the final product?