Vintage guitars

[EGLITOM]

Hi you guitar specialists,

As i know that there are some guitar freaks out there in our community i would like to get your opinion.

i´m looking for a vintage guitar for my daughter. Currently she is playing her Squier Strat , which is fairly good working horse, but i´m looking for something more vintage.

I´ve been offered a 1980´s Jeff Beck ( i have the serial number at home)Strat in creme. It is in mint condition (never played). seller is asking 1800 USD for it. Is that reasonable ?

The second offer from the same seller is a 1977 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe in gold. It was played and has usage marks but it is in a perfect condition otherwise. Serialnumber is 73417547. seller is asking 2760 USD for it.

We would be more inclined towards the "Paula" but love that Strat too.

Would you think 3500 USD for both is a reasonable offer from my side.

Thanks for your input

TOM

Pictures will be posted tonight

 

Hmmmmm,
At first glance I was thinking his prices are on the high side.
But, then I guess that there are not as many available over there as there are here.
And if you consider the import duty cost, and maybe another $100. shipping from the U.S. to there for each.
I'd think over here, you could find a comparable Les Paul for closer to $2000.
And have to say there's a whole lot of cool Strats around for under a $1000.
With that said, I think your offer of $3500. for both would be closer to a fair price on them.


Just for fun, took a quick look on my local cragslist, and found an 1988 "Paisly" Strat for $750.

Cheer's

Curtis

 

[Dave Wood]

A close friend is a musician and guitar collector (has over 500), I'll ask him today. From the prices he's paid they sound "reasonable".

 

[Graham]

Hi Tom,

I have both of these guitars, amongst others. Ignoring the price for a moment, a Les Paul is a VERY heavy guitar. If your daughter is petite, then I wouldn't recommend the Les Paul. I have gigged with one many times, but now use a custom Telecaster simply because after a couple of hours with the Les Paul around my neck, it becomes hard work....

Also, the prices do seem a little high, but not too bad.

Hope this helps

Graham.

 

[Dave Wood]

Hi Tom,

I have both of these guitars, amongst others. Ignoring the price for a moment, a Les Paul is a VERY heavy guitar.

Graham.

I'll have to second that. I hardly use it anymore except for around the house when I practice, it seems to make my neck and back hurt...and I'm not that petite( not a large boy either). I haven't played one in a while, but I recall the Strat being as heavy or at least feeling like it, so that shouldn't be an influence if these are the 2 that are being chosen. I use my acoustic/electric Gibson more and have always had a desire to own an SG since I was in High School. It always "felt" right.
-- I came back and added this; Initially I was appreciative of the gesture you wish to make, my father was far less so, but an instrument is a very personal thing. Feel,sound as well as many other factors make up what various musicians desire, that's why there are so many. You may have already, but if not,ask your daughter about here preference. Maybe she is still at the level that she hasn't played enough to have any special "attraction", but if she has and your selection is not in that category...it may wll be traded for something else. Just .02

 

[Graham]

I'll have to second that. I hardly use it anymore except for around the house when I practice, it seems to make my neck and back hurt...and I'm not that petite( not a large boy either). I haven't played one in a while, but I recall the Strat being as heavy or at least feeling like it, so that shouldn't be an influence if these are the 2 that are being chosen. I use my acoustic/electric Gibson more and have always had a desire to own an SG since I was in High School. It always "felt" right.
-- I came back and added this; Initially I was appreciative of the gesture you wish to make, my father was far less so, but an instrument is a very personal thing. Feel,sound as well as many other factors make up what various musicians desire, that's why there are so many. You may have already, but if not,ask your daughter about here preference. Maybe she is still at the level that she hasn't played enough to have any special "attraction", but if she has and your selection is not in that category...it may wll be traded for something else. Just .02

Dave,

I agree with your sentiments. If she is a decent experienced player, with a genre of music that she particularly likes, then I would definitely be asking her opinion. A Les Paul is only good for certain things, and likewise a Strat... If she is only slightly experienced, then I would probably opt for a Strat as it is a bit more of a jack of all trades. Personally, I find the Strat to be a fair bit lighter than the Les Paul, but that can depend on the year of the guitar. Another REALLY important factor in choosing is the Neck profile. If she has small hands / fingers, then a Les Paul, with its baseball bat profile, may be too big for her. I have always leaned towards Fender style necks, as they are much shallower, and as I have sausages for fingers, It makes playing a tad easier for me.

Tom,

Take her to your local music store and get her to try out different neck profiles. You would be amazed at the difference. Fenders tend to be less rounded on the back of the neck, with a more curved fingerboard, and Gibsons are the opposite of this.

As an aside - and a lesson learnt - I purchased a Fano guitar from New Jersey a few years ago and neglected to spec the neck to my liking (this was entirely my fault). I have a completely hand made custom quilted maple guitar with an Uffington White Horse inlay in the fingerboard which is simply the most beautiful guitar I have ever owned which I'm going to sell simply because the neck doesn't suit me....AAAAAARGH!!!

Anyway, thats my inflation busting 4 pence...

 

[Garry]

Tom,
I personnally like the Les Paul. The '77 Deluxe Gold Top is a great instrument and it does not have as thick of a neck as the earlier models. It does have the small humbuckers and some collectors don't like them. They are fine, just a little less dynamic range than a P-90 or a Burstbucker. For what it's worth, the Strat is a fine guitar also and I use both. I agree about the weight of the LP, it is HEAVY. There are some models available for chicks that have a lightened body (carved out pockets) that would probably be fine for her. I love the sustain of these guitars.
Someone mentioned a telecaster and for a small girl, that is where I would go. You can buy a great model (like 'the Bruce'plays) and order it with either Humbuckers or single-coils or a combination of both. An American Standard model is priced VERY reasonable on sites like Musicians' Friend or Guitar Center and I bet you could get a new one with a case for around a $1000 US. The guitar is light, has fabulous tone, great vintage-cool looks and will scream. The neck is smaller and fits small hands perfectly. It will be a guitar she can use for her life as well.
Garry

 

[EGLITOM]

That´s here (watch as of 1:50) and wait for the solo
YouTube - RAVISH MINXS performing STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN ( usualy she makes the timing perfect, but here she was pretty nervous, but managed good to correct it)

Of course I did ask her what she would like to have.
She has clear preferences in terms of color and style and she wants a classic.
We have tested "les Pauls" for a few times and i also told here that this thing is quite heavy, but she still like it. Getting all your input about the neck profile i will go with here again and pay more attention to that.
We have a great guitar store app 100 miles away from may home. I will take here to this shop and we will try as many guitars as we can.

I´m not in a hurry and it doesn´t need to be one of this two guitars right now. If any of you has a nice piece to sell, send me pics.

Being a 13 year old girl , she of course has "style preferences" , so black , red and gold would be her favorite colors.

Thanks
TOM

We have a great guitar store app 100 miles away from may home. I will take here to this shop and we will try as many guitars as we can.

Thanks
TOM

 

[EGLITOM]

Gary thanks for your input. That is what her guitar teacher tells her also

Is that somethin you could recommand:
http://cgi.ebay.de/Fender-John-5-Te...cmdZViewItemQQptZGitarren?hash=item519119b9e9 or this one
http://cgi.ebay.de/Fender-Highway-O...cmdZViewItemQQptZGitarren?hash=item53e01c0b7c


just need to get her away from the LP trip

TOM

 

[Steve26]

I think the prices are OK, might be a bit high but OK. This question is totally dependant on sound! The Strat and Les Paul have totally different sound and it's a personal thing. As far as weight there is no way a Strat is as heavy as a Les Paul (one of the reasons for the difference in sound) I have both right now as well as a 335 and they all sound different and the Strat is by far the lightest. All are great guitars but used to obtain different sounds.
Steve26

 

[Garry]

Tom,
These are fine. Go to the Fender website and look up the guitars. The Highway One is a fine instrument, but If you want a classic, buy the 'American Standard or Deluxe" models. They have boned the neck for very smooth playing. You may also want to go with a Rosewood fretboard as it gives warmer tones and in my opinion is easier to reach bends as the neck radius is slightly different than the all maple neck. I use the maple neck as well, so it is really a personal decision. No matter what, if you buy an American made Fender, you will love it. Some of the Mexican made instruments play very well also, but you need to play it before you buy it since there is less consistancy in the guitars. They are very inexpensive. I have a Mexican Strat that I choose for my daughter when she started playing and it has a great neck. The pickups are not as sweet as my American made guitars, but it still sound great played through a tube amp.
There are Les Pauls available for around $1500 US used, even some Gold Tops. There were some thinner necked models made in the 60's, especially the Black Custom model, but they are HEAVY. It is beautiful, but it is a man's guitar because of the weight. Three hours of playing that on stage and I guarantee you your back and neck will know it. The SG Custom would be a better choice. Just remind her that Page, Clapton, Angus, Harrison,Santana and many others used this model. It has great sustain, a thin neck, fairly light in weight and she can buy one with the cool fret markers that I suspect she is looking for. It is beautiful and affordable compared to the LP.
Garry

 

[Ron McCall]

Tom,
Another thing that you might want to consider is that the Les Paul is 24 3/4" scale and I think the Strats are 25.5" . I may be wrong about that though. Also, The Les Paul will most likely be heavier than the Strat. Both are things to consider since she is a 13 yr old girl.
Also, I watched the video. VERY impressive!!! She is very good!

 

[Al Jones]

Personally, I'd go with a Gibson SG. Good tone,excellent playability and a lot lighter than the 'anchor' weight Les Paul. When I play electric, this is the one I use.

 

[Mick Ridley]

Tom,

Another thing to consider would be the necks. Les pauls have a rosewood neck. Strats can have either a rosewood, or a maple neck.

It looks like your daughter has a maple neck on her guitar.

I prefere a rosewood neck. I just cant get on with a maple neck...........

Strats are much more versatile than a les paul. you can change necks, there are many different sorts of pickups you can fit, to get different sounds

You could even put one together yourself, thats what I did to get the feel and sound I wanted

A guitar, is a very personal thing...get her to try as many different guitars as you can. she will know when she finds the right guitar

Mick

 

[J. Salmon]

I think guitars are like cars: you have to go for a test drive and get what you like.

I got an Ibanez Artist in '82 when I was 13. I got it because it was a lot cheaper than the rival Les Paul, but I also loved the way it played. Now I can buy pretty much what I want (OK, within reason) but that old Ibanez remains my favorite today. It just feels right. My snazzy new Music Man just sorta hangs around.

I do think you have most bases covered with that pair. But don't be surprised if she is drawn to one and the other collects dust

 

[EGLITOM]

Thanks for all that input

Personally i would love to get her a SG, but she don´t likes the look ( she says it looks like an axe) and up to now we don´t have had a chance to try one.



TOM

 

[Ron Earp]

Hey Tom,
I just showed that video to my daughter and she, and I, think they are very good and cool! My daughter plays piano, is eight years old, and she really liked it. We're looking forward to seeing more of them in the future.
Ron

 

[Jeff Young]

That's WAY too much for either guitar.

As far as I know, the Jeff Beck "artist series" Strats or whatever they call them weren't made until the early 1990s. New ones go for $1600 or so; I can't imagine the ones from the early 90s have appreciated much.

I'm biased, I'm not a real Strat fan, although I own two. The comments on weight are spot on; a Les Paul is much heavier. However, if you are sitting down playing (as I suspect you daughter will do, at least for a while), it shouldn't matter.

A late 70s LP Deluxe is a good guitar. Their distinguishing feature were the mini-humbuckers -- I like those pickups a lot, have them in my Firebird VII. They are not as muddy as PAFs, or as noisy as P-90s (but not as much grit either). Good pick up.

My preference is Gibsons, and I'm biased, but I think the tone of the Deluxe, plus the fact that it will appreciate sooner and much more than the Strat, I would go the Deluxe. But $2700 is a LOT for a late 70s model. You can get a Custom for that price.

$1500 to $2k depending on condition seems way more reasonable.

 

[Graham]

Garry,


I agree re the Telecaster. It is my go to guitar on a daily basis, and I exclusively use my custom Telecaster for gigs. The neck pickup is warm ( I have a custom P90 on there), and the bridge pickup screams and howls perfectly.

They seem to be much more in fashion than the Strat at the moment, and have been for a while. If I were 13 years old again (i wish), then the lightness, ease of use and neck would be perfect.

I love the SG aswell, but it is limited. It is very much a "one sound" guitar and (personally) I don't see it as a jack of all trades. You can't get a scratchy driven sould out of it like you can with a Tele or Strat, but then it's horses for courses. I play stuff like Radiohead, Oasis, The Smiths and Hendrix etc, and a Gibbo just doesn't suit that. If you want to play Cream, Led Zep and go for a warm driven sound then a Gibbo is your thing....

As I say, horses for courses.

Also...

Tom,

In some ways as important as the guitar is the amp... Please please please spend the extra money and buy an all valve amp. I have a small 30 watt Mesa Boogie (which cost a fortune over here), and it is so powerful that when I gig, it honestly doesn't get past 3 on the volume dial. Avoid amps that have a Valve preamp but a Tranny postamp, it will save you money, but you will miss all the warmth and width that you get from an all valve amp.

Cheers,


Graham.

 

[EGLITOM]

Right now she is playing a cheap ROLAND transistor combo ( we have this one since she started 5 years ago).

We recently tested several amps in the shop an the one i like most is this one

ENGL Amplification Website

it has so much volume and can go from clean to very heavy hard sounds
And they are made 25 miles away from us. It is not a real classic amp but compared to that thing all the classic amps we tried sound lazy. At least thats my perception.
Think it fits also good to the things she is playing ( Green day, Nirwana; Red Hot CP)

and it is reasonable priced at 730 Euros
TOM