Huge guitar purchase, am i being an idiot?

Huge guitar purchase, am i being an idiot?

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Discussion

kazste

Original Poster:

5,663 posts

197 months

Friday 17th July 2015
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Been looking at a les paul to sit alongside my telecaster (squier affinity), only recently started playing but really enjoying it so figure i may treat myself. Now i have been looking at les paul futuras, classics and studios etc and now i have seen this http://www.gak.co.uk/en/gibson-2013-custom-shop-ha... granted its a huge step up in price but is it worth the extra? I am after a guitar for life and can get this on 4 years 0% so starts making a bit of sense(ish) and doesnt seem that much more than other equivelent custom models.



If its not worth it any thoughts on which model would be best considering it would be a keeper even looking at the 50's tribute they have for under £600.

For a bit of background the guitar will be shared between me and my dad who already has a gibson 335 custom, fender jap strat, and a large heritage (he can play by the way so not trinkets)

davepoth

29,395 posts

198 months

Friday 17th July 2015
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That's a big amount of money to drop on a guitar you might not use all that much. It's also a really big step up from what you currently have. I'd be scared to take it anywhere, frankly.

Also, my understanding is that the current model Gibsons aren't that great to play. I've not had a go on one, but I'm sure some people who have will chime in.

£1200-1300 will get you a perfectly lovely 2nd hand Les Paul Standard from the mid 2000s which will be a wonderful player. Do make sure to play it before you buy, and probably get your dad to play it before you buy too.

kazste

Original Poster:

5,663 posts

197 months

Friday 17th July 2015
quotequote all
Yeah i will definitely bring him along as its nice to have his opinion as he saved me a few hundred with the telecaster as told me to get a specific affinity as best set up one in the shop and initially went in for a 50's vibe.

It is a lot of money to spend but i have been playing now for a few months and still picking it up daily (have a fender mustang sampling amp to play with) so feel like it wouldnt be wasted money.

I will take a look at ebay and the like as issue i have with a lot of the modern ones is the e tuning, not that i wouldnt use it id just prefer the extr into the quality of the guitar and not gimmicks like the tuning system.

Rh14n

940 posts

107 months

Friday 17th July 2015
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Give it a try and if you love it, buy it! Simples music

kazste

Original Poster:

5,663 posts

197 months

Friday 17th July 2015
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Also been looking at the les paul peace in purple that nevada music have (and changing the control knobs) only possible issue with that is that i was hoping to sell the hard case to recoup some expense as i have my guitars so far an acoustic, banjo, and the telecaster out on stands and would do the same with the gibson so little need for the nice case, but not sure i would get much for the hemp case compared to the custom case.

Ganglandboss

8,294 posts

202 months

Friday 17th July 2015
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A few years ago, I saw a Yamaha TRB5 PII five string bass in a music shop near work. It was on sale for £1,150, which was much less than the usual asking price. I didn't have the money, but did the maths and saw that by getting it on the chucky, I would still be paying less than if I'd ordered one.

I mentioned to a couple of lads at work, and they said I was mad for thinking of it. Another one asked me the question, "Do you like playing bass?". I told him I did and he answered "fking buy it then!".

I am looking at it now, and it is beautiful. I don't regret it one bit. I could sell it now for more than I paid, but I won't. People will spend that on a watch - why not spend the cash on something that will give years of pleasure?

darreni

3,759 posts

269 months

Friday 17th July 2015
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Ganglandboss said:
A few years ago, I saw a Yamaha TRB5 PII five string bass in a music shop near work. It was on sale for £1,150, which was much less than the usual asking price. I didn't have the money, but did the maths and saw that by getting it on the chucky, I would still be paying less than if I'd ordered one.

I mentioned to a couple of lads at work, and they said I was mad for thinking of it. Another one asked me the question, "Do you like playing bass?". I told him I did and he answered "fking buy it then!".

I am looking at it now, and it is beautiful. I don't regret it one bit. I could sell it now for more than I paid, but I won't. People will spend that on a watch - why not spend the cash on something that will give years of pleasure?
Same here, I'd always wanted a musicman stingray in honey burst & a few years ago the right one came up for sale - I bought it & never looked back.

I'll never be able to do it justice ( though I am trying) but playing it or even just looking at it makes me smile & to me, that's worth a lot.

I'll never sell it.

Op, if you want it, buy it. You're a long time gone.

Edited by darreni on Saturday 18th July 06:09

Rh14n

940 posts

107 months

Saturday 18th July 2015
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I have several guitars and love all of them. My husband once asked me how many were enough. The answer is always "Just one more".

NordicCrankShaft

1,719 posts

114 months

Saturday 18th July 2015
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I have to agree, I've seen many an expensive guitar over the years and wish I'd bought them.

When you buy big it's not just a guitar you're buying it's an investment although I'd probably go for something older.

I do love a beautiful guitar and the Fender telecaster and Gibson Les Paul are the most beautiful shapes!

Mastodon2

13,818 posts

164 months

Saturday 18th July 2015
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I wouldn't spend £3500 on a modern Gibson and I would certainly not harbour any illusions about them appreciating in value. If you're absolutely loaded then by all means, buy it, but if you're really keen then you can get a lot more guitar for a lot less money if you shop around, or buy used - a lot of people take care of guitars and a properly looked after guitar will play like it did when it left the showroom, or even better.

What you're doing now is like asking "Should I buy a brand new 118d?" when a pristine E30 M3 is sitting round the corner for a quarter of the price, and the owner is a fit blonde who'll give you a blowie if you buy it.

Disastrous

10,072 posts

216 months

Saturday 18th July 2015
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I reckon if you're minted and want it, then buy it. Respectfully, you're probably not good enough yet to know if it's a good one or not but hopefully your dad can steer you right?

If you want an investment, that's almost certainly not the guitar you want, but if you just want it just because, then fk it. Buy it. Just don't kid yourself as to why.

Ganglandboss

8,294 posts

202 months

Saturday 18th July 2015
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kazste

Original Poster:

5,663 posts

197 months

Saturday 18th July 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice you are right i am certainly not good enough yet to warrent the guitar, one of the drivers for the purchase is that it would be something i could share with my dad as said earlier hes getting on a bit and im 35 and you start to realise that there will be a time when your parents wont be around and see this as a way to treat him and spend more time with him, we are close and are like mates but it doesnt help to further that.

As im writing the this the obvious answer is obvious i should take him down to a few shops and let him pick i guess!

When i bought the telecaster i got them to get a selection and remove the price tags so we wouldnt be influenced by price, may do a similar thing with the les paul, but tell them a top limit!

The main reason i fancy one is im a huge Knopfler fan and the way he makes it ring is just stunning.

6th Gear

3,561 posts

193 months

Saturday 18th July 2015
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Spend a bit more and get a Nik Huber. Far superior to the Gibson in every way.

Jeff at World Guitars is the man to speak with.

kazste

Original Poster:

5,663 posts

197 months

Saturday 18th July 2015
quotequote all
Never heard of those but i have also been looking at the heritage 140/150 but would need to hear one.

BorkFactor

7,258 posts

157 months

Saturday 18th July 2015
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I have a Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro ii, and my Dad has a Les Paul Studio Gem (with P90s) and they are both epic guitars. Leagues ahead of the Epiphone LP Custom I played for almost 10 years and well worth the money in my opinion.

However the custom shop stuff is another level entirely. One of the best guitars I have ever played was a collectors choice 59 Les Paul which was truly epic, crazy money but worth every penny. If you are happy with the price and plan to keep it forever then I say go for it. I am yet to play a better guitar than a custom shop Gibson.

However do play it first and make sure it's exactly what you want! smile

If you do get it, make sure you have a proper nice valve amp to get the most out of it thumbup

Edited by BorkFactor on Saturday 18th July 18:17

Fantuzzi

3,297 posts

145 months

Saturday 18th July 2015
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Guitar for life is a strange thing to look for after a few months of playing.


davepoth

29,395 posts

198 months

Sunday 19th July 2015
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kazste said:
Thanks for the advice you are right i am certainly not good enough yet to warrent the guitar, one of the drivers for the purchase is that it would be something i could share with my dad as said earlier hes getting on a bit and im 35 and you start to realise that there will be a time when your parents wont be around and see this as a way to treat him and spend more time with him, we are close and are like mates but it doesnt help to further that.

As im writing the this the obvious answer is obvious i should take him down to a few shops and let him pick i guess!

When i bought the telecaster i got them to get a selection and remove the price tags so we wouldnt be influenced by price, may do a similar thing with the les paul, but tell them a top limit!

The main reason i fancy one is im a huge Knopfler fan and the way he makes it ring is just stunning.



You need his fingers really. wink

jensenhealey2

162 posts

158 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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If it's the guitar you want go for it. I agree a modern Gibson is not likely to be a terrific investment in the way a 58 LP would have been bought in say 1970-4. But it won't lose value like an Epiphone if you look after it. I would keep the case and keep it in the case. Gibsons are not as robust as Fenders particularly at the headstock join. It will also be finished in nitrocellulose, which is mucgh less robust than the polyester finish used on your tele. A knocked about Gibbo is a bargain for the next owner.

A modern Custom Shop guitar should be as well made as any old guitar. My CS ES390 is a very fine guitar. Not even all the 58-60 LPs were well made, which is why so many of them have been upgraded, particularly in the tuner department. Here's what Joe Bonamassa has to say about one of his: http://jbonamassa.com/joes-guitar-of-the-week/guitar-of-the-week-21-1955-gibson-les-paul/ This is a super site for any guitarist, he hs a droolsome collection.

Just one final point, which is that once you have the guitar, you may find yourself wanting an amp that will do it justice, otherwise you may be a tiny bit disappointed.

developer

265 posts

156 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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In the last couple of years my lad has bought a Taylor 814CE (£2650), a USA Fender Stratocaster Deluxe (second hand £1000) and a Gibson Les Paul Custom Shop (second hand £2000).

Each has been fabulous and, we feel, worth the outlay.

I'd go for the best you can justify.