[Aceguitar1]

Hello!

I went into GC today for strings and they had this guy hanging on the wall. It's priced at 900. Things I can tell right off are the tuners are not original, strap buttons are missing, and... anything else anyone can see?

The sales guy said he thinks it's a 1957 (so who knows what year it is...)

They won't wiggle on the price, so it's 900 or fold.

Take it or leave it?

[Aceguitar1]

You Tube

[Aceguitar1]

You Tube

[Lizardkinged]

Nay I say.

[Aceguitar1]

Reason?

[Anakin2Solo]

I have one from 1952 and I love it. Mine came without the original P90. If that is original, I would buy it. Have you seen what 50s P90s go for? If you like the action and tone, $900 doesn't sound like too much money to me. They don't build 50's Gibsons anymore.

PS-since mine was not original, I added a gold bigsby and a new bridge. LOVE IT!! The humbucker sounds great, but I plan to swap in a new Gibson P90 next month. I have too many humbuckers.

[Anakin2Solo]

The tailpiece and pickguard look to be original. I am not sure about the pickup. It is a P90. You are right obout the tuners. Those are not what mine look like.

[Lizardkinged]

just my opinion. heh.

[Aceguitar1]

Originally Posted by Anakin2Solo

I have one from 1952 and I love it. Mine came without the original P90. If that is original, I would buy it. Have you seen what 50s P90s go for? If you like the action and tone, $900 doesn't sound like too much money to me. They don't build 50's Gibsons anymore.

PS-since mine was not original, I added a gold bigsby and a new bridge. LOVE IT!! The humbucker sounds great, but I plan to swap in a new Gibson P90 next month. I have too many humbuckers.

See, that's my thought. 900 Isn't that much if the pup is real. At that price and condition, it's more of a player's guitar; in which case I want functioning tuners. It plays REALLY well.

[old slowy]

When you drop those old guitars on the floor, they go from $900 to $9 real fast.

[Aceguitar1]

Originally Posted by old slowy

When you drop those old guitars on the floor, they go from $900 to $9 real fast.

When you drop any guitar on the floor, their price goes down really fast...

[fender62custom]

Sounds like you have your heart set on it....have you played it? if the guitar plays well then go for it...should hold it's value if it's well looked after...it looks in reasonable nick too...you'll want a case & a humidifier too...all the best with it..cheers!!

[freddyfingers]

I was in your shoes about two weeks ago. Samash had a 55. Two of them. Asking 1599 and 1699. They are smoking crack. After watching these on ebay for over a year, in playable condition, I have seen them go for 750, the closer to original it is, price goes up. The tuners deterioate, the bodies check, the soundboard can collapse inward, and they are none for necks having to be redone, reglued. I am not the pro on this, so i hesitatd]ed to even make an offer. Is it the original tail piece? pick guard? Was the neck re glued?

Either way, I tell you this. when I played it, it sang to me. It had the mojo that only a guitar of its age can produce. If money wasn't an issue, and concerns of getting ripped off, cause they sell at more than twice what they pay for it, i would have gotten it. Do some research, there are plenty on ebay, i including the T TC TDC models. I prefer the TDC, as I need the cutaway. I also see them, time to time on craigslist, so you can actually go and play one before buying. either away, they can be great guitars, and even though many have tried to duplicate them, they are unique.

[Aceguitar1]

Originally Posted by fender62custom

Sounds like you have your heart set on it....have you played it? if the guitar plays well then go for it...should hold it's value if it's well looked after...it looks in reasonable nick too...you'll want a case & a humidifier too...all the best with it..cheers!!

Yep! I pulled it off the wall and played it for about 30 minutes. I'm not sure if I have my heart set on it or not. My problem is that I'm extremely indecisive.

[Aceguitar1]

Originally Posted by freddyfingers

I was in your shoes about two weeks ago. Samash had a 55. Two of them. Asking 1599 and 1699. They are smoking crack. After watching these on ebay for over a year, in playable condition, I have seen them go for 750, the closer to original it is, price goes up. The tuners deterioate, the bodies check, the soundboard can collapse inward, and they are none for necks having to be redone, reglued. I am not the pro on this, so i hesitatd]ed to even make an offer. Is it the original tail piece? pick guard? Was the neck re glued?

Either way, I tell you this. when I played it, it sang to me. It had the mojo that only a guitar of its age can produce. If money wasn't an issue, and concerns of getting ripped off, cause they sell at more than twice what they pay for it, i would have gotten it. Do some research, there are plenty on ebay, i including the T TC TDC models. I prefer the TDC, as I need the cutaway. I also see them, time to time on craigslist, so you can actually go and play one before buying. either away, they can be great guitars, and even though many have tried to duplicate them, they are unique.

The sales guy said that there have not been any repairs on it. The pickguard looks to be original. Not sure about the tailpiece. It definitely doesn't look brand new.

I played it for a while at the store, and it played very well.

You know... I could always buy it and take advantage of GC's return policy in making a decision. Hmm.

[Anakin2Solo]

The pickguard and tailpiece look original to me.

I have none of the above issues with mine. It has some nice checking that is common for the age of the guitar. The sound board is strong. As I stated earlier, I have a Bigsby on mine and it holds very well.

[Aceguitar1]

Originally Posted by Anakin2Solo

The pickguard and tailpiece look original to me.

I have none of the above issues with mine. It has some nice checking that is common for the age of the guitar. The sound board is strong. As I stated earlier, I have a Bigsby on mine and it holds very well.

Got any pics? I'd love to see it!

[Anakin2Solo]

I will post one tomorrow. It still has the humbucker on it. I have a new P90 I am going to install with my Dad when he visits next month. I will try and post a pic or two soon.

[Anakin2Solo]

[Aceguitar1]

That's definitely a unique looking ES-125! Very cool.