£20k to splurge, what’s the closest I can get to a ‘59 Burst

matt1973

As per the question in the title, only other requirement is that I’d like the instrument to ascend in value.

My current thoughts are along the lines of a 1968 goldtop.

dazzajl

Probably about three and half feet. 

sherpa_man

dazzajl said:

Probably about three and half feet. 

lol

some going that....

Gassage

matt1973 said:

As per the question in the title, only other requirement is that I’d like the instrument to ascend in value.

My current thoughts are along the lines of a 1968 goldtop.

If you can find a 1968 SB Custom, that's what I'd go for. Not many made though.

Norlin4life

1968's are priced quite highly at the moment. If I were buying for investment purposes I'd be looking at pre 74 Custom's or Deluxe's in non common colours and in decent condition. It wasn't that long ago that a '74 C in Alpine White could be had for under 4k and they are now selling for close to double that.

Rocky1991

Would leave you some decent change. But I would look at finding a 1999 40th anniversary Murphy aged and painted r9

stickyfiddle

I feel like i'd rather have an early-50s conversion than a 68. $20-30 seems to be the price range

https://reverb.com/item/63713575-circa-1956-gibson-les-paul-standard-to-1959-burst-conversion-guitar-dream-guitar

bad_alice

You've probably clocked this, but there's a lovely 68 goldtop on Reverb just now.
https://reverb.com/uk/item/55597473-gibson-les-paul-standard-1968-goldtop

Catthan

I've always thought that the earliest/ closest to burst years that's not just an early Norlin would be a players grade 68/ 69 custom  preferably with long or transitional neck tenon and such appointments. it's a custom and has all the appointments that people obsess about. 

Here's one 

There's Yuki McClure at Player's grades vintage guitars on FB who does conversions and I think can also find/ suggest a guitar for you. 

Jonathangus

Catthan said:

There's Yuki McClure at Player's grades vintage guitars on FB 

@jumping@shadows ;

koss59

I’d personally rather have a really nice Special or 335.

wizbit81

Catthan said:

I've always thought that the earliest/ closest to burst years that's not just an early Norlin would be a players grade 68/ 69 custom  preferably with long or transitional neck tenon and such appointments. it's a custom and has all the appointments that people obsess about. 

Here's one 

There's Yuki McClure at Player's grades vintage guitars on FB who does conversions and I think can also find/ suggest a guitar for you. 

That's for sale by Essex Recording Studios so it's probably actually owned by a man who once shook hands with the guy from Bush, and could turn out to be a strat surrounded by Gibson plasticine.

goldtop

My Max Burst replica?



Also, speak to Jumping at Shadows (playergradevintage on IG) as he is always finding great conversions.

JGC

Commission a Bluesmaster from Johann Gustavvson ( expensive but they don't drop in value used )

http://www.jgguitars.com/Start/Bluesmaster-Custom-59-Limited/

or commission a truly splendid Bartlett Retrospec

https://www.bartlettguitars.com/collections/retrospec

Either would leave you with plenty of change, maybe enough for one of each given your budget, and both would equal the very best 59s out there imo

DeepBlueWitch

Save your cash and get a Maybach, they are stunning

Strangefan

stickyfiddle said:

I feel like i'd rather have an early-50s conversion than a 68. $20-30 seems to be the price range

https://reverb.com/item/63713575-circa-1956-gibson-les-paul-standard-to-1959-burst-conversion-guitar-dream-guitar

Why anyone would pay 17k for a stripped and routed lp just so it can pretend to be something else is just madness in my eyes, 

Brize

https://www.atbguitars.com/1968-gibson-les-paul-standard-ex-ed-king-ohsc

bgmartinsbridge

59 Les Paul Special - same neck at least 

Rocky1991

Brize said:

https://www.atbguitars.com/1968-gibson-les-paul-standard-ex-ed-king-ohsc

That is awesome, there is a great video of Ed (rip) with marty schwarz on YouTube 

1983

Strangefan said:

stickyfiddle said:

I feel like i'd rather have an early-50s conversion than a 68. $20-30 seems to be the price range

https://reverb.com/item/63713575-circa-1956-gibson-les-paul-standard-to-1959-burst-conversion-guitar-dream-guitar

Why anyone would pay 17k for a stripped and routed lp just so it can pretend to be something else is just madness in my eyes, 

This +1000000000000...

Makes me so sad to see old guitars being butchered like that... If I had 20k I'd go looking for a 335, late 60s goldtop or a custom. That goldtop from ATB ticks a lot of boxes right there!

Or that Max! Been lucky to play one before and it was just outstanding. 

Good luck on your search!

Petepassion

As some have already mentioned, I think an early to mid sixties 335 is a great guitar and could possibly rocket up like the Les Pauls have. I bought my ‘62 335 about two and half years ago for £9,500. All original, no neck break, just the back appears to have been refinished. I’ve seen these going for a lot more now. Great investment and gets played nearly every day at home, rehearsals and gigs.