1960/61 les Paul value

rsvmark

A friend of mine mentioned he is thinking of selling his guitar as it's not used much anymore. It's a 1960 or 1961 les Paul deluxe. It's in cherry. As he is not really up to date with guitars and value etc, I am helping him think about it.

I have not seen the instrument, not that I am an expert in Lester's, but have every reason to believe it's genuine and in decent condition. So my first move will be to get the serial number and call Gibson.

He believes it may have been owned by a famous (local) musician but can't prove it. Would this add any value?

What would be the preferred route of sale- FB classifieds, dealer, auction or other?

Finally, what might might the value be? I think the market is weak at the moment but does this apply to these kinds of instruments?

Any advice welcome and thanks in advance

GuitarMonkey

I think he might have the date wrong. The LP Deluxe wasn't introduced until 1969.

Any provenance must have documentation, not just hearsay to affect the value.

Condition matters a lot of course.

Neil

Agree about the DeLuxe bit, they were only called that when they were first reissued.

Regarding '60 -'61, a '60 would be a single cut and a '61 an SG IIRC.

Parker

GM is 100%

If he believes it's been owned by someone famous, there may be ways of authenticating it through photos (especially if it has an distinguishing marks or grain patterns) well worth doing if it was, say, Keef. Not so much if it's the depping guitarist of Take That.

rsvmark

Sadly, the celeb is not of Keef's calibre but will ask him for the evidence. With regard to the model, I saw it a few years ago but can't recall the pup configuration other than it definately wasn't 2 PAF's. It is definately a les Paul single cut body style. It may be that it's is a late 60's model deluxe or (i am guessing) it might be an early 60's with P90's? I will chase him up and report back.

GuitarMonkey

The single cut Les Paul wasn't made in the early sixties. Unless a 52-60 original, it has to be a 67 reissue at the earliest.

rsvmark

GuitarMonkey said:

The single cut Les Paul wasn't made in the early sixties. Unless a 52-60 original, it has to be a 67 reissue at the earliest.

Really? So the last ones made were 1960 and they moved to the SG shape? Everyday is a school day. Thanks

GuitarMonkey

Yes. And as the 67-68 guitars were gold tops I think this one must be a Deluxe from 1969-on.

rsvmark

Ok. Thanks. I'll get the serial number off him next week so that will narrow it down. Helps to have facts first,

chrisj1602

If you get some photos, I'd get to the mylespaul forum. There are some proper knobheads on there, but also a lot of helpful, knowledgeable members.

GuitarMonkey

Serial numbers in the 1960s and 70s were often repeated, used randomly and can therefore be misleading. The best thing to date it is some decent pictures.

koss59

Pretty sure the earliest reissues were 68 not 67, they're getting expensive now the 68's.

Brize

Yep, the Les Paul was first reissued in 68, not 67. If it's a cherry red (rather than wine red) Deluxe, it would likely be a 71 or 72 model. In good condition it would be worth in the region of £2k. There's a cherry red Deluxe on eBay here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gibson-Les-Paul-Deluxe-1972-Rare-/271906649260

stuagu

Stick a pic up here if you get a chance... There are a few very experienced lp guys who will be able to tell exactly what it is and a likely year and value

ESchap

If the year is right and it's all cherry, then most likely it is a Special   .. may have a "Deluxe" truss rod cover on, or some such like.

SteveRobinson

Brize said:

Yep, the Les Paul was first reissued in 68, not 67. 

Late 67 actually.

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?11530-68-goldtop-from-1967

badlydrawnbanjo

I think @richard_henry would be the go to man for anything vintage and Les Paul like right now... 

GuitarMonkey

ESchap said:

If the year is right and it's all cherry, then most likely it is a Special 

Specials in '60-'61 were double-cuts.

Skipped

I have just realised that a picture really is worth a 1000 words.

ESchap

GuitarMonkey;697778" said:

ESchap said:

If the year is right and it's all cherry, then most likely it is a Special 





Specials in '60-'61 were double-cuts.

Correct, but the OP doesn't say it's single cut.

ESBlonde

Something like this is probably what we are discussing (but a pic from the OP would be brill).

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/members/jfm07-albums-other-pics-picture39968-73-cherry-lp-deluxe.bmp

There are some 'know it alls' and actual experts on the Myles Paul forum and the proper grumpy anal experts reside on lespaulforum.com
Whilst it's not a vintage mortgageable model, there are some cool 'pancake' bodied norlin era Lesters about. Do the proper research and for heaven sake play the damn thing a lot first. If it's a good one you'll know.