Another Crazy Ebay Listing

[Rockmusician]

Would you pay this kind of money for a Les Paul?

The seller is out of his mind!

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-1960-GIB...item2a0e3d8f12

[elgecko]

I'll see your $325k and raise you $175k!

http://cgi.ebay.com/1958-Gibson-Mode...#ht_875wt_1139

[Musicmaster75]

Trades ? Guess I'd have to be Oprah rich for that !

[Meddle]

Meh meh meh. A 51 year old boat anchor with faded pickups, faded finish and crackling pots and weak switches?

[thumpbass1]

Actually, given that Les Pauls of this vintage and condition are always going to be
extremely rare, and are still popular as a top 401K investment grade instrument among
collectors with the money to spend, it's really not too far out of line given past market
prices paid by some collectors at auction. If it had been owned and used by a legendary rock
guitar hero of serious note, you'd see the price go to even more absurd levels.

I know someone who did quite well on his dad's 58 Les Paul Standard back in the mid 90's, that he'd inherited
and used himself as a musician. It was a plainer top burst, and it was a kick ass Les Paul. He did well enough at
auction, and after commision and taxes, to pay off his modest, yet still pricey to his family, home remodeling bills, and go out and buy a far
less expensive Gibson Custom Shop version, based more or less on the specs of what he'd sold. He's still one very happy guitar
player to this day. I wouldn't spend that kind of bread on a vintage instrument, but hey, if I had such an instrument, you bet I'd
be flipping it at auction while the market is still hot.

[armywalaby]

+1 to thumpbass' post. Makes you wonder what guitars that are made today (if any) will survive the test of time and be worth something similar in 50 years?

[thumpbass1]

Originally Posted by armywalaby

+1 to thumpbass' post. Makes you wonder what guitars that are made today (if any) will survive the test of time and be worth something similar in 50 years?

That's a good question. It'll be a new and different generation of musicians and collectors, at a point in their careers and life where they have the money to spend on the guitars and such, that they wanted in their youth.

I'm aware of the fact that the current vintage guitar collectors market is driven by my fellow baby boomers. We boomers ain't getting any younger, and one day, all of these 401K instruments will hit the market and prices will probably go downward as the market floods with these once rare vintage treasures. It'll be because those of my generation that collected, will have to pay nursing home bills, or the grand kids will want to sell these instruments off after gramps and grandma are gone.

Another trend underway is that those who buy guitars and basses, and were the youth of the 80's, 90's, and now, those of the 1st decade of the 21st century, may not be too interested in collecting what their dad's and granddad's generations collected. Certain instruments will always be collectible, but as to what will be popular among collectors in 25-50 years will be any one's guess.