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1979 Les Paul Deluxe value

MLB

1979 Les Paul Deluxe value
« on: February 25, 2015, 09:44:14 PM »
Hello, I'm happy to be a part of this forum and look to also help out as I can.

I'm looking for the value on a 1979 Les Paul Deluxe and here's what I have;

1. 700395549 MADE IN USA - stamped on back of headstock
 a. I think this was built in the Nashville Plant, January 3rd, 1979
2. POT codes
 a. 440-71079A - 71079A appears to be the Gibson part number of the pots
 b. R1379223 - 1379223 appears to be a CTS pot, manufactured 23rd week of 1992
3. Wine red, 22 fret, mini-humbuckers
4. Not sure if the "chainsaw" case is an original case for the guitar ?

I think the neck joint is good, altho paint has popped away from the joint on on all three sides. There is quite a bit of cosmetic scrapes, scuffs, etc. The finish has been worn away down to the wood in two large places on the back. The frets may be needing replacement. I see fret wear from the strings on the first 10 frets. There is some wear in the fretboard, first 3 frets at the nut. The height of the four controls above the body is large, suggesting the owner had these raised for convenience. That may also be why the pot codes are from 1992.

The guitar does output sound altho the electronics cavity is missing the cavity shield and some wiring is loosely connected.

One item to note is this guitar belongs to a good friend of mine and it was his Dad's. I want to offer him a fair price for it. When I had my luthier look at it, it appears to need a set up and some electronics work and a good possibility of a fret job, which totals
approximately $475.

I would like to learn the value of the guitar.

Thank you very much for any assistance you can provide me.
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« Last Edit: February 26, 2015, 04:48:58 PM by MLB »

MLB

1979 Les Paul Deluxe value
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2015, 09:48:24 PM »
Here's a coulpa more pics I thought I should include. Thanx again mates ![ATTACH=CONFIG]3202[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]3203[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]3204[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]3205[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]3206[/ATTACH]

jules

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1979 Les Paul Deluxe value
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2015, 04:03:18 PM »
Hi and welcome,

looks quite good - but condition is hard to gauge in photos - it may be better or worse than the photos suggest, so you'll have to make the final judgement. I assume the headstock area is unbroken?

obviously the pots are changed, and there are finish issues - but has the neck been reset? the missing finish could indicate this. Have a close up look for evidence of work around the heel/binding

But the case is original...

In a private sale/ebay auction this could fetch between $1200 and $1700 - partially depending on the answers to the condition questions, and partially luck. A consignment sale in a vintage guitar store might add 30-50% but could well take 6 months to sell.

One last thing, $475 seems steep to me for the luthier work - might be worth shopping around. Obviously if you live somewhere remote this might not be possible, but I'd expect this to come in at closer to $250. Perhaps I'm wrong on this - any US luthiers care to comment?

jules

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valuations
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2015, 04:04:34 PM »
As with all valuations on this site - this is just my opinion - I'd welcome any other site users chipping in with their opinions :)

MLB

1979 Les Paul Deluxe value
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2015, 07:06:46 PM »
Hi Jules, thank you for the prompt reply mate, as that's very appreciated.

I looked very closely at the heel/binding areas and I really don't recognize any reset that may have been done. I really don't think so tho. Also, the neck seems to be good and tight. The headstock also doesn't appear to have had any damage/repair, other than some nicks and dings.

As far as the overall cosmetic appearance, I think it'll clean up pretty decently, but it does seem to have a bit more scuffs/nicks/wear that I would have thought, but then again...it's a 79. All I can base my opinion on is I have multiple guitars from the 40's, 50's, and 60's that are in better cosmetic condition than this one.

The pup covers are in decent shape, except for string slap across the pole pieces that has worn into the nickel finish. The tailpiece has quite a bit of wear into the nickel and the lower part of the bridge has pitting...all probably about normal, due to the resting of the person's palm.

One other point I realized I haven't made is it sounds good and actually is in pretty good intonation all around. All controls work good too, with no scratchiness in controls or toggle switch. The tuners feel smooth and work good also.

I'm guessing I should offer $1000 to $1200 for the instrument, so your opinion is in that ballpark. I'm just trying to keep in mind the cost of bringing it back into playable, reliable condition.

I truly appreciate your help sir !

P.S. I weighed the guitar and it comes in a 11.2 pounds.....quite a hefty hunk of wood ! :)

MLB

1979 Les Paul Deluxe value
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2015, 06:33:23 PM »
Just adding a closing to this thread. Jules, thank you for the response. I went ahead and bought the guitar for $1100, tore it apart, reassembled and set it up. Plays very nicely. I'm gonna go ahead and get it to the luthier for the fret replacement and a pro set up. Thanx mates !

 

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