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1997 R0?

mjinli

New member
Joined
Aug 24, 2018
Messages
24
Seller posted a bunch of pics and sent me a few more but didn't give/have much info. Based on what I saw, it looked to be a '97 R0 with swapped pickups/pots/caps so I took a chance and bought it. Just wondering if the fine folks on this forum can confirm/deny or provide any additional info?

The main thing that stuck out to me was the dark back and light serial number. Other than that, some stuff looks like '96 appointments but with the low serial number I'm wondering if it's just a transition thing.

https://imgur.com/a/QyQFiG5
 

Dimitri92

Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2009
Messages
48
Seller posted a bunch of pics and sent me a few more but didn't give/have much info. Based on what I saw, it looked to be a '97 R0 with swapped pickups/pots/caps so I took a chance and bought it. Just wondering if the fine folks on this forum can confirm/deny or provide any additional info?

The main thing that stuck out to me was the dark back and light serial number. Other than that, some stuff looks like '96 appointments but with the low serial number I'm wondering if it's just a transition thing.

https://imgur.com/a/QyQFiG5

Other than confirming there has been soldering going on I can't help you.
But damn, this guit certainly got the looks !!
 

latestarter

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Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Messages
4,173
Is this the one with some finish damage by the heel, and the pickups are signed Seymour’s?
 

mjinli

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Aug 24, 2018
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Is this the one with some finish damage by the heel, and the pickups are signed Seymour’s?

Yep, I was surprised when I got the additional pics and a video from them...guitar looks completely different from their listing. Neck heel looks basically fine in natural light, sort of like someone sweaty played only Sweet Child o Mine for 20 years on it lol.

What initially caught my eye was the rounded inlays. It made me ask for more pics and a demo video, at which point I saw how nice the top actually is.The discount they offered me on top of their already discounted price didn't hurt either.

Also unless I'm wrong, I think the pups are SD Antiquities with the covers removed.

Listing for reference: https://reverb.com/ca/item/13629832-gibson-custom-shop-1960-reissue-les-paul
 
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thin sissy

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Jan 2, 2006
Messages
2,691
Awesome guitar!

I've seen 90's CS sunbursts with brown backs before. Was that a big thing back then?
 

mjinli

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Joined
Aug 24, 2018
Messages
24
Quite a find! Congrats.

1997 had some magic tops.

Below is my 1997 R8:

View attachment 8586

That's a beauty! From that angle it almost has a camo pattern effect going on!

I sent off some pics to Gibson to see what they can tell me. Since the seller's in Japan I'm wondering if they'll be able to say if it was originally bound for Japan and possibly part of a Yamano order?
 
Last edited:

latestarter

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Nov 9, 2009
Messages
4,173
That has been for sale for some time. You got a great deal. It has a great top and I think those are very early hand signed Seymour’s. I almost pressed buy-now so many times, but I am trying to reduce my fleet, not grow it! Well, done.
 

mjinli

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Aug 24, 2018
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I almost pressed buy-now so many times, but I am trying to reduce my fleet, not grow it! Well, done.

I was basically in the same boat...I just sold my Traditional and now I'm looking to sell my '07 ebony fretboard Classic Custom.
 

joejazzguitar

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Joined
Jun 1, 2007
Messages
1
I see that the guitar is on sale on Reverb again.... I was looking for an R0 and was going to make an offer, but it sounds like the guitar has some issues after reading this thread..

Why did you get rid of it?
 

mjinli

New member
Joined
Aug 24, 2018
Messages
24
Nothing wrong with it. Came to me with a pretty sticky neck. I cleaned it up a bit, the new owner's since told me he's got it nice and smooth now. I set my eye on a new purchase and got a very reasonable cash offer for the R0 locally.
 
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