Are the Historics of today the super valuable collectors of tomorrow?

[Mike R.]

Just curious.

I'm not trolling, I own two myself and was just curious.

 

[Cody]

Considering the supply, the demand would have to be enormous for that to happen.

Make that GINORMOUS.

Unless you want to narrow it down ('99s, Murphys, Rossingtons, Pages, Duanes) put me down for a resounding "no".

 

[55Custom]

If you want to figure out the future by checking out the past, here is some info on the track record of Historic values so far....


For those interested in *investing* in Historics, here's a 10 year tracking from the following source:

Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide 1996 Edition
These are the values published that year.

1957 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $1,600 to $1,800
1959 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $4,000 to $5,100
1960 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $4,000 to $5,100
1958's not shown

Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide 2001 Edition
These are the values published that year.

1957 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $1,700 to $2,000
1959 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $4,000 to $5,500
1960 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $3,000 to $4,100
1958's not shown

Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide 2006 Edition
These are the values published this year.

1957 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $1,700 to $1,990
1958 LP Historic flametop. E.C., range from $2,800 to $3,000
1959 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $3,000 to $3,500
1960 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $3,000 to $3,500

 

[Soulweb]

If you want to figure out the future by checking out the past, here is some info on the track record of Historic values so far....

For those interested in *investing* in Historics, here's a 10 year tracking from the following source:

Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide 1996 Edition
These are the values published that year.

1957 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $1,600 to $1,800
1959 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $4,000 to $5,100
1960 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $4,000 to $5,100
1958's not shown

Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide 2001 Edition
These are the values published that year.

Have they appreicated at all in value? What did they sell for new back then? Or have they stayed the same price, but risen a little due to the value of the dollar?

Aren't there quite a few limited run Historics though? G0, and other limited run dealer specials, etc.? I can actually see the G0s in particular going up in value. They may not have the figured tops of some of their Historic counterparts, but the reviews on the LPF seem to be unanimously overwhelmingly positive. And lots of people, including msyelf, think they look really great.

 

[The Boz 56]

Only the original condition ones. No "Project-X", no changed pickups, no RS electronics, no DMC, no artificial aging, and no Pigtails - just 100% ORIGINAL. I bet there are less than 500 like this in the world!!! Realistically - not a chance - unless Gibson does an "OWBHHGNTCALNICVVOS*" edition limited to 250 pieces.

*"old wood, Brazilian, Honduras, hide glue, no truss-rod condom, alnico V, vintage original spec"

 

[blackminicooper]

Historics won't be going up in value anytime soon. Way too many around. Maybe some of the 80's reissues. Historics are too common. Great guitars though.

 

[phil47uk]

The R0 might...Seeing as they only made about 400 in 2003.
Let's hope they discontinue them soon.:laugh2:

Phil.

 

[D'Mule]

I hope they continue to hold their value.

 

[ElfinMagic]

NO.

With very, very few exceptions, nothing that was ever intended to be collected has ever gained much value. In fact, the glut of supply often drives prices downward.

Granted, the common Historics were not "meant" to be collected, but I can guarantee you that some freak, somewhere, has bought one with all the "case candy" and is storing it in some closet, along with a crapload of Beanie Babies, cases of Billy Beer and an issue of Playboy that shows Farrahs' boobs.

 

[MikeG59]

Despite most of the enthusiasts likeness for the more authenic looking pieces, only the monster top and of course limited (very limited) models will appreciate. the only value changes over the years that will occur are to parallel the retail price changes

 

[bluesjuke]

If you want to figure out the future by checking out the past, here is some info on the track record of Historic values so far....


For those interested in *investing* in Historics, here's a 10 year tracking from the following source:

Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide 1996 Edition
These are the values published that year.

1957 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $1,600 to $1,800
1959 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $4,000 to $5,100
1960 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $4,000 to $5,100
1958's not shown

Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide 2001 Edition
These are the values published that year.

1957 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $1,700 to $2,000
1959 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $4,000 to $5,500
1960 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $3,000 to $4,100
1958's not shown

Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide 2006 Edition
These are the values published this year.

1957 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $1,700 to $1,990
1958 LP Historic flametop. E.C., range from $2,800 to $3,000
1959 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $3,000 to $3,500
1960 LP Historics in exc. cond., range from $3,000 to $3,500

Guess we can throw a lot of the '59 prices out of the window unless they are unique as the '06 guide tells us & experience shows us!

 

[Joe Ganzler]

Despite most of the enthusiasts likeness for the more authenic looking pieces, only the monster top and of course limited (very limited) models will appreciate. the only value changes over the years that will occur are to parallel the retail price changes

In a nutshell; as Mssr. DaPra said: "If it ain't got the wood, it ain't no (collectible) good. . .":ganz

 

[Mark Kane]

NO.

and an issue of Playboy that shows Farrahs' boobs.

I've got the first issue of Playboy that shows pubic hair:applaude

 

[burstone]

I've got the first issue of Playboy that shows pubic hair:applaude

I need hotos, Mark! Come on now!! :spabout

 

[55Custom]

Here is a thread where we discussed Historic Bursts that were BZ or Limited Edition Historics, such as Signature Historics, BOTB replicas, etc.
There is somewhere around 1700 of those. And that Excludes 1999 Murphys and any guitars with noteable tops, Murphy paint jobs prior to 1999, and BZ R7's from 2003.

www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99447&highlight=bursts

So there are over 3000 guitars that could be considered collectors guitars before we even get to generic Historics. And it's unknown how some of those collector guitars will perform in the future. Some are moving up, some aren't.

 

[core]

The answer to this topic question is undoubtedly "No"!

What you are buying is an excellent, (relatively) affordable Les Paul. I for one, hope it remains that way.

 

[bjm007]

For any re-issue to be collectable its got to be rare AND have desireable characteristics. For example, a 2003 R9 Brazilian with a great top is worth more now than when it was first sold, and will be more in 10 years, etc.

But by contrast........ A 1999 R9 with a stunning top, all paperwork, both cases, etc might be worth barely what you paid for it in 1999, if you are lucky! But not much more than that. Probably very little upside IMO.

Otherwise, unless you have a Brazilian board guitar, I would think that Historic reissues are NOT "generally" going to appreciate, especially if Gibson continues to advance the accuracy of the guitars.

Who knows, by 2009 they might be getting pretty close :spabout

 

[RE301]

The future is unwritten.

 

[Cogswell]

I'd say "no", as well, but...
Keep in mind how all those crappy, boat anchor Strats from the '70s are climbing in value. I think there will be a time when Historic LPs will climb in value not because they are Holy Grail guitars, but because they are well made guitars that will become OLD well made guitars.
But "super valuable"? No way. Like others have said there are way too many of them.

 

[toxpert]

don't be too hasty....
Think down the road...say 50 years from now. Especially when tone woods may be unavailable or impractical to procure for instrument manufacture.

The future is unwritten.... given all the middle aged gentlemen collecting these things now... events with estate liquidation might/or might not produce a glut... and then after that transition... what's available for the next generation is anyone's guess.

It surely will get interesting. One thing is for certain... tone wood trees are a limited resource.
________
Bong bowl