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Current value of Prehistoric Les Pauls?

Brad737

Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
99
Hello all,
I was searching for the current price range of "Prehistoric" Flametop Reissue Les Pauls, but couldn't find anything since early 2012. Back then, I read the values range from $3500 to $4500. Does that still seem to be in the ballpark?
Thanks,
Brad
 

GreenBurst

Active member
Joined
Mar 5, 2004
Messages
748
Haven't seen many as of late other than two Heritage Series LPs. One was just over $5K. The other was a Heritage Series Standard 80 Elite that had killer flame and was $6K. It was very nice.
 

jimmi

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 8, 2012
Messages
2,077
If you are talking the early 80s, I think it is hard to know. I have one of only 50 made Heritage Awards and one of the few Leo Specials. I have never seen in person another of either. Both are great guitars. I do a search every month or so for another of either and just dont see them out there. So, hard to establish a real price when they are that rare...where would I go to replace either? I have been looking for a guitar traders over the last year or so to sort of have a set of the more rare early reissues but have yet to see one for sale.
 

Brad737

Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
99
I was actually thinking more along the lines of late 80s Prehistorics. But from what I've read, all of the "Prehistoric" Flametop Reissues sell for around the same.
 

jimmi

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 8, 2012
Messages
2,077
Not sure that is true. I know guitar traders go for quite a bit more than the average. I suspect other rare ones also go for more (Leo's, heritage awards maybe the KM models).
 

Brad737

Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
99
I was just thinking of the normal "Flametop Reissues", not special dealer limited runs.
Thanks,
Brad
 

jimmi

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 8, 2012
Messages
2,077
I was just thinking of the normal "Flametop Reissues", not special dealer limited runs.
Thanks,
Brad

$4-5k depending. I would look for one of the limited runs instead. I have had good luck with them and they have gone up in value pretty reliably.

:ghost: :ghost: :hall :hall :pwink :pwink
 

MikeG59

Active member
Joined
Jan 17, 2003
Messages
1,884
these guitars are running 3k-4k but be careful because some "standards" (on the truss rod cover) are being mixed in and sellers are asking the same price for guitars without the "59" features; inked serial #, binding, etc. look for one with the inked number on the back of the pickups as well, might even have the PAF decal on the pickup ring (shaw pickups)

This is one looks ok:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1988-Gibson...p-/271300779988?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f2ac95fd4

This one has some features but is a standard

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-Gibson...8-/200975986901?pt=Guitar&hash=item2ecb1a30d5
 

jbzoso2002

New member
Joined
May 10, 2009
Messages
1,089
Man, I had one.

Bought new in 1985. They had the color choices
cherry sunburst or heritage cherry sunburst with
I think about a $200 upcharge.

I got the Heritage cherry sunburst and when it came in
I was very surprised to see an awesome quilted flame top.

It had the ink stamped ser# and the paf stickers on the
pickup rings.

It did however have a "Standard" truss rod cover.

I didn't realize what it was at the time, wish I still had it.

Jimmy:bat
 

Brad737

Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
99
That 1988 is my auction. :)

these guitars are running 3k-4k but be careful because some "standards" (on the truss rod cover) are being mixed in and sellers are asking the same price for guitars without the "59" features; inked serial #, binding, etc. look for one with the inked number on the back of the pickups as well, might even have the PAF decal on the pickup ring (shaw pickups)

This is one looks ok:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1988-Gibson...p-/271300779988?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f2ac95fd4

This one has some features but is a standard

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-Gibson...8-/200975986901?pt=Guitar&hash=item2ecb1a30d5
 

Brad737

Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
99
Gents,
Thanks a bunch for your input. I really appreciate it. I'm just trying to sell my 88 and 89 for fair prices, without just giving them away.
Thanks,
Brad
 

jimmi

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 8, 2012
Messages
2,077
Gents,
Thanks a bunch for your input. I really appreciate it. I'm just trying to sell my 88 and 89 for fair prices, without just giving them away.
Thanks,
Brad

I see....I thought you were looking for one to buy or were looking at one to buy.
 

trapland

New member
Joined
Jun 5, 2008
Messages
322
I have a 1987 preHistoric goldtop with Shaws (If I can find them). It has significant player wear and I had it refretted. Its not really for sale, but I haven't price checked it in a five years. What do you all think its worth?

normal_P1050630.JPG
 

corpse

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
I think the value has gone down- 88-89 won't be anywhere near as much as a 1982-86; there are features on the early ones that would influence my buying decision- some of the elite reissues had ebony and I don't find them anywhere as nice as the standard with rose wood, although those had multi piece necks.
A really spectacular one from 82-86 (determined by originality and top- and get rid of all those SD Antiquities, and all that other stuff- and return it to original) might do $4K-4500- and that is with an off-the-charts top. The 88-89 all stock would be $2300-3200. You can't look at listing prices- see what they sell for.
The deal is there are alot of guitars out there looking for a home. You can get a brand new 13 58 for under $3400, and there is a ton of buzz on those.
This is not considering Jimmy Wallace, Music Machine (probably too early for MM), Guitar Trader or other models. Those can get really high.
 

Steve Craw

Formerly Lefty Elmo
Joined
Sep 9, 2004
Messages
5,294
I had one of the few lefty 1959 Reissues. Mine was from 1990, and I've seen these advertised in the range of $2500.00 and up.
 

Fried okra

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2013
Messages
3,156
4ish, eBay sadly is the only way to gauge current market value on these. Watch for awhile and see what collectors are paying and wa' lah.:2cool
 

Brad737

Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
99
FYI, I sold both Pre-Historics for $3000 each. I made a little money on each deal, but I truly think they were worth more. Evidently, the economy says otherwise. BTW, it took quite awhile to sell them...3 or 4 months each. Hope this helps you all.
 

Skipped

Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2008
Messages
412
FYI, I sold both Pre-Historics for $3000 each. I made a little money on each deal, but I truly think they were worth more. Evidently, the economy says otherwise. BTW, it took quite awhile to sell them...3 or 4 months each. Hope this helps you all.

I also think these guitars are worth more than that.
A dealer near me (in the UK) had an 88 a few months ago for £4k ($6700). It sold very quickly and I don't think the 88's have the Shaws......
 
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