Issues 1960-61 SG Les Paul Value???

[DanD]

There's a gentleman I work with who has a 1960 or 1961 SG LP that he bought in the early 70s. It has many issues and I'm afraid he may be dreaming on the price but I'd like an idea of about what it's worth to know if I even want to take the time to go see it.

Here's the issues:

Sanded/shaved neck

Sideways vibrola missing internal parts/springs. Currently the vibrola is inactive and has been since the 70s.

One of the PAFs took a dump in the early 80s and was replaced by another Gibson pickup. I was told the second pickup is a T-Top but it could easily be a Shaw or other factory Gibson pup from that period.

Tuners are decayed/crumbling

Needs a complete refret

All over body wear consistent with a guitar played regularly over 20 years by a one guitar owner.

Non original yellow lined black Gibson case.

I know, no pics. But I'm trying to guage a realistic price. I'm not into wasting my time and I'm thinking by the way he's talking about the value that the last evaluation he got on this guitar was during the height of market sometime in '06-'07.

 

[Cream Fan]

Having owned a '61 for over 30 years, I would say this particular SG is not worth much. What price is he telling you? As to the issues, some are not deal-breakers, such as the crumbling tuners. When one of mine finally cracked and broke off, I had the tips changed and kept the originals in a ziplock bag. It was either do that or have a non-functional instrument. But sanding and shaving the neck? Really? That guitar probably had the one neck that no one in their right mind would ever consider shaving down. It's thin enough. That would be the deal-breaker for me and for most people, I'm afraid.

 

[DanD]

My biggest fear is also that the neck is too thin now. I can live with a wide range of neck sizes but prefer the 'Goldilocks' in between sizes, .83-.87 @ the first, is my preference.

When a neck is less than .81" at the first my left hand starts to complain... :dang

He doesn't know what he wants for it. I think he really wants an offer from me. He has a friend telling him it's worth more as parts and I think he may have an adjusted value based on the parts.

 

[marshall1987]

I'd pass on it. Unless...... if he would take $1000.00 for it. That would be the most I'd pay for it and that's assuming it has at least one of the two PAFs still on it.

 

[DanD]

I spoke with the seller yesterday and asked if he wouldn't mind taking some pics for me. We'll see how interested in selling he is... eace2

 

[latestarter]

The shaved neck is the big issue in my view. You can't go back on that mod.

 

[mingus]

I think this will be the sum of the parts and then you'd have to put a value on the carcass. That fretboard has value too. I'm not up on the market value for parts, but assuming you like the guitar and neck, figure out the value of all the pieces and that should establish the upper end of it's value.

 

[alainguitars]

It's one of those you can't buy without playing. Could be a nice way to get in to vintage wood, but could be un salvageable.

 

[DanD]

I'd like to get into a vintage piece and I'd definitely play it and scrutinize it closely before buying. I really just don't have a clue as to fair market value. According to his description and vagueness on price I'm not going to waste either of our time until I can see some pics and at least get a ballpark range on the value to see if we're even playing the same game.

I'm not in this to take him to cleaners. He's a nice old guy I work with. I just really don't know what a fair price would be and trying to figure out costs for parts is daunting. You see a lot of sellers with sky high prices but their stock doesn't seem to move too quickly.

 

[alainguitars]

Neck shave could kill it, but if it's not too bad I'd put up 3k maybe a little more if paf is not opened. Just reread post, no paf? 2-3K on the high side.

 

[latestarter]

If you like the neck, 2k, if not....zero. Harsh? Not sure, I got my SG with a break but everything else there for 3.3k.