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NAMM guitars - worth paying new prices for a display model?

CAGinLA

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Jan 4, 2016
Messages
489
So, CME has a few of Gibson Custom's NAMM 2019 display guitars in stock now. They are priced as new, but obviously have some play time on them.

Do you think it's worth paying full price (plus tax) for a NAMM guitar? Did Gibson send their best to the show this year?
 

Patek

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Joined
Dec 4, 2015
Messages
415
So, CME has a few of Gibson Custom's NAMM 2019 display guitars in stock now. They are priced as new, but obviously have some play time on them.

Do you think it's worth paying full price (plus tax) for a NAMM guitar? Did Gibson send their best to the show this year?

in Europe / the UK people will pay more than retail price for something that was a NAMM show piece.
 

CAGinLA

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Jan 4, 2016
Messages
489
in Europe / the UK people will pay more than retail price for something that was a NAMM show piece.

Do you think there is any particular reason for that?

I did contact CME about one of the NAMM 2019 Gibsons and they are willing to knock a couple hundred dollars off the price, because they are technically floor/display models with possible play wear.
 

Patek

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Dec 4, 2015
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415
Do you think there is any particular reason for that?

I did contact CME about one of the NAMM 2019 Gibsons and they are willing to knock a couple hundred dollars off the price, because they are technically floor/display models with possible play wear.

Because if Gibson deemed it worthy to be displayed at the most important musical instrument event in the world, once a year: then it must be the best they had at the time, right? And hardly any make their way over to Europe. So there is a massive uplift for NAMM show pieces. They may well have been handled by celeb players and been in clips and handled by employees in demos that were captured on cam on social media etc; adds to the kudos. At least dealers and sellers try to sell them for more. Approx £500-£1500 uplift if it’s from NAMM depending on the quantum of the aforementioned factors
 

johnreardon

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Mar 15, 2006
Messages
544
Because if Gibson deemed it worthy to be displayed at the most important musical instrument event in the world, once a year: then it must be the best they had at the time, right? And hardly any make their way over to Europe. So there is a massive uplift for NAMM show pieces. They may well have been handled by celeb players and been in clips and handled by employees in demos that were captured on cam on social media etc; adds to the kudos. At least dealers and sellers try to sell them for more. Approx £500-£1500 uplift if it’s from NAMM depending on the quantum of the aforementioned factors

:spabout

Sorry, I'm in UK and that's not right. Never ever seen any ex NAMM or any other show guitars priced more than the standard price. In fact most show guitars have been slightly reduced and marked as ex display. especially if they have any blemishes.

Not even certain whether Gibson would send their 'best' guitars to any show. Yes they would give them a 'once over' to make sure there were no faults, but that doesn't make them their 'best' guitars.
 

Patek

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Dec 4, 2015
Messages
415
Are you mad?

guitarguitar and maxGuitars just the other day had an ax NAMM listed (with the golden booklet that comes with the 60ths specially noting in it saying ‘as displayed at NAMM 2019), both for £1000 / 1000euro more (£6500) than RRP (£5450). They both sold

any ebay listing with an ex NAMM has an uplift over a regular, or is at least a selling point.
 
Joined
Jan 5, 2018
Messages
206
Are you mad?

guitarguitar and maxGuitars just the other day had an ax NAMM listed (with the golden booklet that comes with the 60ths specially noting in it saying ‘as displayed at NAMM 2019), both for £1000 / 1000euro more (£6500) than RRP (£5450). They both sold

any ebay listing with an ex NAMM has an uplift over a regular, or is at least a selling point.

Some dealers list at msrp some list at around 5499...bottom line no one is paying msrp for a new guitar and if they did they got hosed
 

clapciadrix

Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2007
Messages
68
I bought a 2019 Namm R8 plaintop. It certainly was knocked around. A couple of dents and a fair amount of scratches. It has a sticker on the back of the headstock that corresponds with a sticker on the inside of COA. As far as if Gibson handpicked it for the show, I don’t know, but since more R8’s have become available I have compared the stats to my 58. Mine weighs 8pounds even, which seems a bit lighter than most(if that’s what you want) and where it seems most of the 2019 58’s neck size start at about.910 at the neck, the neck on mine is a tad smaller-.890, not a lot, but the first thing out of your mouth wouldn’t be “baseball bat!” A lot of the new R8’s have a fair amount of flame. Mine is a plain top with some nice light grain.
 

CAGinLA

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Joined
Jan 4, 2016
Messages
489
I bought a 2019 Namm R8 plaintop. It certainly was knocked around. A couple of dents and a fair amount of scratches. It has a sticker on the back of the headstock that corresponds with a sticker on the inside of COA. As far as if Gibson handpicked it for the show, I don’t know, but since more R8’s have become available I have compared the stats to my 58. Mine weighs 8pounds even, which seems a bit lighter than most(if that’s what you want) and where it seems most of the 2019 58’s neck size start at about.910 at the neck, the neck on mine is a tad smaller-.890, not a lot, but the first thing out of your mouth wouldn’t be “baseball bat!” A lot of the new R8’s have a fair amount of flame. Mine is a plain top with some nice light grain.

I wondered about the NAMM sticker on the back of the headstock - is it easy to remove? I hope it doesn't affect the finish!
 

CAGinLA

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Jan 4, 2016
Messages
489
No way would I leave that large, uglyass sticker on my guitar, haha!
 

johnreardon

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Joined
Mar 15, 2006
Messages
544
Are you mad?

guitarguitar and maxGuitars just the other day had an ax NAMM listed (with the golden booklet that comes with the 60ths specially noting in it saying ‘as displayed at NAMM 2019), both for £1000 / 1000euro more (£6500) than RRP (£5450). They both sold

any ebay listing with an ex NAMM has an uplift over a regular, or is at least a selling point.
I respectfully suggest any people that paid over the price are mad not me. In all my years of playing and buying and that's many decades I have never seen show guitars go for more money that the normal retail.
 

Tauge

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Jun 29, 2019
Messages
2
I wondered about the NAMM sticker on the back of the headstock - is it easy to remove? I hope it doesn't affect the finish!
It does affect the paint, quite rapidly.
Took mine out and it’s lighly visible.
 

AA00475Bassman

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Apr 26, 2016
Messages
3,769
I wouldn't pay extra for a NAMM guitar I really have a hard time believing anyone would . Paying new price for a Namm guitar is something only you can justify !!!
 

Tauge

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Jun 29, 2019
Messages
2
Because if Gibson deemed it worthy to be displayed at the most important musical instrument event in the world, once a year: then it must be the best they had at the time, right? And hardly any make their way over to Europe. So there is a massive uplift for NAMM show pieces. They may well have been handled by celeb players and been in clips and handled by employees in demos that were captured on cam on social media etc; adds to the kudos. At least dealers and sellers try to sell them for more. Approx £500-£1500 uplift if it’s from NAMM depending on the quantum of the aforementioned factors
Hey guys, I follow the forum for some time now but I joined because of this thread as I think I can share with you my experience with one.
I came across the opportunity of acquiring a NAMM 2019 60th anniversary a few weeks ago and decided to pull the trigger.
What attracted me was the fact it was one of the ten guitars Gibson chose to display at this year’s NAMM show, which is the first after the bankruptcy and change of CEO, 60th anniversary of the 59 etc. My thinking was that all the team would put an extra effort and attention to making the guitar look, sound and play the best possible as it’s a decisive time at the company.
Plus in the case of mine, it is the same used as the model photographed for Gibson’s website (not sure if the other NAMM guitars were used in the website and marketing images as well) and has a very low “007” serial number.
After receiving the guitar I must say that it is exactly what I expected to be, everything is just in another level, pickups absurdly well matched, the tolerances for gaps in plastics as well as overall fit is super tight. It seems like a “reference” model if you will, a showcase of what is the goal.
I’m not experienced with other NAMM guitars, from this or past years, but what I can say judging from mine is that is worth a premium, how much it depends I guess.
I happen to have a R0 m2m (2018), a cc#24 and a R8 (2016) and this one is beyond any of them in every aspect.
 

Alrock

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May 10, 2019
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Wouldn't be surprised to see an interested buyer camped out and playing a Les Paul the whole 3 days with video feed to add to his collection.. with discount and collectability? Many supplier and related sponsor booths may have B2B deals as well... check out Rockford Carving booth # 1322!
 

old canuck

New member
Joined
Jan 31, 2017
Messages
6
Hey guys, I follow the forum for some time now but I joined because of this thread as I think I can share with you my experience with one.
I came across the opportunity of acquiring a NAMM 2019 60th anniversary a few weeks ago and decided to pull the trigger.
What attracted me was the fact it was one of the ten guitars Gibson chose to display at this year’s NAMM show, which is the first after the bankruptcy and change of CEO, 60th anniversary of the 59 etc. My thinking was that all the team would put an extra effort and attention to making the guitar look, sound and play the best possible as it’s a decisive time at the company.
Plus in the case of mine, it is the same used as the model photographed for Gibson’s website (not sure if the other NAMM guitars were used in the website and marketing images as well) and has a very low “007” serial number.
After receiving the guitar I must say that it is exactly what I expected to be, everything is just in another level, pickups absurdly well matched, the tolerances for gaps in plastics as well as overall fit is super tight. It seems like a “reference” model if you will, a showcase of what is the goal.
I’m not experienced with other NAMM guitars, from this or past years, but what I can say judging from mine is that is worth a premium, how much it depends I guess.
I happen to have a R0 m2m (2018), a cc#24 and a R8 (2016) and this one is beyond any of them in every aspect.

I have the same experience as you. I purchased a 2019 60th R9 that was a NAMM display. I had been looking literally for years for the right R9. I just happened to be in a local shop and this one caught my eye. I played it and thought about it for a long time. No unusual pressure from the manager. He just let me try it for as long as I wanted. I finally bought it. After I agreed to the purchase I asked if the repair guy could remove the sticker on the back of the headstock. He did and there was no sign it was there. Attached it to the booklet. It did not have any obviuos display wear or use. Heck, every guitar you buy here is on display anyway. The manager and repair guy then said it was one of the best R9's they had ever seen for sound, build, finish and appearance. I love it and it's the best ever. Oh yeah I paid suggested retail plus about 5% and it's worth every penny. I bet you would agree if you saw it in person.
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
If it's my kind of monster top with 1 inch wide flames and is NOT drilled for a pickguard I would buy it in a heartbeat .
 

Rick Henry

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Messages
25
I recently purchased a used '58 TV Junior that was displayed at the 2019 Winter NAMM Show and I didn't pay an upcharge.

I discovered later that it is also the guitar that Gibson feature in the online catalogue on the Gibson website.

And the sticker on the back can be removed if desired.


 

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