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New Custom Shop and Help IDing

DougH

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Joined
Oct 5, 2021
Messages
16
So I am in Bali for good and waiting on music gear to be brought over from USA, but we were in a lock down. I searched Bali want ads and ran across this beauty in of all place, none other than Bali.

Any idea on the year and what exactly this is. I am told custom shop, reissue maybe around a 2013 or older. ANy idea on value of this in States.

I also found this little Gem of a super rare Ibanez RG 620QM. Both are amazing guitars and perhaps better than the 2 custom shop strats I have back at home waiting to get brought over.
 

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corpse

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Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
Looks like a 50-something ex-Pat from the US.
Good find- we need more close-ups I am sure. Good luck with your move.
 

Ddffef

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Joined
Oct 6, 2021
Messages
6
I can't tell from the picture, but there should be a logo embossing near the top of the COA above the model and serial boxes and on the back side of the COA "The World's Finest Guitars" should be foil stamped near the bottom. See attached images. I know this because I made them.
 

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Tim Plains

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Joined
Aug 1, 2013
Messages
795
CS 3 and brown COA makes it a 2013. These were generally $3,000 +/- a few hundred pre-covid.
 

DougH

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Joined
Oct 5, 2021
Messages
16
I can't tell from the picture, but there should be a logo embossing near the top of the COA above the model and serial boxes and on the back side of the COA "The World's Finest Guitars" should be foil stamped near the bottom. See attached images. I know this because I made them.
Like this?
 

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DANELECTRO

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Joined
Feb 24, 2003
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6,318
It was built by the Custom Shop, but its not a Historic Reissue '57 model. I'm not sure of all the differences, but I know it has a Nashville bridge rather than an ABR, and I believe that it has a short tenon rather than a long one.
 

Ddffef

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Joined
Oct 6, 2021
Messages
6
Like this?
Exactly. And it isn't a historic. If it were it would have no CS preceding the number and it would reference 57 or 54 in the serial #. The only thing I would check is if the fingerboard is ebony or a composite. I don't believe any regular production Customs had ebony boards in 2013, but things happen.
 

DougH

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Joined
Oct 5, 2021
Messages
16
Exactly. And it isn't a historic. If it were it would have no CS preceding the number and it would reference 57 or 54 in the serial #. The only thing I would check is if the fingerboard is ebony or a composite. I don't believe any regular production Customs had ebony boards in 2013, but things happen.
How do I check the fingerboard?

So at least it appears to be legit? I found only 1 other just like it for sale on Reverb. They wanted $5,300 ish.

As you may gather, kind of newish at Les Pauls. Been playing custom shop strats since early 90s and before that Jackson Randy Rhodes and 80s shredder stuff.
 

Thunder Dump

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Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
293
That's a USA Custom from 2013. Has a Richlite fretboard. Definitely looks legit. However, those sold new for about $4000 USD back in 2013. Up until a couple of years ago they were selling used for about $3000 USD but as used prices have gone up I see them selling now for almost $4000 USD used again.
 

axeman565758

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Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
1,204
It was built by the Custom Shop, but its not a Historic Reissue '57 model. I'm not sure of all the differences, but I know it has a Nashville bridge rather than an ABR, and I believe that it has a short tenon rather than a long one.
IIRC, back then the CS Customs (Non Historic) had a maple cap (still do) , were weight relieved and had a short neck tenon. As mentioned above, at that time, it had a Richlite board.
Current CS Customs (non Historic) now have the long neck tenon, are still weight-relieved, 2-piece maple top and now have an ebony board.
 

Ddffef

New member
Joined
Oct 6, 2021
Messages
6
Also, you have speed knobs. The Historic Customs (54, 57, 57 Black Beauty) all come with ebony top hats. 68 Reissues come with top hats with silver/gold inserts.
 

DougH

New member
Joined
Oct 5, 2021
Messages
16
IIRC, back then the CS Customs (Non Historic) had a maple cap (still do) , were weight relieved and had a short neck tenon. As mentioned above, at that time, it had a Richlite board. Current CS Customs (non Historic) now have the long neck tenon, are still weight-relieved, 2-piece maple top and now have an ebony board.
IIRC, back then the CS Customs (Non Historic) had a maple cap (still do) , were weight relieved and had a short neck tenon. As mentioned above, at that time, it had a Richlite board. Current CS Customs (non Historic) now have the long neck tenon, are still weight-relieved, 2-piece maple top and now have an ebony board.

Not super worried about it, but do you think the use of the Richlite board will keep values down.

Thanks for all the help. He is a photo of the Black Beauty with other tools of trade I have assembled here in Bali. Still waiting on my equipment to get over.
 

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axeman565758

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Jan 23, 2007
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1,204
The use of Richlite on a non Historic Les Paul Custom may make a 10% difference. However, any Historics with Richlite could mean a considerable difference in value/selling price
 
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