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Should I let go of this '55 TV Special I've had for 25 years?

wernerg

Active member
Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
754
I've had this 1955 TV Special (5116xx) for about 25 years, and am considering letting go of it. Would love to hear your opinions.

To me, this guitar has always been a great player-grade TV Special, maybe candidate for a re-neck by someone who knows what they're doing, and has access to a good donor neck. You can see the doweled headstock repair with front headstock overspray and incorrect decal LP logo. The Gibson inlay looks real to me. Looks like it had different tuners at some point and the original in-line set re-installed. Fingerboard has divots. Nut shimmed. Neck profile is unusually slim to me, maybe because the finish is worn off, revealing the mahogany. What I love about the look is the deeply faded "wheat" color, its wear, and authentic wear and checking. Warped pick guard. Original P-90s (see pictures) as far as I can tell. Replaced tailpiece. Newer wiring harness with bumblebees. There are three plugged holes from a different tailpiece (no idea what kind that could have been).

As I said, this has been a great player for me, for a quarter century, but in the hands of a skilled vintage expert, it could be a great restoration project. Serious, non-disparaging opinions welcome...

Body Angle.jpgBody Back.jpgHeadstock Back.jpgFretboard.jpgNeck P90.jpgWarped Pickguard.jpgNeck Joint Cutaway Side.jpgSwitchcraft.jpgCavity.jpgEntire Guitar.jpg
 

Maxmc

Active member
Joined
Mar 15, 2015
Messages
652
I'd want a seriously good reason to sell this if it were mine. They're not exactly a dime a dozen and yours certainly has vibe. Why not restore it yourself?
 

thin sissy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 2, 2006
Messages
2,691
That's a sweet guitar! I wouldn't want a new neck to replace the original, even if it's been broken. (I'm assuming the current neck is the original)
 

gmann

Well-known member
Joined
May 26, 2003
Messages
6,147
What makes you think it needs a reneck? I’d get a new nut ‘cause I don’t particularly like the idea of a shim there but that’s just me. No way would I sell it, ever!
 

troyad

Active member
Joined
Dec 26, 2007
Messages
370
That thing looks good to go, to me. I regret every piece of gear I ever sold. Amongst numerous other life choices.
 

neuroy

Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2008
Messages
253
Oh my god...... what a beauty !

I would never sell this one ! Not even touch anything. She has her history of her own, and that's really sexy .

If you really want to loose her - I am the first to take her ! She needs a loving home !

Please contact me, if you like .

All the best
 

wernerg

Active member
Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
754
People, I am overwhelmed by the encouragement and support in your responses! The value of the Forum is manifest in your collective advice. Truth be told, I am trying to fund the purchase of a PAF-equipped 1959 ES guitar. The problem is that I could easily afford the '59 AND keep the TV Special. Your collective encouragement to keep the Les Paul is definitely guiding my decision!

Thank you all!
 

guitplayer

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 8, 2008
Messages
2,114
People, I am overwhelmed by the encouragement and support in your responses! The value of the Forum is manifest in your collective advice. Truth be told, I am trying to fund the purchase of a PAF-equipped 1959 ES guitar. The problem is that I could easily afford the '59 AND keep the TV Special. Your collective encouragement to keep the Les Paul is definitely guiding my decision!

Thank you all!
55 6 digit les pauls have the correct neck set to body. If you can afford both... :)
 

dwagar

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Messages
4,451
You've owned it for 25 years, don't HAVE to sell it. I think you'd always regret letting it go.

If the headstock bothers you, that's not hard to get cleaned up. Talk to Greg about it.
 

Vics53

Active member
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Messages
149
Glad to hear you're keeping the LP! I've never owned a vintage guitar and most likely never will. But if I could just hold one my mind would go crazy wondering about it's travels. Where it's been, who played it and the history it's seen.
 

Frutiger

Active member
Joined
Oct 17, 2007
Messages
727
Two years ago I sold my 1956 TV Model - I'd bought some other guitars I needed to pay off, wasn't playing it that much and knew I could sell it quickly to pay the credit card. I regretted it within about 5 minutes of letting it go, and pined after it for the following 24 months. The guy I sold it to gave me first dibs and by some miracle sold it back to me last year. I will not be selling it again.

Letting it go made me realise how much I enjoyed playing it when I actually did and that no other guitar I had did the same thing. Plus the market for TV guitars has gone bananas over the last 12 months (or at least it has int he UK), so getting into another one if you have the seller's remorse I did becomes more costly. I would definitely keep it if you can afford to, particularly if it's been with you for the last 25 years.
 

brandtkronholm

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2006
Messages
2,737
People, I am overwhelmed by the encouragement and support in your responses! The value of the Forum is manifest in your collective advice. Truth be told, I am trying to fund the purchase of a PAF-equipped 1959 ES guitar. The problem is that I could easily afford the '59 AND keep the TV Special. Your collective encouragement to keep the Les Paul is definitely guiding my decision!

Thank you all!
Please post pictures & a report on the '59 ES when it arrives!
 
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