It's all so funny. My brother calls me up and I go see his new guitar. A Gibson custom shop ES-330 that's supposed to be a replica of a 60's 330. It cost him almost $4,000. 

So I sit him in front of the computer and log on to one of my favorite vintage guitar stores. There's virtually the same guitar, except this one is original, for the same price he paid for the new relic. So I ask him what he could sell his for in 6 months compared to what he could sell an original for.

A no brainer. Vintage generally goes up and new generally goes down. That's why I'll never buy a copy of something old that might be had for a reasonable price. Having said that, I know that I'll never be able to buy a burst or a 63 strat. I was able to get a very nice 65 Jazzmaster for the same price as a Fender custom shop strat.

For my Les Paul I found a gold-top with the perfect neck and a nice finish. I stripped it and replaced all the plastic and metal with the same Gibson hardware they use on the R7. I also completely rewired it and put Duncan Antiquities on board. At the end of the day it's extremely close to an R7 but only cost me half the price.

AFA the road worn Fenders, stick with the 60's series. The rosewood board doesn't get gross like the maple board. I hate reliced maple necks. They look fake, and that includes all the boutique relics. Yuck!

ampfixer

For my Les Paul I found a gold-top with the perfect neck and a nice finish. I stripped it and replaced all the plastic and metal with the same Gibson hardware they use on the R7. I also completely rewired it and put Duncan Antiquities on board. At the end of the day it's extremely close to an R7 but only cost me half the price.

I've got a yard broom like that. It's fifty years old and totally original apart from having had 13 new handles and 11 heads.

paulo

ampfixer

For my Les Paul I found a gold-top with the perfect neck and a nice finish. I stripped it and replaced all the plastic and metal with the same Gibson hardware they use on the R7. I also completely rewired it and put Duncan Antiquities on board. At the end of the day it's extremely close to an R7 but only cost me half the price.

I've got a yard broom like that. It's fifty years old and totally original apart from having had 13 new handles and 11 heads.

If I ever spend $4,000.00 on a guitar I hope you get that broom and beat the hell out of me with it...I'll pay you for a new handle and head. :)

paulo

ampfixer

For my Les Paul I found a gold-top with the perfect neck and a nice finish. I stripped it and replaced all the plastic and metal with the same Gibson hardware they use on the R7. I also completely rewired it and put Duncan Antiquities on board. At the end of the day it's extremely close to an R7 but only cost me half the price.

I've got a yard broom like that. It's fifty years old and totally original apart from having had 13 new handles and 11 heads.

 
 

 
 

SteveStrummerUK

paulo

ampfixer

For my Les Paul I found a gold-top with the perfect neck and a nice finish. I stripped it and replaced all the plastic and metal with the same Gibson hardware they use on the R7. I also completely rewired it and put Duncan Antiquities on board. At the end of the day it's extremely close to an R7 but only cost me half the price.

I've got a yard broom like that. It's fifty years old and totally original apart from having had 13 new handles and 11 heads.

 
 

 
 

bitflipper


What cracked me up was seeing perhaps 30 perfectly-identical "roadworn" Telecasters lined up in a display case at NAMM. I immediately thought of all the rubes who pay $50 for jeans that have holes in the knees.

 Wow...maybe I should hang on to those old pairs of underwear I almost threw out....ok that wasn't funny;P


 That seems like a great price for a Fender. Worn or not. I am on the small acoustic kick right now.


 Really tempted by those mini/baby Taylors.

As you say Starise, great price for a Fender. 
 
I paid a bit more than $1100 (Canadian) for my American Fender strat in the mid 90's. Never regretted it, though, obviously, you're always paying for the brand name. There are amazing instruments out there going for a lot less. But, I wanted THAT guitar, w/ the Fender logo on the headstock and the words "Made in the U.S.A" below it.
 
As I've mentioned recently, I've decided that I'd buy a Gibson Les Paul as soon as I have a bit of money coming in. The models I'm looking at are usually priced between $2-2500. At $2500 I would be stretching the psychological limits of the price I'm willing to pay. Heck, it took me quite a while to even consider a Gibson when I could have a similar guitar by Epiphone for 1/4 of the price.
 
But, relatively speaking, if I put $1100 on a strat, the Les Paul has got to be worth the bigger asking price, with its set neck and all. 
 
These days, I often see Fender Custom Shop strats going for prices like $3000. Now THAT is something I can't understand. A strat is basically a plank w/ a lot plastic on it. I can't imagine what could justify a $2000 difference between a standard and a custom - much less sonically.