Can i get your opinions on this 50's LP Special?

[laurencer83]

hi. i was wondering if you guys could take a look at this link and tell me what you think about this guitar ?
http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/GearDetails.aspx?Item=818748

it's a 56 lp special that has been stripped of its finish. it used to be tv yellow but now is natural. besides that the main issue is that the serial number is gone. the pots and truss rod have been changed. and the pickup selector was damaged, i think he said it was dropped on the ground with the pickup selector hitting the ground first.

i've always wanted an old 50's lp special. i'm not a collector so it doesn't need to be completely original. if i do get it i'd like to refinish it in tv yellow if i can find a good guy to do it. i don't want the refinish to mess up the sound at all.

but i wanted to know if you guys think this dealer is asking too much or if the price is right? considering the fact that original tv yellow lp specials are going upward to $7500 i don't think i'd ever be able to realistically aford one. so i'm thinking this maybe my chance to get one. and when i get some extra cash i can get it refinish.

he played it for me over the phone through a deluxe reverb(64'). of course the phone isn't the best way to listen to a guitar but i still could get the vibe of it. it sounded great. i just wanted to make sure it's an orignal 50's special and that the price is an ok asking price.

also do any of you guys know if these old specials had the bumblebee caps or were those just in the jr's? because i have a pair of bumblebee caps and may replace the non-original caps in this special if i decide to get it. thanks for your help.

[dzeitlin]

That is WAY too much for a Special with that many issues. Something else to think about, if those are the original pups, is that they often don't do high gain well(unless they were potted at some point). You'd be better off looking at the recent Historic re-issues.

[daddyo]

Aside from the nostalgia, they were not good guitars.

[matte]

Originally posted by daddyo
they were not good guitars. Why?

[matte]

Originally posted by dzeitlin
Something else to think about, if those are the original pups, is that they often don't do high gain well(unless they were potted at some point). That has not been my experience.

[57special]

Originally posted by daddyo
Aside from the nostalgia, they were not good guitars.
Your opinion only, and not the opinion of many. I have two "Holy grail" late 50's PAF equipped guitars, and a mid 50's strat, and my 57 special can hang with any of them.

[matte]

http://www.snakefoot.com/fuzzypix/derringer2.jpg

[matte]

http://www.cs.cf.ac.uk/Dave/mclaughlin/gif/Verreckt/johnmclaughlin-el-85.jpg

[e-z]

Originally posted by daddyo
Aside from the nostalgia, they were not good guitars.

I have a '60 LP Special that is a great guitar.

[sundaypunch]

Great guitars, too much money for one that is this messed up. I'm all about a beater for the right price. I think you could find something similar on ebay for less if you are patient.

[slipbeer]

I don't think the market has gone up for those particular guitars so I agree, it's way too much for a player that's never gonna' be a collector.

I had one for a while that had more issues (reglued Headstock, replaced tuners and a body chunk gouged out but original electronics)and it was a great player but when it went down the road, it went for cheap. Luckily I also bought it for cheap - like $500.

I don't remember trying really high gain stuff with it but those P90's did great Sunshine Of Your Love and White Room fatness when wound up through a Marshall.

[RickC]

The only thing that really bothers me about that guitar is the pickup selector thing; looks kinda ugly in the photo, and gouged wood is never good. Otherwise, no cracks, original pups; without the selector issue, it would be an excellent deal.

I've bought stuff from Neal before. He's a good guy. Try to knock him down a few hundred. For under $3k, I could live with it.

/rick

[matte]

Originally posted by RickC
The only thing that really bothers me about that guitar is the pickup selector thing; looks kinda ugly in the photo, and gouged wood is never good. Otherwise, no cracks, original pups; without the selector issue, it would be an excellent deal.

I've bought stuff from Neal before. He's a good guy. Try to knock him down a few hundred. For under $3k, I could live with it.

/rick Would be a great candidate for a conversion.

[jtg116]

I can't see that flying off of the guys wall, take your time go to a show if one is near you, keep searching, you'll find what you're looking for.

[57special]

Originally posted by Matte
Would be a great candidate for a conversion.
If you mean for an accurate burst, the body is too thin, i believe.

[matte]

Originally posted by 57special
If you mean for an accurate burst, the body is too thin, i believe. Are they 1&5/8"?

[57special]

Originally posted by Matte
Are they 1&5/8"?

They are 1 3/4, but the slightly rounded edge on the top makes the binding go down an 1/8th or so to cover it, making it about 1 5/8. Actually, i better go measure things up to make sure i'm not completely full of it, but i recall noticing that detail in the past, when evil thoughts came to mind re a hacked 50's Special. I've never measured a real burst, but i believe a full 1 3/4 of mahogany shows .

[matte]

Originally posted by 57special
They are 1 3/4, but the slightly rounded edge on the top makes the binding go down an 1/8th or so to cover it, making it about 1 5/8. Actually, i better go measure things up to make sure i'm not completely full of it, but i recall noticing that detail in the past, when evil thoughts came to mind re a hacked 50's Special. I've never measured a real burst, but i believe a full 1 3/4 of mahogany shows . A thin slice of Mahogany could be laminated between the Maple and the slab. The binding would hide it.

[rwe333]

Originally posted by Matte
http://www.snakefoot.com/fuzzypix/derringer2.jpg

FUKKIN' RIGHT!
Danny Johnson w/ Derringer!
I freakin' loved that shit - Danny in particular.
Awesome, Matte...

[57special]

Originally posted by Matte
A thin slice of Mahogany could be laminated between the Maple and the slab. The binding would hide it.
The only Lp i've got now is an early 70's , so it might not be a good yardstick. It measures 1 3/4" depth BELOW the bottom edge of the binding (well it actually measures 1 5/8" in another part, but it is a 70's LP) and my Clinic Replica and 81 Tokai both measured 1 3/4" BELOW the bottom edge of the binding. So a LP could be slightly planed down to eliminate the rounded top edge, and a thin slice of veneer put on top, but the binding would still have to go down to cover the end grain, making the distance below the binding less than 1 3/4.
Again, i've not measured a 50's LP, so perhaps they are also not exact in their dimensions, but a real LP freak would be disturbed by that loss of 1/8 or an inch.
Having said all that, it is a good idea for a great playing and sounding axe, though i could argue that a LP Special all by itself is good enough.

[daddyo]

I should clarify. For $700 or $800 they are a fun guitar with a good rock sound. But for $5K+ which is what they are going for now? Thay are not worth it. Get a PRS with P90s.

[matte]

Originally posted by daddyo
I should clarify. For $700 or $800 they are a fun guitar with a good rock sound. Oh, now I understand.


Originally posted by daddyo
But for $5K+ which is what they are going for now? Thay are not worth it. Get a PRS with P90s. What exactly are "thay" worth? Show me ONE single cut PRS with a Lester neck joint(not that Hondo bullshit that PRS used on the SCs) made out of 50 year old plus Honduras Mahogany, with a 24.625" scale length Brazilian board, 17 degree headstock angle, etc. I'll buy it.

[aeolian]

Originally posted by daddyo
Aside from the nostalgia, they were not good guitars.
I think what he meant was that they were originally "student" models, like the Fender Mustang. Of course, a good piece of wood is a good piece of wood. And if you find one, it can be great. Regardless of it's original intent.

I don't think those originally came with Grovers either.

[Glowing Tubes]

Originally posted by Matte
http://www.cs.cf.ac.uk/Dave/mclaughlin/gif/Verreckt/johnmclaughlin-el-85.jpg
I didnt know Arnold played guitar.:eek: :eek: ;)

[matte]

Originally posted by Andersonguy
I didnt know Arnold played guitar.:eek: :eek: ;) Don't be popping shit about Johnny Mc.

[straightblues]

That is too much for that particular guitar. I happen to love Specials and I think they are GREAT guitars. If you are interest in this style guitar, you should really check out the Hamer Korina Special Jr. They are awesome and you can buy them for about $1,500. If you have to have a vintage pickup, then you have about $1,500 to buy it. However, I would add a Lollar or Fralin P90 for $80 and you will be there.

[v-verb]

Originally posted by e-z
I have a '60 LP Special that is a great guitar.

I've got one too! Do you have a detailed pic showing the color? My Special supposedly has the original finish, but I have some questions.

Here it is.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/v-verb/DSCN0525.jpg

[matte]

Originally posted by v-verb
I've got one too! Do you have a detailed pic showing the color? My Special supposedly has the original finish, but I have some questions.

Here it is.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/v-verb/DSCN0525.jpg Is the finish opaque or can you see grain?

[v-verb]

Originally posted by Matte
Is the finish opaque or can you see grain?

Matte, it's opaque. The finish in the control cavity looks just like it but not as faded

I've been told that the 59/60 TV finishes were like that, whereas the earlier finishes were more yellow and transparent.

I was hoping e-z could post a detailed pic, but you've probably seen some of the59/60's in the flesh, so to speak.

Cheers

Nigel

[matte]

Originally posted by v-verb
Matte, it's opaque. The finish in the control cavity looks just like it but not as faded

I've been told that the 59/60 TV finishes were like that, whereas the earlier finishes were more yellow and transparent.

I was hoping e-z could post a detailed pic, but you've probably seen some of the59/60's in the flesh, so to speak.

Cheers

Nigel Sounds like a re-fin to me.

[e-z]

Originally posted by v-verb
Matte, it's opaque. The finish in the control cavity looks just like it but not as faded

I've been told that the 59/60 TV finishes were like that, whereas the earlier finishes were more yellow and transparent.

I was hoping e-z could post a detailed pic, but you've probably seen some of the59/60's in the flesh, so to speak.

Cheers

Nigel

Mine is the cherry finish. I'm out of town for a week or so but when I get back I can take a photo and post it if you like.

ez

[Unburst]

Originally posted by aeolian
I think what he meant was that they were originally "student" models, like the Fender Mustang.

McLaughlin played on of those too, the electric Miles stuff and his early solo albums were Mustang.

Guess he couldn't find a good guitar...

[matte]

Originally posted by Unburst
McLaughlin played on of those too, the electric Miles stuff and his early solo albums were Mustang.

Guess he couldn't find a good guitar... Shame, really. Imagine what he could have done with a "good guitar".