Gibson Goldtop Classic buy or not to buy, cheap

[g335]

Hello

I found a 2000's Gibson Classic in gold top. It has some cracks in the top finish around the cut and the tone and volume knob areas along the edge and top close to the edge. Underneath the bridge pickup tone control it is missing the paint down to the wood about 1 1/1 centimeters long and about 2 or 3mm wide.

The neck and pickups and hardware are in good condition and it has lots of buckle rash on the back with lines everywhere but nothing that goes deep into the finish.

The price is 1000 dollars with a soft case.

Is this a good buy? Or do I buy the amp I need for performing? I am still about a
month away from performing and I could buy a amp in about 1 to 2 months. I have a small amp for practice now.

This is a chance to buy a good sounding Les Paul for cheap but I am worried about the damages and if it is worth it.

Help

 

[Drew68]

The price is 1000 dollars with a soft case.

A Les Paul Classic should come with a stock Gibson hard shell case, tan with pink muppet fur.

I get real nervous when I see Les Pauls sold without their original cases. What happened to the original case is a question I'd ask and I'd want a good answer.

Aside from this, $1000 (providing it's not stolen or counterfeit, hence the lack of original hard shell case) is a reasonably good deal.

 

[Rod]

As long as the neck is good and strait and doesn't have Gibsonitis, buy it....That is, if you want a Les Paul....They aren't for everyone...I played them for 4 decades since my first one in 68, and personally, the design is a pain in the ass for many reasons...Many people on this site are very name oriented/snobby/don't know any better,and think you have to spend $2K or more....This simply isn't true...CNC machines do a wonderful job of building fine guitars these days for under $1K...The guitar pic in my avatar is a great example of this.....Best instrument I've owned in many years.
FWIW, the thinner 60's Les Paul necks are more prone to warping.....[I also sold Gibsons new and used for 30 years]

 

[DGDGBD]

I have had a '99 goldtop classic for eleven years now and it is a great playing and sounding les paul. I happened on a really good one-it has great acoustic resonance. Obviously there are studs and duds with every issue year, so YMMV. Assuming everything is structurally ok, it may be a really good deal for a les paul.

 

[g335]

As long as the neck is good and strait and doesn't have Gibsonitis, buy it....That is, if you want a Les Paul....They aren't for everyone...I played them for 4 decades since my first one in 68, and personally, the design is a pain in the ass for many reasons...Many people on this site are very name oriented/snobby/don't know any better,and think you have to spend $2K or more....This simply isn't true...CNC machines do a wonderful job of building fine guitars these days for under $1K...The guitar pic in my avatar is a great example of this.....Best instrument I've owned in many years.
FWIW, the thinner 60's Les Paul necks are more prone to warping.....[I also sold Gibsons new and used for 30 years]

I want one, I am debating about getting a Epiphone one, or the Schecter Tempest Black Jack(Les paul type with SD) or a real Les Paul.
There is a Epiphone Elite MIJ with the Gibson style headstock at at another store for 1100 dollars.

The Gold Top is a good choice? I played it thru 3 different amps: Lany, Vox Ac30cc2, and some expensive boutique amp forgot the name. It sounds good thru all of them.

I was looking at the Gibson Firebird studio for around the same prices as the Gold Top. I want a guitar for playing heavy rock and heavy distortion stuff.
Out of the choices I gave you, which would you choose?

 

[puckhead]

if it sounds great and the neck is good, go for it.
unless you will be bothered by cosmetic stuff, in which case PM me the seller's info

 

[B Money]

$1000 for a beat up, 10 year old Classic seems high to me.

 

[JPW]

Can't go wrong with the firebird. If you order one from Sweetwater you can get in line and wait for the new Firebird 2010 to ship. Same guitar, but it has Steinbeger tuners stock instead of the banjo tuners. also comes in black as a color option. I ordered me a black one.

 

[Rod]

I want one, I am debating about getting a Epiphone one, or the Schecter Tempest Black Jack(Les paul type with SD) or a real Les Paul.
There is a Epiphone Elite MIJ with the Gibson style headstock at at another store for 1100 dollars.

The Gold Top is a good choice? I played it thru 3 different amps: Lany, Vox Ac30cc2, and some expensive boutique amp forgot the name. It sounds good thru all of them.

I was looking at the Gibson Firebird studio for around the same prices as the Gold Top. I want a guitar for playing heavy rock and heavy distortion stuff.
Out of the choices I gave you, which would you choose?

For heavy Rock I'd stick with a LP type guitar....Probably the Gibson...I also own a Tempest Blackjack...Great guitar except it does not have a maple cap and therefore is a bit more mellow sounding..It's all mahogany....even with the Duncan JB in the bridge...The Firebird studio is going to sound more SG like, but bigger sounding due to the larger body.......

 

[Last Nerve]

Rod- what's the guitar in your avatar then?

 

[Rod]

Rod- what's the guitar in your avatar then?

That one is a Schecter Solo 6 Custom...It sounds closest to a Les Paul...I also own a Tempest Classic Custom and the Tempest Blackjack, but they sound a bit more like PRS guitars, but fatter sounding

 

[g335]

For heavy Rock I'd stick with a LP type guitar....Probably the Gibson...I also own a Tempest Blackjack...Great guitar except it does not have a maple cap and therefore is a bit more mellow sounding..It's all mahogany....even with the Duncan JB in the bridge...The Firebird studio is going to sound more SG like...

You own a Black Jack? How is it? Even if I get the Les Paul I still want it.
What kind of music do you use it for? How is the neck? I have a Ultra III so I know Schecters can be good.

 

[Rod]

You own a Black Jack? How is it? Even if I get the Les Paul I still want it.
What kind of music do you use it for? How is the neck? I have a Ultra III so I know Schecters can be good.

Hi.... I love the Blackjack...I play bluesrock...go below to The Rod Welles live music site to hear it...I used it for the live demo.....They are discontinued...The neck is great...sort of like a 50's LP...Jumbo frets...Mine's a lighter one...weighs about 8 LBs....Just a great guitar

 

[SUBmariner]

1. The Paul deal sounds like $1K for a $500 guitar. Just one man's opinion.

2. I love my FB Studio. Comfortable, sounds great, and doesn't look like every other guy's guitar.

 

[rob13v]

That is a look of love if I've ever seen one!

(Nice looking guitar, btw!)