A Little Guitar Porn....

[duhvoodooman]

Here are a few photos of two guitars a friend here at work brought in for me to see. These belong to a wealthy collector friend of his--same guy that owns that '94 R9 Historic Series LP (http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=16608) I posted pics of a while back.

This time, he had a near-mint condition '76 Strat "Hardtail", and a "Yamano" Gibson R8 Historic LP with a gorgeous quilted lemon-drop top. Yamano was the Japanese importer for Gibson guitars for many years, and they had the reputation of selecting only the finest examples of wood tops in their Custom Shop imports. I wouldn't argue, based on this one. Just stunning!

The Strat looks quite white in these photos, apparently due to the camera flash. "In person", it has yellowed very considerably--you can get a sense of that from the edges of the guitar in the photos.

This guy apparently owns 42 "investment grade" guitars, and consider these two the "least" of his collection. He offered them to my buddy for $3K for the Strat and $3.5K for the LP, but that's way more than he wants to spend!

Here are the pics:

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/744cf67d3076279.jpg

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/744cf67d308fcee.jpg

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/744cf67d30aab5e.jpg

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/744cf67d30c1add.jpg

[Katastrophe]

Stunning, DVM! That Strat is the epitome of coolness. The quilt in the LP is excellent, but the switch tip is missing. I'll be happy to take the guitar off his hands, so that he may be able to buy another one.

I would like to apply to be the wealthy collector friend's guitar caretaker, string changer, tech, and drool wiper-upper. Wouldya put in a good word for me?

[duhvoodooman]

The quilt in the LP is excellent, but the switch tip is missing....
It was in a small envelope in the case--we just didn't screw it on. Believe me, there was NOTHING missing on the guitar--even the Yamano Gibson flyer, printed in Japanese, was in the case.


I would like to apply to be the wealthy collector friend's guitar caretaker, string changer, tech, and drool wiper-upper. Wouldya put in a good word for me?
Sorry, there's a local applicant. Wanna guess who? ;)

[Eric]

Purdy.

This makes me think. The whole idea of guitar collecting is an idea that just has never occurred to me outside of a few fleeting moments. I wonder if it actually is financially viable. It would be interesting to see how this guy has done. I imagine fairly well, though at that point, I suppose the cataloging and dealing of the collected guitars is his hobby, rather than playing said guitars. Maybe that's a nuance I miss at times.

I have a natural bent toward being a packrat, so I've consciously avoided anything resembling collecting for the past 10 years or so. Still...guitar collecting makes me think twice...maybe.

[Katastrophe]

It was in a small envelope in the case--we just didn't screw it on. Believe me, there was NOTHING missing on the guitar--even the Yamano Gibson flyer, printed in Japanese, was in the case.


Sorry, there's a local applicant. Wanna guess who? ;)


Gotcha.:) I AM content, though, if you get the job, to sit in corner with that Strat, caressing it lovingly. Eventually, over time, I'll start to look like Golum from Lord of the Rings... hsssssss....Don't touch the Precious!

[Rx Tone]

That LP is breathtaking.

[duhvoodooman]

That LP is breathtaking.
Yeah, the wood is incredible. If that was a faded cherry, tobacco or iced tea burst instead of a lemon-drop finish, I might start scrounging around for the $3500 myself....

[MAXIFUNK]

Both of those are very great looking axes..............:thumbsup

[Tig]

Back in 5 minutes... :drool:

Those are outstanding!

OK, I sure can't top those, but found some additional guitar porn to ruin a few keyboards due to drooling...

1959 Fender Esquire, original except for replaced pickup and 1 added screw in pick guard... $19,999
http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/1790243/p2_uuvoqwe0f_ss.jpg
http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/1790243/p1_ukauabv10_so.jpg

1966 near mint Stratocaster, all original except the strings... $14,999
http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2671188/p3_urdhctvco_ss.jpg
http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2671188/p1_uytzkmsit_so.jpg

1964 Gibson SG Standard, orifginal except for 1 tuner... $12,999
http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2709176/p3_usrzvvoag_so.jpg
http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2709176/p4_uqihg2m2i_ss.jpg

1968 Gibson Les Paul Standard, all original... $15,999
http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2713527/p3_ui1slpexd_so.jpg
http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2713527/p4_uikfjabnq_ss.jpghttp://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2713527/p5_uuebme3up_ss.jpg

[Tig]

2001 Gibson Les Paul R8 re-issue, near mint... $5,999
http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2738318/p1_u30aalzth_so.jpg
http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2738318/p2_uijsb0nhd_so.jpg

Something much cheaper yet unique: 1978 Ibanez Artist... $1,399

http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2749447/p2_uvmg1j4ni_so.jpg
http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2749447/p1_uhnqc1dym_so.jpg

2010 Robin Rawhide/Ranger t-style... $3,099
http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2660088/p1_uteitsfev_so.jpg
http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2660088/p2_u1f50asgr_so.jpg

And for fun, a weird pointy 1986 Robin Wedge custom... $899
http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2740361/p1_uqqs3meps_so.jpg
http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2740361/p2_u1bmet1cp_so.jpg

[Brian Krashpad]

Doug, whoever is putting those stickers all over those guitars, even on cavity covers, neck plates, and guards, should be shot!

They haven't figured out hang tags?

[deeaa]

Sweet! My buddy has a goldtop just like that from 69, all original. Or he had one like 5 years back when I last saw him. He'd cracked it's finish all over like desert dried, when he brought the guitar on a hot stage right from -30 degree cold on a gig trip...but other than that crackle it was pristine. I wonder if he's sold it already...must be worth something!

[aeolian]

I own a 75 Stratocaster hardtail. Here's couple of pictures:

http://home.comcast.net/~kitn13/STRAT2.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~kitn13/STRAT4.JPG

I bought this from a guy who owned it for 3 weeks back in either 75 or 76. He was talked into buying it by friends telling him he should learn how to play guitar, but quickly figured out he can't and doesn't want to. He did paint the pickguard with sparkle orange spray paint which I was unable to remove so I replaced it with a metal guard. About 10 years ago I replaced the metal guard with a 3-ply plastic guard.

Although this guitar is in excellent condition and, except for the pickguard, has all original hardware, electronics and hardcase, I never considered it to be an investment grade instrument. I do play it, although not very often, and I don't take any special care when I do play it not to put wear and tear into it. I have to say that I take very good care of all my guitars old or new, cheap or expensive, so none of my guitar ever look beat up.