Is this cosmetic or plain broken???

krissovo · #1 September 28th, 2007

Hi All

I am thinking of buying a Epi LP with Gibson burstbuckers fitted for a very cheap price. Only problem is that it has had a tumble and there is some damage, apparently only cosmetic but I would not mind a 2nd opinion from you guys and girls.

Neck looks staright

coldethyl · #2 September 28th, 2007

Oops!

coldethyl · #3 September 28th, 2007

Personally Kris, depending on how much is being asked for it, and if it's worth fixing, I'd be very cautious about buying the guitar.

It shows the damage you can see, but if the guitar hasn't been looked after, what about the damage unseen?

Ultimately, it's your money, your choice!
Good luck with your decision mate.

krissovo · #4 September 28th, 2007

The price is only few more pennys than if I buy the Gibson pup's that are fitted.

Hmm, it looks worse now that I have have some time to think

knight46 · #5 September 28th, 2007

Krissovo,
I have to agree with Neil, not sure what other damage it might be. Of course if the price is real good, it might be right to take a chance and use as a fix up if more damage is found.

krissovo · #6 September 28th, 2007

I might go ahead with it just for the pup's if the guitar plays then that would be a bonus. If I bought two gibson burstbucker pup's then that would cost me about €230. This guitar has two fitted but would cost me €200, ok its a risk but I could put the pup's in my LP custom.

Hmmmm what to do?

mattz196 · #7 September 28th, 2007

Kris doesn't sound like much of a risk if its less than cost of what you would pay for the Pups , you could always use whats left in a rock video smash em up scene

krissovo · #8 September 28th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattz196

you could always use whats left in a rock video smash em up scene

How much fun would that be.....Oh and then set it on fire!!!!

allthumbs · #9 September 28th, 2007

It is worth the chance. A couple of pennies more for the guitar. A win if it works and still a win if it doesn't. Seeing as LPs are usually a big slab of wood and the damage is not near the bridge, it should be fine. Even if some wiring has come loose, that is a cheap fix.

__tsidewinder__ · #10 September 28th, 2007

Wow, thats actually a really nice looking guitar. I like that single golden tone knob.

The little bit of aesthetic damage gives it character.

Andy S · #11 September 28th, 2007

Ok, not to be really negative, but since I don't want to assume anything.......

The pic from the headstock down toward the body...? Is that a slight crack where the neck is attached to the body? Or just some dirt?

The pic where it shows the Bridge pup...the ring mount is broken. Does the pup work? In severe cases, the wiring can get cut, open pup windings don't work. If a magnet cracks it can cause issues too.

The pic in between the one of the guitar laid out on the blue sheet and the neck shot...is that a hole that was punched into the body? Or is the angle & lighting causing illusions of damage?

And I guess the last question....How do you identify the pups as actual Burstbuckers? I had an interesting talk with a guy at Guitar center not long ago. Seems many folks can't identify a Burstbucker from the 490R and the 498T alnico. Or, an Epiphone "Classic" pup for that matter. Cost of these..?? So, be sure what you are getting.

A long while ago, (3 years maybe) I visited a Sam Ash in Columbus with a friend. This really tweaked the sales guy!! I had my friend play with his eyes closed. He would play whatever I handed him, through a POD with headphones. Then he would decide which sounded and played better.

He picked a Gibson Standard LP and an Epiphone Custom LP as the best two playing and sounding. This was over the more expensive VOS LPs and the higher priced Gibson LP Customs.

So it's all a matter of your ears and hands. If it sounds good to you and the price is acceptable, go for it.

Best of luck.

starsailor · #12 September 28th, 2007

If they're the pups you want, you're really in a win, win situation, it's cheaper than you were going to spend and you get the guitar as well, is it an auction sale or is it private, because of the damage you might still have room to haggle, apart from the holes the rest of the body looks intact, although I can see the black line where the body joins the neck which Andy S saw, it must have been dropped pretty hard, interesting to hear how it plays Krissovo, I can understand it's not the easiest decision to make though.