Original Silverburst Questions

[hagcel]

Hey There,

I'm considering an original Les Paul Silverburst (green).

I've found them from anywhere from $1800 to $3200.

I discovered this guitar as a fan of Tool. The cheaper guitars have more cracks in the finish which I've read is prone to happen to these guitars.

How do the cracks effect the guitar / tone? I've read good and bad. Bad that people don't like cracks in the finish but also that it leads a sound you can not reproduce.

How much of this is BS? I've never played one and there are none for sale locally but I'd love to hear from people that have played silverbursts.

This is the guitar I'm currently considering:

1978 Gibson Les Paul Silverburst Custom Guitar First Year Production | eBay

Are some years better than others?

Thanks!

 

[FourT6and2]

Thread should be moved to the Norlin section.

Cracks in the finish (finish checking) have zero effect on the sound of the instrument. Cracks in the wood, itself, could.

The '78s were all prototypes. '78 thru the latter half of '83 had maple necks. End of '83 thru '85 (when they stopped production) had mahogany necks.

 

[silverburst83]

I don't like the fact that the auction stats that they: "Do not have an amp to test it." You could end up buying it and finding out the jack or something else has a short in it. For a few hundred bucks more you should be able to find one with less cosmetic issues, and from someone who can tell you it actually produces sound, has string buzz and what not. Pre-83' (I think) les pauls have no weight relief (holes drilled into the body). The best thing you could do is play it before you buy it if possible... only way to know if "YOU" will like it.

good luck.

 

[45WinMag]

I'd be willing to roll the dice on a '78 at that price. If it has any electronic issues, they could probably be fixed for a total cost that is less than I'd expect to pay for a '78. I'd be pickier for a '79 than a '78. The wear doesn't bother me much. That's quite a mark on the top, but it's reflected in the price. I like the way some wear looks on a guitar. If I didn't already have a '78, I'd jump on this one.