Top-RatedVintage Gibson Les Paul Market Value Guide
Discover The True Value Of Your Vintage Gibson Les Paul With Joe’s Vintage Guitars
Feel Free To Contact Joe’s Vintage Guitar For A Free Vintage Consultation & Appraisal Today!
Meet Vintage Guitar Expert, Joe Dampt
For more than ten years, Joe Dampt, the owner, has been passionately collecting vintage instruments and has dealt with thousands of vintage guitars, mandolins, banjos, and other stringed instruments. Additionally, he has served as a vintage guitar appraiser and consultant for various local antique and collectible businesses, including “America’s Top Buyer,” a renowned traveling antique show outfit. Over the years, Joe has appraised numerous significant collections of musical instruments, some valued in the six to seven-figure range. Click here to learn more about appraisals.
Comprehensive Guide To Identifying & Valuing Your Vintage Les Paul Guitar
With all of the variations of the Les Paul that have been available from Gibson over the years, finding out exactly which model you have, and consequently how much it is worth can be quite a daunting task! To help you identify and value your vintage Les Paul, I have put together this comprehensive Les Paul value guide. Keep in mind, that this guide applies only to guitars with the Les Paul body shape, not the SG body shape. There were some guitars named “Les Paul” that have an SG body shape. See the photos below for reference.
What Are The Differences Between The Gibson Les Paul Models?
Gibson made 4 versions of the Gibson Les Paul during the 1950s. While Gibson went on to make other variations of the Les Paul later on, including the Les Paul Deluxe, Les Paul Studio, and many more, this value guide will focus on the more valuable and collectible instruments made in the 1950s and 60s. NOTE: Before you continue reading, please ensure that your instrument was made between 1950 and 1962! Use our handy Gibson Serial Number Guide to help you! If you need help identifying, dating or valuing your guitar, I am just a phone call away and will be happy to help you in a fast and friendly manner! Just call or text (602) 900-6635 or email joesvintageguitars94@gmail.com.
The Iconic Gibson Les Paul Standard
The Les Paul Standard was originally made in a Gold color (called Goldtop) and later made in a Sunburst finish. (sometimes just called “Burst”) There were also a few guitars known to be made in Copper Iridescent and Platinum/Silver finishes.(Extremely rare and valuable!) All Les Paul Standard guitars come equipped with white P-90 pickups from 1952-1957 and nickel humbucker pickups from 1957-1961 (see photos below). Les Paul Standards have a gold script “Les Paul” logo on the headstock.
The Classic Gibson Les Paul Custom
Les Paul Customs came in a black finish with gold hardware. Les Paul Custom guitars came with black P-90 pickups from 1953-1957 and gold humbucker pickups from 1957-1961. They had a diamond inlay on the headstock.
The Unique Appeal Of The Gibson Les Paul Special
Came in either a transparent yellow finish called TV Yellow or in a transparent Cherry Red finish. Les Paul Specials came with two black P-90 pickups.
The Legendary Gibson Les Paul Junior
Came in a sunburst finish, or less commonly in a transparent TV Yellow finish. The TV Yellow variant, sometimes just called the “TV model” is rarer and more desirable. Les Paul Junior guitars came with a single black P-90 pickup.
Determining The Value Of Your Gibson Les Paul
Now that you have identified which variant of the Gibson Les Paul you have, it is time to answer that burning question: What is it worth? While values are not always cut and dry or 100% objective, below are some basic ranges for values on Gibson Les Paul guitars. These values are for guitars that are all original and in excellent condition with their original case. Values can vary based on provenance, condition, and market trends. Once again, if you need help dating your Les Paul, please use our Les Paul Serial Number Guide. As always, feel free to contact me for a fast, free and friendly evaluation!
Gibson Les Paul Standard Values
- Gibson Les Paul Standard from 1952-1953: $25,000 – $35,000
- Gibson Les Paul Standard from 1954-1956: $35,000 – $80,000
- Gibson Les Paul Standard from 1957-1958 (Gold with Humbuckers):
$135,000 – $250,000 - Gibson Les Paul Standard from 1958-1960 (Burst with Humbuckers):$200,000 – $450,000
- Gibson Les Paul Standard from 1968-1969: $8000 – $24,000
Gibson Les Paul Custom Values
- Gibson Les Paul Custom from 1953-1957: $25,000 – $55,000
- Gibson Les Paul Custom from 1957-1961: $60,000 – $225,000
(higher numbers for rare 2-pickup version only) - Gibson Les Paul Custom from 1968-1969: $10,000 – $25,000
Gibson Les Paul Special Values
- Les Paul Special from 1955-1959 (TV Yellow finish):
$10,000-$20,000 - Les Paul Special from 1959 (Cherry Red finish): $7,000-$15,000
Gibson Les Paul Junior Values
- Gibson Les Paul Junior from 1954-1958 (Sunburst finish):
$6000-$13,000 - Gibson Les Paul Junior TV Model from 1955-1958 (TV Yellow):
$10,000-$20,000
Guidelines For Selling Your Vintage Gibson Les Paul Guitar
Now that you have a rough idea of the value of your Gibson Les Paul guitar, you may be wondering how to sell it! There are many courses of action you can take when selling your guitar, but when it comes to a high dollar vintage guitar, I recommend one of the three following ways.
Maximize Your Guitar Sale With Consignment: Joe’s Vintage Guitars Offers Rates As Low As 8%!
Consigning your guitar has a number of advantages. You will benefit from spending less time responding to buyers as well as from absolving yourself of any potential shipment and return liabilities. Additionally, an experienced dealer can market your guitar to a wider market and can make use of professional photography skills, authentication experience and more to help you get more for your guitar. Joe’s Vintage Guitars offers consignment for vintage guitars with rates as low as 8%! Visit our consignment page or contact us today to get started!
Choosing A Dealer Or Collector For Your Vintage Guitar
The benefits of selling your guitar to a dealer or collector are many. The process is quick and hassle-free, payment is immediate, and shipping or pickup are taken care of by the buyer. Additionally, you won’t have to take a bunch of fancy photos or write up a description. You also remove the possibility for shipping or return woes. Oftentimes, you will end up with the same amount of money in pocket whether you consign or sell outright. I buy vintage guitars and will pay you a fair market value for your vintage Les Paul. Feel free to contact me at (602) 900-6635 or joesvintageguitars94@gmail.com
Selling Your Gibson Les Paul On the Private Market
Some sellers opt to sell their guitars themselves on the private market. While selling a guitar yourself can be a rewarding experience, it is not recommended for first time sellers of high end vintage instruments. There is a lot of liability involved in the selling and shipping of expensive vintage instruments. Most guitar dealers keep an insurance policy active of over $100,000 just for their shipments! If you do want to sell your guitar on the private market, we recommend Reverb.com as they have a robust shipping protection policy. It is important to factor the selling fees that Reverb will be charging you. Also, bear in mind that in the event of a dispute, Reverb and other selling platforms will almost always side with the buyer.
Consider Selling Your Vintage Gibson Les Paul To Joe For Top Value!
I am a very strong buyer for all of the Gibson les Paul models listed above! Contact me to sell a Gibson guitar. I will be happy to provide you with a comprehensive assessment and valuation as well as a strong offer to buy! Below is a photo of a happy customer who sold his Gibson Les Paul to Joe’s Vintage Guitars!
Get In Touch With Joe For A Free Vintage Guitar Consultation Today!
If you would like a free vintage guitar consultation and appraisal, feel free to contact me directly for a fast, friendly, and free appraisal! Call or text (602) 900-6635 or email us at joesvintageguitars94@gmail.com
