What's a good price for this '69 Gibson SG?

[slowguysongs]

A guy i know is trying to sell me his 1969 SG for sale and am not really sure what it's worth.

It's had some work done to it...

1) the pickups have been replaced

2) a coil tap switch was added & removed (hole filled)

3) At some point the Lyre vibrato was removed and replaced with a stop tail piece, but it has since been put back (but the holes are still remaining).

4) There is also a bit of seam splitting on the 3-piece neck... doesn't look too bad.

5) Also, a slight crack close to where the body meats the neck, but it doesn't look major (but what do i know).

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

[slowguysongs]

bump...

[Naindurth]

Too much stuff removed. Original pickups gone...

I don't know about prices but I always think of this questions:
How does it sound? How does it feel playing it?
Of course a '69 has resale value... but you want it to be in pristine conditions as well

[litepipe]

sounds like it's in a bit a rough shape. Not really worth a lot because of all the mods, hole filling etc.. Ofcourse it's worth whatever you could get someone to pay for it. Only matters how good it sounds for a player.

[Musiclab]

although it's a vintage instrument, since it's been so screwed with, not much,
maybe 3 or 4 grand, maybe. 69 was the last good year for Gibson.
With the split seaming and the crack I'd take it to a good guitar repairman before I parted with a penny.

[jackinthebox]

I have a '70 sg custom with three pickups. Neck repair and changed p ups and tuners etc.

It's worth about £800 if that. about $1200.

It has the most narrow neck in the world though. As did all late 60s gibsons. So if you like a narrow neck it could be good. Stop tailpieces are more reliable than the lyre vibratos anyway so it could be a useful instrument but not really a collectors piece any more.

[AndyFromDenver]

A quick search shows top specimens getting between $3500 and $4500, likely before the U.S. economy tanked.
I wouldn't even put it close to that with that many changes and issues.
Am I crazy to say $800-$1500, and that may be generous...
Then again I am a total cheapskate!

Like honestly, I can see it being sold to a friend for five hundred bucks.
And if this person is just parting it out and has the pickups somewhere, that's even lamer I'd pass, if I'm buying an old guitar I would at least want the old pick-ups.

*disclaimer: no expert opinion implied *

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by AndyFromDenver

A quick search shows top specimens getting between $3500 and $4500, likely before the U.S. economy tanked.
I wouldn't even put it close to that with that many changes and issues.
Am I crazy to say $800-$1500, and that may be generous...
Then again I am a total cheapskate!

Like honestly, I can see it being sold to a friend for five hundred bucks.
And if this person is just parting it out and has the pickups somewhere, that's even lamer I'd pass, if I'm buying an old guitar I would at least want the old pick-ups.

*disclaimer: no expert opinion implied *

I just did a search and I nice ones with no fade to the finish going for $2800.
I seriously doubt anyone would sell it for 800, although you never know. BTW what does the seller want for this?

[drbob1]

The crack in the body may be a deal breaker. They had a weak spot in that the neck weakened the body where it inserted, the crack may be the first sign of the neck pocket splitting. Also, cracks in the neck may be easy or hard to fix up, and if they're hard an SG with a broken neck from that year is going to be worth less than $1000 if you're selling (a dealer will try and stick you for a LOT more). I'd ahve it looked at by a good luthier first, then go from there...

[slowguysongs]

Thanks for all of the replies... i was out of town.

He wants $2500 for it (i talked him down from $3200). But after talking to a few folks online, i think it's probably only worth $2000 max.

Also, the guy selling it is a guitar repair guy. It was his guitar for the last 8 years. He said, the cracks have been there since he got it 8 yrs. ago and swears up and down that they're harmless. He also said, if anything ever happens, he'll "take care of it". whatever that means...

I don't know... A friend told me, if it was "the one", i would have bought it already, and maybe my indecision speaks for itself. I may make him a last ditch effort of $2k cash. If he doesn't take it, it wasn't meant to be.

here are some pics...

Free File Sharing Made Simple - MediaFire

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by slowguysongs

Thanks for all of the replies... i was out of town.

He wants $2500 for it (i talked him down from $3200). But after talking to a few folks online, i think it's probably only worth $2000 max.

Also, the guy selling it is a guitar repair guy. It was his guitar for the last 8 years. He said, the cracks have been there since he got it 8 yrs. ago and swears up and down that they're harmless. He also said, if anything ever happens, he'll "take care of it". whatever that means...

I don't know... A friend told me, if it was "the one", i would have bought it already, and maybe my indecision speaks for itself. I may make him a last ditch effort of $2k cash. If he doesn't take it, it wasn't meant to be.

here are some pics...

Free File Sharing Made Simple - MediaFire

I looked at the pix, I'd pass on that guitar. There is a 69 in better shape with a buy it now of 2999 , there's an SG special for 1700,

[slowguysongs]

thanks... I saw the B.I.N. for $2999... it's got a stop tail piece as well and changed tuners. I may just save up for a clean one.

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by slowguysongs

thanks... I saw the B.I.N. for $2999... it's got a stop tail piece as well and changed tuners. I may just save up for a clean one.

those klusons from back then were no bargain, the grovers are probably much better, I'd keep an eye on that auction and if they get no bids, bid what you'd be willing to pay, you never know