*** only answer this if you are rated 4 * or 5*  ********I will not
accept answers from other researchers thanks.

I have been clearing my attic and found a guitar belonging to my ex
boyfriend. He says he doesn't want it back and i can sell it / dump
it. So i presume it's not worth much. However, I looked up it's name
on ebay and it looks like it's either worth anything from 100 dollars
to 5000 dollars.
There also seem to be some guitars that are copies or made by epiphone. 
So question is how do i know which type i have?

The guitar says on it "Gibson Les Paul" but which one - is the Junior
Special which costs about 700 uk pounds new? (I'm in UK)

I estimate that the guitar was bought in late 1970's or early 1980's
and i would be surprised if a lot of money changed hands at that time
.

So the question here is this:
how much is this guitar worth? And what type actually is it?

The guitar in question is black and anything else you want to know
about it please ask.

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Request for Question Clarification by clouseau-ga on 12 Nov 2004 18:33 PST

I believe I might be able to help. Serial number would be most helpful
as well as a picture if you could upoload one and point me to it.

Probably no Les Paul is more valuable than a '59 cherry, but a 60's
black might surprise you as well and come in at several thousand
dollars.

Do reply and I'll be happy to evaluate this for you.

-=clouseau=-

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Clarification of Question by onetwothreefour-ga on 12 Nov 2004 23:53 PST

i couldn't see any numbers on it - where should i look?

my gut feeling is that it is not an original 

i will try and load a picture up later today

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Clarification of Question by onetwothreefour-ga on 13 Nov 2004 03:28 PST

photos at
http://www.geocities.com/questions12345678/photopage.html

ignore the amp pic

Hello Again onetwothreefour,

Unfortunately, I can not tell enough from the pictures. Several things
that are not clear is whether the Gibson logo on the headstock had
been painted over to cover some of the pearl in the name. If not, then
it is likley a copy of a Les Paul Custom as that lettering style does
not appear to be one ever used.

Though some of the Les Paul's did not have serial numbers, most had it
stamped into the back of the headstock above the tuning pegs.

Perhaps the best I can do for you is point you to this excellent web
site on vintage Gibson guitars. It may be helpful for you.


http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson.html#intro

And, you can always take it in to a reputable local music store to at
least determine if it Is a Gibson or a copy.

Perhaps another researcher might be more helpful for you as well.

Good luck identifying the guitar further.

-=clouseau=-

not clear "whether the Gibson logo on the headstock had
been painted over to cover some of the pearl in the name"

yes it has been painted over 
the paint has bubbled a little and is raised to the surface in places

running my hand over the logo, i can tell that the gibson logo is
actually inlaid not painted as i first thought

what really puts me off is the very strange way "Les Paul" is written

to my eye it looks very ticky - like someone has used a gold ink pen not very well

i don't know if that's in any of the photos

i've also been told that if it's a bolted on rather than a glued neck
, it's unlikely to be genuine - is that true?

sorry "ticky" = "tacky" ie cheaply done

and thanks for the very good link btw to that gibson site

you said "that lettering style does  not appear to be one ever used"

i would tend to disagree , it appears to be the one in the far right
of the picture at

 
http://www.provide.net/~cfh/giblogo.jpg

It's a copy,Gibson never made guitars with bolt on necks,thats the
metal plate you can see on the back of the body where the neck
meets.Here is a picture of a Gibson Les Paul from behind
http://www.gruhn.com/photo/EB5627.jpg note there is no metal
plate.This may sound trivial to a non musician but it's a dead
giveaway to a guitar player,a misguided soul tried to sell me one
once,I had to explain this to him too.

So it may be worth very little or as you can see here
http://www.guitarcrazy.com.au/IbaPF320.htm not all copies are cheap
but don't get your hopes up.