Any guitar dealers on the forum?
Discussion
I'm travelling back to the UK later this year and my lovely, darling wife is buying me a guitar for my 40th birthday.
To replace my dear Les Paul Standard that I had to sell some time ago, I'm looking for a LP 59 re-issue.
I can't get them in Dubai so having to fly back as I'm obviously not going to buy until I've played.
Any help or recommendations of good dealers around London, Milton Keynes or anywhere in between would be much appreciated.
To replace my dear Les Paul Standard that I had to sell some time ago, I'm looking for a LP 59 re-issue.
I can't get them in Dubai so having to fly back as I'm obviously not going to buy until I've played.
Any help or recommendations of good dealers around London, Milton Keynes or anywhere in between would be much appreciated.
All of the Custom Shop Les Pauls seem to have jumped up in price by over £500 since christmas time.
I can recommend Andertons in Guildford as having a lot of Gibson Custom Shop guitars in stock because they've recently become some kind of uber dealer for them. I was chatting to one of the guys there and they thought it was crazy that they now had £1900 guitars just sitting on the floor (a 2009 Les Paul Standard is £1900 by the way).
Another good one is Guitar Village in Farnham. Having just checked their site they seem to have a bit more Custom Shop stuff in than I remember so they'd be worth a look too. Just to highlight the price increases the Bonamassa Gold Top has gone from £2700 when I tried it to £3400 today. Both of those shops are up for a deal too.
I'd recommend trying a "Cloud 9" if you can find one too. They're chambered and so are lighter and sound slightly more airy and vintagey. Quite rare in the UK but well worth hunting out.
Finally I do know a guy that sources Gibson Custom Shop guitars from the states so I can ask what the going rate is from him if you're interested.
Edited to add that neither Guildford or Farnham are between London and MK. Mental note, read threads more carefully...
I can recommend Andertons in Guildford as having a lot of Gibson Custom Shop guitars in stock because they've recently become some kind of uber dealer for them. I was chatting to one of the guys there and they thought it was crazy that they now had £1900 guitars just sitting on the floor (a 2009 Les Paul Standard is £1900 by the way).
Another good one is Guitar Village in Farnham. Having just checked their site they seem to have a bit more Custom Shop stuff in than I remember so they'd be worth a look too. Just to highlight the price increases the Bonamassa Gold Top has gone from £2700 when I tried it to £3400 today. Both of those shops are up for a deal too.
I'd recommend trying a "Cloud 9" if you can find one too. They're chambered and so are lighter and sound slightly more airy and vintagey. Quite rare in the UK but well worth hunting out.
Finally I do know a guy that sources Gibson Custom Shop guitars from the states so I can ask what the going rate is from him if you're interested.
Edited to add that neither Guildford or Farnham are between London and MK. Mental note, read threads more carefully...
Edited by gingerpaul on Tuesday 19th May 15:38
gingerpaul said:
Did you have anything in particular in mind other than it being a '59? Anything in particular from Here take your fancy? I notice there are some 50th anniversary '59s due in there so they might be interesting.
Interesting you should point that place out - just been browsing 
50th Ani and the VOS range would be the ones to go for and while all the lovely little details of the 50th guitars would be great - the playability and tone are more important. Budget not an issue so can have a good look.
Not bothered about used either if it is in tip top condition - although will be paying by credit card as we won't be carrying a wedge of cash around with us, so that discounts private sellers.
I've talked to the guy about guitars from the US and he said funnily enough one of his friends is thinking about selling his R9 so he's getting the low down on it for me. I'll pass it on when I've heard back. I actually bought my CR8 from him second hand so he's a trustworthy guy. He sold mine on a sale or return basis so would have given me my money back had I not liked the way it played. You can't say fairer than that!
He said he'd pass on the guy he sources guitars from's details if you want them. He also said if you are prepared to take more risk then there's a site called www.gbase.com that advertises rare stuff over in America. From what you're saying you probably won't be interested in either of those though as there would be no opportunity to try before you buy.
I would definitely recommend you give Guitar Village a go too. They're a fantastic shop and they'll let you try whatever combination of stuff you want.
He said he'd pass on the guy he sources guitars from's details if you want them. He also said if you are prepared to take more risk then there's a site called www.gbase.com that advertises rare stuff over in America. From what you're saying you probably won't be interested in either of those though as there would be no opportunity to try before you buy.
I would definitely recommend you give Guitar Village a go too. They're a fantastic shop and they'll let you try whatever combination of stuff you want.
Edited by gingerpaul on Tuesday 19th May 19:50
gingerpaul said:
I've talked to the guy about guitars from the US and he said funnily enough one of his friends is thinking about selling his R9 so he's getting the low down on it for me. I'll pass it on when I've heard back. I actually bought my CR8 from him second hand so he's a trustworthy guy. He sold mine on a sale or return basis so would have given me my money back had I not liked the way it played. You can't say fairer than that!
He said he'd pass on the guy he sources guitars from's details if you want them. He also said if you are prepared to take more risk then there's a site called www.gbase.com that advertises rare stuff over in America. From what you're saying you probably won't be interested in either of those though as there would be no opportunity to try before you buy.
I would definitely recommend you give Guitar Village a go too. They're a fantastic shop and they'll let you try whatever combination of stuff you want.
If he has a R9 that looks like this...He said he'd pass on the guy he sources guitars from's details if you want them. He also said if you are prepared to take more risk then there's a site called www.gbase.com that advertises rare stuff over in America. From what you're saying you probably won't be interested in either of those though as there would be no opportunity to try before you buy.
I would definitely recommend you give Guitar Village a go too. They're a fantastic shop and they'll let you try whatever combination of stuff you want.
Edited by gingerpaul on Tuesday 19th May 19:50
Then I want to talk to him
gingerpaul said:
This one is a cherry so perhaps not what you're after. This is what it looks like. If you are interested then PM me your email address and I'll pass it on to the guy whose guitar it is.
Still a lovely guitar, but I'd love a Tabbaco - I love the contrast.Edited by gingerpaul on Wednesday 20th May 17:21
Saying that - if his is in excellent condition, plays well and has a good price then I'm still open.
My first Les Paul was cherry (in the corner of the photo below as it happens) but I agree with you and now prefer the darker colours. My CR8 is ice tea and is sort of in between. I'd have had a tobacco one had one been available at the time. Ice tea is a close second.
If you PM me you email address then I'll send give it to the guy so you can get any information you want from him directly.
This is mine.
If you PM me you email address then I'll send give it to the guy so you can get any information you want from him directly.
This is mine.
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