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Topic: Considering a Gibson Console Grande, Thoughts? |
Frank James Pracher
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 6 May 2012 2:31 pm |
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A local fellow is selling a Gibson Console Grande. D-8 It's in amazing shape, at least a 9.5. 100% original. It's from the early 50's, has the non adjustable pole piece pickups. Nice flame maple.( Sorry I didn't think to get pix). I played it and I really liked it. I have been thinking about giving 8 string a try again.He is asking $1500 for it, which seems a bit high, but there may be a little wiggle room on the price.
I have never spent this much on an instrument before and I am kind of sweating it. It's not that it will put me in the poor house, but it will be a major purchase for me.
Any thoughts on this guitar, the price, or if you think I am nuts to spend this kind of money on an instrument.
I will make less than a grande this summer playing out.
(The guitar comes with 4 legs, DeArmond Volume pedal, lots of bars ( at lest 2 Bakelite). I think I even seen the original recipt in the case.
Thanks for your time.
_________________
"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one" |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 6 May 2012 3:15 pm
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| Hi Frank, I bought a 53' near mint Gibson Console Grande about 4 years ago and paid around $1400 for it then. It's an awesome guitar and sounds wonderful. They're not gettin any cheaper and if yours is as good as you say, I'd jump on it. I think down the road you're gonna regret it if you pass it up. |
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Roger Shackelton
From:
MINNESOTA (deceased)
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Posted 6 May 2012 3:36 pm
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Hi Andy,
Do you recall who is making the Console Grand Look-A-Like guitars & the prices?
Roger |
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Matthew Carlin
From:
Lake County, IL.
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Posted 6 May 2012 6:08 pm
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Frank Congrats! Clean ones are hard to come by...if your worried post some pics, there are some real experts here that I'm sure will help you out.
Roger, Ron at RAM Guitars is making a modern recreations with lots of color and wood options. you can reach him at www.ramguitars.com
I tried to take a quick pic with the new name plate .. Darn Flash makes the plate look goofy.
_________________
"Just tryin to make some music in the money business" |
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Jerome Hawkes
From:
Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 7 May 2012 5:26 am
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Frank - one good part about being a buyer of steel guitars is there isnt much demand out there for D-8 consoles - the Gibson LAP steels often bring good money because guitar players relate to them, so often dabble with these, whereas the consoles are dismissed as a obsolete relic piece.
thats good for us, these were top quality instruments - let them pay $50K++ for their holy grails.
it all boils down to if you plan to use and enjoy it - offer what you feel comfortable paying and leave it at that. i would say $1500 is fair market value, OK, its no "deal of a lifetime". it doesnt matter if its not what you want - i found a beautiful blond D-7/8 some time ago for $1000 and passed just because at the time i thought i had no use for yet another steel and it wouldnt get used, just sit in the closet with the rest of my projects. even though that was a super price on a rare version.
_________________
'65 Sho-Bud D-10 Permanent • '54 Fender Dual-8 • Clinesmith T-8 • '38 Ric Bakelite • '92 Emmons D-10 Legrande II |
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Dennis Smith
From:
Covington, Georgia, USA
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Posted 7 May 2012 1:07 pm
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| Go buy it now! The bakelite bars have value outside of the steel. Original recipt for any insturment is great to have. I often wonder how many hands have played all the old steels I have. |
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Jon A. Ross
From:
not actually FROM Maine...
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Frank James Pracher
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 9 May 2012 7:32 am
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In the end, I just couldn't pull the trigger. I had the cash in my hand, the wifes blessing, etc.
I just don't think it would get played enough to justify spending that kind of coin.
Thanks for all the advise guys.
_________________
"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one" |
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Billy Tonnesen
From:
R.I.P., Buena Park, California
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Posted 10 May 2012 8:44 pm
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Yes, these were beautiful looking instruments, but, IMHO there was too much space between the necks leaving the outside neck too far away, especially if the player had short Arms.
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Sacramento Western Swing Society Hall of Fame, 1992 |
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with Chuck Xtian p.u.s on ebay the other day: