se7ent7 wrote:

1.
Have the package clearly marked 2nd hand / used guitar, AND if you can get the seller to agree, let them fill in an imaginetively (lower) worth of the package. A friend of mine got in a R25k takamine like this without paying much customs because the seller wrote it's worth down as sub $1000 (he didn't even asked to have this done ?

There's no import/customs duty on guitars into SAfrica...only VAT. ?

@se7ent7

Awesome suggestion. I'll definitely look into it as I've got the time and patience. Is there a "sniping" site that you would recommend?
Is it ok if I PM you through the process for on-going tips?

se7ent7 wrote: AND if you can get the seller to agree, let them fill in an imaginetively (lower) worth of the package.

This isn't strictly legal. I'm surprised you even suggest it.

@ ez - jay walking isn't strictly legal too, but I retrack that statement then. If our government wasn't stealing a lot of our tax money, I wouldn't be so anal about it. But forget I ever mentioned it ?

The downside of course is... like my Takamine buying friend pointed out, if you want to ensure the package for X amount, the value has to be declared as that or higher on the package.

@ Tokai SA - thanks that's good to know!

@ Cleric - of course you can PM me, I'd be happy to help.

Look here is a Studio sold for $600 on ebay (although not a lefty). I'm sure you can snag one in the low or middle $500s if you're patient. That'll be around R4500 before shipping.

Maybe a buddy stateside or a friend visiting the states could bring it back cheaper than any shipping options?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1989-GIBSON-Les-Paul-Studio-Guitar-/150881745318?pt=Guitar&hash=item232140b9a6

PS: I'd try to get a 1990-1993 one if you can, they seem to be the best (in my, and many others' experience). Second prize: Early 2000s. But any one will kill any Epi (excepting maybe the japanese masterbuilt series.. which is another option to look into!) ?

Is there a way to be notified of new listings matching "lefty gibson les paul", or should I just check every 2 or 3 days?

http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c-Sports-Leisure-musical-instruments-Vintage-V100-Les-Paul-Left-Handed-Tobacco-Sunburst-W0QQAdIdZ409136021

Maybe get this one as a project, a great price and lefty as well

That looks like a good deal. For under 3K

Cleric wrote: Is there a way to be notified of new listings matching "lefty gibson les paul", or should I just check every 2 or 3 days?

Do a search on Gumtree in the musical instrument category with "South Africa" as the region. On the results page, under"Gumtree Alerts " on the lower left sidebar, you can sign up for an alert for that specific search.

Thanks Squank. I think I'll pass though as every spare cent will be going into getting the best Gibson I can get I reckon. Buying that would no doubt make the wife think my Les Paul quest is over, and I just can't have that.

Cleric wrote: Thanks Squank. I think I'll pass though as every spare cent will be going into getting the best Gibson I can get I reckon. Buying that would no doubt make the wife think my Les Paul quest is over, and I just can't have that.

? My Irish wife doesn't miss a thing either!

se7ent7 wrote:
PS: I'd try to get a 1990-1993 one if you can, they seem to be the best (in my, and many others' experience). Second prize: Early 2000s. But any one will kill any Epi (excepting maybe the japanese masterbuilt series.. which is another option to look into!) ?

Good advice IMO. Early '90s and earlier Studios have one piece bodies (I believe) and ebony fretboards. Definitely higher spec than the current models. MIJ Epiphones are damn good guitars from everything people have said, and tend to be built vintage-style (long tenons, solid bodies, ABR bridges, etc.) for those of us who like that.

I think I've come to realise that I just won't be happy with an Epi, regardless of upgrades. If I find the right Studio, that may be all I need.

Andreas from GuitarExperience.net suggested considering a Traditional as well as it is priced in between a Studio and a Standard. Not sure if it'll have what I'm looking for in terms of the more modern hard rock and gritty tonal cleans though.

AAAAH! So many options! Being a lefty really makes this a tough process.

Cleric wrote:
AAAAH! So many options! Being a lefty really makes this a tough process.

not insurmountable and when they become available i truly belive a better deal can be negotiated as stores dont shift loads of them.

also keep an eye on the 2nd hand deals at musiciansfriend , u pay shipping but deals to be had.

Cleric wrote: Andreas from GuitarExperience.net suggested considering a Traditional as well as it is priced in between a Studio and a Standard. Not sure if it'll have what I'm looking for in terms of the more modern hard rock and gritty tonal cleans though.

The Traditional is my favourite LP in the current Gibson USA lineup. If someone offered me any LP in that lineup, I'd take it over a Standard any day of the week. It's weight relieved (swiss cheese holes) instead of chambered (hollow). That's the key difference. Nothing about it will make it less suited to your purposes than any other model. It will sound like a Les Paul like they all do with tiny, almost undetectable differences due to body construction. In fact, it'll sound exactly the same as an early '90s Studio that is also weight-relieved instead of chambered.

Ja, I will be crucified for this again, but the reason I haven't bought a Les paul type guitar yet (apart from my Aria copy, which was dirt cheap and old ?) is because I don't just want a Les paul type guitar. I want a Gibson, and at least a Standard or Traditional at that. So until I am in the position to buy one, I won't get anything else either. Another LP type guitar will feel like a compromise to me, like I settled for something less than what I actually want.
There have been many arguments made for other LP type guitars and I have no doubt that quality- and tonewise you can do a lot better than a Gibson for a helluva lot less. There are some insanely good value for money LP types on the market right now, just look at the word of mouth reputaion that Tokai has earned for instance. Brilliant, brilliant guitars by all accounts. But if you're a suckerfool like me, that magical name on the headstock weighs heavier than common sense and good judgement. If you have the dosh, I say go for the Gibbo.
Weird that I don't feel the same way about any other guitars though..... Somewhere along the line (before the Jimi not-a-strat Strat, FirebirdX and that Tiger thing came along >) the Gibson Myth Making Marketing Machine must have done something right :-[

chris77 wrote: Ja, I will be crucified for this again, but the reason I haven't bought a Les paul type guitar yet (apart from my Aria copy, which was dirt cheap and old ?) is because I don't just want a Les paul type guitar. I want a Gibson, and at least a Standard or Traditional at that. So until I am in the position to buy one, I won't get anything else either. Another LP type guitar will feel like a compromise to me, like I settled for something less than what I actually want.
There have been many arguments made for other LP type guitars and I have no doubt that quality- and tonewise you can do a lot better than a Gibson for a helluva lot less. There are some insanely good value for money LP types on the market right now, just look at the word of mouth reputaion that Tokai has earned for instance. Brilliant, brilliant guitars by all accounts. But if you're a suckerfool like me, that magical name on the headstock weighs heavier than common sense and good judgement. If you have the dosh, I say go for the Gibbo.
Weird that I don't feel the same way about any other guitars though..... Somewhere along the line (before the Jimi not-a-strat Strat, FirebirdX and that Tiger thing came along >) the Gibson Myth Making Marketing Machine must have done something right :-[

Yip....but it's mostly indirect marketing...."word of mouth" or "do as so and so does"..... if you like. Look at the list of prominent players below, some of whom use modern Gibsons eg. Angus playing a 2001 SG.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Gibson_players

So clearly the Gibson brand is an attraction for jazzers, rockers, country- and folk singers, etc ......for whatever reason

I don't like or Dilike Gibson guitars, have a fairly neutral stance. The les Paul shape just never did anything for me..

My point though.. anyone seen the big4 dvd with metallic?

Hammett plays his signature esp but on fade to black pulls out the ol Gibson les Paul.. 1st off, it looked sexy, secondly, imo the tone was soooooo much sweeter than his esp.

Might just be me.. but def audible for me...

Also surprised esp don't moan about it

guidothepimmp wrote: I don't like or Dilike Gibson guitars, have a fairly neutral stance. The les Paul shape just never did anything for me..

My point though.. anyone seen the big4 dvd with metallic?

Hammett plays his signature esp but on fade to black pulls out the ol Gibson les Paul.. 1st off, it looked sexy, secondly, imo the tone was soooooo much sweeter than his esp.

Might just be me.. but def audible for me...

Also surprised esp don't moan about it

Some players/bands are way too big for guitar companies to demand exclusivity. Hammett can play any damn guitar he wants. His deal with ESP will be maintained as long as he plays them a good portion of the time. If you're Dan Patlansky, however, you play Fenders at least 80% of the time, I reckon... or else.

'50s Gibsons had fairly low-output pickups, so it's not surprising that it sounded "sweeter." It's just that that's not the only tone he wants, I'm sure, especially for playing metal.

guidothepimmp wrote: I don't like or Dilike Gibson guitars, have a fairly neutral stance. The les Paul shape just never did anything for me..

My point though.. anyone seen the big4 dvd with metallic?

Hammett plays his signature esp but on fade to black pulls out the ol Gibson les Paul.. 1st off, it looked sexy, secondly, imo the tone was soooooo much sweeter than his esp.

Might just be me.. but def audible for me...

Also surprised esp don't moan about it

Yeah, that sounds great...I love that tone, thats why I'd buy Les Paul. whether the newer models get to sound like that , have to try and test it with your amp, or, if your finance allows it, and LP and a new amp on top of it. Its all about getting the sound. The shadows had the sound they got with apach. Afterwards they could never get it again. So yeah... if you find a good sound, make a note of it.