Opinions on Epiphone Special II LP???

flatfourfan

I've been looking around for a new project and have come accross 4 LP's for sale in various condition. I was wondering what the going rate would be for something like this?

#1: Project, has been stripped, bolt on neck is off, pretty bad fretwear, most of the electrics are gone and the pups are rusty and the pots are shot. Cosmectic condition is pretty bad and would need an entire once over.

#2: Has been taken down to nothing, paint is off, neck and headstock needs work, all the pups, wiring pots have all been removed, would take a lot to get it up and running, but it's cheap.

#3: Seems to be a rewire and set up and play as it is, body seems fair but well used.

#4: Ready to play, just been restrung and set-up is basically brand new.

All of the above are the the Special II variants by Epiphone, bolt on neck, flat top........................seriously all 4 are basically identical.

One last question? What does a new one sell for, my initial feel seems to be anythinng around R2500-R3000.

Anyone give some advice?

doc-phil

I have an epiphone special II LP, I played it for 5 years. It's perfect as a beginner's guitar, and I think would be an ideal candidate for a custom project.

When I bought mine back in about 05 it cost me around R1400 new. I'm pretty sure a new one now would be nowhere near R2500 - R3000, and if I was selling my one (which I'm not ?) I would probably ask around R1000 - and its in perfect condition. Unless the price has shot up cos of the difficulty of getting epiphones in SA these days, I think for a second hand one in good condition you should be looking at R900 - R1300 or so. But I am just basing that purely on what I paid for mine and what I would reasonably expect to be able to sell it for.

flatfourfan

doc-phil wrote: I have an epiphone special II LP, I played it for 5 years. It's perfect as a beginner's guitar, and I think would be an ideal candidate for a custom project.

When I bought mine back in about 05 it cost me around R1400 new. I'm pretty sure a new one now would be nowhere near R2500 - R3000, and if I was selling my one (which I'm not ?) I would probably ask around R1000 - and its in perfect condition. Unless the price has shot up cos of the difficulty of getting epiphones in SA these days, I think for a second hand one in good condition you should be looking at R900 - R1300 or so. But I am just basing that purely on what I paid for mine and what I would reasonably expect to be able to sell it for.

Cheers for the info. I was thinking along the lines of those prices, I just thought that maybe I was missing something as to why the prices for them are so high?

It's funny how I put the word out that I'm looking for one and got hit with offers of so many. And they end up being basically the same guitar.

If you are interested at selling, I'm interested in buying............lol.......seriously.......lol.

doc-phil

Haha sorry but I could never sell my first guitar... plus it was given to me by my gran so it has sentimental value as well ?

When I bought mine it seemed quite a popular choice for beginners.. so I'm not surprised there are a few on the second hand market at the moment. Good luck with your project!

flatfourfan

doc-phil wrote: Haha sorry but I could never sell my first guitar... plus it was given to me by my gran so it has sentimental value as well ?

When I bought mine it seemed quite a popular choice for beginners.. so I'm not surprised there are a few on the second hand market at the moment. Good luck with your project!

Thanks for the help, I know what you mean about keeping that first guitar..........I'll never part with mine.

Spyke

I loved my Epi Special II and it only got better after I did an epi(c) refinish on it.

It's not the be-all and end-all in terms of tone but the feel and playability was one of the best.

I wouldn't go for the rough ones you've found. Get the best of the bunch but don't pay more than +/-R1600 for it. Enjoy it in it's standard form. I do have my regrets about the refinish and sale of mine.

Check out: Spyke's Epi refinish

flatfourfan

Spyke wrote: I loved my Epi Special II and it only got better after I did an epi(c) refinish on it.

It's not the be-all and end-all in terms of tone but the feel and playability was one of the best.

I wouldn't go for the rough ones you've found. Get the best of the bunch but don't pay more than +/-R1600 for it. Enjoy it in it's standard form. I do have my regrets about the refinish and sale of mine.

Check out: Spyke's Epi refinish

Hey Spyke, thanks for the input, I've already turned down a few lost cases as prices over R1000 made me think otherwise. I'm waiting for someone to get back to be with regards to one that seems okay, but I'll hang on till I get more info.

At the end of the day, I'm looking for a easy to play guitar that I can pick up and play anytime. I'll probably build another body for it over time, but in the beginning I want to play it more than anything.

Nice thread.......gave me a lot of ideas and also what I can expect under the paint.

DonovanB

doc-phil wrote: Unless the price has shot up cos of the difficulty of getting epiphones in SA these days,

They're not that difficult. AND you can get new Epi's recently.

flatfourfan

well I just made an offer on one, with a case/ stand and a few extras for R1500-00. Basically new, very minimal use. I feel that is more than fair for a 2nd hand special. The guy is local which makes it easier. I've done some phoning and it seems that there are a few that I can get for under R2000-00. They seem pretty plentiful.

Plans are to build another body for starters.........

flatfourfan

Well It's a done deal. Picking it up after work, so I'll be able to test this sucker out tonight and see what's what.

Spyke

Let us know how it goes. Pics or it never happened ?

flatfourfan

Well I just picked it up.....There is no ways that I'm going to bugger around with it as it's mint. There isn't a mark on it and it's basically brand new.

I'm still going to get another project to mess around with and hod rod a bit, but this one won't be it.

flatfourfan

Spyke wrote: Let us know how it goes. Pics or it never happened ?

and already I want to trade it off for something else.

Spyke

flatfourfan wrote:

and already I want to trade it off for something else.

Maybe we can talk... and not about cars either. ?