1952 Les Paul Goldtop w/ Trapeze Tailpiece

[BillyVaughn]

I read that the tailpiece makes it less desirable than say, a 1957. But I'm wondering what it's current value is. No serial number and it looks like someone has replaced a tuning peg.

[VintAxe]

Hi Billy.

Checking Gruhn's catalog is probably a better guide to current prices than the Price Guides. The values on many high end guitars have fallen with the stock market.

Gruhn's has a couple of 1953 Goldtops with trapeze tailpieces selling for $15,000 and $16,000.

I can't link directly to the guitars, just click the Inventory button on the left bar menu and go to Gibson Solidbody Guitars.

[BillyVaughn]

[Spud1950]

Here's some very good and interesting information on the subject. The original Les Paul guitar was not very successful. Les Paul himself was real disappointed with the way Gibson designed the guitar.They have historic collectible value, but are not considered a players guitar.The Gold Top values dramatically increase in subsequant years as the poor playability issues were corrected. Check this out.