Gibson BR 9

Wally Pfeifer · Post by **Wally Pfeifer** » 9 Dec 2013 3:07 pm

There is a 1947-48 Gibson BR 9 being auctioned off tonite at our local auction house. Amp also available. What would be a good bid on it and how high would be a good bid? Looks brand new
Wally

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 9 Dec 2013 6:33 pm

Assuming they are original: the guitar AND the amp works I would start at $700 and go as high as your 'want' will let you. I bought an identical set in the summer for $800, and it is what I wanted.

Thanx,
Jim

Wally Pfeifer · Post by **Wally Pfeifer** » 10 Dec 2013 7:23 pm

This was it and it went for $600.00. I did not get it. The man that got it came to the auction, bid on only this item, paid the bill and left. Don't know him and didn't even realize there were many steel players in this small community.

I didn't need it anyway since I don't play anymore and already have a Fender dual six (1954-55) and a Kay 6 string.
Wally

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Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 11 Dec 2013 6:34 am

The guitar looks good, but amp looks pretty worn.

Maybe you will find something else.

Thanx,
Jim

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 14 Dec 2013 9:26 am

A BR9 was my first electric steel, in 1947 ( I think )
I sold it in Germany while in the military.
I bought one off of ebay about 7 or 8 years ago, and a matching amp locally. Got the guitar tweaked to where it sounded nice.
Don't have a clue as to why I wanted another BR9...

Too many guitars......
I sold the guitar at Joliet for 125 bucks & gave the amp away.
They were an excellent student guitar though.

Jim Stringer · Post by **Jim Stringer** » 17 Dec 2013 10:32 pm

Wally Pfeifer wrote:...it and it went for $600.00.

I bought my BR9 for about $100 in 1980... I love that little guitar and have used it on many recordings now, usually cranked up for "slide guitar" sounds.

I recently saw an episode of one of those "Storage Wars" shows... Barry, the hipster, found a BR9 in an storage locker. His appraiser estimated the value at about $1500. Personally, I think this is high by about $1250. Shows such as that tend to be good for sellers, bad for players.

I have heard, over the years, that the pickup is basically a single coil similar to the Gibson Charlie Christian. It doesn't look like one to me.

I'm just glad to have mine safely tucked away in it's little nook.

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 19 Dec 2013 7:49 am

We all tend to forget that something that cost $100 for a beginners steel guitar and amp in 1953, which is what my BR9 and amp cost, would be in today's dollars about $1500. So, if a BR9 and amp show up for sale, AND it is in very good to excellent condition, a few hundred to a thousand dollars would not be out of the question.

So, if there is a new hand wired tube amp being sold on the forum or an old classic amp that is in great shape, be ready to spend some of our today's worth less dollars to by it. A $1500 new tube amp is only worth about $300 in 1953 dollars.

Thanx,
Jim