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Topic: Gibson Console Grand - do signatures detract or add value? |
Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 27 Sep 2001 2:35 am |
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Elderly instruments has a nice Blond Console Grand for sale. I've always seen these in sunburst finish. Blond is kind of cool!
http://elderly.com/vintage/items/185U-77.htm
The guitar, as you'll see, is ostensibly signed by Don Helms & Billy Robinson in big, black marker on the face & side of the instrument. Besides a chunk of missing wood, personally, these signatures really detract from this guitar's desireability. Anybody hold the opposite opinion?[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 27 September 2001 at 03:35 AM.] |
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Bob Stone
From:
Gainesville, FL, USA
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Posted 27 Sep 2001 5:48 am
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Hi Andy,
My reaction is the same as yours. Spanish neck guitars--at least acoustic flat tops--are usually autographed inside the soundhole. Seems like a good place for autographs on a steel might be on the underside of the instrument. But looking at the photos, I could probably live with these autographs if I really wanted the guitar. Doesn't seem like any real bargain, though. By the way, I've seen a few blonde Gibson Consoles.
Anyhow, some people are really into the autograph thing. I'm not one of them. But then again, I'd love to have a Tricone autographed by Sol Hoopii or a Dickerson signed by Dick McIntire!
By the way, I guided Chuck Campbell towards the purchase of a blonde 24" Stringmaster double here in Gainesville that had "Blind Boy" written in very large letters with magic marker on the front of the instrument. He was able to remove the marker, but had to use so much rubbing compound that he seriously feared for the integrity of the original finish. The finish survived and the steel is now in the hands of 17-year-old Carlton Campbell, drummer with the family band, who is playing quite well. Watch out!
A couple of years ago Dwight, A guitarist friend here in Gainesville, was going to New York city. He made sure he put a visit to Les Paul's weekly gig on his itinerary. Another friend got wind of it and asked if Dwight might be able to have his guitar autographed at the gig. Thinking it was a unique opportunity, Dwight called ahead to the venue to inquire. "Sure just put it in the room with the rest of 'em," the guy on the phone responded. "Mr. Paul always autographs several guitars at break time." So much for original ideas.
[This message was edited by Bob Stone on 27 September 2001 at 07:04 AM.] [This message was edited by Bob Stone on 27 September 2001 at 07:08 AM.] |
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chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
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Posted 27 Sep 2001 12:24 pm
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| I have a couple of lap guitars that are covered with the autographs of my heros from the '90 Convention. Did they raise or lower the value only applies if I intend to sell them, which I don't. Personally, I love practising and looking at the names, they can be quite an inspiration. |
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Ian McLatchie
From:
Sechelt, British Columbia
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Posted 27 Sep 2001 1:11 pm
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| Seven hundred bucks for a C.G. as trashed as that one? Man, if I can get a couple of 'name' players to sign mine it'll be worth two grand. As Chas. says, it's not an issue if you intend to hang on to the instrument, but for the most part signatures belong on glossy 8 x 10's and baseball cards. Magic marker isn't my choice as the ideal ornamentation for bird's eye maple. [This message was edited by Ian McLatchie on 27 September 2001 at 02:12 PM.] |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 27 Sep 2001 2:59 pm
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| I couldn't agree more, Ian! |
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Chris DeBarge
From:
Boston, Mass
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Posted 27 Sep 2001 3:03 pm
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If I'm reading it right, the Don Helms signature says "My Best to Dave". So your name better be Dave if you buy this!! 
I practically worship Don, but I wouldn't want his name sharpied on my guitar in such a prominent place. Cool guitar otherwise, a few problems, but cool. |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 27 Sep 2001 8:17 pm
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| That guitar is sure chopped. I doubt it would interest me in that condition. I happen to have an $800.00 Kamaka 6 string bari ukulele which has approximately 100 autographs of my "heros" including Barney Isaacs, Benny Kalama, Andy Anderson (the famous composer), et al...so many of whom are no longer with us. Like above, I enjoy playing this beautiful ukulele and each time, reminiscing the friendships I enjoyed with those fine musicians and entertainers of Hawai'i Nei. If I have ruined it with all of these autographs is probably a matter of personal opinion. |
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chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
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Posted 27 Sep 2001 9:42 pm
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| George-I have a D-8 Bigsby lap guitar from 1948 that belonged to Joaquin Murphey and he autographed it for me. So here's an instrument made by my hero, owned and played by my hero, it's the Holy Grail as far as I'm concerned. |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 28 Sep 2001 11:47 pm
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| Chas...Amen to that! |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 29 Sep 2001 3:34 am
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| You've enlightened me. Thanks, guys. I see now that if one was personally involved with the folks who autograph your guitar it can have a lot of meaning and probably long after we're gone it will have meaning for historians. However, if you're a second hand buyer of a guitar, in the short term, it detracts from the re-sale value. And as the father of a 4 year old, I can tell you that sharpie marker is tough to remove! |
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Chris DeBarge
From:
Boston, Mass
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Posted 29 Sep 2001 4:29 am
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| Quote: |
| And as the father of a 4 year old, I can tell you that sharpie marker is tough to remove! |
I know. That's why I use it to draw moustaches on people who pass out at parties.  |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 29 Sep 2001 5:34 pm
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| Andy, I guess you are right. I probably ruined a very good ukulele "for the next guy", however the signatures are very meaningful to me. Who knows, perhaps the value might increase as the years go by? The very first signature was that of Jerry, then others came along as I met and jammed with them in Hawai'i. Yes, to me, very meaningful. |
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P Gleespen
From:
Toledo, OH USA
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Posted 1 Oct 2001 5:56 am
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quote:
I know. That's why I use it to draw moustaches on people who pass out at parties.
So it was YOU!!! |
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Chris DeBarge
From:
Boston, Mass
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Posted 2 Oct 2001 5:23 am
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I was once on a flight, and there was this really rowdy group(flying together to see the Patriots out of town). One of them passed out and one of the other ones wrote "d*ck" on his forehead with a sharpie. Guy had to walk through the airport like that. He deserved it. Come to think of it they all deserved to be thrown out of the plane, and in the airport the airline had them cornered with the police talking to them. Thanks for reminding me why I'll never fly Continental again, these folks should have never been let on a plane in their condition! But since they were sports fans I guess it was OK. (don't get me started on that)
Anyways, sorry about the rant, back to the subject. I wouldn't mind having Don Helms's signature, but just wouldn't want it on the front. |
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