Horizon Burst

Classic71 · 07-07-12, 01:10 PM

Gibson just keeps on coming up with new ideas, or rather colours, for their Historics. I found the one in this link quite intriguing (N.B. £4,349 = $6,737!)

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/premie...11122214064358

At least we're getting better tops in the UK than we have been used to in the past - however, swallowing the price of an R9 is difficult.

Any Uk members imported a guitar recently?

nevizzzy · 07-07-12, 01:49 PM

I personally wouldn't bother buying a Historic from a UK shop, the cost is too high and the quality of the tops is too low. Buy one off ebay or a US dealer. For this guitar http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-Gibso...item35bdf20d2d you're looking at a cost of £4071 IF you're straight down the line with the theives in customs

nevizzzy · 07-07-12, 02:06 PM

You could also be really smart and buy something like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Or...item4ab947e9d6

Classic71 · 07-07-12, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nevizzzy

You could also be really smart and buy something like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Or...item4ab947e9d6

I hear what you're saying - if that Junior checked out it could be a great buy. Much as I'd like a shiny new Historic, I've heard too many positive stories from guys who have got on to the vintage ladder for the same kind of price, and never regretted it. So yeah, I'd be a fool not to consider a Junior (maybe an issues Special), and I'm sure the right one would come up with a little patience.

I just noticed at the store I referred to, all 4 of the Kossoffs had sold already, and I think the cherry burst "Goldie" had as well. So there's people in the UK obviously willing to spend big bucks on their Historics.

And thinking aloud again, what's the point of paying £4.5k for an R9 when they can be had for $4.5k? Big difference.

Pip · 07-07-12, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classic71

I hear what you're saying - if that Junior checked out it could be a great buy. Much as I'd like a shiny new Historic, I've heard too many positive stories from guys who have got on to the vintage ladder for the same kind of price, and never regretted it. So yeah, I'd be a fool not to consider a Junior (maybe an issues Special), and I'm sure the right one would come up with a little patience.

I just noticed at the store I referred to, all 4 of the Kossoffs had sold already, and I think the cherry burst "Goldie" had as well. So there's people in the UK obviously willing to spend big bucks on their Historics.

And thinking aloud again, what's the point of paying £4.5k for an R9 when they can be had for $4.5k? Big difference.

Yup it's a sad fact, I look on the forum and seeing stunning Lesters, but in the UK, they are normally "b" grade with double "a" pricing.

Jumping@Shadows · 07-08-12, 01:02 AM

Word of warning- *never* buy *anything* from that ebay vendor

Pip · 07-08-12, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jumping@Shadows

Word of warning- *never* buy *anything* from that ebay vendor

Lol - the problem for me is spending so much money unsighted and played. Aside from the worry/cost of shipping, and import duty. I'm planning a trip to Canada next year and hopefully there will be some better stock there. That said I waited to find a Murphy with a great top for 2 years, sometimes you just have to keep your powder dry!

nevizzzy · 07-08-12, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jumping@Shadows

Word of warning- *never* buy *anything* from that ebay vendor

Why?

Rev.WillieVK · 07-08-12, 08:09 AM

To each their own: I don't like sunbursts with a dark line going around the edges in the switch and cutaway areas. "Rimbursts"

Dr.ChevChelios · 07-08-12, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pip

Lol - the problem for me is spending so much money unsighted and played. Aside from the worry/cost of shipping, and import duty. I'm planning a trip to Canada next year and hopefully there will be some better stock there. That said I waited to find a Murphy with a great top for 2 years, sometimes you just have to keep your powder dry!

Were do you come from? Gregor Hilden (based in Germany) usually has a couple Murphies for sale ...

Pip · 07-09-12, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.ChevChelios

Were do you come from? Gregor Hilden (based in Germany) usually has a couple Murphies for sale ...

The UK - afraid our choice is stunning limited!

Classic71 · 07-09-12, 05:33 AM

Ebay UK used to have some Historics with decent tops at decent prices, but not as much lately. I'm not trailing all the way to Edinburgh or Glasgow to look at overpriced, mediocre tops. I'd rather take my chances and import a vintage Junior from a reputable seller in the States.

I know another Forum bro has had some luck doing this with Gil Southworth, from what I recall he was honest about the guitars he was selling and not overpriced. I'm sure other dealers would give you an honest opinion on a guitar, which would soften the "sight unseen" part of the deal.

And I'm also pretty sure the same would apply to Historics, I mean at Wildwood you can actually hear most of the guitars yourself (albeit via Youtube), and from what's been written here the Wildwood staff will help you pick out the guitar you want, and although that sounds a bit like sex in the dark, it's the best us UK'ers will get, unless you're close to the channel and fancy a drive to mainland Europe.

The main things that scare me about importing is breakages en route, and the chance that Customs will take the opportunity to f*** you with fees and hold up the passage of the guitar. What if they see something they don't like on the x-ray screen and decide to open up your package?

Classic71 · 07-09-12, 09:18 AM

How about this one? '56 TV Special, no apparent issues, £5.5k

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1956-Gibso...#ht_500wt_1413

ted149 · 07-09-12, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jumping@Shadows

Word of warning- *never* buy *anything* from that ebay vendor

Are there any other threads on this subject anybody cares to link to? Reason being, I had a somewhat surreal experience myself.

Cliff Gress · 07-09-12, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pip

The UK - afraid our choice is stunning limited!

I don't understand why that is. I would think the UK would be a good market for Gibson.

OpenWheel · 07-09-12, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliff Gress

I don't understand why that is. I would think the UK would be a good market for Gibson.

I am sure thats the problem. It sounds like a great sellers market with a lot of people wanting them. If it was the opposite, he'd have all kinds of tops and deals to pick from.

Hetfieldinn · 07-09-12, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rev.WillieVK

To each their own: I don't like sunbursts with a dark line going around the edges in the switch and cutaway areas. "Rimbursts"

+1. Rimbursts are hideous.

Classic71 · 07-10-12, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OpenWheel

I am sure thats the problem. It sounds like a great sellers market with a lot of people wanting them. If it was the opposite, he'd have all kinds of tops and deals to pick from.

Yup, supply and demand. However, after a fresh look at Ebay UK there were quite a lot of new and used Historics to choose from. Unfortunately, a lot of sellers won't send their guitars and say "by collection only". Ridiculous. Anyway, there was also an early '69 Custom (all "one piece", with long tenon) and the '56 TV Special which I've mentioned already.

So, if you're happy to buy from Ebay there are deals out there. However, if you're looking for a specific model or colour you might have a long wait.

Tomcat · 07-10-12, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classic71

Yup, supply and demand. However, after a fresh look at Ebay UK there were quite a lot of new and used Historics to choose from. Unfortunately, a lot of sellers won't send their guitars and say "by collection only". Ridiculous. Anyway, there was also an early '69 Custom (all "one piece", with long tenon) and the '56 TV Special which I've mentioned already.

So, if you're happy to buy from Ebay there are deals out there. However, if you're looking for a specific model or colour you might have a long wait.

Did you ever look here?

Pip · 07-10-12, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomcat

Did you ever look here?

Thanks great site and now book marked! I agree with a lot of the comments - I just don't get why, were there would be good demand we see such poor stock

Classic71 · 07-11-12, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomcat

Did you ever look here?

Some nice guitars, still over $6k for a VOS R9 though, CR's are cheaper of course.

The best value for money I can find (Historic wise) in the UK is an R8 for £2,100 (circa $3,250) on Ebay UK. You could probably get an R7 for cheaper if you waited for one to come up, but these kinds of deals aren't available all the time. I think if I want to buy a Historic in the UK I'd have to forsake being able to play it first and restrict myself to a plaintop or a goldtop.

At the end of the day, a good R8 would more than satisfy me so when work picks up again I'm pretty sure that's what I'll be looking for. I just hope I get lucky and get a good player.

RUFFCUT · 07-11-12, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classic71

Some nice guitars, still over $6k for a VOS R9 though, CR's are cheaper of course.

The best value for money I can find (Historic wise) in the UK is an R8 for £2,100 (circa $3,250) on Ebay UK. You could probably get an R7 for cheaper if you waited for one to come up, but these kinds of deals aren't available all the time. I think if I want to buy a Historic in the UK I'd have to forsake being able to play it first and restrict myself to a plaintop or a goldtop.

At the end of the day, a good R8 would more than satisfy me so when work picks up again I'm pretty sure that's what I'll be looking for. I just hope I get lucky and get a good player.

Here's to that outcome...

Classic71 · 07-12-12, 01:00 PM

Thanks RC, hopefully I can't go too far wrong. On a side note, what IS available locally includes a mint condition used Yamaha SG2000, the original model but still with the peel off film on the pickguard (a very lightweight example of this model too), and a PRS SC245, with a very nice butterscotch curly maple flame top. However, it's a Les Paul I'm after, with an ES 335 a close second choice. Only a Gibson is good enough, after all!

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07-07-12, 01:10 PM	#1
Classic71 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 1,740	Horizon Burst Gibson just keeps on coming up with new ideas, or rather colours, for their Historics. I found the one in this link quite intriguing (N.B. £4,349 = $6,737!) http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/premie...11122214064358 At least we're getting better tops in the UK than we have been used to in the past - however, swallowing the price of an R9 is difficult. Any Uk members imported a guitar recently?

07-07-12, 01:49 PM	#2
nevizzzy Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: uk/wales Posts: 1,140	Re: Horizon Burst I personally wouldn't bother buying a Historic from a UK shop, the cost is too high and the quality of the tops is too low. Buy one off ebay or a US dealer. For this guitar http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-Gibso...item35bdf20d2d you're looking at a cost of £4071 IF you're straight down the line with the theives in customs

07-07-12, 02:06 PM	#3
nevizzzy Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: uk/wales Posts: 1,140	Re: Horizon Burst You could also be really smart and buy something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Or...item4ab947e9d6

07-08-12, 01:02 AM	#6
Jumping@Shadows Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 605	Re: Horizon Burst Word of warning- never buy anything from that ebay vendor

07-08-12, 08:09 AM	#9
Rev.WillieVK Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wherever I go, there I yam. Posts: 7,962	Re: Horizon Burst To each their own: I don't like sunbursts with a dark line going around the edges in the switch and cutaway areas. "Rimbursts"

07-09-12, 05:33 AM	#12
Classic71 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 1,740	Re: Horizon Burst Ebay UK used to have some Historics with decent tops at decent prices, but not as much lately. I'm not trailing all the way to Edinburgh or Glasgow to look at overpriced, mediocre tops. I'd rather take my chances and import a vintage Junior from a reputable seller in the States. I know another Forum bro has had some luck doing this with Gil Southworth, from what I recall he was honest about the guitars he was selling and not overpriced. I'm sure other dealers would give you an honest opinion on a guitar, which would soften the "sight unseen" part of the deal. And I'm also pretty sure the same would apply to Historics, I mean at Wildwood you can actually hear most of the guitars yourself (albeit via Youtube), and from what's been written here the Wildwood staff will help you pick out the guitar you want, and although that sounds a bit like sex in the dark, it's the best us UK'ers will get, unless you're close to the channel and fancy a drive to mainland Europe. The main things that scare me about importing is breakages en route, and the chance that Customs will take the opportunity to f*** you with fees and hold up the passage of the guitar. What if they see something they don't like on the x-ray screen and decide to open up your package?

07-09-12, 09:18 AM	#13
Classic71 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 1,740	Re: Horizon Burst How about this one? '56 TV Special, no apparent issues, £5.5k http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1956-Gibso...#ht_500wt_1413

07-12-12, 01:00 PM	#23
Classic71 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 1,740	Re: Horizon Burst Thanks RC, hopefully I can't go too far wrong. On a side note, what IS available locally includes a mint condition used Yamaha SG2000, the original model but still with the peel off film on the pickguard (a very lightweight example of this model too), and a PRS SC245, with a very nice butterscotch curly maple flame top. However, it's a Les Paul I'm after, with an ES 335 a close second choice. Only a Gibson is good enough, after all!