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CHEAP Gibson Electric Guitar GuideGibson electric guitar prices are out of this world. Any player who's drooled over a Les Paul will know that. Problem is, if you really play the guitar, you'll be reluctant to thrash out your latest riffs on a $3300-$4000 Gibson Les Paul for fear of putting a ding on the body, wearing the frets or scraping the back with your belt buckle. Which brings us to a very special breed of Gibson electric guitar called The Paul and The Paul II. Back in the mid-1980s I played in a band with a guy who bought The Paul used for some insane bargain price and I must say, it had a nicer feel than the '59 Reissue I purchased for $1200 in 1988. The Paul Gibson made The Paul model from 1978-1982 to compete with the then more affordable Fender Stratocaster. The Paul featured a solid, unpainted body (reportedly made of walnut), which had a bevelled edge all around the face and was sculpted in the back like an SG (again, similar to the Fender Stratocaster it was made to compete against). The thinner body was lighter to hold on stage, a real plus for performing musicians who a) usually dont have much money and b) need one solid axe that can last an entire 1-or 2-hour show. Absence of anything resembling a "burst"--the fading of a lighter color on the middle of the guitar body to a darker color at the edges--keeps the prices down in today's market. Prices for these, however, have gone up due to inflation. Deals on Gibson electric guitars are still out there, though, since many players consider them "undesirable." If you're on this site, you aren't one of those people.
The Paul II In the late 1990s, Gibson reintroduced this model as The Paul II, but this time they came in black (Ebony) and cherry (Wine Red). They also featured mahogany bodies, carved tops and lacquer finishes, similar to higher-end models although without the "burst". Like the original The Paul, the bodies were a little thinner and their backs were sculpted somewhat similar to a Strat. Plain dot markers on the rosewood fretboards--as opposed to the Mother of Pearl wedge inlays on higher-end Les Pauls--give this guitar a cheaper look. But make no mistake about it, for around $615 including shipping, you're getting a Made in USA Les Paul! Just like The Paul models mentioned above, they will feature numerous chips, dings and finish checking. The more, the better, we say!
If your heart is set on a Made in USA Gibson electric guitar, and you want to go the Cheap Guitars way, we'll help make it possible. Choices are out there, especially in the used market if you have the right info (hint, hint, this site...). Then again, if Made in USA is not a big issue, a player can wisely choose an Epiphone model, where unbelievable bargains are to be had. More on Epiphones to come on another page. If you're looking for a Gibson The Paul II in action, visit the Online Video Guitar Lessons page, where you'll find me playing one for many of the lessons. You can't miss it: it's the red Les Paul!! Return from Gibson Electric Guitar page to the CheapGuitarZine homepage  and reviews. |
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"So where do you find The Paul?
"In the used market, as usual, you're looking at Ebay, Craigslist, Yard Sales and Pawn Shops.
"Prices on Ebay are higher than our $500 limit many times but it's still worth a try. Ebay auctions average around $750, dings and all.
"However, pawn shops are excellent locations for these you just have to be in a right place/right time situation.
"Expect these guitars to have numerous dings and signs of use, another bonus in our opinion as it will help you get a better deal!" --josh
