1978 Les Paul Custom. Can it be saved?????

[1meanplexi]

Hey Crew.

1st off (for those it applies to) Merry Xmas. Yesterday I stopped by my local g shop. I saw this LP. I played it and holy f'n wow. The neck, fretboard all felt great and yes...it is a 12lbs. pig. My problem. The trem . It is routed out between the bridge and tailpiece. I know it can be removed but for you experts out there, can the hole be filled/repaired and refinished? They want $1700.00 out the door for it. The ONLY way I do this deal is if I can bring it back or close to it's pre trem form. As always, you guys are the best and I look forward to hearing from you. on!!!!

 

[rottingcorpse]

spendy repair job for sure. i would rock it like it is.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

You could buy 2 LPC's for the price it would cost to remove the Kahler.

Love it as is or move on ...

Thats an $850 guitar as is.

 

[glip22]

I'm no expert but in the right hands most things can be done. I am not sure if it would be an invisible repair but I would bet a skilled repair guy could do it. Question is at 1700 in I would bet you're looking at upwards of 900 or even more to repair and refinish. The entire guitar would probably need a refin, including headstock because of the Kahler nut. Not sure if its worth it. It's a big project and you can find a 70's Custom for under 3K

 

[Chester Nimitz]

You're looking at something like this.

I could see if it was an original 57 or 58 LPC but not a Norlin.

 

[paulyc]

If the guitar plays great and sounds good I would try to get them to knock some off the price, I had a chance years ago to buy a Norlin Goldtop with a Kahler on it and a headstock repair and I passed on it, but looking Back I should have bought it because the guitar played like a dream a sounded great... don't let the Kahler spook you. My .02

 

[1meanplexi]

You could buy 2 LPC's for the price it would cost to remove the Kahler.

Love it as is or move on ...

Thats an $850 guitar as is.

Dan. This is a serious question and I am truly not being a smart ass. How do you figure $850.00 ?

 

[1meanplexi]

Here is a detailed shot of how it was mounted. Looks like the person who did this just retroed the Kahler on to the original bridge and tailpiece post.

 

[halebox]

Pass there are many others to choose from. A non kahlered maple neck Lp will sell for under 2000 on eBay. Only buy this if you want to keep kahler on and offer $1400 out the door.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

Thats actually a flush mount [non route] Kahler from what i can see, problem is no telling how it looks underneath.

Thats probably not a huge deal to put a standard stop bar & bridge for a competent tech.

I would counter 1.7K with a grand, $1350 would be my final offer.

Its going to take $200+ to put back to stock.

When buying a guitar for market value the guitar should have 0.00 issues.

 

[1meanplexi]

Thats actually a flush mount [non route] Kahler from what i can see, problem is no telling how it looks underneath.

Thats probably not a huge deal to put a standard stop bar & bridge for a competent tech.

I would counter 1.7K with a grand, $1350 would be my final offer.

Its going to take $200+ to put back to stock.

When buying a guitar for market value the guitar should have 0.00 issues.

I thought the same thing. It is definitely routed.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

There are lots of Les Pauls that need good homes.

Doctor Dan sez take two asprin and ur GAS will pass.

Nobody wants a 13 pound Clown burst with holes in it.

 

[1meanplexi]

There are lots of Les Pauls that need good homes.

Doctor Dan sez take to asprin and ur GAS will pass.

I think you and Reza might be right on point with that thought.

 

[RedPlated]

I wouldn't touch that guitar. Especially at $1750. I agree the value should be much lower. I think a grand is reasonable. They butchered the neck to put a locking nut on there. Which means there's a big flat shelf cut where the stock nut should be and two screws holding that nut in.

I see that repair bill being quite large. Why even deal with it? Just find another.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

To be honest if that guitar sounded Killer i could love it.

No harm no foul.

 

[paulyc]

I wouldn't touch that guitar. Especially at $1750. I agree the value should be much lower. I think a grand is reasonable. They butchered the neck to put a locking nut on there. Which means there's a big flat shelf cut where the stock nut should be and two screws holding that nut in.

I see that repair bill being quite large. Why even deal with it? Just find another.

Do you know what a Kahler nut is ??? It's NOT a Floyd nut install, the Kahler nut mounts behind the stock nut, which is still there.
There is a hole in the top of that guitar for the Kahler, it's NOT surface mount. Those model Kahler were made specifically to go on a Tune O Matic bridge/stop tailpiece guitar like a Gibson.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

pass on it. The hole will need to be filled and retopped unlesd you go a solid color. Even then at $1750 the price isn't right.

 

[RedPlated]

I wouldn't touch that guitar. Especially at $1750. I agree the value should be much lower. I think a grand is reasonable. They butchered the neck to put a locking nut on there. Which means there's a big flat shelf cut where the stock nut should be and two screws holding that nut in.

I see that repair bill being quite large. Why even deal with it? Just find another.

Do you know what a Kahler nut is ??? It's NOT a Floyd nut install, the Kahler nut mounts behind the stock nut, which is still there.
There is a hole in the top of that guitar for the Kahler, it's NOT surface mount. Those model Kahler were made specifically to go on a Tune O Matic bridge/stop tailpiece guitar like a Gibson.

Ok, it looked like a Floyd nut in that fuzzy pic.

So there's actually 4 holes in the headstock. And no shelf. Still wouldn't touch that thing.

 

[paulyc]

The 4 holes are for tiny wood screws, not like Floyd screws that go through the neck. If the guitar plays good and sounds good who gives a shit ?

 

[cardinal]

There's definitely a route in the top. Even the Kahler's that mount on the stop tail studs required routing some for the Kahler mechanics on the underside of the bridge.

You could just pull it off and put a tuneomatic bridge and tail piece back on, no problem. But obviously there will be a routed area in between. Filling the space won't be cheap and making it close to invisible of course needs a refinish.

Best thing for that guitar: love it with the Kahler.