QUESTION:
I was just offered $400 for my 1956 les paul custom guitar tag is this a good deal . Also how much does the tag add to the value of the guitar.
REPLY
Great question. I would say your giving it away but it is you choice. Here is my spin on this and the rest of the vintage paper market. To a collector many times the original paper work is worth more to him that the guitar. It adds a validity and a history to an instrument that for the most parts has none. I have always argued if it came with the guitar leave it but i know in today market this stuff is worth so much the temptation to sell it is irresistible .Two years ago i fell victim to it at the height of the market when i guy offered me an $8000 guitar for my burst tag and i sold it and do not regret it at all . That was insane!!!!!
The guy who bought it paid $475,000.00 for the guitar had the original receipt and even a photo of the guitar and owner playing in the 1960’s but he did not have the tag . So he needed the tag and the rest is history. Now this is the most extreme case i know of and it has happened only once in 20 years but this is how crazy it gets. This being said most tags are worth very little $50-$300 and condition is everything. but a receipt with an original see# from the original music store could easily bring an extra $1000 or more to a guitar.
In your case your guitar a 1956 les paul custom is worth about $45,000.00 2 years ago they were $65,000.00 so if you have a real tag that says les paul custom on it and it is from that era i would say it is worth $800-$1000 . so $400 is too cheap in my opinion. The price of the paper is relative to the price of the guitar . the guy who spent almost a half of a million on a burst $8000 was nothing . So use your brain and value the paperwork by the value of the guitar.
As another note booklets or tags with serial numbers that do not match your guitar are useless. The blank cards like the one i sold to the burst guy is worth the money. Also condition is everything the cleaner the better. so keep these fact in mind also when purchasingpaper or selling it. Also straps case keys original string boxes all this adds to the frenzy so do not throw anything out before doing some research. If you have any questions of paper you have and the values please contact me at The Parts Dawer and i will try and answer any questions you have.