1980 Sunburst maybe selling?

[Diocletian]

Hey guys. 2 years ago I finally bought a 1980 Sunburst (body is bound, neck has dots) after many years of wanting one (Martin Barre fan). I posted about it here when I got it (it was owned by some members here over the years) but I cannot find the thread now for some reason. I probably mentioned I was going to be interviewing Ian Anderson a couple of days later for my podcast Rock, Paper, Swords. I don't know why the thread has disappeared or perhaps I had a different account???

It's a real players guitar, in very used but working fine condition, all original parts as far as I know with the original case. The binding on the lower horn has been coming off at some point and badly glued back on but it's really not a big deal. I would post pics but I'm using a new Chromebook that's not logged into my Onedrive. If anyone can find my previous thread there's a ton of pics in there.

I love how the guitar sounds but it has always felt a bit small to me and I really do not like how hard it is to reach the upper frets.  So I'm thinking of selling it. I've wanted a Gibson Les Paul Custom my whole life and I'm now nearly 50 so I thought I might sell this and put the money towards a Les Paul Custom, but I have no idea how much I should price the Sunburst for. The guy that sold me it did not want to post it so I got a great deal, but I'm happy to post it, I have the hardcase and some good big boxes to send it, so I should be able to get a decent price for it I think.

Just looking for advice on how much I might look for on this? I'm in the UK, wouldn't want to sell it outside the UK.

[Tortious]

Here is your thread:

 

Cannot help on the sale part, but good luck.

[Bennyboy-UK]

Was this the Black one in Scotland?

I was halted by the seller not wanting to ship it. I recall it was a great price at the time!

I might be a buyer for it.

B

Edited June 29, 2025 by Bennyboy-UK

[Dave Scepter]

Honestly, you're going to spend thousands of $dollars more and still have limited upper fret access...🤔

[Diocletian]

1 hour ago, Tortious said:

Here is your thread:

 

Cannot help on the sale part, but good luck.

Thank you, I've no idea why I can't find that thread in my profile. 

[Diocletian]

1 hour ago, Bennyboy-UK said:

Was this the Black one in Scotland?

I was halted by the seller not wanting to ship it. I recall it was a great price at the time!

I might be a buyer for it.

B

Yes that's the one. 

[Diocletian]

32 minutes ago, Dave Scepter said:

Honestly, you're going to spend thousands of $dollars more and still have limited upper fret access...🤔

I own 3 Les Pauls. The upper fret access on them is much better than the Sunburst. Not as good as my Charvel DK24 but good enough!

[Tortious]

Did you get to interview Ian?

[Bennyboy-UK]

9 hours ago, Diocletian said:

Yes that's the one. 

OK, lovely - drop me a line when you have a few seconds and tell me what you are thinking for the guitar.

Cheers!
Ben.

[Diocletian]

1 hour ago, Bennyboy-UK said:

OK, lovely - drop me a line when you have a few seconds and tell me what you are thinking for the guitar.

Cheers!
Ben.

Well that's the thing. I have absolutely no idea how much it might be worth, no idea at all! How much do these go for nowadays? In the previous NGD thread I posted someone said they are going for triple what I paid for it (£800)!

Edited June 30, 2025 by Diocletian

[Diocletian]

10 hours ago, Tortious said:

Did you get to interview Ian?

Yes! He was pretty dry at first, very businesslike, but he warmed up and by the end we were having quite a fun time! Considering he's my absolute musical hero it was an amazing experience. 

 

[cornjulio]

I may have owned this one at some point. If it is the same one the sustainblock sat at a funny angle on the top. for some reason it looked like it had been cast in a manner that the base got thicker towards the back which meant that the saddles were raised when pushed back (like on the low e string and the g string). Seemed like an accident and didn't make intonation easier. I think I posted about this. I sold my black sunburst which I had gotten from Peter when I was living in Glasgow (2017?)

[Diocletian]

Just now, cornjulio said:

I may have owned this one at some point. If it is the same one the sustainblock sat at a funny angle on the top. for some reason it looked like it had been cast in a manner that the base got thicker towards the back which meant that the saddles were raised when pushed back (like on the low e string and the g string). Seemed like an accident and didn't make intonation easier. I think I posted about this. I sold my black sunburst which I had gotten from Peter when I was living in Glasgow (2017?)

Yes, I believe this is the same guitar. I had read all those old posts before I bought it - there was something about a rattling noise I seem to recall as well. To be honest, I've never had any issues at all with it, it plays and sounds great. Those old DiMarzios might be the best pickups I've ever heard.