Another Les Paul Copy Request

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Author Message Bobrob2003 (Bobrob2003) Posted on Saturday, September 18, 2004 - 12:52 pm:    I'm looking for any advice I can get on the value of an Ibanez Les Paul Copy, PF230 in what I think is Olive Green. (It's a washed out black / green colour), with a bolt on neck. The serial No is L783639 which appears to suggest it was manufactured in Japan in December 78. I bought it new here in the UK in 1980 and it's still in mint condition apart from the Volume / Tone knobs having sone cracks in them. Only been played at home, never gigged etc. Owned by a sweet little old lady who only used it once a week etc. etc. I've seen one advertised at USD 650, but I don't know if this is realistic or not. Any advice would be most welcome. If it helps I've tried to attach some pictures of the guitar. Many Thanks, Bob Robinson Dave_G (Dave_G) Posted on Saturday, September 18, 2004 - 2:06 pm:    Bob..Thats a real nice guitar and in a somewhat rare color..but the $650 pricetag seems a bit high..I bought the exact same guitar on EBay less than a year ago fr $385 in MINT condition with case. These guitars will increase in value over the next several years but presently they are just not as sought after as the Artists or Professionals of the same era. Bobrob2003 (Bobrob2003) Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 8:44 am:    Dave, Many Thanks, one thing I forgot to mention was that I'm getting a crackle from what I think are the potentiometers when I turn the Vol & Tone buttons. I believe this means that they need cleaned or replaced. If I replace these with non Ibanex ones will it affect the guitar's value, given that I understand that any collector would prefer all the parts to be original ? I suppose the question is should I try cleaning them first, and if so what's the best way to go about it ? Also, does anyone have any details of the history of these models ? Bob Dave_G (Dave_G) Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 11:48 am:    Bob, Don't change them-they probably only need to be cleaned. You can get the spray type contact cleaner at radio shack and you just spray it into the hole in the Pot (just behind the contact nubs) and twist it a couple of times-this will rmove the build up of deposits and ensure a clean (and crackle free) use. Be carefull though this stuff is EXTREMELY flamable ! Bobrob2003 (Bobrob2003) Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 2:43 pm:    Dave Thanks for the advice, I'll try this and let you know how it goes. Do you know what the Model Number of my guitar is ? Bob Dave_G (Dave_G) Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 3:09 pm:    Bob..don't really know how to answer your question..the model number is as stated on your orignal post: "I'm looking for any advice I can get on the value of an Ibanez Les Paul Copy, PF230 in what I think is Olive Green. (It's a washed out black / green colour), with a bolt on neck. The serial No is L783639 which appears to suggest it was manufactured in Japan in December 78. I bought it new here in the UK in 1980 and it's still in mint condition apart from the Volume / Tone knobs having sone cracks in them and on the truss rod cover-PF230..." Bobrob2003 (Bobrob2003) Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 7:49 pm:    Dave What I meant was more the history of the PF230, is this one of the lawsuit guitars I've read about on this site. How does it differ from the other PF models etc. I confess to knowing little or nothing about Ibanez guitars and their history. I bought it because I was looking for a good Les Paul copy and was pretty much guided by the salesman who said the Ibanez was better than the other replicas that were around at the time. Bob Dave_G (Dave_G) Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 8:24 pm:    bob the PF series really was one of the first series After the infamous and oft misquoted "lawsuit"...this quote is taken from the Aria collecters site but its pretty good regarding this subject : A note about the "Lawsuit" ""It is a common misconception that the famous Gibson/Norlin lawsuit was filed against a number of Japanese companies. It is also commonly said it was over the exact copying of American designs. Neither is true. The lawsuit was filed by Norlin (Gibson's parent company) against Elger/Hoshino (Ibanez's American division) over the use of the "open book" headstock design which Norlin claimed as a Gibson Trademark. It was not over the exact copying of body dimensions or construction. These guitars were metric! Don't believe me? Just try putting your Gibson stop-tail posts in one of those "exact" copies! When's the last time you saw a bolt-neck genuine LP Custom? The lawsuit was not "won" by Norlin, but settled out of court. Most of the Japanese companies, as a precautionary move, turned away from close copies but many still offered their "version" of the classic American designs with at least minor departures in design and appearance. Often I see the term "lawsuit" tossed around rather freely. Most often it is either hype to raise the price of the copy someone trying to sell, or they simply don't know what the "lawsuit" was all about. Too often it really isn't a lawsuit model at all. DON'T FALL VICTIM TO THE HYPE! I see a lot of this in on-line auctions and on-line guitar dealers advertisements. I have seen guitars go for much more than they are actually worth simply because the purchaser has fallen for the hype or actually didn't know what constitutes a "lawsuit" model. Remember, the best customer is a well informed customer."" The PF series (I believe was a '78 introduction) was part of the Ibanez push towards their own unique designs. The series started with the PF100 (bolt neck, dot inlays-opwn bobbin PUPS), the PF200 (same as 100 with gold hardware and block inlays), the PF300-(set neck) and the PF 400 (Set neck , Solid mahogany body w maple cap). Over the years their have been some vaiants and this series did last longer in Europe than the US. (Most US models are '78's). For instance I also own a PF155 and a PF350. The PF 230 is basically a PF 200 with three pickups (a la a Les Paul Custom). I think the line lasted until '82 or so... Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 9:18 pm:    I use a syringe to inject cleaner into pots. It's a less messy process! Bobrob2003 (Bobrob2003) Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 11:18 am:    Dave, Cleaned the potentiometers as you suggested. What a difference, no crackle at all. Many thanks for the advice, thanks also to Ibanezfreak 1960 for the tip. Bob

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