Walz Guitar - Five Most Expensive Guitars at AMS

Getting a list of the five most expensive guitars is easy (you can sort the list). This list groups by type. So custom Les Pauls of a certain range are put together. But you don't really know why the price is so high. This list is grouped by type, you'll see as you read, and includes much more that just 5 guitars.

5. Parker Fly Mojo Four Seasons $4,799-$3,599
This is a great start to a list thing like this. I have to be appropriate here...this one is a WTH! moment. I don't get it. Maybe you, dear reader, know something revolutionary that I don't yet know. But, these guitars seem made for an amp. I say this because of the headstock and, well, electric guitars have volume knobs for a reason. Being nicer, these guitars are of a limited, certificated series thus the pricetag.

4. SG Eliot Easton Custom $4599, $3999, $3699
Ah, the SG, a visual signature of ACDC and, for some of the older crowd, Black Sabbath. Is that worth the pricetag? The history talk is saved for #3.

3. Les Paul various $5499-$5299, $4399-$4099, $3699
The top in this range is the 1959 LP Standard followed by the Mick Jones Custom, 1960 LP Standard Vintage Original, 1959 LP Standard VOS, and the John Lennon Custom. So...Les Pauls... I don't get the pricetag, and I love Gibsons. So here's a guess--the history. If you don't know what I mean, Google 'les paul history'. But, I can't imagine anyone I know owning one of these just based on economic reasons. So, what else makes these so valuable? One reason is Led Zeppelin. Jimmy Page and the LZ crew are huge and likely will be for a long time. This is kind like the violin like bass that McCartney used.
In the other groupings the notables are the Zakk Wylde Custom and the 3 pickup Customs.
In general, I get the Les Paul thing. Compare the sound of Slash, GNR or VR or whatever days, to Stevie Ray Vaughn. If that comparison doesn't offend or distract, it's a good one. Think about the sound of each player and you get a quintessential Les Paul versus Stratocaster battle. Where you stand is a matter of personal preference. I'd be stupid to tell you where to stand--remember that in case someone ever tries to tell you.

2. Ibanez Joe Satriani 20th Anniversary Electric Guitar with Case $5999
Wow, this show the power of a name. Satch was Kirk Hammet's guitar teacher. He made a somewhat mainstream guitar album in the 80's. He's bald or shaved or something. He's a better guitar player than you and me. Besides being cynical, this is a guitar clearly for collectors. I can't imagine another reason to want this.

1. Gibson Custom Johnny Winter Firebird V Electric Guitar with Case $7699
This is a total surprise to me. JW is a fine guitarist, but he's not at the top of my list. I prefer the Destroyer body style, I'll blame that on the 80's and, ahem, Def Leppard. There's not a mention of rare wood or a limited run, so the reason for the price isn't clear.

For some extra information or explanation check the links. Besides some unclarities, custom work and limited runs seem to be the dominant reasons for a high price.

Links:
AMS home (http://www.americanmusical.com)
List of guitars: (http://www.americanmusical.com/ItemList.aspx?m=172)
Articles about expensive guitars:
- (http://guitar.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_most_expensive_guitar_ever)
- (http://www.gregsguitar.com/expens_cheap.html)