Offered this rare, but butchered Gibson "Sonex Artist"

[Gergo]

So, let me start by saying I do have a 1978 Standard, and a 2003 Classic "1960" that I really love. I do however have a friend of a friend who wants to sell me this butchered Sonex Artist for $85. I like the fact that this is a Sonex that is supposedly made of wood, and it does have a set neck. It has an ebony fretboard and actually plays really well, with no fret buzz.
I am always up for a project, so I am thinking about picking this up, and restoring it to at least a guitar that looks semi-decent, and works.
As you can see, this had been dramatically altered. Gone are the Moog electronics, and even the switch holes for the controls. It looks like they filled in the holes and refinished the guitar. In the third photo, if you look closely, you can see the two plugged holes to the right of the neck tone knob. I don't think that black was even a factory color for the Sonex Artist. My guess is that this guitar used to be white. They put telecaster knobs on it for some stupid reason. The bridge volume pot is frozen.
Look at the neck joint. It looks bad, but could possibly be only a finish crack. What is your opinion? The neck seems to be stable. Also, what kind of pickups are these? Are they even original? Are they any good? I have no idea.
Would you pick this up for a project, or is it a lost cause? Thanks

[nomadh]

Any usa gibson for 85 has got to be a deal. Anything with a playable ebony board has got to be worth 85.
The neck might be a bit scary for me but I think you have the skills if theres a prob?

[BatUtilityBelt]

If it has playability, the ebony fretboard alone is worth the price.
I don't know about that neck joint. If that's really a set neck, it looks like it needs a reset. If it gets a neck reset, it could be done so the bridge could be lowered, then the break angle to the tailpiece would be better, no longer resting strings on the back of the bridge.
Pots are easy to replace.
I'd spend the money and think about how I wanted to fix it up after.
I imagine the tele knobs were chosen because they have the set-screw to tighten onto a pot shaft that doesn't really fit the knob itself.

[uwmcscott]

I think you should definitely pass. And send me the contact info for this friend of a friend so I can scold him for trying to scam people out of their hard earned money.

[Gergo]

If it has playability, the ebony fretboard alone is worth the price.
I don't know about that neck joint. If that's really a set neck, it looks like it needs a reset. If it gets a neck reset, it could be done so the bridge could be lowered, then the break angle to the tailpiece would be better, no longer resting strings on the back of the bridge.
Pots are easy to replace.
I'd spend the money and think about how I wanted to fix it up after.
I imagine the tele knobs were chosen because they have the set-screw to tighten onto a pot shaft that doesn't really fit the knob itself.

Yeah. I think I am going to pick it up and just take my time with it. I can gut a guitar and rewire it with no problem, and I have gotten to be able to do a fret level/crown (even though this really does not neet that....yet).....but the thought of doing a neck reset kind of makes me nervous. But still, I will see how it goes. It could end up being a good learning experience if I do need to do that. All in all, it will be fun turning it into a functional guitar that looks at least somewhat decent