Vintage guitars

[Robert Mayo]

Always interested in older guitars , I am a dealer I do not pay retail, or make offers.

[Robert Mayo]

anyone ?

[Bob Carter]

Hello Robert,
I have an old solid body single pick up Gretch.
I was told it was a 1954 or 1955 but I have no idea.
I've owned it for over 33 years so I know its at least that old. The neck is like a straight edge made of rock. I do not think the pick guard is original because it is ugly as sin.
Bob

[Robert Mayo]

send pics / pricing to
greg@gregsguitars.net

[Bob Carter]

Have no pic available but if I get a chance I'll take some and post them for all to see. It a beautiful thing aside from the pick guard. On the price, I realize it old and dirty and probably not worth very much. So maybe somewhere in the area of $4500.00
Bob

[Robert Mayo]

post them bro....

[Nicholas Ackron]

Selling a D8 fender Stringmaster for a friend.

[Bill Hatcher]

any body here looking to sell a vintage aka "old" guitar....check online and look up prices before you offer one to anybody. you might be surprised.

[Doug Beaumier]

I agree, Bill. Forum members... do your research and find out what your vintage guitar is worth before you state a price. Keep in mind that most Dealers will not make an offer, will not state a price... hoping that You will state a low (uninformed) price so they can buy low and flip your guitar for a profit.

[Lane Gray]

Right. Watch Pawn Stars: the only way to make money is to buy for about half what you can sell for.
OTOH, if you want your money NOW, a dealer can do that...

[Chris Lucker]

It depends upon how well funded the dealer is. I have sold some rare, collector quality guitars to dealers who pay solid retail just to have the guitar in their inventory. The attraction is worth making no profit. And it creates the buzz that this dealer pays more than anyone if you have something special -- not commodity grade vintage guitars. It depends how well positioned the dealer is financially.

[Cartwright Thompson]

That Chris, is the exception to the rule.

[Lane Gray]

And kinda unsustainable as a general practice. "Loss Leaders" can't represent much of inventory.

[Chris Lucker]

I never said you would lose money on the items. But Lane, I am not talking about commodity grade guitars. I am talking about Bigsbys and 59 les Paul's. I am talking about authentic Wraparounds not bolt ons or cut tails or LDGs or Franklins.

I buy Bigsbys, and I buy authentic Wraparounds. I sell some too. From my own experience, I pay top dollar for good Bigsbys period. Even if the seller offers to sell at a bargain price I pay top dollar. Sometimes less $1000 because I also pay a $1,000 finders fee.
The result of this practice is that I am offered a lot of very special guitars, somebody keep, some I sell, but I get them. And my experience with Bigsbys is that they always sell for more than you pay.
I have a dealer -- not a close friend, but we know each other and do deals. If you want a 59 sunburst you see him. They are not bargains, they are his prices. But he has the important inventory selection because he pays top dollar, sellers know it
For rare guitars, this practice is sustainable. For commodity grade guitars there are too many variables in establishing market prices. There are too many 1964 stratocasters in the world.
My experience selling to dealers is that if they cannot tell you what they will pay it is because they are 1. simply looking for bargains, which is fine because that is their personal business model. 2. They think you are just kicking tires, which is so often true. 3. They are more afraid to pay more than they have to than they are to get the guitar. Honestly, a real dealer knows what he can sell a guitar for and has an estimate of how long he will need to tie up his money. He can come up with a price he will pay and still make a profit worth the time and investment.
It is no big deal. If a dealer won't offer you a price, that is the way he chooses to do business. It is his prerogative. Respect that. You do not have to sell to him, but you should respect his policy. .

[Doug Beaumier]

Yes, his business model is... no offers, YOU state the price. He's hoping that some of our members may not be aware of the value of their old guitar and he can pick up a bargain (or some would say "take advantage").

Yes, it's just "business", but IMO this is not a good fit for the Steel Guitar Forum. This forum is supposed to be about fellowship among steel guitarists and the sharing of information about steel guitar. It's not a place for dealers to troll for bargains. It really rubs me the wrong way. Keep in mind, Chris, that not all of our members are as aware of vintage guitar values as you, me, and a few others here. Those members are the ones who need to research the current value of their old guitar before stating a price.

[Chris Lucker]

I think you are expressing your fear that some of the forum members less than a fair share of common sense.

[Doug Beaumier]

Not so much about common sense as an awareness of the vintage guitar market and current prices.

[Chris Lucker]

Doug, isn't it common sense then to do some research before selling something of yours you know little about? If I opened a lemonade stand I would even do a little research to figure out what a cup goes for nowadays.
If you do not understand what things sell for, and you do not do a little research before selling, either you lack basic common sense or the sale is not that important to you -- so it does not matter.

[Doug Beaumier]

I guess so, I'm just reminding FMs to do their research before stating a price.

[Cartwright Thompson]

Nicely put Doug. basically it comes down to not wanting to see people taken advantage of. Of course this wouldn't apply to bolt ons or cut tails or LDGs or Franklins.

[Robert Mayo]

Yes, his business model is... no offers, YOU state the price. He's hoping that some of our members may not be aware of the value of their old guitar and he can pick up a bargain (or some would say "take advantage").

Yes, it's just "business", but IMO this is not a good fit for the Steel Guitar Forum. This forum is supposed to be about fellowship among steel guitarists and the sharing of information about steel guitar. It's not a place for dealers to troll for bargains. It really rubs me the wrong way. Keep in mind, Chris, that not all of our members are as aware of vintage guitar values as you, me, and a few others here. Those members are the ones who need to research the current value of their old guitar. before stating a price.

That is where you are wrong my friend, Greg's Guitars does not take advantage of anyone selling a guitar or a even a complete collection, we do not make offers because in general most sellers are "fishing" for a price they can sell their instrument for,if they want what you deem as absolute top dollar then they should go to fleabay or the local craigslist and sell their instrument themselves, we provide a service for clients the world over and have a reputation for treating clients fairly, like all dealers 60 cents on the dollar is pretty much top prices paid for any equipment we have to sink our money into. We do not make offers to help you establish a selling price on your own, we do offer evaluations for 50.00 each for people that do not know the value of their instruments that can then be used to help them establish a reasonable selling price. With the advent of the internet,publications on pricing and other forms of reference material readily available most people should know what they have for sale and what it should be worth.As far as "trolling" or rubbing you the wrong way, we are sorry you feel that way but we abide by all the forum room rules and being an adult capable of making your own choices in life you have the option of not viewing our posts. Like another member stated..."If a dealer won't offer you a price, that is the way he chooses to do business. It is his prerogative. Respect that. You do not have to sell to him, but you should respect his policy",that pretty much sums it up.

[Doug Beaumier]

Robert, thank you for the clarification. No personal offense intended. I just wanted to remind FMs to do their homework. Like you said, with the internet and price guides available nowadays it's easier for owners to research their guitar's value, and I encourage everyone to do that, Cheers

[Chris Lucker]

Robert, I did not really have a problem with your approach until you stated that you would do appraisals for $50. I am a vintage guitar collector, broker and I have little confidence in your pricing. I imagine your appraisals are just as weak.
Please humor all of us on the forum how you arrived at your evaluation of a 1952 Stratocaster reissue? That is what you call a 2011 Hot Rod Strat on your site. What the heck is that anyway? I think you are mistaken. Is this the kind of sloppy work we could expect from your $50 appraisals? Would they be more accurate if you charged $100?
I think it is fine you are on the forum. It is b0b's forum and his decision. That is right and not up to forum members or participants. But I think it is silly that anyone would pay you $50 for an appraisal. You are not a market maker, a market influencer or even very accurate in your own sales descriptions. You are a clown, but I respect your right to be one.

[Robert Mayo]

Chris, It was taken directly from the manufacturers website as well as other sites that sell similar equipment, I guess the manufacturers are wrong and you are right....But to clarify it is NOT a 62 reissue as you so eliquently stated BUT a 57 marketed hotrodded reissue guitar from FENDER
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StratVH572SB
The reason it is called a "hotrod" Stratocaster is The FENDER® Vintage Hot Rod '57 Strat® bridges the gap between Fender's Custom Shop and production models. Loaded with the most requested custom features built into Custom Shop models, the Vintage Hot Rod '57 is equipped with Parallel SCN (Neck), SCN (Mid), and DiMarzio Tone Zone (Bridge) pickups, a softer "V"-shaped neck, and an American Vintage Synchronized tremolo. This is a vintage hot-rodded Strat for the 21st century! I DID NOT refer to it as a "reissue" as I think "Hotrod Stratocaster " portrays more of what it is .. a modified reissue guitar.
you are entitled to your opinion as incorrect and misinformed as you are, but you know what they say about opinions......everybody's got one...oh yea I have never heard of you in the dealer circles unless you use another name to buy,broker and sell by...

[Robert Mayo]

The FENDER® Vintage Hot Rod '57 Strat® bridges the gap between Fender's Custom Shop and production models. Loaded with the most requested custom features built into Custom Shop models, the Vintage Hot Rod '57 is equipped with Parallel SCN (Neck), SCN (Mid), and DiMarzio Tone Zone (Bridge) pickups, a softer "V"-shaped neck, and an American Vintage Synchronized tremolo. This is a vintage hot-rodded Strat for the 21st century! http://www.fender.com/series/vintage-ho ... -sunburst/
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... 9000063000
http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/971/ ... -Sunburst/