Collection of 67 non pedal steels

[Howard Steinberg]

A friend of a close friend living on the east coast of Florida, inherited a collection of 67 non-pedal guitars. When I heard about it, I figured it was a bunch of old lap steels. Wrong. Ive seen some pictures from the collection and there are indeed some rare and beautiful guitars. Most of what I’ve seen are consoles and appear to be in remarkable condition. Clearly, the person who assembled the collection had exceptional taste and was discriminating in terms of condition.

The person who owns the guitars would like to sell them off. It seems a somewhat daunting task to place a value on these guitars.

I find that it boggles the mind thinking about what to do with a collection such as this. I have no stake in this but I think it would be nice to keep the collection together. It seems sort of impossible to put a value on these instruments as most that I’ve seen are uncommon or in condition than you never find on instruments made between 1940 and 1960.

Any thoughts on appraisal and marketing of this collection?

Here are a few pictures.

[Robert Sands]

Wow. I myself would love to see pics of them and make an offer on buying any that interest me. Pics need to be taken anyway I would think. My wife and I vacation fairly often on Florida’s East coast. We stay in St Augustine. Without divulging where the steels are, do they happen to be near the St Augustine/ Jacksonville area?

[Joe Elk]

Howrd More Picture Please .
Joe Elk Central Ohio

[G Strout]

Can you email me pics and a list of the guitars?
Gary

[Dom Franco]

I don't think too many forum members could afford to buy all of them at once. Not to mention trying to convince the wife about even buying one more steel guitar!

I suggest you hire someone you can trust locally to list them separately on ebay, and here on the forum or on consignment at a large music store.

I personally could see buying one or maybe too. And the members here on the would put these wonderful instruments to good use by playing them, and not just collecting them and letting them sit in their cases forever.

Just my 2cents.
Dom

[Bill Sinclair]

Half the fun of being a collector is hunting and finding. I don't think there's much chance of keeping it together as a collection. 67 guitars, wow! Maybe contact Jim Palenscar for advice. It would be nice to see some of them show up here on the forum.

[Doug Beaumier]

As others have said, find an honest, knowledgeable salesperson who will sell and ship the guitars one at a time. It's gonna be a lot of work. There are music stores that sell used gear on consignment. They sell through Reverb.com and eBay. You just drop the stuff off and they handle everything, adverting, sales, shipping. A 20% commission is standard, around here anyway, but the store does all the work. There are three such music stores in my town and they've sold several amps and guitars for me.

[Scott Thomas]

It seems like it's hard to know anymore if you haven't been watching the market for a long time. I suppose being a collector, he knows what he paid and has a sense of whether he overpaid or underpaid. You can go on ebay or reverb and lots of times tell that the seller has no clue and just puts some outrageous price on it, calling everything "rare", or some are just speculating, putting high prices on things in the hopes someone bites.

This forum would be the best place for determining real world selling prices, though I understand that it could possibly present a conflict of interest. Like, "hey, that Dual 6 is worth about $400, but I'll give you 5."


Speaking of that pristine looking D-6, we know that it's more of a niche guitar, and the a comparable D-8 is a more marketable guitar and is an easier sell, therefore the price would presumably reflect that, but most people would not know the difference.

[Roy McKinney]

As others have said, find an honest, knowledgeable salesperson who will sell and ship the guitars one at a time. It's gonna be a lot of work. There are music stores that sell used gear on consignment. They sell through Reverb.com and eBay. You just drop the stuff off and they handle everything, adverting, sales, shipping. A 20% commission is standard, around here anyway, but the store does all the work. There are three such music stores in my town and they've sold several amps and guitars for me.

In Ontario, OR it is a 50% commission. ouch!

[Jimmie Hudson]

I am interested in all of them.call 704-986-6481

[Andy Volk]

[Joe Elk]

Off the subject! Neat cartoon Andy. This is how feel sometimes.
Joe Elk Central Ohio

[Howard Steinberg]

Thanks to all of you who replied to this posting. I will pm all who expressed an interest in purchasing. I will also make certain that the appropriate donation is made on a sale.

I’ll also pass along all suggestions on marketing the collection.

[Jimmie Hudson]

Thanks to all of you who replied to this posting. I will pm all who expressed an interest in purchasing. I will also make certain that the appropriate donation is made on a sale.

I’ll also pass along all suggestions on marketing the collection.

It is best to contact me by phone. The pm don't always get to me . call 704-986-6481

[Howard Steinberg]

Jimmie - I passed your phone number on to the owner of the guitars. You should hear from him shortly. Howard

[Jimmie Hudson]

Jimmie - I passed your phone number on to the owner of the guitars. You should hear from him shortly. Howard

Ok I am waiting on the call. I would like to buy them.

[Steven Young]

Hi, I would like to see a list of what is available as well!
Best,
Steven

[Andy Henriksen]

What is that 8 string rick with the horseshoe? That thing is PURTY!

[Doug Beaumier]

That’s the Jerry Byrd model. They were available in 6, 8, or 10 strings.

[Jimmie Hudson]

Jimmie - I passed your phone number on to the owner of the guitars. You should hear from him shortly. Howard

I have not got a phone call as of 2-23-19 . Are these still for sale?

I would like to buy them all.

[Jon Zimmerman]

Duplicitous

[Jon Zimmerman]

"Boggles the mind" .. and a small closed trailer, Jimmy. Better reserve one and get ready. These deals "trickle" away as time passes..and word gets out. If you're serious like I think you are, time is of the essence.

[Jimmie Hudson]

Duplicitous

Really want to buy the guitars. No Lie.

[Jimmie Hudson]

"Boggles the mind" .. and a small closed trailer, Jimmy. Better reserve one and get ready. These deals "trickle" away as time passes..and word gets out. If you're serious like I think you are, time is of the essence.

Yep, Maybe he changed his mind. Who knows?

[Howard Steinberg]

Jimmie- Guitars are still for dale. As I mentioned, this is a friend of a friend. I’ll see if I can get you a phone number. He’s sold a few on ebay, but as far as I know, there are at least 60 left. I’m hoping to get out there in a couple of weeks. I’ll get back to you as soon as I get a phone number for you.