The Steel Guitar Forum

I have a friend who has a 1956 Fender Esquire guitar . The s/n is 11972. She would like to know if anyone out there has any idea of the value of this guitar. It belonged to her late husband. Sure would appricate any info. She might want to sell it, I dont know yet.
Thanks, John

It's worth a mint, probably $10-20K, depending on condition.

The serial number looks right for '56. According to the '07 VGM Guide the value is 13K to 20K in Excellent, all-original condition w/original case.

Some wear is fine, but any missing parts, non-original parts, or a refinished body or neck will diminish the value. Most guitars from this era have had some work done over the years. When guitars get into this price range buyers nitpick, and look for ways to get the price down. Replaced pots, replaced tuners, and 'refins' all cut into the value. A refinish can cut the value by 50%. Non-original pickups usually cut the value by about 25%. Those dirty old original parts are worth big money! Mint condition adds a premium.

Gruhn Guitars has an online appraisal sevice. Your friend should take some pictures of the guitar and submit them to the Gruhn site. She should only deal with reputable dealers. There are a lot of sharks out there who are looking to buy low and sell high. Remember that a dealer will take a 20% commission. That's pretty much standard. My advice... don't sell the guitar unless absolutely necessary. Next year it will be worth more, and the following year more. There is no end in sight to the spiraling values of 50's Fenders and Gibsons.

I hate to say this, but I will.

Tell her not to talk about this piece too much, especially to strangers. Things like this have a way of "disappearing" if word gets spread around too much.

If she's elderly and on a limited income, even if it's far from original, it's still worth quite a bit to her.

contact 0le Fuzzy on telecaster.com

the 0 is a zero....

AD Barron is about the most knowledgeable person about teles on the planet and he is a good and honest guy.

you can google 0le Fuzzy and find him too. Teles are his passion.

John , if she would like to sell, I will pay her asking price for it... She can research it, or have you or someone else do it for her, get the going rate, and I will buy it if it is what you state it is, unless she wants more than vintage shop retail , in which case it doesn't make sense for me to buy it...

[The only reason I mention this is because I recently had an old guy research his Les Paul I knew retailed at 20K nationwide tell me he wanted $49,500}...

I will deal fairly with her, and will arrange shipping if she can't... You can certainly handle the transaction if she is unable to do so... If interested, please email me and we can talk...

bob