Oh boy! I've noticed lately that many selling the "higher end" guitars on ebay are asking way too much for the guitars they are selling and the potential buyers are willing to pay way too little. The result is many are not buying or selling but just continually relisting and watching (and wasting everyones time and money). We need to be realistic and reasonable and less greedy on both sides. This observation is obviously not true in all cases but true none the less.
I know ... I just asked the most loaded question anyone could ask here ... sorry ... ;-)
But I am truly having difficulty understanding why my guitar isn't considered higher in value than the bids I have received...?
First, let me say that I *do* understand the adage that an item is only worth what buyers are willing to pay; that said, I know that all buyers feel my guitar is only worth $660 (the value that I've consistently achieved in 3 tries).
But, my incredulity is due to the following 3 things:
1) When an individual purchases a top of the line model from a top manufacturer, they know (heck .. EVERYONE knows) ... the value does NOT go down ... what am I missing here ...?
2) If I try to cross check my 10 year old model with newer ones, I find that I still own a top of the line quality model.
3) When I cross check my model with newer models, I don't find one like it, either in appearance or construction.
So, here's my "dilemma":
I've got an Ovation Super Shallow Cutaway Acoustic Electric that is 3-tone Sunburst, with Gold Shaller tuners. My original invoice was $1359. I've searched, but did not find 3-tone sun burst in this model. And Ovation seems to be favoring mid-depth bowls; so I'm tempted to believe that Super Shallow is unique. (Mind you, I am NOT stating that my guitar is rare).
Models that do fit into the range that mine fit into, in it's day, are all going for up to $1750 now.
I am *not* expecting to get $1750 ... I'm not even expecting to get $1350 ...
... but ...
Because I know that Ovation is selling an average quality version of this guitar at about $750; I feel that mine should be attractive even if I were ask as much as $850.
AND ... I know that people are spending upwards of $900 on Ovations that are not Super Shallow, because I always search listings (open & closed) for Ovations.
The only thing I can imagine, is that, because the ones that do command a lot are all funky colors (purple, black, flame designs, etc.), buyers want a guitar that looks "crazy! man!" ...?
Am I expecting too much? or have I slipped into some incredible "twilight zone" where sanity doesn't exist?
"Teisco" guitars, which covers a miriad of other "Made in Japan" brands, were the "El Kabong" guitars of their day. They were imported to the US and other countries by the thousands from the early '60's to the early '70's. There is nothing rare or particularly collectible about them. You can find them buried in closets and garage rafters nearly everywhere. I was recently given one that was found in a basement crawlspace.
I read in another post here that someone was going to put one up here on Ebay starting off at a hundred bucks. The seller stated that you can't pick up a "Cheap Walmart Guitar" for that. Guess what, that's exactly what "Teisco" guitars were in their day, sold in places like Sears & Roebuck, with the "high end" models rarely selling for over $150 brand spanking new. They were low end "starter" guitars no matter how many pickups, switches, sliders, or knobs they had. They were known for microphonic pickups, poor intonation, weak necks, poor fingerboard laminations, and an inate ability to fall out of tune rather easily.
There are some dealers, as well as other fine folks, selling some of these fine examples of early Japanese instrument engineering ranging from $250 upwards of $400 +. Here's the kicker. People are paying it!
So somebody, please anybody, fill me in on whatever it is I must be missing that apparently makes these guitars worth that kind of money. And puhleease don't say Ry Cooder.
I just aquired an Alverez MD350. Solid rosewood back and sides, Solid spruce top, Ebony fret board and bridge, ect, ect. Chinese made. Heres the thing. It has a brighter sound than I generally prefer. I've changed the strings to GHS vintage bronze which really helped but would still like to tone it down a bit. I have recently ordered buffalo horn bridge pins and am going to upgrade the saddle and nut also. Will this help? I like this guitar and the sound is pretty good as is ( the overtones that come out of this box are incredible!)but would just like to mellow it out a bit. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Good day to everyone =) From one musician/music lover to another [and from one business associate to another], I am asking a little favor of all of you... help me help a friend [George Rossi] out by voting for his shih tzu doggies, Huckleberry and Doodle in the cutest dog competition. You can go to their homepage @ http://www.huckanddoo.com/ for more details. Time is running out... we need your vote!! See my blog for more details. THANK YOU in advance =) Have a wonderful day!!!
I am a wannabe guitar player, but I am trying desperately to learn how to play. I got a nice Fender Squier Strat pack a couple of years ago and since then, I have been learning the basic chords (instructional DVD that came with the pack). I am nearing the end of the DVD, so now I am learning barre chords and scales. I now know this is the point of either REALLY learning the guitar or giving up. I honestly never knew it was going to be this hard to learn the guitar. I have been playing for 2 years and I couldn't play a basic song if I had to. A friend advised me to take my guitar in and have it set-up properly with low action, because these barre chords are killing my fingers. I am taking it into the shop tomorrow. I want to know if anybody else struggled like me when they were first learning and what they did to finally break through. I deeply desire to learn to play songs on my guitar. I try to practice everyday, but I really only have 45 minutes on average per day to play. ANY advice will be appreciated!
I'm in the market for a vintage Hollow body electric. Kay, harmony, silvertone. I love the big, raw fat sound of these old guitars and their old pickups. Any suggestions as to what I should specifically look for?? I'm not that knowledgeable yet about electric guitars.
I am considering selling a 1982 El Maya EM1200 in very good condition. In perfect condition bought in 1985, from a non-smoking home. It has very little wear and tear for a guitar of this age and was only ever used in practises. These guitars are now very hard to find and everyone who has ever played one raves about it. What would the value of such a guitar be. Ta X
I have been playing guitar over 30 years and I have tried a wide variety of acoustic guitar pickup systems from the early days of the Martin thinline pickup.
I would like to find out more about what pick up systems acoustic guitar players are using and why they like them.
To date, my favorite pick up (which I have installed in three of my guitars) is the K & K Pure Mini. It's the closest sound I have found to actually miking my guitars from a passive pickup system.
Hey players, I know that this happened quite some time ago, but I am wondering how other musicians feel about this one. The necks on newer Taylors are wider than they were in the 90's. Personally, I don't care for the change. I was consdering the purchase of a new Taylor acoustic-electric, but after playing some have decided to have mine retro-fitted with the Expression System pick-up. Any thoughts?
Nice guitar! American-made, looks, plays, sounds great! I don't want to sell this fine guitar, I am saving it to trade for the car I want. I might also consider a Notchback. If you know someone, send them my way! Thanks Allen.,
I am selling a guide on buying a guitar and understanding the build and styles. its a real good basic rundown of just about everything. Its real good for the novice and someone new with playing and understanding an instrument. I am the author and the publisher is Pineland Green Publishing.