Reality Check

Bridgehouse

Stuckfast said:

Well, there was a T-40 kicking around at the studio for a while, and I thought it was great. But then I only had to play it sitting down.

Go get it! I’ll give you 200 for it

dorisandjess

I appreciate that what constitutes value is somewhat arbitrary and the irrational consumerism is endemic, especially within niche interests. I find speculative practices distasteful but especially so when linked with a means of self expression. A short term profit will inevitably be used to splurge on the next shiny thing and add to the inexorable inflation of the price tag for the next thing I simply must have, leaving me endlessly chasing my own tail. So where does that leave me? Am I predominantly a guitar consumer or guitar player? I am undoubtedly a waffler, but still none the wiser on how to price these bloody pickups.

NelsonP

impmann said:moo

There are plenty of examples of people asking all kinds of crazy money for things... AND THEM NOT SELLING.

Its happening a lot on eBay right now. Some people are advertising stuff for prices that are just ridiculous with no intention of them ever selling - or rather taking the 'long game' approach. To explain:

Person A advertises item for huge sum.

Person B looks to sell their similar thing, looks at price of Person A's item and prices theirs accordingly.

Person C sees the prices of A & B's items and thinks "wow, they've gone up in price" and starts talking about it online.

Person B takes an offer on their item, less than their original asking price but higher than they would have done thanks to Person A.

Person D then looks at sold prices and thinks "Person C is right, the prices are on the rise. I'll cash mine in."

Eventually this model builds until the "huge sum" asked by Person A doesn't look so unreasonable.

This is happening *a lot* with the classic car market, the antique market, the retro market and anything where the value isn't quite as clear cut as selling a six month old item that's common.

Its called speculation and has been happening for decades. Then factor in shill bidding, which still happens on eBay to drive up prices and certain people are taking the piss.

EXAMPLE: - look around on eBay (and Reverb) at Gibson L6S guitars. These have always been (in recent years) an inexpensive route into buying 1970s Gibsons, as they aren't for everyone. For a long time they hovered around the £600-900 mark. Then all of a sudden they rose about three years ago. The prices asked seem to be around the £1200 mark if you research through eBay etc. So perceived wisdom would be that £1200 is "about right". However, there is a black all original one for sale for £795 that the owner just can't find a home for - its been on Facebook for months. 

FWIW, when you peel back the layers and look at genuine sale prices (as @iain.reverb shows - thanks chap) the true picture can be different.

Sounds like a good explanation of what has happened to property prices!

Rocker

How do those online prices for guitars compare to prices from a bricks and mortar shop?

Bridgehouse

Rocker said:

How do those online prices for guitars compare to prices from a bricks and mortar shop?

Are there any left that sell a significant number of used guitars for comparison?

WezV

I love T-40’s and T-60’s.  They are well made, they are almost a great design, they are very versatile.   They consistently weigh as much as a small family car.

they are great as long as they are cheap.  FWIW I remember looking for one 15 years ago and they had all gone up to £400.  Too much then, and too much now

djspecialist

I am planning to change the pickups in my late 70s SG2000. Someone on Facebook contacted me asking to buy the originals. I told him I'm keeping them in case I ever decide to sell the guitar. I can put you in touch if you like, since you're looking to sell.

What did you replace yours with?  I'm looking at a Tubesnake set from our own @TheGuitarWeasel ;

Bridgehouse

WezV said:

I love T-40’s and T-60’s.  They are well made, they are almost a great design, they are very versatile.   They consistently weigh as much as a small family car.

they are great as long as they are cheap.  FWIW I remember looking for one 15 years ago and they had all gone up to £400.  Too much then, and too much now

Yep. Borrowed one as my first gigging bass back in the early 90s. Was great but my shoulder wouldn’t cope these days, no way at all...

Rocker

Bridgehouse said:

Rocker said:

How do those online prices for guitars compare to prices from a bricks and mortar shop?

Are there any left that sell a significant number of used guitars for comparison?

There are a few in Dublin, one in Kilkenny, that I know of. 

dorisandjess

Thanks djspecialist, I would apriciate any help you can offer.
The Paintwork was hazy and the guitar had a few other cosmetic issues, so I bought it as a vessel for a set of Warpigs without the guilt of tampering with a pristine example.