Gibson Custom '63 ES 335 with Varitone - value?

Hattigol

A friend of mine is thinking of selling this guitar. It's a mint Gibson Custom '63 ES-335 with Varitone. Exactly as this one:

Thoughts on value welcomed in these tough trading times...

https://reverb.com/item/29894189-unplayed-gibson-memphis-custom-63-es-335-1963-block-varitone-bigsby-limited-edition-cherry-red?utm_source=android-app&utm_medium=android-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=29894189-unplayed-gibson-memphis-custom-63-es-335-1963-block-varitone-bigsby-limited-edition-cherry-red

guitars4you

Funny how that same guitar is  nearly £600 cheaper here

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283684111006

Hattigol

Strange indeed. Same store.

guitars4you

https://www.peachguitars.com/guitars/electric-guitars/gibson-memphis-limited-edition-2018-63-es-335-bigsby-sixties-cherry.htm

Only £3499

Hattigol

Long since out of stock though...

guitars4you

and a recent example on FB - https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/152206/no-longer-available-gibson-memphis-limited-edition-2018-63-es-335 was at  £2650 which IMO is far more realistic a price

guitars4you

Hattigol said:

Long since out of stock though...

what has that got to do with it 

Hattigol

guitars4you said:

Hattigol said:

Long since out of stock though...

what has that got to do with it 

Bit feisty this morning, Mark?!

guitars4you

Hattigol said:

guitars4you said:

Hattigol said:

Long since out of stock though...

what has that got to do with it 

Bit feisty this morning, Mark?!

Wasn't typed as a fiesty comment, so only received that way, in which case sorry for any misunderstanding - But I still just wanted to know what 'out of stock' had to do with it - The web link from a major Gibson dealer tells me what I need to know - Was brand new £4699 and they had to reduce it to £3499 to sell it - If it was £3499 brand new then IMO a used example has a value around £2650 ish - I could understand some dealers trying to ask £3000 for a clean but used example based on its 'rarity'

To many potential 335 buyers then the varitone is the reason not to buy it - The Bigsby is a matter of taste

My gut feeling is that you think it is worth far more

The issue with asking more is that you'll generally have to play the long game

Hattigol

Thanks Mark. 

I don't have a gut feeling on it at all. It's not my guitar - it was but I traded it and he now wants to sell, so I thought I'd try and ascertain a value on it for him.

Hope you're well and thanks for the input.

dannyboy82

Did 335’s ever come with varitone?

guitars4you

Hattigol said:

Thanks Mark. 

I don't have a gut feeling on it at all. It's not my guitar - it was but I traded it and he now wants to sell, so I thought I'd try and ascertain a value on it for him.

Hope you're well and thanks for the input.

In many ways the price that you sold it for, as a used guitar, would still reflect today's value as it can't be to long ago when you sold it - As for selling during the coronavirus era then who knows - Those that are short of funds might need to be looking at a lower price - Those that can afford to play the long game and hang on to their thought pattern and price, will do so

bgmartinsbridge

Asking for a friend, honest :-) 

Fishboy7

Must be one of my old 335s - I paid £3,000 for it new from GuitarGuitar if that helps.  

Lovely guitar, but the Bigsby always felt a bit like a Victorian Bicycle saddle to me.     

Mind you that was when they were selling off a lot of reissue 335s (58, 61 and 63s) for £2,500.  They do seem a bit scarcer these days (maybe since the Memphis workshop was closed) so prices might be a little higher now.

Fifty9

I would said v lucky to get £2,5k in the current, deeply uncertain market. Massively buyers market right now if someone isn’t prepared to wait it out to sell.

Hattigol

bgmartinsbridge said:

Asking for a friend, honest :-) 

You know full well I no longer have this, Brad! 

guitars4you

dannyboy82 said:

Did 335’s ever come with varitone?

The obvious answer is no - And chances are they have never documented one in a catalogue - But one off items are not unusual for Gibson Guitars from this era - Either a custom order for a player/endorse/artist or indeed a custom order, by a dealer on behalf of a customer are not unknown 

jimmyguitar

dannyboy82 said:

Did 335’s ever come with varitone?

Yes, custom ordered as @guitars4you says. Bb King had one which is used on ‘live at the regal’ 

breezytele

Well , I can’t help OP with his question,
but I have experience of buying from that store (Lovies) and was 100% pleased

bullet proof packaging. 

I was also able to negotiate a deal, by phoning the shop direct, and paying by bank transfer

guitars4you

jimmyguitar said:

dannyboy82 said:

Did 335’s ever come with varitone?

Yes, custom ordered as @guitars4you says. Bb King had one which is used on ‘live at the regal’ 

good call and I forgot about that

I'm sure you meant BB King and not B flat King ?

jimmyguitar

I'm sure you meant BB King and not B flat King ?

  lol yes!