'How to'/'experience of' selling top end Classicals on FB. +/- other options?

DavidR

Interestingly another FB contributor is selling their Ramirez 1a on FB just now and would value some input into process since I have a similar value Classical I want to sell. (£6-7K). Do others have experience of selling such instruments on FB? Or indeed any other market options or dealers in current times?

Several dealers like Stafford Guitars and Kent Guitars seem no longer to be dealing since epidemic. Although in the case of Kent Guitars I think he's retired. Took it to London Guitar Studio on Duke St in the Spring but they did not offer a sensible price. Have previously sold electrics and acoustics at Gardiner Houlgate Auctions near Bristol but don't really fancy trekking down there again, nor their sizeable commission. Wouldn't use eBay or Reverb I don't think.

A little bit in the dark about current best options for resale of expensive Luthier Classicals since knowing the marketplace better 12 y ago. They seem more limited.

Thank you      :-)

Supportact

Have you tried Delcamp forum? I haven't tried selling or buying on there but it's for classical specifically so might be worth a go. 

Supportact

Maestoso music in Brighton also buy and sell second hand but might be too far away from you. 

DavidR

Supportact said:

Maestoso music in Brighton also buy and sell second hand but might be too far away from you. 

Not necessarily. Saffron Walden. Thanks. Will take a look.

Gilly

I think your best bet is to list it on here and see if you get any interest. Also, list it on the delcamp classical guitar forum - there’s likely to be more potential buyers there.

If you don’t want to use a dealer/auction or eBay/Reverb then you’re definitely limiting your market so you might have to wait longer to find a buyer.

TDubs

There’s also the Acoustic Guitar Forum although U.S centric, there is an ‘outside U.as’ classifieds section that isn’t hugely prolific in terms of listings but there are a lot of outside U.S users on there. 

Patience is the key when selling acoustics, especially nylon string versions. There will be the right buyer out there somewhere who knows the value of them.

Zoonyboy

I've had great experience with selling (and buying) right here, but not with Classical or Flamenco. In fact, nylon strings generally. I eventually sold my 63 Ramirez through an offer on ebay. It went well. I think the market for these things is a personal one, and people want to try it out and bond with it. I had to sell mine on the basis that it was as seen in the photos, and no returns due to personal taste or vibe. In the classifieds here, the good folks take your word for it if you know what you are talking about, OK if you're selling a LP or Tele, but, ultimately, I don't think its an issue with the fretboard, most guitar shops country wide couldn't sell an expensive Ramirez in a year. Try some EU shops like Sicass Guitars or Vintage Guitar World. All good guys.

Warblington

As others have stated, Delcamp forum has a worldwide reach. I have sold four classical guitars through the site, one went to Belgium one to the States and two in the UK..

pjf

TDubs said:

There’s also the Acoustic Guitar Forum although U.S centric, there is an ‘outside U.as’ classifieds section that isn’t hugely prolific in terms of listings but there are a lot of outside U.S users on there. 

Patience is the key when selling acoustics, especially nylon string versions. There will be the right buyer out there somewhere who knows the value of them.

I created that “Rest of World” sub-forum, nice to see people know about it!  

DavidR

Thanks all. Will research Maestoso Music in Brighton and Delcamp forum.

DavidR

Just to finish up on this. Have just been down to Brighton and dealt with Paul Gregory from Maestoso Music. He works from his home, as most classical dealers do, on Buxton Rd in Brighton. He was extremely pleasant and knowledgeable and did me a good deal on my 2007 Antonio Marin Montero. I would very much recommend him. He is himself a very skilful player, managed with ease to get lovely sounds out of the Marin (which I never seemed able to!) and has a real love of the instrument.

We had a jolly 3 days down in Brighton at the Seaspray Hotel (also recommended). Brighton Pavilion certainly an experience. Fascinating visit but the only building I have ever been round which gave me a migraine! 

Anyway, for anyone selling top-end classicals atm Paul is a definite option, especially with other dealers like Stafford Guitars and Kent Guitars having ceased trading. He seemed entirely trustworthy and plausible.

Supportact

Good to hear you got it sorted @DavidR. Sounds like a nice outing as well! 

I've not sold anything through them but i did buy a classical from Maestoso a while back. I also found the owner very helpful. I was buying remotely though as there aren't any classical guitar shops close to me. 

We could do with more classical guitar shops really but i suppose it's a bit niche/specialist compared to other stuff. 

Gilly

It’s a niche market but Miles from Kent Guitar Classics seemed to be very successful - selling to the likes of Julian Bream etc. There’s definitely a gap in the U.K. market now. Surprised no one has stepped in to fill it yet.

DavidR

Yes, I agree @Supportact ;;. It is too niche a market for most dealers to support a business model which would tolerate the overheads involved in running a shop and employing staff for example. There are examples of dealers, like The London Guitar Studio, who do that, but you have to wonder whether their increased costs might be responsible for worse deals for sellers and more expensive prices for customers. I don't know really. Paul Gregory did offer to sell my guitar on commission which he suggested a) would take longer but b) might result in a higher sale price. But I was happier just selling him the instrument to move on.