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Just to make it clear, I have no issue with this whatsoever, and usually buy from dealers anyway, but the profit is mainly borne by the seller (to the dealer) not the new buyer.
I didn't do the Strat deal, but it was at least instant cash if I had have needed it, so although the seller 'loses out', it's cash in the bank there and then and saves the pain of private selling if you're averse to it. The other thing is, of course, you get chance to sit down and actually play the thing.
https://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/product/gibson_melody_maker_ebony_with_gibson_gig_bag_2nd_hand_-ygibson78211/
The Epiphone Pro series are decent and go for dirt cheap second hand. Epiphone standards are ok but the necks are a bit thin and the SGs tend to be neck heavy. Did many gigs with my Epi and it never let me down other than the odd broken string. Always got compliments on my tone from guitarists in the audience.
But maybe I'm just a muggle who can't tell the difference. Rather get a high end MIJ than a low end Gibson.
Just to totally muddy the waters I also own a USA built PRS Mira (what would now be called a “core” series rather than the current S2 series) and I actually like my SE Singlecut Soapbar better than I do the Mira - the Mira was my main gigging guitar for about 10 years (in fact all the time I was in working bands, which is up to about 3 months ago, shortly after I got the Tribute purely because it was an utterly dependable, versatile working musicians tool, the SE was always the one I picked up at home to play just for pleasure though.. Then there’s my Gibson Explorer which is very much a “full fat” Gibson with shiny black finish, bound fingerboard, block inlays etc - another great stage guitar (as well as being a quality instrument I defy anyone to strap one of those things on, walk out in front of an audience and not swagger a bit...) but It hasn’t been out of it’s case since I got the Tribute.
Thinking about it we’ve had the SEs rather more than 10 years, they were actually from what must have been the very first batch to show up in Peach Guitars when the SE series was announced - we actually went in to get Youngest Son his first guitar after doing his time on an old Yamaha Pacifica I had around and demonstrating he was going to stick with it. He wanted an Epiphone Les Paul, got the SE because it was clearly head and shoulders better than anything with an Epiphone badge at the time, and I was sufficiently impressed that we walked away with two guitars rather than just one, and that led pretty much directly to my getting the Mira. If anything I think thosecearly guitars were actually and finished to a higher standard than some of the more recent examples I’ve tried.
The feel of it was everything I thought it would be but I did notice that the gold hardware had pitted badly in places.
Again I never properly investigated the actual year cos I wasn't going to buy it and u didn't want to be that time waster.
However it does mean I think I'm gonna have to end up with a Gibson one day.
I've had a few guitars over the years, I've never really had the desire for a Gibson but, I did for PRS and a Tele (only a Fender would do) - so guess what I have .... yep a PRS and Fender Telecaster and I'm as happy as a pig in. I have had LP stye guitars never really got along with them (which is a crying shame as I have always loved the look of them) and I also have an Epi Dot which I feel needs better PUP's.
When I needed a proper acoustic I had no brand desires at all. So I went long to my local guitar shop had a chat played lots of different guitars ended up doubling my budget and bought the one I liked the best. I haven't looked at another acoustic seriously since, mine is my go to guitar. I doubt a day goes by when I don't pick it up and play it.
Saying that the PRS and my Tele are guitars that scratched the itch. I've no doubt I'd still be gassing if I hadn't just gone with what I wanted, although I do know of a lovely looking Tokai Love Rock at a great price which could cure my Les Paul shape desire
As I'm certainly in no rush I think that I'll probably just keep my eye on the second hand market for a while. If something pops up then great. I've seen some with minor dings and scratches that, quite frankly, don't really bother me at the right price. Pure cosmetic damage I can live with. Yesterdays one would have needed replacement bridge parts which put me off at the price they wanted.
The two limiting factors are money (no surprise there) and ability (I don't really need an upgrade yet) so the longer I spend looking the more money and ability I'll have. (In theory)
Ultimately if an instrument makes you happy when you look at it, pick it up, play it, hear somebody else play it, or just think about it, and that inspires you to play (in every sense of the word) that’s far more important than somebody else’s objective analysis of it. For me colour, shape, what your idols play, shiny newness, real or imagined backstory, real or fake aging, and yes, the brand on the headstock (along with the baggage it carries with it) are all perfectly legitimate inputs into the “making happy” process...
It feels way better than any Epiphone SG model I've tried and compared to the equivalent Faded Les Paul (I've only played 2 or 3) it feels better built and has a lot more character to it. My old man raves about my SG too and he's played tonnes of guitars over the years. I'd definitely recommend one.
I wrote a review on here about it. I'll find the link.
http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/70439/2016-gibson-sg-faded-t#latest
1980 Tokai LS-80
https://photos.app.goo.gl/H6LWgq6M8f7MVA6d9
Even if the seller is genuine then I don't really want my first contact with the guitar to be after I've bought it just in case. Add to that shipping Gibson's through the post seems like Russian roulette given the state of the packing some of the second hand pedals I've bought have got to me in!
As I've said before my biggest advantage is that I'm not in any rush so I can just bide my time until the stars align and the right thing pops up.
Also, start to think about what it is that you like the look of (yes I said what you like the look of, playing a guitar starts with your attraction to the instrument). Are you thinking, Sg, Les Paul, firebird or even V/explorer? Which one appeals to your musical taste, who is your guitar hero, what did they play? Once you’ve that out the way you can start narrowing down to pick-up choices or finish appearance (satin, bound top, etc). Then ask on here...one of us will have what you are after and most of us are not robbing bastards and would be happy to help a newer member out with a sensibly priced sale.