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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

2045.0. "decision time..." by LNGBCH::STEWART (Instant gratification takes 2 long!) Wed Nov 28 1990 16:16

       
       
       
       OK, here's the situation: I've got two guitars I really like but
       I've got to unload one to pay some bills.  Since I like them both
       and they both play great, the decision kind of boils down to
       which axe is the better long term investment.  Should I hang on
       to the '78 Gibson Les Paul Custom (burgundy) with minor use
       blemishes, or keep the small body Steinburger with Trans-trem
       which is in collectible condition?
       
       
       
       
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2045.1DesperatoMILKWY::JACQUESVintage taste, reissue budgetWed Nov 28 1990 16:2912
    I'd hang on to the Les Paul, and sell the Steinberger. Of course, this
    is based strictly on my personal opinion and preferance.
    
    I doubt the Steinberger will ever be "collectable". Then again, a 
    '78 LP is not a real collectors item either. I believe that the
    LP is still the better investment in the long run. 
    
    Isn't there any way to avoid selling one of your babies ?? Pick up
    some overtime, pump some gas, play a few gigs, do what you gotta
    do, but don't sell a guitar if you can avoid it. 
    
    Mark
2045.2PELKEY::PELKEYLife, a state of cluster transitionWed Nov 28 1990 16:3113
I agree with Mark..

If you must sell, I'd keep the 'Paul in the terms of long term investment,
I'd say that'd be the one to win out.

I've got a bunhc of guitars, (five, but who's counting..)

When times get tough, asd they often do, selling a guitar is not even
on the list of things to consider.

Once it's gone, it's hard to replace.

Different strokes for Different folks I guess..
2045.3dump the paulICS::BUCKLEYand he shall reign for ever and everWed Nov 28 1990 16:498
    I strongly disagree with -1 and -2
    
    Basically, the paul will cost you a LOT of money in repair sometime in
    the future!  Send mail if you wanna know why (not really postable
    material). 
    
    Keep the Steinberger for sure, I don't foresee this same problem
    happening as with the LP.
2045.4But I've been there...GSRC::COOPERMIDI Rack PukeWed Nov 28 1990 17:109
    I agree with Buck, and disagree with .1 and .2...
    
    See, the Stein IS collectable RIGHT NOW.  Those Trans-trems are very
    rare, and VERY cool.  I've heard rumors and rumblings about there being
    less than 4000 trans-trems made.  Dump the Gibson.  Everybody has a 
    Gibson and when you get back on our feet financially, you can just 
    run out and buy another.  '78 isn't a very collectable guit, IMHO.
    
    jc (Who thinks selling a guitar is like selling your kids)
2045.5PELKEY::PELKEYLife, a state of cluster transitionWed Nov 28 1990 17:4211
I guess it's possible that some have experienced design flaws, but I never did
with my Gibsons..

And to go and "run out and buy another one" at todays prices is pretty
expensive.

I'd guess that 78 Paul was somewhere around upper 4 to mid 5 hundred..

They're double that today.

Personally I've never been a fan of the 'Stein's' at all anyway.
2045.6Trade-offsGOES11::G_HOUSENot a problemWed Nov 28 1990 17:5215
    What you may find is that the Steinberger, although an excellent
    guitar, has limited market because of the shape/style.  A lot of people
    want a traditional looking and feeling guitar and the Steinberger isn't
    it.  This translates into reduced value and a more difficult time
    selling it.  This must be a consideration if you're trying to raise
    money quickly.
    
    I say that the value on the Paul will remain fairly consistant and
    probably go up over time, even though that particular year is not
    terribly collectable right now.  In '75, who would have thought that
    LPs from the late 60s would be collectable items?
    
    Greg (who'd personally rather work the counter at 7-11 in the evenings
    then sell off his guitars to pay bills)
                  
2045.7Find a buyerMILKWY::JACQUESVintage taste, reissue budgetWed Nov 28 1990 18:548
    Depending on how anxious you are to raise money, you could advertise
    both and see which one sells first, then keep the remaining one.
    
    I would lay money that the LP would sell faster.
    BTW, how much you asking for it ??
    
    Mark
    
2045.8news you can useRICKS::CALCAGNIhit that long lunar note, and let it floatWed Nov 28 1990 19:3510
    info from a recent visit to a Boston area "vintage" shop -
    
    70's LPs are hot sellers right now; this place usually
    has several, but I saw none on my last visit.  The owners
    say they are very much in demand at the moment.  The hefty
    price tags on new LPs may have something to do with it.
    
    My guess; even a 70's LP (and especially a Custom) will hold
    and probably increase it's value long after Steinbergers have
    all been melted into pocket combs :-)
2045.9GSRC::COOPERMIDI Rack PukeWed Nov 28 1990 19:5910
    RE: .7
    
    Your killin' me Mark.  "How much do ya want for it ??"
    Wagagagagagagaaa...
    
    I like the idea of putting both on the block to see who sells
    first.  That alleviates the stress of making the decision yourself.
    Let us know who sells first (the bets are in ;).
    
    jc
2045.10maybe I'll sell the ex's kids...LNGBCH::STEWARTInstant gratification takes 2 long!Wed Nov 28 1990 21:3213
       Well, you all kind of echoed my inner conflict.  I don't want to
       sell either guitar, I think the Les Paul is the superior
       instrument and I'm impressed by how much it's appreciated
       already, but the Steinburger is going to be one of those "cult"
       weapons strongly appreciated by a select group.

       By the way, Steinberger accidentally shipped me a complete
       Trans-trem unit when I ordered a new tremolo arm.  So if you
       really want that kind of action, it can be bought.  Before
       somebody offers to buy it, I sent the extra Trans-trem back
       because the C.O.D. amount was like $550 - I knew it wasn't my
       tremolo arm.
       
2045.11GSRC::COOPERMIDI Rack PukeWed Nov 28 1990 21:494
    Those trans-trems are MAJOR bucks, but it allows two octaves of
    precision (and instant) tuning.  Thats why they are VERY collectable.
    
    jc
2045.12CSC32::H_SOHyundai insider: I drive a ChevyWed Nov 28 1990 23:146
    
    How much for the Stein??????
    
    Drooling minds wanna know!!!
    
    J.
2045.13Think I'll sell some computers, insteadLNGBCH::STEWARTInstant gratification takes 2 long!Thu Nov 29 1990 14:3912
    
>    How much for the Stein??????
    
>    Drooling minds wanna know!!!
    
	When you can find them, the asking price is around a grand here
	in L.A.  I bought mine from the For Sale note right here in this
	very notes conference.  But I decided not to sell it, or the LP.
	You guys are right, the more I thought about giving either one
	up, the sicker I got.

2045.14CSC32::H_SOHyundai insider: I drive a ChevyFri Nov 30 1990 01:2010
    
    Keeping the Stein?
    
    Bad move dude. *sniff*  I heard they're going down hill real fast!!!
    
    I had to try *something*!!!
    
    WAAAAAAH!!!!!  
    
    J.
2045.15Good Move....DNEAST::GREVE_STEVEGreee Veee KingFri Nov 30 1990 23:0016
    
    
    
    
    	Hahahahahaha Jay dot, you dog, I had your earlier advice pegged as
    some real sincere stuff... trying to weasel a dude out of his Stein.. 
    I like the idea of keeping both... here's why (but I still liked the
    way J. tried to snatch the headless one... [;^)
    
    
    	A. when ever I agonize too much over a choice between to items, I
    	   always, every time wind up regretting my action later!
    
    	B. Looks like yer taking a lesson from my economics book!  Price
     	   em' both high as hell (unmotivated selling) and wait for an
    	   offer that.. ummmmmm... warms ya..
2045.16CSC32::H_SOHyundai insider: I drive a ChevySat Dec 01 1990 02:3214
    
    RE: -.1
    
    ;^)
    
    [Sincerely this time]
    
    I think I'd rather part with my left n*t then one of my prized
    guitars...  Therefor, I think keeping both guitars is a good move.
    Sounds like a hellova combination.  Paul and Stein.  Wish my guitars
    were as nice...
    
    J.