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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

2677.0. "What should we sell it for?" by TIS::GRUHN () Wed Feb 03 1993 14:01


    What is a guitar worth?  About 20 years ago my wife decided to try to
    learn the guitar.  Her goal was classical with an intermediate of 60's
    style folk.  She bought a very nice ARIA, nylon strung instrument with
    a gorgeous rosewood back.  This instrument really sounds nice, but she
    never really learned to play it and now it just sits.  The other day
    someone of her circle of friends mentioned that she was looking for a
    guitar and it looks like this one might fill the bill.  Way back when
    we paid about $75 for it, and today it is in virtually mint condition.
    
    So the question is what should a very nice instrument of this calibre
    sell for on the used market?  Also, do guitars of reasonably good
    quality tend to have any chronic problems that we should be aware of
    in offering it up for sale?  Do they tend to come unglued, etc.  There
    are no visible or audible splits or cracks in the soundboard/top.  The
    top looks like quartersawn spruce, nice tight parallel grain lines.
    
    Any help in setting a price would be appreciated.  I would think that
    in the intervening years the cost of an equivalent instrument new 
    would be substantialy greater than what we paid for it. 
    
    Thanks,
    
    Bill     NRO-5   DTN 234-4653    TIS::Gruhn
    
                                                            
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2677.1ZYDECO::MCABEEDancing about architectureWed Feb 03 1993 15:0311
Bill,

It's value will depend a lot on how much solid wood (vs plywood) is in it.
I remember that some of the inexpensive Arias from that time still had solid 
tops and sometimes solid back and sides.  If it sounds good and plays good
it might be worth around $200, but I really couldn't say without examining it.

If you can show it to someone who knows the student classical guitar market
you'll get a better idea of the value.  

Bob
2677.2A few thoughtsLUNER::KELLYJGenuine '59 Coupe DeVilleWed Feb 03 1993 16:3014
    Bill,
    
    You could also take a peek in the WantAdvertiser to see if you could
    spot a similar instrument and price it that way.
    
    A fellow noter could play it and give it the once over to make sure
    it's in good condition...any noters down in the NRO area willing to
    sign up?
    
    If you take it to a music store, they will give you a price on the low
    end and probably try to get you to trade it in for something else.
    
    Jeez, I don't suppose Danny W. speaks 'Aria' with the same fluency as
    'Gibson'? =8^)
2677.3beats meRANGER::WEBERWed Feb 03 1993 18:539
    Considering the basenoter's name, he shouldn't have to ask this
    question.
    
    From Weber's viewpoint, a guitar like this is worthless. That's not
    intended as an insult--it's just that it's cheap enough to be below my
    threshhold of perception. A bridge for a Johnny Smith is more valuable,
    so that might put it in perspective.
    
    Danny W.  (being just slightly facetious
2677.4Thanks so far.TIS::GRUHNThu Feb 04 1993 12:2619
    Re the basenoter's name:  I really would like to know if the Gruhn
    guitar man is related.  There are very few of us in this country and
    I'm only aware of two possible family branches.  Worthless!!!!!!
    I agree if you set your baseline.  If you are a professional musician
    or an advanced amateur, sure, it's worthless.  If you are a casual
    player that want's something that has strings not too high above the
    finger board, plays easily, has decent (subjective) tone, and good
    looks to boot,  then this guitar is head and shoulders above 99% of 
    the stuff that I have seen in volume music stores and shops like
    Lechemere.  As such, it should have some value for the right buyer.
    I'm not trying to set a value on an absolute scale with Highly Respec-
    ted names as the measure.  To me  Powell or Haynes or Rudall Carte
    are flutes to conjure with.  To me a Cundy-Bettoney or Conn or most
    Gemeinhardts are worthless.  To someone else, that is a rather
    different matter.
    
    Thanks for your inputs so far.
    
    Bill
2677.5Okay, not exactly worthlessRANGER::WEBERThu Feb 04 1993 16:585
    While I was just jerking you around a little, the fact is that a guitar
    of the type you're talking about is probably not going to fetch more
    than $125 to $150.
    
    Danny W.
2677.6Will try it at $150 to startTIS::GRUHNThu Feb 04 1993 18:147
    Thanks,  That is exactly the sort of info we were looking for.  We
    don't want to cheat either ourselves or the buyer.  We have no
    delusions whatever that this is a great instrument.  We also know
    that your or my local music shop won't be a big help to us in setting
    a price.
    
    Bill
2677.7Dem's fightin' words!ISLNDS::MASHIATo you I say hello forever.Mon Feb 08 1993 14:3112
    
    
Re .4
    
    >    are flutes to conjure with.  To me a Cundy-Bettoney or Conn or most
    >    Gemeinhardts are worthless.  To someone else, that is a rather
    >    different matter.
    
 
    Hey! Watch it. Bud!  :-)
    
    Rodney, Gemeinhardt flute owner/player
2677.8More on flutesTIS::GRUHNWed Feb 10 1993 18:4822
    You hit it on the nose!  That was exactly the point I was making.  For
    you the item in question has high value.  For someone else it may be
    higher or lower.  I have played on some Gemeinhardt flutes that were 
    very nice.  I have played on others of that brand (nice new ones in 
    proper adjustment) that have made given passages or dynamics or tone
    color very difficult to achieve, yet on a different instrument they
    were very easy to achieve.  The flute seemed to just be alive with
    sound and drove the player to accomplish more.  The first time I 
    experienced this was when I had the opportunity to play a Powell.  Just
    couldn't believe what was comming out of it.  One that really surprised
    me was an American flute made be an outfit called Emerson.  I hate to
    admit it but there are a couple of outstanding Japanese flutes.  The
    Powell folks were recommending Prima Sankyo instruments to potential
    customers of their's who could not afford the 3 year wait or the very
    high price.  The Sankyo turned out to be a real winner.  
    
    Hey, it isn't the brand name that counts, it's what you can do with it
    that matters.
    
    Bill