PRS Value question

[jcj]

Hi there,

I know there are lots of PRS fans here, and was hoping someone could help me out. Any idea what a really nice 94-95 PRS CE 24 with a KILLER top should sell for?

Very good shape, stock, original case etc...Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Darth Tater]

Does it have an actual 10 top, and bird inlays?

[A-Bone]

Hi there,

I know there are lots of PRS fans here, and was hoping someone could help me out. Any idea what a really nice 94-95 PRS CE 24 with a KILLER top should sell for?

Very good shape, stock, original case etc...Any help is greatly appreciated!

The basic CE24 models from that time period in excellent condition typically sell for between $1300 and $1500. If the model is actually a "10 top", which should be on the back of the headstock, then this could add more dollar to the price, and should definitely push it towards the high end of the range listed.

[jcj]

Thank you. Much appreciated!

[Shine]

The basic CE24 models from that time period in excellent condition typically sell for between $1300 and $1500. If the model is actually a "10 top", which should be on the back of the headstock, then this could add more dollar to the price, and should definitely push it towards the high end of the range listed.


More like $1100 to $1300 in mint condition.

[A-Bone]

More like $1100 to $1300 in mint condition.

Perhaps, except that my price figures were pulled directly from the 2008 Vintage Guitar Price Guide, which is based on actual sales by vintage stores and conventional retailers reported prices for the priced items; naturally, this does not take into account the arguably softer economic marketplace that exists currently. I'm not suggesting that the OP will always get the guide price, but I would offer that this price range is more grounded in reality than one that is merely manufactured from whole cloth or "gut feeling."

You speak with a good deal of authority. What's your source?

[Darth Tater]

If it has birds, would that raise the value quite a bit since you can't get birds on a CE anymore?

[shally]

Perhaps, except that my price figures were pulled directly from the 2008 Vintage Guitar Price Guide, which is based on actual sales by vintage stores and conventional retailers reported prices for the priced items; naturally, this does not take into account the arguably softer economic marketplace that exists currently. I'm not suggesting that the OP will always get the guide price, but I would offer that this price range is more grounded in reality than one that is merely manufactured from whole cloth or "gut feeling."

You speak with a good deal of authority. What's your source?

i think if you spend a lot of time trolling on e bay (as i do) , you can find them in the lower price range for certain..

but that ads a whole different set of variables and risks. you cannot play it and you can barely see it many times and you are dependent upon the veracity of the seller.. and the seller's own personal insanity issues, some times.

dont forget, all the vintage stores have an overhead issue, plus they need to sell at a profit- sometimes a whole lot larger.. and they have the inherent desire to see the "vintage" market rise as whole.. if you are buying from a seller who simply needs to cut his losses and move on, you can often have a win/win situation for both parties.

the guide is just that, a guide.. but a lot of pawn shop owners have it under the counter-- right next to that sawed off.....

:stir

[shally]

I used to work in a vintage shop that participated in that VG price guide survey. I take it with a grain of salt. You could tell them any price you wanted (not that we did), and they really had no way of verifying that.

There have been several CE24's in the Emporium lately in the $1200 range that sat for a long time. Stores around here are lucky to $1000 for one.

THAT'S what i am talking about...

i think you have a truer read on the market

[Shine]

But A-Bone has a blue book guide. We can't argue with that.

[XKnight]

Check Ebays completed listings. Probably the best real world determination of value of any given product at any given time. If there have been recent multiple sales of the same or similar items then you just average the price and you'll definitely be in the ballbark.

[cmatthes]

I have been heavily into the vintage and used market since the mid-80s. I have NEVER found the VG Price Guide to be the be-all, end-all. In my opinion, it is not worth the price of the paper it is printed on, and several well-known dealers I have discussed this with agree 100%.

[franksguitar]

I have a 20 anniversary CE24 and originally paid just under 2K new in 2005 but I have an antique bookmatched yellow tiger striped maple top on mahogany with a birdseye maple neck and natural headstock with a rosewood fingerboard and mine at 98% mint would be worth $1600 and has a personally signed back plate to me by Paul Reed Smith which may add a bit and of course not for sale.. I've seen regular CE24's on ebay used for around $1200. I have the blue books as well and $1100 -$1300 is correct on blue book.