VG mag and prices.....huh?

[Timmo]

I was going thru the new VG mag and I'm stil amazed how well prices have held up in these tough economic times.
I haven't seen one piece that I would say is a "steal".
Anyone else asking What recession?
I've been going back through 2 year old issues and prices haven't come down much IF at ALL!
The one guitar that has lost value is the LP Jr.
I dare you to find a deal on a Fender from the sixties!
Strange indeed. Guitars seem recession proof for the most part.


One of the bigger dealers has a Fender "Jeff Beck Tribute Esquire" 2006 model for $9,500.00.

:thud

[Jazzydave]

I actually read something not long ago saying that more people are turning to music bc its helping them deal with the stress imposed by the economy.

Several guys I know that work at GC have said their sales have been higher than usual for this time of the year. I'm sure that's not the case everywhere but its cool to hear.

[loudboy]

Call the dealers and ask them how many have actually sold...

There will always be a market for the true classics - original Pre-CBS Strats, Teles, 50's Gibsons, but the hyper-inflation of 70's Fenders and others w/a lot of issues is going through a reset, as well it should.

[Timmo]

I remember a dealer telling me years ago that his biz got busier during tough times.
I beginning to believe him now..........

I don't know about '70's stuff.
I'm still seeing Norlin LP's with some pretty high asking prices and I happen to be one that think Norlins get a bad rap but the prices still amaze me. They have certainly held their own.

NEW guitar prices amaze me even more!

:rotflmao

[Bobby D]

prices in VG are "asking prices".....don't know how many pieces are trading hands that high.

only the primo pieces are trading hands for big $$$.

however, the economy is bringing out some NICE stuff from the closets and under the beds....wish i had more $$$ to BUY right now :jo

[TommyMambo]

I should watch my mouth, but anytime an ad says "CALL," I think "NO!"

As for actual sales, I would say that most prices on vintage stuff have dropped on average 20-25% over the past 3 years.

[hellbender]

Just FYI. A friend approached a dealer at a local show with his 61 Tele slab neck. He offered my friend 14K cash. There 61Tele's advertised as high as $35K. A good price seems to be around 28K. But approaching a sale this way is suicide for the seller.

[Bobby D]

Just FYI. A friend approached a dealer at a local show with his 61 Tele slab neck. He offered my friend 14K cash. There 61Tele's advertised as high as $35K. A good price seems to be around 28K. But approaching a sale this way is suicide for the seller.


yeah...between ebay, antiques roadshow, and VG magazine at every borders in the country.......the "uninformed buyers" are few and far between these days.....

[Sub City]

VG Price Guides/Mags are a poor indicator of real world selling prices. They are supported by the dealers; it's in their interest to print higher prices and give the impression of a robust market. Prices at the recent Dallas show were way off, with one nice 1960 Strat actually SELLING for under $20K. 64 ES335s w Bigsby's selling for $8K, not double as indicated in the Price Guide etc.

I just called the local Sam Ash dealer Saturday and they're not buying ANY guitars; only taking in trades. Not a pretty picture for the guitar market!

[Jon C]

what Sub City said ... the prices in VG are "wish list" prices and the VG Guide prices seem similarly to be almost always above the real market that you & I can access. Prices are clearly down right now.

[shuie]

The last time I went through a new issue of VG I was amazed at how few vintage guitars there were in it.

[musicofanatic5]

The last time I went through a new issue of VG I was amazed at how few vintage guitars there were in it.

Why I quit it years ago.

Dealer lists have asking prices, and are not real-world barometer. A deal can generally be made for less. I imagine they are accepting a lot less now than a year or so ago.

[sleepingtiger]

I was at the VG co-sponsored show this Sunday. No deals to be found.Prices still WAY inflated! The only vintage dealer that offers anything like a fair price is Dave's, in MY experience. He'sout to make a living, as most others want to make a killing. The smaller shows are where you can still find SOME deals.

Tony

[Timmo]

ALL interesting posts.
Things seem to be all over the map.
I recently asked about a guitar from an 'online only now dealer' ( used to have a big store ) and made an offer and got my butt chewed out and I wasn't that far off of his price.
:dunno Go figure.
So not sure what the dealers are up to all I know is I'm getting to where I hate dealing with any of them anymore and I probably have done my last deal with them.

As for the VG mag........no kidding. Hardly ANY "vintage" in there anymore.
They need to change the name to The USED Guitar Mag. Nothing wrong with that but "vintage" no longer applies much.

[whitehall]

Remember that although 9% of the country has lost their jobs... 91% are still working.....There doesn't seem to be much of a shortage of rich people at all.