$2k for a used Grosh Retro Classic

[mike@nortoncable.com]

Rosewood/maple neck, sunburst, tort pickguard, stock, mint. $2k asking.

think its too much $$$ola?

[iamdavea]

For that money, it had better be absolutely mint, and have the EXACT specs you would order for yourself. Even then, I would not pay more than $1,750. I bought a mint Grosh about a year ago that is the greatest guitar I own; paid just under $1,600 for it. THAT was a good deal. But, as always, if you know in your heart it's going to be a keeper, then..................sorry, $2,000 is still too much.

[Rex Anderson]

If it has Brazilian Rosewood, that is a $400 option.

Look at the Grosh website and their current price list to see options prices.

Does the seller have the build sheet?

Little things add up.

They are mighty fine guitars.

[mudster]

Retro classics from about 2008 on are amazing guitars. If the guitar has upgraded options like Brazilian or Birdseye Maple etc., then they are worth more as those options were very expensive.
A guitar that is well over 3K new should be worth 2k used if the condition is still VG+.
Lots or poorer made guitars are posted on the for sale board that have had 3 owners and are still valued above 2/3 of original sale price (see Gibson, Fender) and some other excellent guitars (LsL) are selling for about the same amount off. Grosh shouldn't be any different.
The real question is how much you like the guitar. If it is a good guitar you enjoy playing and meets your personal needs, then it is worth it (you'd never get a new one for that).

Disclosure: I am selling a Grosh Retro Classic and it is worth every bit of 2k and then some.

[iamdavea]

There's lots of variables around this issue, though. The Grosh, that I mentioned in my first post, I would not sell if someone offered me $2,000 for it. That's a "lifetime" instrument. HOWEVER, if I were to offer it right now on Ebay, I would not expect to receive a bid above, say, $1,575. That's just where the market is for Grosh guitars. There's a perfectly fine Grosh on Ebay right now, with a starting price of $1,450. The guy has had to list this guitar about 7 consecutive times now--no one wants it, and people are probably tired of looking at it. Again, if a guitar has your name on it, buy it and don't look back. Just don't feel crappy if the honeymoon wears off and you sell it for a $500 loss.

[iamdavea]

I would also add that Grosh guitars have been "amazing" for many years prior to 2008--I'm not sure where the magical 2008 perception comes from.

[1radicalron]

In a few more years Used Grosh Guitars are going to be worth $3k and up, Get all you can now while they are still cheap!

[bearbike137]

A few months back, I bought an ash Retro Classic with a birdseye maple neck, fralin pups,excellent + condition for $1600. Here she is:

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa238/SteveKlim/IMG_4475.jpg

[mojocaster.com]

That seems high to me, but I've been away from the used market for several months. As for used Groshes being worth $3K and up in a few years, there's frankly no way to predict that.

[stratpaulguy86]

For $2K I'd play a few dozen CS Strats of various vintages and buy the pick of the litter. I found an unbelievable '60RI Closet Classic for $1600 that killed nearly every Strat I've played up to that point. If you ever needed to resell I would bet that a real Fender guitar would retain it's value better and be easier to sell.

[loudboy]

I sold a VGC Retro Classic this summer w/a Braz Board, 2-tone burst, Med/Large neck for $1400. Went fast, but absolutely no bites at $1600, a few months earlier.

They seem to be in the $1300-1400 range, which is a heck of a lot of guitar for the $.

[stout-hearted]

I'm sold and hooked on Grosh guitars. The most I've paid for a used RC Custom was $1550 shipped & Paypal'd. I went that high because it had stainless frets.

The very first one I bought in 2006 was mint with a matching headstock and that was a $1350 purchase.

Now I'd really love a sunburst and if it were "dead mint" I'd do $1600 - $1700. But that's me, because I love sunburst finishes and no one does them better than Don.

[pickaguitar]

Everything is too much these days lol

[robbinsteele]

love groshes,have a couple,but the market,, as others have said is around the $1500 mark.that said if you like the guitar enough and can't find another like it-well you know

[mike@nortoncable.com]

specs from grosh.

- Alder body
- 59 burst finish - nitro lacquer
- maple/Brazilian rosewood neck (Brazilian fingerboard is a $400 upcharge)
- large roundback neck shape with oil finish
- 1 5/8" nut
- 6100 jumbo frets
- tortoise guard
- Fralin vintage hot neck and middle, fralin steel pole 43 in the bridge
- vol, tone, blend control
- 1088 tremolo

[jiml]

specs from grosh.

- Alder body
- 59 burst finish - nitro lacquer
- maple/Brazilian rosewood neck (Brazilian fingerboard is a $400 upcharge)
- large roundback neck shape with oil finish
- 1 5/8" nut
- 6100 jumbo frets
- tortoise guard
- Fralin vintage hot neck and middle, fralin steel pole 43 in the bridge
- vol, tone, blend control
- 1088 tremolo

Like those specs, but not for $2K!

[mike@nortoncable.com]

I'm gonna offer them $1800-1700 for it..

[tonegangster]

Recently bought an '06 Retro Classic with a Brazilian board for $1,500 and it is the best strat I have ever put my hands on!! Nobody does frets and shoulders like Don

[iamdavea]

The Large neck profile is the same one that's on my favorite Grosh that I spoke of previously. That is a GREAT neck shape. If those Grosh specs included a 1 &11/16ths nut width, I'd be all over it, too.

[iamdavea]

Recently bought an '06 Retro Classic with a Brazilian board for $1,500 and it is the best strat I have ever put my hands on!! Nobody does frets and shoulders like Don

My respect for Don Grosh is boundless. I don't think anyone does a better playing, better built, better sounding Strat type. On the used market, they are, by far, the best bang-for-the-buck deal out there.

[Crash-VR]

I'd say that $1800 would be a good price for that guitar, if it's really what you want. Because of the fact that Grosh's go for anywhere between $1200 and $1800 used and are some of the most consistent guitars made, I think they are also one of the best values on the used market. The Braz board is definitely worth a couple hundred more.

I personally play a 15th Anniversary RC-S and it's the greatest guitar I've ever played. I payed a little too much for it as I bought it new, but it has specs that were only available on the Anniversary models. It's essentially a "Private Stock" Retro Classic. The fact that I bought it new helps me fight the temporary insanity that comes from GAS attacks, because I refuse to sell it at the huge loss I would suffer on the used market. I also know It's absolutely irreplaceable, and the most toneful resonant guitar I've ever experienced.

I know that Mudster bought his RC from Mass St. Music. I've spoken to them on the phone in the past where they said that the guitars coming out of Don's shop since early '08 are just more resonant. The person I spoke to said that he thought it was due to a new wood source that Don was using. I'm sure that's where Mudster got the idea of '08. From other post's of his, it seams that he has played many Grosh's at Mass St. over the years, so maybe there's somthing to that. I do know that my RC vibrates like a tuning fork compared to an earlier Electrajet that I had. I always thought that it was due to being made from Don's private stash of woods, maybe it has something to do with the magic '08... Who knows...

[artguy47]

For $2K I'd play a few dozen CS Strats of various vintages and buy the pick of the litter. I found an unbelievable '60RI Closet Classic for $1600 that killed nearly every Strat I've played up to that point. If you ever needed to resell I would bet that a real Fender guitar would retain it's value better and be easier to sell.


True, the NAME brands (Fender, Gibson) always have a market, while the (IMPO) superior Grosh RC isn't as well known, so fewer are looking for them. (BTW:Have an excellent '91 LE #13/15, CS strat, that I'm keeping, as a very well bought investment, 'cause I don't need to sell. But I'm ordering a Grosh RC next year, unless I find that exact spec used. That is, as soon as I recover from this fall's case of GAS... ;))

As been mentioned before, depending on materials (birdseye, Brazilian, etc) it could be worth the $2k, from a financial standpoint.

However, if it is the guitar that makes you happiest, then it is money well spent.

[artguy47]

BTW: Guitarhak, That is an insane deal! CONGRATS! I'll keep looking for another ash/brazilian RC with similar savings.

[bearbike137]

BTW: Guitarhak, That is an insane deal! CONGRATS! I'll keep looking for another ash/brazilian RC with similar savings.

I agree. It was for sale here on TGP and the price kept dropping to where I couldn't resist anymore - particularly for a birdseye maple neck. I figured I could safely flip it if I didn't like the way it sounded - but, ahem, I still own it...

[mike@nortoncable.com]

its a 2003 grosh, just obtain that tidbit.

hopefully ngd will occur soon :)

[Jim S]

In a few more years Used Grosh Guitars are going to be worth $3k and up, Get all you can now while they are still cheap!
:bong

[trwigg]

I own #1306, tie-dyed RC and wouldn't take 2K for mine; however, in these times I think you would be able to find a very good used one for 1500-1600. They come up in the Emporium fairly often.

[edgie]

I've been searching threads on why used Grosh(and Andersons) are taking such a bad hit on resale but couldn't find any thread or post on it. I've read a lot of good things about them specially the fret work and overall feel to those who love vintage tones. I know that the economy has been bad since late 2007 but being part of the "big 4" of the boutique guitar builders, I was expecting they will hold at least 70% of their new price like Tyler and standard/custom Suhrs.

Reading the posts before this, it's hard to believe that a guitar below 2k would have brazilian rosewood, top-notch wood and parts, impeccable craftsmanship, and all other things that make it look like we're talking about a 6k guitar. So can anyone enlighten me on this?

[Crash-VR]

I've been searching threads on why used Grosh(and Andersons) are taking such a bad hit on resale but couldn't find any thread or post on it. I've read a lot of good things about them specially the fret work and overall feel to those who love vintage tones. I know that the economy has been bad since late 2007 but being part of the "big 4" of the boutique guitar builders, I was expecting they will hold at least 70% of their new price like Tyler and standard/custom Suhrs.

Reading the posts before this, it's hard to believe that a guitar below 2k would have brazilian rosewood, top-notch wood and parts, impeccable craftsmanship, and all other things that make it look like we're talking about a 6k guitar. So can anyone enlighten me on this?

Well it's certainly a market thing not a quality thing. A your average custom model is $2700 and that means to your desired specs. So really it's not much more than your average 30% hit on the used market. The ones that go for $1400 are definitely the much older ones.

It could be attributed to the fact that there is a lot of competition at that price range... I know for me, if I just saw one sell for $1600, I don't want to spend more than that in order to feel like I still got a good deal.

[kirkham13]

I would love to get my hands on one. I think used from a store they will be higher-as they need to make something... an individual on the other hand typically comes down if you wait- an 03 should come down significantly imop due to the fact that new used are selling for 30% off retail.

[Joe Perry]

its a 2003 grosh, just obtain that tidbit.

hopefully ngd will occur soon :)

Cool! Can check it out? ;)

[mike@nortoncable.com]

Cool! Can check it out? ;)
didn't obtain the guitar yet , but we can have a geek jam-

[stout-hearted]

I have no clue if this one is still available, but I almost bought it when I picked up my last one - however I was enticed by the stainless steel frets on the one I bought:

http://briansguitars.com/sold/used-don-grosh-retro-classic

[mudster]

I would also add that Grosh guitars have been "amazing" for many years prior to 2008--I'm not sure where the magical 2008 perception comes from.

I didn't intend to say their guitars were not great before 2008, but I have noticed an improvement in consistency and even quality since around that time. They just got better. I live near one of their largest dealers. Scarcely a week has gone by in the last 10 years or so when I haven't played a Grosh. I've played a LOT of Grosh guitars and own 2. In my opinion, the earlier years were much more hit and miss in terms of tone. They were always pretty well made and looked nice, but somewhere a few years back they just started coming in sounding amazing. So, if I were helping someone shop for a used Grosh, I'd encourage them to look for the more recent years as the quality is simply better. Don learned a lot in the first 15 years and, in my opinion, the guitars made the first 10 years are not as consistently great as the more recent guitars.

[fugot]

Plus the folks at grosh are super cool people. It is not a super big factory. it is a handful of guitar folks who love doing what they do. attention to details is what they do quite well.

it is christmas time soon, and taxes around the corner... cash is rare right now-that is why gear is not moving...plus musicians are broke like all the time.

[xjojox]

I just sold a quilt bent top custom for less. Retros, even with Brazilian, don't typically go for $2k used. But the economy is weak right now, and also the electrajets are getting a lot of attention which has pushed down the prices of Don's other models. In another time and place maybe that price would be fine.

They are great guitars. I've been playing Melancons more lately, Gerard's neck/body joint is more comfy, but Don's neck shoulders are the bees knees.

If it's your holy Grail guitar, why not? I think you might do better price-wise, but if those are the exact specs you want you could treat yourself. The holidays are upon us!

[Crash-VR]

I didn't intend to say their guitars were not great before 2008, but I have noticed an improvement in consistency and even quality since around that time. They just got better. I live near one of their largest dealers. Scarcely a week has gone by in the last 10 years or so when I haven't played a Grosh. I've played a LOT of Grosh guitars and own 2. In my opinion, the earlier years were much more hit and miss in terms of tone. They were always pretty well made and looked nice, but somewhere a few years back they just started coming in sounding amazing. So, if I were helping someone shop for a used Grosh, I'd encourage them to look for the more recent years as the quality is simply better. Don learned a lot in the first 15 years and, in my opinion, the guitars made the first 10 years are not as consistently great as the more recent guitars.

I once spoke to Richard Hoover from Santa Cruz guitars about a used model from several years ago. He said "I can promise it is that best we could make it at that time." Which then made me ask "Are they better now?" Then he said "well I would hope so, shame on the person that doesn't continue to improve!" He then went on to tell me about how they are constantly working to make better guitars. I would hope that all guitar makers (any craftsman for that matter) think this way.

It's almost sad to think of a guitar makers early years as his best work. It makes much more sense for years of experience to make him a master of his craft. Even if it's just choosing better wood...

I think with guitars sometimes we just get lucky. I don't think every guitar can be perfect for any builder. But I do believe that these smaller shops like Santa Cruz and Grosh do have the ability to more consistently turn out Fantastic instruments. I've spoken to the guys at Grosh and they really stand behind making every guitar absolutely the best guitar it can be. Same with Santa Cruz. That's why I own one of each, and that's all I own. I put all of my guitar collection money into two of the highest quality guitars I could possibly afford. At least the new model doesn't come out in 6 months rendering them obsolete...:bonk

[guitrr]

I would also add that Grosh guitars have been "amazing" for many years prior to 2008--I'm not sure where the magical 2008 perception comes from.

I have an '00 RC and an '04 VT, and they are both extraordinary instruments! Of my more than a dozen electrics, the VT would be my "Desert Island" guitar.


Kane

[Joe Perry]

What's the latest Mike?

[Joe Perry]

What's the latest Mike?

Ya, What he said....:rotflmao

[crosse79]

Ya, What he said....:rotflmao

Ya, What he said .... :D

[mike@nortoncable.com]

Ya, What he said....:rotflmao



Guitar is on hold! I 'll have it out of Lockup shortly. ;)