Is it pointless to try to sell guitars that have obvious cosmetic problems?

[still.ill]

Trying to sell off this guitar... an Am Dlx. Tele 2010... i see on ebay they go for about 1100 in mint condition.... however mine.... I have swapped the bridge PU with a Seymour Duncan Lil'59 (but will include stock n3 tele Bridge with guitar)


the 2 dents near the volume and tone knob i can see pulling down the price a lot. sad to say i caused the 2nd dent.. 1st dent was already there when i got it, swore i would baby it, but its harder to do so without a case.


I bought it used for about $900 2 years ago without a case

So if I offered it for about $850 with gig bag, would i at least be able to get $750 for it? (craigslist hagglers)
of course I'm not sure if anyone would even want to buy it due to cosmetics/PU change, but i guess some guy into The Clash or The Police wouldn't mind that much

 

[imastratoholic]

For the right price anything will sell. Right now it's a pretty rough market, but it will sell.

 

[lespaulnmarshall]

I've sold many guitars with dings and scratches on it. There are people who actually like that and don't even want a mint guitar.

 

[chucke99]

The older the guitar, the more likely dings and even major dents don't matter. Unfortunately, with a commodity guitar like a Fender, little details can mean big swings in price.

 

[EADGBE]

Dings are OK. What's not OK is a warped neck.

 

[smakked]

All my Guitars have Dings in them , bought them all second hand for a good price because of it , as long as it all works im happy.

 

[GCDEF]

If that's the best picture you have, that could be the problem too.

 

[Mullenski]

You mean; like a relic?

 

[Jumpin' Jeff]

I like stuff that's been used. Life's to short to worry if something gets a small scratch.

 

[strumnhum]

No, in fact, my used guitars all had dents and dings. I just touch them up a little and go on playing them. I like that I can buy it cheaper that way, and I haven't found it to affect sound or playability at all!

 

[73Fender]

What model? American Standard Tele? If yes, in the states I'd say $900 with no case and some dings was too much to pay. I'd say with the extra pickups you may get $650-$700 if you're lucky.

 

[Tidewater Custom Shop]

It seems people who place greater value on tone and playability are the rare lot, given the guitar playing population in whole - and I deal with the broader guitar playing public daily, who offer their opinion freely. Here, and in other guitar discussion forums, we tend to gravitate toward playability - so a couple imperfections are forgiven in favor of a killer axe. It's hard to convey such a subjective topic, though... while pictures offer objectivity, usually indisputable evidence.

However, given all things are equal (tone, playability, year, color, model, brand, price, etc), even I would select the excellent over good condition guitar. Price becomes the leverage.

 

[hunter]

What model? American Standard Tele? If yes, in the states I'd say $900 with no case and some dings was too much to pay. I'd say with the extra pickups you may get $650-$700...

More or less, yes to this. Maybe I'm out of touch but I think of used AS Fenders as being in that $650 to $800 (high end) range. And that would be with the OHSC.

And that is before any condition discussions start. There are a lot of these out there and they sold sub $800 new for a long time. Again, maybe I am out of touch.

Many are good guitars in my opinion. My AS Strat does a good job. Good luck with your sale.

hunter

 

[smolder]

It's odd to me how much aesthetics matters... the same guys who freak out over blue jean rivets will pay thousand to have one relic's... and then baby that one like crazy.

 

[still.ill]

Its actually an AM deluxe tele

 

[ixnay]

Regardless of condition, if it is priced too high, it won't sell.

I would imagine some people are put off by the fact that this guitar should come with a case and yours doesn't. Add to that the fact that it has been modified and you have a less desirable (to most buyers) guitar than one that is all original and with case in similar condition.

 

[still.ill]

Regardless of condition, if it is priced too high, it won't sell.

I would imagine some people are put off by the fact that this guitar should come with a case and yours doesn't. Add to that the fact that it has been modified and you have a less desirable (to most buyers) guitar than one that is all original and with case in similar condition.

What should I price it as then? currently I have it as $900 to make room for some bargaining. Perhaps $800? cuz the mint ones with a case go for around $1050

 

[Tone_Terrific]

Rule of thumb#1 price it just under half of current list of a new one if the features are the same. That would be about $1100, if my info is correct.
#2 price it at half of retail if it shows wear, which may place you around $850. However, if recent price increases have not pulled up market price you may have to price at half of retail based on 2010.
I would guess you are in the ball park for attracting action if you can let it go for $750. Local demand will rule, though.

 

[Transmisser]

I bought my American Deluxe Telecaster with the HSC for $650 used (maple neck, black body, gold pick guard). The guitar had some surface scratches going on, but nothing serious. That was back in '06 and I still haven't had an issue with it.

 

[monwobobbo]

you have to price it right to sell bottom line. recently bought a 2006 BC Rich Eagle at GC that had a good ding in it. the ding is covered by my arm when playing (on top side of guitar but noticeable if really looked at). the guitar is great and I can live with the ding. grumbled about it when buying of course to get best price.