Millvale204

This may have been covered before, but I'm new to this site. I'd like to hear some suggestions as to where I can get the most for a vintage guitar (pre-CBS strat). I want to get what I want for it, what I think it deserves; not into bargain hunters hassling me. Suggestions? Is Ebay still a good option?

gregs1020

vintage guitars sell on the bay all the time.

pics of this vintage pre-cbs strat please.

dannyalcatraz

Under $5k? eBay is a solid option.

Over $5k, start asking questions of high-end guitar stores and/or auction houses.

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DylanHendrix

Ebay with a buy it now option, possibly an auction with a reserve. Do you have an estimate on how much your guitar would fetch on the open market. If not contact Gruhn Guitars in Nashville, TN they'll be able to help you.

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mmolteratx

I'd be hesitant to use eBay. Fees add up to 11.9%, which is a pretty sizeable chunk with a guitar of that value. Depending on condition/exact year, it could be worth $15-20k in the current market. I'd try The Gear Page first, and if that doesn't work out, then I'd consider other options.

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Millvale204

It's an Olympic White '64 Strat. I was guessing value somewhere in the area of what mmolteratx suggested. All original except for re-fret, new nut, and neck re-sprayed. I notice OW strats are less common out there for sale.

Is The Gear Page part of this site?

dannyalcatraz

These stores have pretty good reputations; I've been to Charley's personally.

http://www.charleysguitar.com/

http://www.dallasvintageguitars.com/guitars.htm

http://elderly.com/

You might also check the advertisements in magazines like:

Premiere Guitar
http://www.premierguitar.com/

Vintage Guitar
http://www.vintageguitar.com/

Some of the ads in VG even go so far as to specify what they have in stock and/or what they're looking for...with prices.. This is helpful because it will be a quick and dirty way to approximate the value of your guitar.

Figure if you sell to a store, you can get @50-70% of that price. If, OTOH, you got in contact with a buyer directly, you could get @80-115% of a price you see listed in such an ad.

The benefit of the first route is speed & security in the transaction. The benefit of the latter is clearly getting more for your gear. However, the trick is 1) actually finding the buyer in the first place, and 2) avoiding getting ripped off.

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JAHellraiser

He'll probably have to face the fact that he will have to pay something, or give a percentage of what he gets from an auction to whatever form he sells it through. obviously if he meets someone in a store who wants to buy it he wont have to give the store a percent, but I'm pretty sure the majority of auction sites and auction houses take a percentage.

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JAHellraiser

out of curiosity, how much are you wanting for the strat?

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dannyalcatraz

Yup, usually from both sides of the transaction. But then again, they do the work of bringing the parties together...

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MrFlibble

If it's all-original and in good condition, take it to a specialist dealer who can either market and sell it for you, or get it included in a specialist auction for you. If they know what they're doing (do your research first), they can get more money for you than eBay will (even including their own fees for selling). Alternatively, take it to a specialist to be evaluated properly, then enter it into a collector's auction yourself; go to the most reputable and largest auction house you can physically get to. This is a bit more of a gamble, as any auction is, but if you're lucky you'll get even more than a good shop would.

Don't bother thinking about selling online unless the guitar is actually not worth all that much (comparatively speaking). eBay and the like are great for 70s guitars, or earlier guitars that have been damaged or changed in some way, but for real good collector's pieces, selling online will just mean you miss out on anything from a few hundred to a few grand.

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Millvale204

Very useful responses, and I appreciate the feedback. Gives me some good ideas on how to sell the guitar. I'm and one and only owner of it. It even has the original strap and owner's manual. I never replaced the strap in all the years I used it. I would hope the value is increased in that its history is absolutely clear. The Olympic white has faded to off-white, and its definitely got belt rash and a number of nicks here and there. But the electronics, tuners, tremelo, have never been touched. Only "modification" was to replace the nut, frets, and re-spray the neck. All else original. I was hoping for as much as 29K, the price I've seen some, but that may be lofty.

dannyalcatraz

Step one for something like that is ALWAYS an appraisal from a reputable source. Yes, it will cost you some money, but it could also keep you from making a costly mistake.

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Quintex

Get it appraised. 98% mint book value for a 1964 Stratocaster is $16,000 plus 25-50% for the Olympic White. If it gets appraised at only excellent condition it drops to around $10,000 plus 25-50% for the colour. Huge difference in value for a couple points drop in condition.

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mmolteratx

Maybe 4-5 years ago, but definitely not today since prices have been dropping pretty steadily since the crash, with 2013 being a recent low. The value without the respray and refret would be higher. With belt rash and a few nicks, it would probably be worth around $15-16k. The refret isn't the biggest deal, but a full neck refinish is a huge hit, and you're probably looking at 20-25% off of that figure with it. One of the biggest considerations in appraisals is originality, with percent of original finish being a pretty big one for guitars. Would definitely have to take it to a specialist to determine value with those "mods".

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gregs1020

^ i agree.

i think $29K with a resprayed neck is pretty lofty.

JAHellraiser

Take it to the guys on pawn stars. They have a buddy whose an expert in all things guitar, they can have him come down and check it out.

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JAHellraiser

You also wanna be aware that just because it's worth $15,000 or whatever, doesn't mean it'll sell for that much. Markets can be pretty tricky.

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trashedlostfdup

+1 i wouldn't do or think of a damn thing without a proper appraisal. don't have any expectations, and be open minded towards the guys appraisal. if you are not happy with that, you could try somewhere else, but keep in mind that they are experts, and know more than you do.

you are asking what something (guitar) is worth to a forum, without even a picture. we have some good people, but i don't think they could value it properly. as i don't believe we have anybody on here that deal on high price vintage gear.

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