Do Dings Matter? (and Other Worthy Questions)

teleman3726 · #1 05-21-2011, 09:14 PM

OK, I've found a D'A NYL-2 that I really like. Excellent condition, well taken care of, etc. Sunburst. The seller wants $3K.
However, I've seen others that are a little dinged and generally not all that well taken care of for about between $400-600 less.
Should this matter? I don't want to buy someone else's abuse but also would like to save a few bucks at the same time.
What do you guys think? And is $3K pushing it for this particular model?
Help

jzucker · #2 05-21-2011, 09:31 PM

dings don't matter unless they make the instrument a beater. The other thing that doesn't matter (sorry TGP) is "minty". A used instrument is still used and a minty instrument sounds no better (and probably worse) than a worn instrument.

caravan · #3 05-21-2011, 09:49 PM

It didn't stop Rory Gallagher from playing his 1961 Stratocaster.

JohnW400 · #4 05-21-2011, 09:52 PM

I think 3k is too much. I have guitars with dings in them. They sound and play fine. Purely cosmetic

mr. beaumont · #5 05-21-2011, 09:59 PM

Minty fresh or used, 3k seems like a lot for that guitar...have I been living under a rock? What do those go for?

teleman3726 · #6 05-21-2011, 10:56 PM

Mr Beau: I've seen that model go from anywhere from $2,400 to $4000 - in the US. Apparently, they sold for $4,200 when they were first issued. But that's just what I've read. Some of the members here have the Vestax made D'A's. Maybe they could comment.

hot ford coupe · #7 05-22-2011, 12:27 AM

I've got 2 of them, one from 2000 and the other from2001. The original price for an NYL2 was $4200 bucks list. I got mine for $2800 brand new. I've seen the Vestax D'As go for upwards of $4000 bucks but I really think that's way to much unless it's one of those with a carved top and I'm sure those are really rare. I'd even question $3000. So long as the guitar doesn't look like a mess wth missing parts, deep gouges, holes or obvious cracks needing repair, it should play just fine. Well played and well taken care of is how I judge whether or not I'll part with the cash. The one thing that is more important to me than a bunch of dings is whether or not the guitar is set up right. It could be minty fresh and play like a lox. Check out some of the vintage guitar sites and see how those instruments look. If the one you want for less is comparable, then go for it. Minty fresh is for collectors rather than players.

Jabberwocky · #8 05-22-2011, 02:47 AM

Call it "relic-ed" (aka "weathered", in my other hobby, model-making) and it would be worth a lot more.

Dings shouldn't bother you. If you play it frequently enough (and you should be doing that), you'll be putting dings in it anyway. I know the new guitar syndrome; you fear putting dings in the new finish and hence don't play it. Buy a dinged guitar, play it without worry and enjoy it plus save a few dollars more.

Caveat: there is a difference between dinged and abused. Know the difference.

cmajor9 · #9 05-22-2011, 05:20 AM

It depends how much it matters to you - is it worth the extra $$ to have the one you like better? Dings (or lack of dings) probably won't affect how it sounds in either direction.

Flyin' Brian · #10 05-22-2011, 05:55 AM

People can get awfully silly and tremendously anal about their guitars. (See TGP)

This guitar is a factory second. I have no idea why but it was purchased as an NOS for right around $2K after being in a store for about 3 years. A pretty good price for a Sweet 16. It's the best playing guitar that I own and it doesn't look to shabby either.