Value of Gibson Citation with repaired crack

[Slawek]

Hi there,
I consider buying this super 400 from early 70s. Seller asking about 6000 - 7000 usd for it. Has lots of cracks from old celluloid pick guard and two larger cracks. The guitar sounds very nice and I cannot afford one in better condition. Would you go for it?

[JazzNote]

Hi there,
I consider buying this super 400 from early 70s. Seller asking about 6000 - 7000 usd for it. Has lots of cracks from old celluloid pick guard and two larger cracks. The guitar sounds very nice and I cannot afford one in better condition. Would you go for it?

I wouldn't. I find it far too expensive when considering the condition of the guitar. Personally i would never buy a guitar with cracks that were not professionally evaluated and repaired. Even if they were, i would be hesitant and insist on a reasonable price reduction.

[Naquat]

If I was an owner looking to sell a high end guitar with a repaired crack I'd have an appraisal done by Gruhn or someone else of note. I think that gives the owner and the guitar some credibility when putting it up for sale.

[Slawek]

thanks for your comments guys!
the guitar is in Switzerland at the shop with vintage guitars (so difficult to find one here) The seller told me cracks are repaired professionally and a luthier checked the guitar and said everything is stable and there is nothing to worry about. The price is exactly 6000 swiss franks - it is more or less 6122 usd. He says this one in perfect condition would be around 10000 so dropping price 4000 franks down is ok.
I know it looks bad. If this guitar would sound bad as well, it would be much easier to leave it of course.
Do you think I can expect many unexpected problems gigging with this guitar? I appreciate any tips!

[JazzNote]

Who is the seller? Which shop? I'm in Switzerland too ....

[Bluedawg]

Yeah .. in the US that would be on the too much for that guitar .... IMHO

But in Europe it may be reasonable ..

I looked at a '76 Super 400 in sunburst at Austin Vintage Guitar ... it's in great condition and you could probably get it for around $6K USD

But it's in Texas and you're in Europe

Austin Vintage Guitar

Here's a 70s Super 400 with a deep scratch below the pickguard for $4500 US

https://www.gbase.com/gear/gibson-su...-1976-sunburst

[wintermoon]

Slawek--I know you're in Europe and things are more expensive but I wouldn't pay more than 4K for that Super [actually, I wouldn't touch it at all]
keep your eyes open and find a better deal. you can find one in much better condition from the US for just a little more than that price.

[JazzNote]

Yeah .. in the US that would be on the too much for that guitar .... IMHO

But in Europe it may be reasonable ..

I looked at a '76 Super 400 in sunburst at Austin Vintage Guitar ... it's in great condition and you could probably get it for around $6K USD

But it's in Texas and you're in Europe

Austin Vintage Guitar

Here's a 70s Super 400 with a deep scratch below the pickguard for $4500 US

https://www.gbase.com/gear/gibson-su...-1976-sunburst

Still, given it's condition i think it too much also for Europe ..... .

[Slawek]

jazznote it's in Bern Yeahman's Vintage And Used Guitars
this super 400 is in the shop but not online

so I think I will leave this guitar. Shame someone let it end like this.
Thank you all for advice. You helped me a lot.

[fws6]

But it's in Texas and you're in Europe

Europe is just 2 days by mail from Texas

[2bornot2bop]

Yeah .. in the US that would be on the too much for that guitar .... IMHO

But in Europe it may be reasonable ..

I looked at a '76 Super 400 in sunburst at Austin Vintage Guitar ... it's in great condition and you could probably get it for around $6K USD

But it's in Texas and you're in Europe

Austin Vintage Guitar

Here's a 70s Super 400 with a deep scratch below the pickguard for $4500 US

https://www.gbase.com/gear/gibson-su...-1976-sunburst

So what's wrong with the $4500 Super 400 other than the seller wants a prepaid bank wire transfer as payment. Good luck with that.

[wintermoon]

So what's wrong with the $4500 Super 400 other than the seller wants a prepaid bank wire transfer as payment. Good luck with that.

jack repair

[Bluedawg]

So what's wrong with the $4500 Super 400 other than the seller wants a prepaid bank wire transfer as payment. Good luck with that.

Woah!!!

I never got far enough past the scratch to notice that ......

I've had my hands on the Super 400 in Austin and was seriously considering that one

[Drifter]

This one was for sale for many weeks, even months before it sold.

1980 Gibson "Super 400" blonde

Be patient and watchful and you'll find a better guitar for your money.

[GNAPPI]

Thanks! I hope no one minds me asking the same question in different forums. I'll be happy to get a few more opinions - chances for this are better if i ask in more than one place.

I think asking a Q here is a better place to ask, but certainly asking in multiple forums is a GOOD idea.

The Gibson site can be pretty hostile... I'm afraid this forum may be getting some of that too lately, not good.

[JazzNote]

I think asking a Q here is a better place to ask, but certainly asking in multiple forums is a GOOD idea.

The Gibson site can be pretty hostile... I'm afraid this forum may be getting some of that too lately, not good.

hostility can be minimized if none of the other members let themselves be influenced or provoked by the few of "hostile nature" who one can find in any community.

[no disclaimer]

https://www.gbase.com/gear/gibson-su...-1976-sunburst

That still looks like a pretty good deal and I am within driving distance for a hands on evaluation.
How much would a jack repair devalue the guitar?

[JazzNote]

https://www.gbase.com/gear/gibson-su...-1976-sunburst

That still looks like a pretty good deal and I am within driving distance for a hands on evaluation.
How much would a jack repair devalue the guitar?

I wouldn't know how much it devaluates the guitar, but would definitely ask for high res pics of the area around the jack and ask what specifically was repaired before driving there unless it was just 10 miles away.

[no disclaimer]

The guy sent me a lot of detailed pics of the guitar. If anybody is interested in me forwarding them just let me know. But for me it is a pass for a couple grand more you can find one in fairly pristine condition.

[Greentone]

That's not shabby work.

[no disclaimer]

He also put a block inside to shore it up. If someone is looking for a well played guitar it's not a bad price.

[Drifter]

It is setup with 0.11s. That's on the thin side for a Super 400. I'd advice anybody who is interested in this guitar to check the truss rod before buying.