a few tips for folks selling archtop guitars...

**jzucker** · 10-09-2017, 07:36 PM

A few tips for folks selling archtop guitars:
1) Clean the strings or put new strings on. Don't sell a $2500 archtop guitar with rusty, .010 strings on it.
2) Pack it properly. Don't just put the case in a box with a few feet of brown packing paper. Cushioning is your friend.
3) Make sure the guitar doesn't have any electrical problems. I.e. if the jack is shorted, either identify that beforehand or get it fixed prior to selling.

Just common sense...

**ptchristopher3** · 10-09-2017, 08:25 PM

Maybe also consider carefully to whom you are selling the guitar. There are remarkable experiences to be had on both sides of the transaction.

**ThatRhythmMan** · 10-09-2017, 08:36 PM

Packing properly is a big one. So big in fact that I highly recommend that buyers make sure the seller knows how to pack an archtop, no matter who the seller is, even major retailers. I bought a used archtop from a brick and mortar Sam Ash location that was simply thrown in the case, thrown in an empty box, and shipped.

**Dennis D** · 10-09-2017, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by ptchristopher3

There are remarkable experiences to be had on both sides of the transaction.

...some of which, at times, can even be good.

**ptchristopher3** · 10-09-2017, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by Dennis D

...some of which, at times, can even be good.

Indeed. I have never had a bad, or even marginal, experience buying or selling. It does make one wonder about serial malcontent buyers.

Chris

**GNAPPI** · 10-09-2017, 09:31 PM

Packing, packing, packing!!!

I recently bought a git that was in an inexpensive pressed paper/cardboard case type, (NOT plywood) which had minimal interior padding. The shipping box had about 1" clearance inside of it on top and bottom (at the head and strap button locations) with foam peanuts for protection.

When unpacked the git had the top and back bindings cracked around the 16" lower bout and the top looked as if it may pop up at some point.

I got the following opinions because I spent years analyzing drop test failures for a major PC company.

The root and contributing causes of the failure was IMO:

The git was dropped from high onto the bottom of the git at the strap button location during shipping, causing the cracked binding.
The peanuts likely migrated away from the bottom of the carton (where the strap button is) and the strap button pierced the case, and dented the box.

I think the contributing causes were packaging, and damage was avoidable if:

A. The carton were longer.
B. There were non mobile non shifting packaging on the top and bottom of the case
C. The case were properly padded on the inside. There was very little padding, what was there was pierced by the strap button.

Now a classic git lies somewhere in limbo substantially devalued and worse still not here at my home.

BUMMER!!!

**jzucker** · 10-09-2017, 09:38 PM

sorry gnappi.

**Jazzstdnt** · 10-09-2017, 10:00 PM

I played a nice Citation at a guitar show a while ago. It was half the price of a new one and in mint condition.

Strings were funky and sticky though, so it played like crap. Complete bummer on the experience. Was too easy it put it down.

**Cavalier** · 10-09-2017, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by Jazzstdnt

I played a nice Citation at a guitar show a while ago. It was half the price of a new one and in mint condition.

Strings were funky and sticky though, so it played like crap. Compete bummer on the experience. Was too easy it put it down.

This is the sort of thing that can get you a good deal. Strings can be changed.....

**Jazzstdnt** · 10-09-2017, 11:57 PM

I know but it was inconvenient. That guitar didn't sell very fast. Just not smart, like JZ points out.

**Greentone** · 10-15-2017, 12:51 PM

I _look_ for archtops at shows where the seller has left the strings on for a bazillion years and/or the strings are Super Slinkys. The guitar will sound like junk and it gives me leverage in the transaction. I can see beyond the string change. Meanwhile, the seller hears what I am obviously hearing and gets panicky.

**sgosnell** · 10-15-2017, 08:32 PM

I don't worry about the strings on a guitar I'm planning to buy, or have bought. I'm going to immediately change the strings anyway, that's just a given. Packing, OTOH, is important. The guide on archtop.com is very good if you don't already know how to pack a guitar. Problems with the electrics are a pain, but fixable. It's going to cost time and money, though, and should certainly be disclosed.

**Bill C** · 10-18-2017, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

I don't worry about the strings on a guitar I'm planning to buy, or have bought. I'm going to immediately change the strings anyway, that's just a given. Packing, OTOH, is important. The guide on archtop.com is very good if you don't already know how to pack a guitar. Problems with the electrics are a pain, but fixable. It's going to cost time and money, though, and should certainly be disclosed.

+1

I've followed the archtop.com packing instructions carefully a few times with high value guitars and the guitars arrived unscathed.

**Thumpalumpacus** · 10-19-2017, 03:24 AM

Originally Posted by Jazzstdnt

I played a nice Citation at a guitar show a while ago. It was half the price of a new one and in mint condition.

Strings were funky and sticky though, so it played like crap. Complete bummer on the experience. Was too easy it put it down.

Easy enough to talk down, too ... "Dude, this thing plays pretty rough, Has a good sound, but boy, it's hard getting there. I like it, but could you drop?"

Maybe even lay in a couple of clams on purpose to make your point, yannow?

**stevus** · 10-19-2017, 05:31 AM

I assume packing properly applies to every guitar. Last week I received my Seventy Seven Exrubato Custom Koa from Asia in perfect condition. The neck was wrapped in bubbles within the case, and then put into the fitting original carton box. Lots of fragile stickers on it was sufficient to get it here safely. Evidently, the seller knew how to pack it. Great guitar, BTW...

**GNAPPI** · 10-19-2017, 06:34 AM

Originally Posted by stevus

>>SNIP<< Lots of fragile stickers on it was sufficient to get it here safely.

I always thought that "Fragile" stickers were a challenge to shippers to throw the boxes harder, further and as an invitation to use the carton as a stepping stool. :-)

I've seen frigging idiot UPS guys standing on boxes to reach other stuff, they could care less if it had a Fragile sticker on it.

Don't mind me, I just went through receiving a damaged git, and trying to recover my funds and I'm still pissed over it. To add insult to injury the seller and intermediary expected ME to bear the brunt of claims, repairs AND keeping a repaired git!