Today's best used guitar values

[Phil59]

I have read/heard many insightful comments at JazzGuitar and elsewhere about the trend of declining guitar sales, notably in the higher-end jazz category. Let's look on the bright side. What do you think are the best used guitar values out there now?

[hotpepper01]

For me, those are the ones that I would love to play- There is for me the value, as an instrument. The other thing lies in the collector item value, as an investment. I can´t help you out, I was never good in collecting Euros or Dollars

[Ray175]

The reported trends have focussed on the sale of new high-end instruments by the mass manufacturers (Gibson and Heritage principally), not necessarily used ones. High end builders like Daniel Slaman now have wating lists that have reached 2 years, which implies that demand is actually increasing in the "real" high-end niche; if someone wants to buy high end and isn'ty prepared to wait 2+ years they will have to turn to used instruments. Supply and demand principles tell us what happens when demand increases and supply remains unchanged. Personally, I wouldn't be expecting more bargains than usual in L5s, JSs, H575 etc

[vintagelove]

IMO, hands down, the Gibson Herb Ellis 165.

[vinlander]

I would say without hesitation and in a very biased way: a used Gibson Tal Farlow or for the vintage vibe a used 125...

[Doctor Jeff]

IMO, hands down, the Gibson Herb Ellis 165.

You might be right about that. Several listed on reverb.com for ~$1600--in black. (Bursts are more.)

The 175's aren't too bad. Personally I have a hankering for this one...iced tea burst...beautiful color for that guitar...

Gibson ES 175 D 1972 Iced Tea Burst | Wallace Guitars | Reverb

[Phil59]

You might be right about that. Several listed on reverb.com for ~$1600--in black. (Bursts are more.)

The 175's aren't too bad. Personally I have a hankering for this one...iced tea burst...beautiful color for that guitar...

Gibson ES 175 D 1972 Iced Tea Burst | Wallace Guitars | Reverb

The one you like looks great. I see it has been available for a year and the price has been lowered 25%. A 175 is what I would want, but they're still out of my price range. And I would have to play it first--tough in my location.

[Phil59]

For me, those are the ones that I would love to play- There is for me the value, as an instrument. The other thing lies in the collector item value, as an investment. I can´t help you out, I was never good in collecting Euros or Dollars

Thanks, but I wasn't looking for advice, just observations. I indeed was thinking of "the value, as an instrument," not whether it would be a good investment.

[Boston Joe]

If you like Fenders, I think the used Mexican-made ones are a fantastic deal. I mean, I think the new ones are a good deal, but you can find used MIM Teles in the $400 range (in very good shape), and I think that's a hell of deal.

I have a wonderful MIM Strat that I'm thinking of selling because I never play it. If I do sell it, I'll list it for $450. The thing is pretty much mint. Only been played at home, and even then not much.

[Longways to Go]

+1 on used Fenders. I haunt Craigslist often and see lots of good listings for Strats and Teles, both MIM and American.

There are lots of Squiers out there too, but I think the Fender models drop more in value from new to used, mostly because new Squiers are so cheap to begin with.

Also, Low end Gibson LP's and SG's like the recent faded or studio models are often in the $500 range. Not bad.

[coolvinny]

Ed Schaefer archtops - amazing guitars but priced very gently on used market. There are a couple on Reverb right now. The 16" is particularly well priced if you ask me. No affiliation.

Also, sometimes, McKerrihan archtops are well priced. On the other hand sometimes they are greatly overpriced given what I believe the market value of them to be. Note that they usually have fairly wide and thick necks. Not outrageous but even his often described 1.75" "spec" is on the larger end of that typical spec.

Steve Holst's models other than his standard 16" laminate, i.e. his carved tops and his semi-hollows when they pop up. His standard 16" laminate seems to sell for close to the new price most of the time when used, so while still good value it's not a steal vs the price when new.

[Rhythmisking]

For jazz boxes, the now discontinued Ibanez Artcore Custom models are amazing for the money. The fit and finish are far beyond anything else available for the price.

[gcb]

Try many guitars as you can, and when you find one with a sound satisfying to yo, buy it if you can, or keep searching something close within your reach.

[nopedals]

Anything clean and original that says Gibson on it makes it easier to sell if you need to later. For bang for the buck get a noncutaway. Much cheaper, and they actually sound better anyway.The price difference between an ES300 and an ES350 is probably double, but they are the same guitar.

[cosmic gumbo]

Prices on used Ibanez are an incredible value.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Prices on used Ibanez are an incredible value.

Yep. I got my AS-93 used, pristine condition, for $350.

[GNAPPI]

Ibanez and Eastman gits are fantastic buys right now, with the glut of Gibsons being discounted many players are "upgrading". I wonder how many who sell to "upgrade" have an "oh shit" moment when they find out that their $1800 "upgrade" was not :-)

But then again to some the logo headstock tax is worth thousands of dollars.

[lammie200]

The one you like looks great. I see it has been available for a year and the price has been lowered 25%. A 175 is what I would want, but they're still out of my price range. And I would have to play it first--tough in my location.

I would say Peerless, Eastman, or The Loar. I own a Peerless Jazz City which I really like. Have only picked up the other two in stores. Each of the three have lots of models at decent price points IMHO.