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I posted a question on this a long time ago on the headstock (finish) shrinkage--nothing amiss there-and looked at this again today. It's been listed for more than a year, lots of offers, lots of watchers, no takers. Is it the yellow staining? And any guesses on the reason behind the yellow (of all colors) as opposed to CC case lining issues?
Just a moment...
Tom
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10-03-2025 06:36 PM
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That headstock cracking is actually fairly typical. There is a thin veneer on the back of the headstock and that witness line is the outer edge of it. An unfortunate location for sure, but I’m doubtful it’s an actual structural crack.
As for the discoloration, it’s hard to say without a clearer photo (did I miss one?). Perhaps someone had short parts on and some bug spray which reacted negatively with the finish?
Regardless, that’s a pretty good price for an L-5, especially a blonde Hutch. Just a tough market right now. I’ve had an L-7 for sale for 18 months which is the lowest price of its kind on Reverb. Lots of lookers, no takers.
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I've been watching it for a while out of curiosity. L-5s had a pretty big runup over the last few years. Not surprising that the market might be consolidating or pulling back.
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All economic indicators point to a looming recession here in the U.S. so poor sales of high ticket items, guitars included, are to be expected.
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The looming recession has been looming for 15 years-but agreed--lots of uncertainty. I'm still seeing $$$$ guitars moving. This one is priced right, but probably the headstock and or the yellowing...
Originally Posted by Mick-7
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I mean a full blown recession, not just rising inflation, etc.
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Bookmarking this thread for future financial/investment forecasting
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I too expect a full blown recession. The profligate spending of the "Big beautiful" bill combined with the massive uncertainty of the executive ordered tariffs might be leading the USA (and maybe the rest of the world) into a recession. Furthermore, I am putting my marker down now that we will see a President Newsom after the next major election. Originally Posted by Mick-7
But a bigger factor in guitar prices cooling off, IMO, are demographics. Like Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the demand for guitars will die off with the boomers and Gen Xers to a big extent. And I believe it is starting already. I sold three guitars in the last few months, and all of the buyers were in their 60's and I had to offer prices to move them that a year ago would have seemed too low.
The L-5 in this thread is priced right, and I believe the cosmetic issues can be fixed. But who knows what the future will hold for sure? Life would be easier with a crystal ball. I have 2 Gibson L-5's, so I am good. If I did not have an L-5 and really wanted one, this L-5 would get some serious consideration from me.
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I'd welcome some racing tips! Originally Posted by callouscallus
Bookmarking this thread for future financial/investment forecasting.
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A pic of the side where the discoloration is to see if it extends further than just the back would be nice.
w/out seeing it in person I'm guessing it's deeper than just the surface of the finish and would have to be taken down to the wood to get rid of it, not an easy job and you might have to refinish the whole back to make it look right. I'ts pretty obvious the only reason that guitar is still for sale even at that price is that yellowing.
A lot of guys ponying up 8 grand would rather spend a couple/three grand more for an issue free example, including that finish.
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I'd like to see a pic of the rim waist side that sits on the leg.
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I gave the guitar a close look. It appears to be a fine guitar and certainly one that is workable. No cracks in the neck, body, or any structural issue that I see or is listed. The yellowing would be nice to see from the angle of the side. I would request a specific photo of that and how it looks. This bit of yellow on the rim would not stop me from buy the the guitar it is otherwise a decent deal. Blond guitars do change and over the years things go one way or another. To me the beats any alternative guitar with a neck crack repair or some other cracks, ect. I would never go to the trouble of doing anything about the finish.
Players buying used guitars must accept the fact they are used and not perfect. Guitars only go downhill in appearance from the day we buy it. Those who seek perfection in finishes and in small details are different animals that me. I generally do not even sell guitars to those who I see are overly focused on appearance and looking great. Not worth the hassle to sell them a guitar.
Guitars with repaired neck cracks, some top and back cracks and neck clearance issue I avoid entirely. I don't want to explain anything if I sell it. To say a guitar has nothing structural but some finish discoloration......... those are much more sellable in my book. Maybe some disagree. Otherwise pony up the money and buy a perfect one. As far as this I might offer $7500 not go through reverb and tell them to take my check, send guitar when it clears, this will net the seller about what reverb would take or maybe more even. I certainly would simply not buy at the listed price. I would not go through reverb. If you trust the seller then cash buy is the way to go, no fees and really in my case I can wait a few days the check clears and they send the guitar.
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I don't know how you'd avoid going through reverb if it's not a shop that you could call. I guess you could try messaging your phone # or email address though that's against Reverb and ebay rules and they do monitor messages for that. Originally Posted by deacon Mark
But what's a 'check' ?
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Yes you can message a seller with contact information. And yes they don't like contact outside of Reverb. But it can be done. However, alot of sellers feel most comfortable with the "checks" with doing business on Reverb. So overtures to go outside of Reverb are ingorned or can be reported.
Originally Posted by wintermoon
I don't know how you'd avoid going through reverb if it's not a shop that you could call. I guess you could try messaging your phone # or email address though that's against Reverb and ebay rules and they do monitor messages for that.
But what's a 'check' ?
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Right, Reverb is really on top of that now. I asked the seller for more pics with the yellow staining earlier today Originally Posted by Fear the Reaper
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Wintermoon, mostly you can find the person who is selling the guitar by some research. Sometimes ask where the person lives and then get their name. Other times they are listed on other sites like facebook. I have rarely come across someone I could not find from Reverb. Reverb has policies but if you sell outside of Reverb like through the actual shop you have options that go along with any dealer. A single person selling on Reverb certainly is the hardest mainly because you have to have complete trust unless you are going to get the guitar in person. That is a judgement call, and it requires even more vetting of the situation. Reverb monitors messages but they also know that going outside of Reverb offers you no protection that the whole system is supposed to have. Yes, there are risk, but they can be lessened to allow business to transact. Originally Posted by wintermoon
I don't know how you'd avoid going through reverb if it's not a shop that you could call. I guess you could try messaging your phone # or email address though that's against Reverb and ebay rules and they do monitor messages for that.
But what's a 'check' ?
Finally what is a CHECK. That is the thing I write that my bank uses for money. Writing a check for the cost of the guitar. I am not sending actual cash but a CHECK is cash. In my case I offer the seller the absolute safe way to do the deal. I tell them I am putting a check in the mail for the cost of the guitar and shipping. Then I tell them to deposit the check in the bank and when it clears send the guitar or just send a certified check. This is same as cash and no fees involved.
If I had a guitar I really wanted and it was an individual seller then mostly, I would just go get the guitar in person. That prevents all problems generally. If it is really long distance, then a plane ride and pay for the guitar to have seat on the plane for the return trip. This I would not probably do unless it was about the most special guitar I ever wanted.
I have sold 3 guitars in my life that I required the person to pick them up in person. I did that because I wanted no issues and they got what they expected and the deal was done. Granted this is not probably the way most do things and I had the time to wait it out. Naturally it has to be a guitar that is pretty marketable and players want it enough to do that. Time is money and depending on what a person does has much to do with the process. If I might make a comparison. I know very good orthopedic surgeon. He makes a huge amount of money, but I will say he works very hard for it and under pressure just due to the nature of the job. Because of this he told me that he really watches his time on things he does to make things easier. Here is what he does.
Orders all his groceries online and they are delivered to his door, no waisted time looking for groceries.
He pays to have a cleaning service, yard maintenance, and orders things he needs entirely by Amazon or like
These things do cost money, but he manages surgeries that run mostly over $10K each with some getting much more. He does more than one on any given surgery day.
So if you break down your guitar buying do the same math. Check the cost in all respects to avoid going places and problems you don't need. I would rather take 2 days drive somewhere and buy the guitar in person. Again, I am not a surgeon, so time is different. If you are looking for an L5 and find a good one figure a way to do it and think out of the box.
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and all this time I thought a check was a lacquer crack.
well, you learn something new every day.....
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Really? What economic indicators are those years speaking of. Plus you think people buying guitars are really paying attention to those? Originally Posted by Mick-7
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Right on! Checked in and messaged on FB under the same name...will see.... Originally Posted by deacon Mark
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All of them: steadily rising inflation, weakening consumer spending, employment down/layoffs up, housing market down, GDP decreasing (economically irrational tariffs and trade restrictions are a bit part of that), U.S. debt increasing (soon at an exponential rate, thanks to the Republicans Big Beautifully Stupid Bill), etc. Originally Posted by pawlowski6132
Some charts for your viewing displeasure:
Yes, most people will put off buying large ticket items when they're having trouble making ends meet. Originally Posted by pawlowski6132
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Me too. Here in Canada a lacquer crack is a check, and the thing that you can deposit in your bank account is a cheque. Originally Posted by wintermoon
and all this time I thought a check was a lacquer crack.
well, you learn something new every day.....
Keith
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Nope, sorry, all those show is that the economy is cooling or correcting. You can't conclude that the US economy is destined for a recession. That' what the fed is for and that's why they just reduced interest rates and will likely do again if need TO AVOID a recession. People are still spending and companies are still hiring, just not at the same rate, which, is OK. Nothing to be alarmed about. The economy is cyclical. Originally Posted by Mick-7
All of them: steadily rising inflation, weakening consumer spending, employment down/layoffs up, housing market down, GDP decreasing (economically irrational tariffs and trade restrictions are a bit part of that), U.S. debt increasing (soon at an exponential rate, thanks to the Republicans Big Beautifully Stupid Bill), etc.
Some charts for your viewing displeasure:
Yes, most people will put off buying large ticket items when they're having trouble making ends meet.
And, anyone that was in the market to buy a $7,000 discretionary guitar last year is likely still in the market today.
Don't underestimate all the economic levers Trump is pulling. Just because you don't like his politics.
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Wm,
Spray the check with lacquer and stick in your freezer. When the lacquer cracks, Then it will be a canadian check!
All joking aside, it is otherwise a good looking ces.
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Or a Czech check Originally Posted by skykomishone
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If you overspray it, you’re caching a check. Originally Posted by wintermoon
Or a Czech check
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