Guild Prices in Europe (United Kingdom Especially)

West R Lee · Jun 5, 2006

Anybody,

Is it my imagination? It seems like each time I see a Guild on Ebay, especially from the United Kingdom, the starting bids are outrageous. Are Guild guitars more valuable there, or is it just a cost of living thing? Are things just more expensive there?

West

Cypress Knee · Jun 6, 2006

Hi West,

My son spent his first semester in London, and was constantly broke. Not that unusual for a college student. But when I went to visit him, it was apparent...the exchange rate was almost two dollars for a pound, and everything was priced in pounds at about the same as in dollars here.

I have a retail store, I went into a similiar business with the same products. What I sell for ninety dollars, they were selling for eighty-five pounds. What I sell for one hundred thirty dollars, they were selling for one hundred twenty pounds.

Starbucks mocha, three bucks here, three pounds there.

And so forth down the line.

CK

Benee Wafers · Jun 6, 2006

Yes WRL cost of living in Europe is out of this world.
And musical equipment is the same way.
I remeber Hans saying that it was the case and that you could bring your Guilds over to Europe and make some nice coin.
I believe he also said the market for acoustic guitars is dead, at the moment.
Benee

West R Lee · Jun 6, 2006

Don't worry Benee,

I don't think I'd sell ANY of my Guilds for twice what they're worth. By the way, thanks guys...very informative stuff.

West

hansmoust · Jun 8, 2006

Benee Wafers said:
I remeber Hans saying that it was the case and that you could bring your Guilds over to Europe and make some nice coin.
I believe he also said the market for acoustic guitars is dead, at the moment.
Benee

Are you sure that was me? Or is there another Hans on this forum?

Hans Moust

Benee Wafers · Jun 8, 2006

Oh excuse me Hans. Please forgive me. I thought it was you in a post saying these things. If it was not I certainly apologize. I will attempt to find the speaker of those words.
However is it not true that these Guilds ( perhaps any American made guitar) certainly do escalate in value from here to there?
And how is the acoustic guitar market there these days... hot or cold?
Benee Wafers

Benee Wafers · Jun 9, 2006

Hans
I searched this site for some key words to see if I could find the source of my faux pas but could not find it. I tried another site also with no luck.
Again, my apologies.
Benee

dklsplace · Jun 9, 2006

Benee, I remember the thread you're talking about, but I'm drawing a blank on the acoustic market part.

dklsplace · Jun 9, 2006

Here's the one I was thinking of

Guild Prices....In Europe....

West R Lee · Jun 9, 2006

Let me give you a recent example. About 2 weeks ago, I saw an F50 that looked to be in good shape, the seller was from the United Kingdom and had a starting bid of like $1850 U.S. Right now there is what appears to be an F50 in excellent shape from a seller in the U.S., with a starting of $899. Obviously you never, or rarely know what a sellers reserve is, but it just seems like Guilds bring more money in Europe...generally speaking.

I suppose no matter where you are, you get the odd seller with an old beat up D-15 and a starting bid of $5000!

I read all of the posts from the thread you recalled Don. Interesting how similar the perspective is on Guild and Fender in Europe to that here in the U.S.

West

Walter Broes · Jun 10, 2006

I don't know about Guilds specifically, and guitars prices are not thàt bad over here in Belgium, but guitars seem very expensive in the UK, particularly in London. Vintage guitar prices in London are usually the US dollar price amount in pounds, or more. I always wonder who actually buys them at those prices.

radiodog · Jun 10, 2006

Hello,

in Germany the real (not the chinese imitation) Guild Acoustics are sold more or less for the same price as you can find them at ebay.com. But they are really really hard to find. I bought my 1976 D-50 last summer (I start my search in the summer before) and since them I`ve seen no other D-50 offer. Also no D-40 or F-50 ...

Greetings

Peter

Benee Wafers · Jun 10, 2006

Thank you DK for the search. Yes I did find that one but as you said there was no metion of the market being " cold ".
Anyway, going forward............
Benee

SugarMountain · Sep 24, 2006

They are definately more expensive in the UK then ive seen on US sites, i think its just because there isnt so many

The Raven · Oct 19, 2006

European prices

Yes, guitars are more expensive in Britain, and traditionally the comparison has always been 1dollar = 1pound in guitar prices.

With the weak dollar, the price differential has been even more marked.

When I bought my F65CE at Rudy's in NYC two years ago, I was told that 75% of their business was with Brits.

With our cheap flights, it's cheaper to fly to NYC to buy a $1000 guitar than to buy one in London: and more fun!

London's Denmark Street is full of collector's shops, with vintage guitars snapped up stateside on the cheap and now being offered at inflated prices to those looking for investments. ie: 1965 Starfire for $2500

West R Lee · Oct 19, 2006

Raven,

Then I would assume that it's not just Guild prices in England, but prices of everything in general?

West

guildzilla · Oct 19, 2006

One eBay seller, located in Germany, keeps trotting out a list of Guilds with very high BIN prices. They typically don't sell and keep coming back. I don't know if he's hoping for pie in the sky or just sticking with Europe-pegged pricing.

The Raven · Oct 20, 2006

British Guitar prices

Absolutely, a Gibson Les Paul Standard retails around $2, 900, a custom $4,500.
I also suspect that the impact of British investors (and availability on the internet) has inflated vintage guitar prices in the US.
Incidently, most items are more expensive in Europe, due to the higher cost of living. I always buy clothes whenever I'm in the States. Electronic goods too.

fretplay · Oct 23, 2006

Greetings from the UK. firstly the cost of living is higher here. The cost of housing is through the roof. flats (appartments £250 000) for nothing special. My cousin in Rayleigh NC his house is a madsion for not much more money. Food is expensive, everything is it is not just the rate of exchange.

When it comes to guitars I agree it is about 50 to 100% more over here but then to buy from Us puts the price up as there is appro 20% in carrage and duty. So it is really hard to buy from UK certainly if it is a guitar you can get in the states. Some guitars seem to be about the same both sides of the pond like Gibsons Es 335. I did manage to get a Gibson Cascade from US could only find one for £2500 here but paid 1000 (£580 ) dollars.

Best value for a US buyer from UK is Hofner, the old ones German made by hand beautiful old sixties sound. A Hofner Verithin is a Gibson ES 330 or Epiphone Casino but hand made at less than half the price. A good President early say fifties is a bargin too but it won't last.

Guild Prices in Europe (United Kingdom Especially)

West R Lee

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Cypress Knee

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Benee Wafers

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West R Lee

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hansmoust

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Benee Wafers

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Benee Wafers

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dklsplace

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dklsplace

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West R Lee

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Walter Broes

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radiodog

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Benee Wafers

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SugarMountain

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The Raven

West R Lee

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guildzilla

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The Raven

fretplay

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