Am I being paranoid?

[steamfurnace]

Maybe I'm just getting cynical or paranoid in my old age, but I am leery of a guitar with part of the S.N. obliterated and missing the paper label inside the guitar. It makes me wonder if the guitar were stolen at some time in it's past history.
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-LATE-70S-GU ... ?pt=Guitar

 

[chazmo]

Maybe I'm just getting cynical or paranoid in my old age, but I am leery of a guitar with part of the S.N. obliterated and missing the paper label inside the guitar. It makes me wonder if the guitar were stolen at some time in it's past history.
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-LATE-70S-GU ... ?pt=Guitar

I think you're right to be suspicious, as I am too. I like the cool bear-claw top, but the fact that this guitar is difficult to identify and has that big chip on the back of the headstock makes me think this is too high-priced anyway. Just me talkin'.

 

[twocorgis]

Maybe I'm just getting cynical or paranoid in my old age, but I am leery of a guitar with part of the S.N. obliterated and missing the paper label inside the guitar. It makes me wonder if the guitar were stolen at some time in it's past history.
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-LATE-70S-GU ... ?pt=Guitar

Sounds like there's a pretty good chance Steam. I'd pass on that one.

 

[BurstD55]

I smell something fishy.

I bought a bike for my wife off of ebay that had a "scratched" bottom bracket shell (where the serial #'s are). I got the bike and the serial # had been ground off and cheaply painted over.

I am paranoid of this now and anything fishy I would leave alone!

 

[steamfurnace]

Thanks for the comments, all. I also thought the price was too high, especially given the S.N. and headstock issue. I will stay clear of this one, and would advise others to do so as well.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

I think you guys might be over reacting a bit...though not in the context of how WE value our Guilds. 8)

They're not a high ticket item to the rest of the world.

Most of the serial number is still present and could probably be reconstructed successfully...if you're going to obliterate it, wouldn't you do a better job?

The headstock chip is typical of 'oops' when turning around in a tight spot...or colliding with a lefty bass player :lol:

The finish stress fractures indicate that guitar has undergone some wide temperature and/or humidity swings...the label really could have just fallen off...

And if your worst case scenario is correct...if it was swiped at some time way in the past...it no longer really matters all that much.

But if the neck angle is good, and the neck block/braces are in good shape...it needs some care...the top cracks need addressing, but no biggy...the hog has nice grain, the top is interesting...If you like the guitar, save the dang thing...

At least it isn't suffering from the usual serious buckle rash on the back. :wink:

And, no, I don't know the seller. But I did check his feedback...100% and he sells a lot of high end gear.

 

[MAM]

I'm with GuildFS4612CE on the head stock and label issues. It's quite possible that the label did fall off from extreme temp changes.
And the headstock could have bumped up against something causing the chip.

I just don't think it's politically correct to pick on the left handed people of the world. There ought to be a law. :wink:

Mike

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[killdeer43]

I'll have to agree with the overreaction concept.
The guitar looks to be in decent-enough shape and I really don't think the sound would be adversely affected by either the chip or the missing label.
My previous D25 gained a bit of notoriety (?) with its missing label but it certainly did sound great....right, Doc? :wink:

Joe

 

[adorshki]

We talked about some of those issues a while back. It COULD be legit, but pretty tough to insure for example. Another point is if it WAS stolen, chances are any statute of limitations has expired on prosecuting a criminal if they COULD be found. Currrent seller says he's had it 7 years, which MIGHT Be some kind of clue because that's a common limitation.
As far as simply trying to avoid pepetuating bad Karma or rewarding a possible crook, those are noble motives in any situation.
Sometimes those problems come up in places like pawnshops, and the shop is suspected of "fencing" hot goods. Actually pawnshops take pretty large pains to verify the "free title" of stuff they aquire, since if it IS seized as stolen property by law enforcement they're out the cash they paid even if they're deemed to be innocent of any criminal activity/ intent.
Just trying to present some other facts to consider.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

For it's age it does appear to be in fair shape.

But if I were interested I would be concerned about the neck angle and neck block.

There is a small soundhole crack that can be seen in one picture in the usual suspect location...don't be fooled by the string shadows...and there is some warpage of the soundhole...combined with the temperature extremes the guitar has obviously been subject to, there is definite possibility of neck block slippage and/or a reset being needed.

Of course, most acoustic guitars that old have either had a neck reset or need one.

Still worth saving, in my opinion, just need to factor the repair costs into any offer you might make.

 

[capnjuan]

What GuildFS4612CE said. Hi Steam and welcome. This is one of those MIN/MAX auctions where the MINIMUM being asked is the MAXIMUM it's reasonably worth. It's a little beat up and has thermal/stress fractures on the lower treble bout but those are cosmetic, not structural, issues. If it was stolen and unless you helped steal it, you don't have any risk.

Gotta be cautious when looking to buy on eBay but I personally wouldn't be worried here about provenance ... I'd be concerned that the Jacks-Or-Better-To-Open is a little too rich. If you think you just can't live without it, wait until the auction is ready to close and then throw the Minimum in. Otherwise, just wait and see if it comes around again.

 

[kitniyatran]

Well, I just keep seeing

ITS GOT A BATTLE SCAR ON THE BACK TOP OF THE HEADSTOCK WHERE A PIECE OF WOOD WAS CHIPPED AWAY SOMEHOW BY A PREVIOUS OWNER (SEE PIC). THE NECK AND HEADSTOCK ARE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND HAVE NEVER BEEN CRACKED OR REPAIRED.

Can we say "oxymoron"? That big a chip is not "excellent shape" in my book.

 

[adorshki]

Well, I just keep seeing

ITS GOT A BATTLE SCAR ON THE BACK TOP OF THE HEADSTOCK WHERE A PIECE OF WOOD WAS CHIPPED AWAY SOMEHOW BY A PREVIOUS OWNER (SEE PIC). THE NECK AND HEADSTOCK ARE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND HAVE NEVER BEEN CRACKED OR REPAIRED.

Can we say "oxymoron"? That big a chip is not "excellent shape" in my book.

Sure they are. They've still got the same shape they were made with. More than a lot of us can say! :lol:

 

[dapmdave]

I have to come down on the side of GuildFS4612CE. A lot of things can happen to a guitar over the decades. A chip off the back of the headstock and a missing label seems pretty plausible. Not a show-stopper if all else is OK.

Isn't it pretty unusual to see bearclaw in an older guitar, though? I thought the builders culled bearclaw tops back in the day.

All in all, not a bad guitar if the price stays below $1K.

Dave

 

[adorshki]

Isn't it pretty unusual to see bearclaw in an older guitar, though? I thought the builders culled bearclaw tops back in the day.Dave

Yeah I seem to remember that being discussed here as one of the differences between "then and now". Might give it a little oomph in the desirablity department.

 

[devellis]

The bear claw that gets featured these days tends to be more extensive than what this guitar has, although I think it looks kind of cool on this one.

I'm also of the mind that the chip on the headstock could have happened in the normal course of ownership, but who knows?

 

[dapmdave]

The bear claw that gets featured these days tends to be more extensive than what this guitar has, although I think it looks kind of cool on this one.

I'm also of the mind that the chip on the headstock could have happened in the normal course of ownership, but who knows?

I agree. I think it adds character. Some say it improves the sound, but I don't know.

Dave

 

[kdavid]

looks like somebody swooped in & got a decent deal :mrgreen: