CE100 DP price check

[Robbie]

Recently a Guild CE100 DP, 1963 Hoboken New Jersey, popped up in my local guitar shop. Its in good nick only a ffew bumps, the only main flaw is theres a crackle whnever you turn the tone and volume dials. Anyway i love the guitar, plays like a dream. i've been doing some reasearch and it would be really good to get one of these guitars, viintage guitars are hard to find here in britain from my experience, and even harder to find in this good condition. (all the components are origional by the way)
Anyway the reason for this post is because im not sure about the price they are asking for. Its being sold for £1900 (works out to over $3000). I'm totally new to the vintage guitar stuff but this seems to be a steep price fro this guitar. I would expect guitars like this to cost more over here but from what i've read this still seems like too high a price.
I'm asking for a bit of advice for someone who has never bought a vintage guiatar before, is there anything specific i should look out for with this guitar and is this price something i should expect?

Thanks for reading and thanks for this forum its been a great help so far.

 

[fronobulax]

Welcome. That price seems high to me, but my opinion is neither informed nor worth much.

Most of the warnings about used and vintage guitars concern neck resets. If a guitar needs a neck reset it will cost anywhere from $250-$600 depending upon where in the U.S. the luthier is and whether they even want to do the job. There is lots of advice out there (and I'm sure some will be repeated here) about specific measurements to take and things to look for. Placing a straight edge on the neck and looking to see where it "hits" the body is a quick and dirty test for a neck reset. If it hits the bridge or the body between the bridge and the sound hole then a reset might be required.

 

[Default]

It seems high to me, but I'm on the wrong side of the pond. :-(
You also want to take a look at the binding and see if it's pulling away from the body or if it seems like it's deteriorating. Binding rot is an issue with*some* older Guilds, but I think that isn't likely with that vintage Guild.

 

[guildman63]

Robbie,

The following numbers are from the 2012 Vintage Guitar Price Guide:

1960-1969: $1800 - $2200

These values are for excellent-condition, all-original instruments (no significant blemishes, wear, repairs, or damage - original finish throughout).

I have a 1956 CE-100, and it is a phenomenal guitar, so best of luck!

 

[Jeff Haddad]

Sounds like a nice guitar. I'm not too familiar with CE's - would a '63 have Franz pu's or the early humbuckers? The crackling pots probably just need some cleaning. Check for the issues others have mentioned.

Can't help you with prices, I would assume there's not many sold over there for comparison. I don't know how the rest of the vintage market compares in the UK vs. here in the States.

 

[guildman63]

I'm not too familiar with CE's - would a '63 have Franz pu's or the early humbuckers?

According to THE book (page 59), the CE-100 began in 1956, and the CE-100D (or DP) was first listed in 1959. Individual Grover StaTites were added in 1961, some DeArmonds in 1962, and humbucking pickups were introduced in 1963. I suppose it is possible that a 1963 would still have Franz or DeArmond pups, but Hans would know for sure.

 

[SFIV1967]

Hello Robbie,
welcome to LTG!

I guess I know what the guitar is you look at. 1963 is correct. But the guitar is modified and hence way too expensive. You should use your knowledge and negotiate them down. And if the pickups were changed that justifies a steep discount, the original pickups are expensive.

The pictures are large, so I just post the links below.
The tuners are not original:
http://www.promenademusic.co.uk/image/c ... 75x875.jpg

The Truss Rod Cover is not original and wrongly mounted (they used a Gibson bell...that's a sin)
http://www.promenademusic.co.uk/image/c ... 75x875.jpg

I am not sure if those are the original pickups, I have some doubts. They should be white, not black:
http://www.promenademusic.co.uk/image/c ... 75x875.jpg

Ralf

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

The Truss Rod Cover is not original and wrongly mounted (they used a Gibson bell...that's a sin)

 

[Zelja]

I'm not too familiar with CE's - would a '63 have Franz pu's or the early humbuckers?

According to THE book (page 59), the CE-100 began in 1956, and the CE-100D (or DP) was first listed in 1959. Individual Grover StaTites were added in 1961, some DeArmonds in 1962, and humbucking pickups were introduced in 1963. I suppose it is possible that a 1963 would still have Franz or DeArmond pups, but Hans would know for sure.

My CE100D is probably an early 1963 & has the Franz pickups.

 

[Jeff Haddad]

The guitar referenced earlier at Promenade Music in the UK apparently has Franz pickups and I would expect them to be white also but this has black covers like some very early Franz units. I had trouble viewing the pictures but I didn't notice any signs of the pickups being changed. The tuners, however are another story and should be a big deduction in price. At the right price though, that is a nice guitar!

 

[Robbie]

Thanks for the help everyone, that is indeed the guitar i was talking about and seems like i dodged a bullet. I believe the pickups to be genuine franz ones but because they are black it does throw me a bit. The fact that the tuners aren't origional does not bother me but it should be reflected in the price which seems too steep for even a fully origional model.
If according to vintage guitar price guide a mint condition one should cost me about £1225 i should definatley avoid this unless they are willing to sell it for a lot less than they are asking it seems. Possibly less than a 1000 but i am not hopeful

 

[guildman63]

Thanks for the help everyone, that is indeed the guitar i was talking about and seems like i dodged a bullet. I believe the pickups to be genuine franz ones but because they are black it does throw me a bit. The fact that the tuners aren't origional does not bother me but it should be reflected in the price which seems too steep for even a fully origional model.
If according to vintage guitar price guide a mint condition one should cost me about £1225 i should definatley avoid this unless they are willing to sell it for a lot less than they are asking it seems. Possibly less than a 1000 but i am not hopeful

All you can do is ask, and all they can do is say no...nothing ventured, nothing gained! There are a fair amount of vintage CE-100 and CE-100D around, so if you don't get the price you think is fair just move on and get the next one. Check out Gbase.com as there are a few out there. Good luck!

 

[littlesongs]

Even with the poor photography and non-original bits, I understand the charm of this CE-100. If it's still in the store in two years, maybe they will come to their senses about the price. You can probably find a really nice T-100-D or a decent CE-100 for half the money they are asking.

I'm not too familiar with CE's - would a '63 have Franz pu's or the early humbuckers?

According to THE book (page 59), the CE-100 began in 1956, and the CE-100D (or DP) was first listed in 1959. Individual Grover StaTites were added in 1961, some DeArmonds in 1962, and humbucking pickups were introduced in 1963. I suppose it is possible that a 1963 would still have Franz or DeArmond pups, but Hans would know for sure.

My CE100D is probably an early 1963 & has the Franz pickups.

Like my pair of T-100s, this instrument is in the 23XXX range of serial numbers. It wouldn't surprise me if it originally had Franz pickups. It may still have them under those covers. I haven't seen any Franz in the 25XXX range or later. Hans has the records, so he would know for sure.

 

[Zelja]

^^^^
Mine is 236XX so later than the one in the store (if I'm reading the Serial No. right), so it make sense that the guitar would have Franz pickups. Seems to me those are Franz's (curved shape of the pickup ears & the fact that the bridge PU cover seems higher than the neck) - just black rather than white.