Fair/Reasonable price for a NEW 2010 N. Hartford D55?

[MojoTooth]

In continuing to convince a friend that he doesn't need a $5000+ Collings or to pay $3000+ for a used Collings and that he should give a nice Guild a chance, I have been looking at the N Hartford Guilds D55 as a very nice high end guitar for him at a lower price without sacrificing anything. As, personally I have played several Collings D2H models both from recent and the mid 90's and I really don't think they are far superior to a Guild as he does.

What is a fair or reasonable price for a NEW D55. I have been going back and forth a little bit on pricing with this Ebay seller and he has gone as low as $2200 for this model.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Guild-D55-D...2?pt=Guitar&hash=item2eac7a7fb4#ht_5343wt_702

Is $2200 about right or what do you think is a reasonable but fair counter offer to make him? Budget really isnt an issue, but I would love to put my buddy playing a Guild just to show him that our beloved Guilds ARE an excellent alternative to the $5000+ guitar.

 

[Qvart]

Take two...

Is $2200 about right or what do you think is a reasonable but fair counter offer to make him?

The one I saw at Action Music in NOVA was $2200 IIRC. That's probably about the going rate for a shop.

 

[mbaker824]

It looks like the link in your message didn't come out right so I can't see the guitar in question, but $2200 sounds like a pretty good deal. The online music stores are selling D55's for around $2800 with electronics and around $2500 without. If it's really new and includes everything it should, that seems like a good price to me.

 

[MojoTooth]

Link fixed

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Guild-D55-D...2?pt=Guitar&hash=item2eac7a7fb4#ht_5343wt_702

 

[fronobulax]

The one I saw at Action Music in NOVA was $2200 IIRC. That's probably about the going rate for a shop.

When I asked, Action was willing to start negotiations at 30% off MSRP for any new, NH Guild. That would be $2240 or more depending upon which D-55. I would expect our own Bing K. would be able to come pretty close to that as well.

 

[MojoTooth]

I'll have to message Bing K and see what he says, I would much rather give the business to a fellow LTGer.

 

[chazmo]

Mojo, I'm not sure what your situation is... Maybe the taxes will make it prohibitive... Or, maybe there's no bricks-and-mortar store that carries a D-55 near you.. But if there is one, I'd strongly recommend buying a new guitar through them rather than eBay. For one thing, you build a relationship with a store that is (hopefully) good for everybody. For another, you put a little more value into the factory warrantee since the store will be representing you with Fender should the need arise. Finally, you should be able to negotiate a satisfactory purchase price face-to-face.

If that's just not practical, be sure to contact Bing K (Guitars of Montana) and inquire. Or, I'd also recommend Union Music in Worcester, MA. Ask for Carl. Anyway, just my $0.02.

 

[dane]

The one I saw at Action Music in NOVA was $2200 IIRC. That's probably about the going rate for a shop.

When I asked, Action was willing to start negotiations at 30% off MSRP for any new, NH Guild. That would be $2240 or more depending upon which D-55. I would expect our own Bing K. would be able to come pretty close to that as well.

Good suggestion. I like the idea of supporting one of our own.

Dane

 

[Qvart]

I don't remember exactly, so it may have been $2240. I do remember the price was FIRM, so that's probably as low as they'd go.

 

[MojoTooth]

Mojo, I'm not sure what your situation is... Maybe the taxes will make it prohibitive... Or, maybe there's no bricks-and-mortar store that carries a D-55 near you.. But if there is one, I'd strongly recommend buying a new guitar through them rather than eBay. For one thing, you build a relationship with a store that is (hopefully) good for everybody. For another, you put a little more value into the factory warrantee since the store will be representing you with Fender should the need arise. Finally, you should be able to negotiate a satisfactory purchase price face-to-face.

If that's just not practical, be sure to contact Bing K (Guitars of Montana) and inquire. Or, I'd also recommend Union Music in Worcester, MA. Ask for Carl. Anyway, just my $0.02.

Great suggestion and if anyone locally carried Guild guitars I would be happy to go to through them, but even if they did these guys around here are very amateurish and would never be able to negotiate prices at all based on my experience with them.

I'll contact Bing and keep Carl at Union in mind as well.

Plus, after seeing the antique burst, thats the one I would likely suggest for my buddy since he is all too caught up in "brand recognition" and "looks" first and foremost. The ebay seller said he would do either color at that price.

 

[jazzmang]

That price range seems about correct. Give Bing a call. He's a great guy and he's one of our own.

I've been 100% happy with the guitars I've bought from him.

 

[West R Lee]

In continuing to convince a friend that he doesn't need a $5000+ Collings or to pay $3000+ for a used Collings and that he should give a nice Guild a chance, I have been looking at the N Hartford Guilds D55 as a very nice high end guitar for him at a lower price without sacrificing anything. As, personally I have played several Collings D2H models both from recent and the mid 90's and I really don't think they are far superior to a Guild as he does.

What is a fair or reasonable price for a NEW D55. I have been going back and forth a little bit on pricing with this Ebay seller and he has gone as low as $2200 for this model.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Guild-D55-D...2?pt=Guitar&hash=item2eac7a7fb4#ht_5343wt_702

Is $2200 about right or what do you think is a reasonable but fair counter offer to make him? Budget really isnt an issue, but I would love to put my buddy playing a Guild just to show him that our beloved Guilds ARE an excellent alternative to the $5000+ guitar.

At Arlington this year, a very nice lady and her guitar dealer husband allowed me to take a Collings outside the ruckus into a quiet hallway and play uninterupted for about 20 minutes. It was a beautiful, but conservative looking guitar, EIR but with a slotted peghead, I don't recall the model, but I do recall the price. I could have snuk out of there for the nominal fee of $4200. This guitar was built of what was described as hand picked woods, in other words, the dealer, who was from the San Antonio area, told me that he went to Collings, selected the woods, and wouldn't allow them to ship, but picked the guitars up in person.

In the end, I honestly didn't think it sounded any better than my DV72, DV73 or D55. It sounded and played very nice, but I'll take my old Guilds.

West

 

[FNG]

I'd say he look at the D-50. Less bling, but more zing! Honestly styled like a no frills Collings, but much much cheaper. Another one to scope out would be the F-47R.

 

[twocorgis]

At Arlington this year, a very nice lady and her guitar dealer husband allowed me to take a Collings outside the ruckus into a quiet hallway and play uninterupted for about 20 minutes. It was a beautiful, but conservative looking guitar, EIR but with a slotted peghead, I don't recall the model, but I do recall the price. I could have snuk out of there for the nominal fee of $4200. This guitar was built of what was described as hand picked woods, in other words, the dealer, who was from the San Antonio area, told me that he went to Collings, selected the woods, and wouldn't allow them to ship, but picked the guitars up in person.

Wow, Jim. You've got some pull around there don't you? Sure they weren't spying on you?

In the end, I honestly didn't think it sounded any better than my DV72, DV73 or D55. It sounded and played very nice, but I'll take my old Guilds.

West

That's what I was banking on when I sold my D2H. It's a really nice guitar, but I never really bonded with it, and honestly didn't want it around when the D50 comes back. I hear an ugly rumor that it'll be ready by the end of this week. I've heard that before though. :roll:

If Collings didn't float your boat, I'll bring my Bourgeois Slope D to Arlington next year now that I know how to worm my way on the plane with it. 8)

And it's Mahogany. :shock:

 

[West R Lee]

At Arlington this year, a very nice lady and her guitar dealer husband allowed me to take a Collings outside the ruckus into a quiet hallway and play uninterupted for about 20 minutes. It was a beautiful, but conservative looking guitar, EIR but with a slotted peghead, I don't recall the model, but I do recall the price. I could have snuk out of there for the nominal fee of $4200. This guitar was built of what was described as hand picked woods, in other words, the dealer, who was from the San Antonio area, told me that he went to Collings, selected the woods, and wouldn't allow them to ship, but picked the guitars up in person.

Wow, Jim. You've got some pull around there don't you? Sure they weren't spying on you?

[quote="West R Lee":rbxnpb1l]In the end, I honestly didn't think it sounded any better than my DV72, DV73 or D55. It sounded and played very nice, but I'll take my old Guilds.

West

That's what I was banking on when I sold my D2H. It's a really nice guitar, but I never really bonded with it, and honestly didn't want it around when the D50 comes back. I hear an ugly rumor that it'll be ready by the end of this week. I've heard that before though. :roll:

If Collings didn't float your boat, I'll bring my Bourgeois Slope D to Arlington next year now that I know how to worm my way on the plane with it. 8)

And it's Mahogany. :shock:[/quote:rbxnpb1l]

I don't know that I'd say the Collings didn't "float my boat" Sandy, it was a VERY nice guitar, but didn't sound any better than many Guilds I've played, but then again, nothing really does. :wink: And those folks were right next to the door just before you entered the corridor closest to the hotel. Mrs. West and I stopped by for a few minutes to talk, had a very nice conversation, and the lady invited me into the hall to play the Collings, I didn't ask.

West

 

[MojoTooth]

Well right now there is a battle going on between the beautiful New Hartford Guild D55 and the 2006 Collings D3 and sadly enough the D3 is winning. Found one here locally for $2900 and my buddy is smitten with it. They are virtually the same guitar in every aspect save for the Guild being AAA Sitka Spruce and the COllings being Select Sitka Spruce, and the Collings having a bound headstock. Both have inlays but the Collings has '42' style snowflake inlays.

 

[chazmo]

Well right now there is a battle going on between the beautiful New Hartford Guild D55 and the 2006 Collings D3 and sadly enough the D3 is winning. Found one here locally for $2900 and my buddy is smitten with it. They are virtually the same guitar in every aspect save for the Guild being AAA Sitka Spruce and the COllings being Select Sitka Spruce, and the Collings having a bound headstock. Both have inlays but the Collings has '42' style snowflake inlays.

The man should go with his heart, Mojo.

 

[MojoTooth]

Oh I agree with you and I have made it clear that whatever guitar he tells me to pick up for him I will, be it a Collings, Guild or other. I am just here to assist him and get him the best deal possible on whatever guitar he decides on. Either way, I'll be holding onto the guitar for about 6 months in house for my own personal use until he comes to get it 8)

 

[West R Lee]

:shock: It's gonna take him 6 months to pick it up??? Then what's his hurry Moje?

West

 

[FNG]

A Collings D3 looks like a great guitar. Whatever blows his hair back! 8)