Ravon said:
I was told by a music store owner/collector 20 yrs. ago that there was a 'seven year rule' that he followed and found to be true. After the purchase of a good American made guitar the value of it will automatically drop of course. After seven years the price will be back up to the price you paid initially regardless of the economy. After that it goes up depending on the market. I found it to be true with two guitars I purchased in '95. I conciously watched the prices of those two over that period and sure enough, the price on both those guitars reached the same price seven years previous. Of course now with the quality of some Asian and other guitars are on par with US guitars it may apply to those as well. For example the '95 American Standard Strat I bought new for $500 I sold in 2011 for $700. It was just in 'Good Condition'. Anyone heard of this and have I been correct in telling people that a good guitar is a better investment than the stock market?
My decaying/arthritic shoulders have led me to releasing a couple dread bodies and two others that were not getting playing time. My focus was on obtaining smaller body guitars and/or short scales and narrowing my herd to the few guitars that I want to spend time with. It should be noted before continuing that all four Guilds were immaculate; although it took more than I wanted to spend to get the CV-1 in that condition:
Purchased my 2005 D-40 Richie Havens Model via eBay for 750.00 (included shipping) as NOS in summer 2007. Swapped the plastic nut and saddle for bone; and had it set up for another $150 resulting in $900 'invested'. I received $1400 in trade and it is now listed at Hill Country Guitars for $1875.00.
Purchased the CV-1 as a new MIRC 'used' guitar in 2008 for $900 (included shipping). Put about $400 more into it for a total of $1300 'invested'. I got $1000 for it (in trade) which is more than I expected. I was up front about the problems and included all the luthier's repair papers... The same music store has it listed for 1350.
These two guitars with $2200 'invested' were traded for the 2003 slope shoulder, short scale Gibson J-45r Custom; listed on the wall at $2600
Purchased the G312 for $1400 in October 2007 and added an LR Baggs M1. Including a set up, I had about $1600 'invested'. I got $1450 for it in trade.
The Guitar Shop owner had been lusting for the F212CNT for a while. I purchased it in July 2008 and had $1150 'invested'. Dwayne gave me $1800 for it.
Both guitars (2750 invested) were traded even up for the Santa Cruz OM/PW; (MSRP 3900,) listed on the wall at $3125.00.
His pricing on the two 12 stringers are well up there (website says
call for pricing). He had and turned down a $2200.00 offer for the F212CNT last week. He's in no hurry to sell either 12 string; he says they both turn heads.
Dwayne also likes the GF-25, but that one stays here...
I don't think this experience is typical, but I have certainly noticed eBay prices on Guilds as significantly higher than two to four years ago. Bottom line: Know what your guitars are worth in your market area (I had researched with luthiers, guitar shop owners and players for their opinions); take
real good care of 'em and hold on a few years. You'll most-likely come out OK.