Re: Lookie what I just scored! - update - Stamped USED
So the good news is that the guitar might NOT be stolen. Yes, you read that right.
When I first looked at the guitar in dim light, the "USED" stamp jumped out at me. When I went to take a picture, well, see for yourself:
I very calmly spoke with the seller, explained the situation, and asked for a full refund. He then told me that the well-respected store he bought it from bought it from a local studio owner's wife. She apparently sold the guitar when her husband died. The guitar has supposedly been stolen, then recovered by the studio. This didn't jive with me because studio and/or stolen guitars are not generally well cared for, and this guitar could almost be new.
When I researched the USED stamp I stumbled on a link to MIRC on Ebay (included below). I emailed MIRC and they confirm that it looks like one of their guitars, but that the MIRC s/n sticker was missing, so they couldn't accurately trace it. They confirm that they would have obliterated the s/n in exactly this fashion.
Now the seller is pissed because he was duped by the store, unless the store was duped by the original seller (oy!), and like any good GAS-Addict, he's already spent the money. He's offered me a partial refund. I've countered with a more substantial partial refund. Though the guitar is in great condition, plays well and sounds great, I can't see spending what I did on a MIRC guitar. Lord knows I'd never get my money back if I sold it.
The better news is that I insisted on paying the paypal fees, so I've got protection there and can force a full refund if need be.
Info on MIRC:
http://reviews.ebay.com/Guitar-Won-is-S ... 0010711745
MIRC's Webpage:
http://mircweb.com/index.php
So here's my question for you all. If you were to buy a beautiful Fender/Guild Bluesbird, knowing it was a MIRC guitar, what would you pay? I've deliberately not included any of the info about what I'm considering. I'm interested to see if you agree with what I've got in my head.
Here's a pic of it next to my R9: