Whats my T-50 worth?

[Jerry1]

Hi all. This is kind of a sad time for me. I'm thinking about selling some of my treasured guitars, including my T-50. Mind you, I'm in the "thinking" stage, so I'm trying to determine values before I make a decision.
The serial number on my T-50 leads me to believe its a 1960 model. Its got the Hoboken label, a Franz pickup, a early headstock profile, and appears to be all original. Everything works, the neck is straight, the action is low, and the only flaws are a couple of very small chips on the back edge. The frets are like new, and its got an original Guild Bigsby. The finish has fine crazing like you'd expect to see on a 60 year old guitar, and the finish is much more shiney than these pictures shows. It comes in what looks like the original case, which has one broken latch and a replacement handle. Other than that, its a pristine example of an early T-50.
I looked on Reverb, and there's a beautiful T-50 for sale at $2,000! I realize asking prices are all over the board, but then again I'm senceing a continual upward trend in the pricing of quality vintage guitars.
So, I'd appreciate some thoughts on a realistic value of my T-50, and maybe some insight on price trends for nice guitars like this.
Have a nice day, and Merry Christmas to everyone.

 

[SFIV1967]

That is a very clean example of a 1960 T-50! Looks really good. Also pretty special with the Guildsby and the metal bridge.
I don't know about the value but other will probably have ideas.

Ralf

 

[dreadnut]

If you don't have to sell, don't. Easy for me to say. But the value will continue to appreciate with time.

 

[Jerry1]

If you don't have to sell, don't. Easy for me to say. But the value will continue to appreciate with time.

Thats the mind-set I've had my entire life. But now I'm 74, my kids/grandkids aren't interested in playing guitars, and my T-50 is a guitar I just don't play much. And, we all have to admit, someday our guitars will belong to someone else.
I still play straight acoustic, and still love it, but I don't think I'll ever play or need anything amplified. I wish it wasn't so, but to clear out a few guitars and amps would help pay the bills and free up some space. I'll always have the memories.

 

[dreadnut]

Paying off some bills is a good thing. I think your T-50 will fetch some good coinage. Maybe someone here could buy it. It is certainly vintage and looks to be in beautiful shape.

 

[Jerry1]

Thanks Dread. I would hope someone here would end up with it. I'm playing mostly open tunings lately, gospel bluesy type stuff, and my T50 just doesn't fit into my future.

 

[Cougar]

...I looked on Reverb, and there's a beautiful T-50 for sale at $2,000! I realize asking prices are all over the board...

Reverb does have a box you can check for "sold listings." It lists 139 T-50's that have been sold, with their prices. $1,950 is the absolute highest price one has sold for, but it goes down from there. Unfortunately, there's a reported "excellent" condition one dated 1961 that sold for only $675. In other words, it's darn hard to say what you could get for it!

 

[walrus]

Just an FYI, the "price" on that "sold" list is what was asked by the seller originally, not what might have been actually paid. If an offer was made and accepted, it doesn't show that actual price.

walrus

 

[Jerry1]

Thanks guys. Your points are well taken. As I stated in my opening post, I'm just in the planning stage, but if I list this T-50 I'll probably start it at around $1800 and consider offers. Its definitely less stressful to sell when you're not feeling pushed. We'll see what happens after the holidays.

Thanks again