I know it's expensive but.....

opdev1 · June 3rd, 2008, 10:33 AM

Is (was) this a good deal on a non refin 1953 blackguard????

http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/Gea...x?Item=1866842

It's on hold so someone thought so but I was under the impression non refin '52's were more like 30-40K.

Especially weird is that this is at one one the $$$$$$$ New York City shops.

51tele · June 3rd, 2008, 11:15 AM

Looks like a deal to me-----if I had 20 grand

fivenote · June 3rd, 2008, 11:16 AM

Seems about right to me. I've seen and played some 57s-60s in the NY area for $15-18K in similar condition but having gone through fewer mods (refret, lefty, wiring) than this 53. A 53 blackguard is very rare.

If you got the $$, go to NY and check it out. I think the value of any guitar in this range is subjective. It comes down to how bad the seller needs to unload it and how much the buyer is willing to pay.

My question to the forum... If you bought a guitar like this would it be for playing (i.e. - take it out for gigs) or collecting (showcase and play @ home)?

My opinon... collecting. It's the collectors market that sets a $20K+ price tag. The value is not simply "the guitar" itself, but "the guitar from 1952". I can't imagine any playability/tone aspect of such a guitar that can't be achieved with buying/building a new one to the exact specs you would want.

The only part that the 52 has that you couldn't get is its "mojo".

KevinB · June 3rd, 2008, 11:20 AM

It sounds like a good deal, but I agree with you. I know Matt Umanov's having bought a couple of (new) Fenders there. It's a great shop but better known for its excellent service than its bargain prices! They always have some interesting inventory there, but them being on Bleecker Street in the heart of Greenwich Village seems to always mean inflated prices on the good stuff.

opdev1 · June 3rd, 2008, 12:40 PM

On another note, I recently also saw a refin broadcaster selling for 21K

Repro
guard
decal

Period Correct Replacement
Tuners
Pots

Original
control plate
pups
knobs
jack cup

Very nice refin (body and neck)

That also seems too good to be true (assuming you had 21K to spend)

June 3rd, 2008, 10:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
opdev1 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Boston Age: 41 Posts: 294	I know it's expensive but..... Is (was) this a good deal on a non refin 1953 blackguard???? http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/Gea...x?Item=1866842 It's on hold so someone thought so but I was under the impression non refin '52's were more like 30-40K. Especially weird is that this is at one one the $$$$$$$ New York City shops. Last edited by opdev1; June 3rd, 2008 at 12:41 PM.

June 3rd, 2008, 11:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
51tele Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: new orleans Posts: 521	Looks like a deal to me-----if I had 20 grand __________________ look at the pictures and laugh at the words

June 3rd, 2008, 11:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
fivenote Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 148 4 Photos	Seems about right to me. I've seen and played some 57s-60s in the NY area for $15-18K in similar condition but having gone through fewer mods (refret, lefty, wiring) than this 53. A 53 blackguard is very rare. If you got the $$, go to NY and check it out. I think the value of any guitar in this range is subjective. It comes down to how bad the seller needs to unload it and how much the buyer is willing to pay. My question to the forum... If you bought a guitar like this would it be for playing (i.e. - take it out for gigs) or collecting (showcase and play @ home)? My opinon... collecting. It's the collectors market that sets a $20K+ price tag. The value is not simply "the guitar" itself, but "the guitar from 1952". I can't imagine any playability/tone aspect of such a guitar that can't be achieved with buying/building a new one to the exact specs you would want. The only part that the 52 has that you couldn't get is its "mojo". __________________ ~~~~~ fivenote ~~~~~ One day I'll finally have the perfect guitar for me. That's also the day I'll get arthritis. It was a fun ride.

June 3rd, 2008, 12:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
opdev1 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Boston Age: 41 Posts: 294	more refins On another note, I recently also saw a refin broadcaster selling for 21K Repro guard decal Period Correct Replacement Tuners Pots Original control plate pups knobs jack cup Very nice refin (body and neck) That also seems too good to be true (assuming you had 21K to spend)

June 3rd, 2008, 11:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
KevinB Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 701 4 Photos	It sounds like a good deal, but I agree with you. I know Matt Umanov's having bought a couple of (new) Fenders there. It's a great shop but better known for its excellent service than its bargain prices! They always have some interesting inventory there, but them being on Bleecker Street in the heart of Greenwich Village seems to always mean inflated prices on the good stuff.