Am I Making a Catastrophic Mistake?!

[Rolling Estonian]

I'll just wait for, "I didn't pull the trigger. What do you guys think I should buy?"

M

[SINCASTER]

Rather than a 100 mile trip drive 10 miles from Anacortes to Mt. Vernon, and with the best on line prices in hand try all things Telecaster at Hugo Helmer Music.

[Jupiter]

Offer less. If he says no, pass. It's a buyer's market and that's not a rare guitar.

[Rumblebones]

Originally Posted by SINCASTER

Rather than a 100 mile trip drive 10 miles from Anacortes to Mt. Vernon, and with the best on line prices in hand try all things Telecaster at Hugo Helmer Music.

Do this.

[spkovach]

Well here's my "Half bottle of wine at 1:00 a.m panic" post.

I called him. We're meeting in Seattle. There's no way he'll go below 1250. The initial reason I was interested is because I thought 87' was "vintage" and, should things not work out, I could sell it on eBay or something and get my money back pretty easy. But from what I'm hearing, 1987 is not vintage. And obviously a hummer has no business really on a tele.

Sincaster: first off, I love your "20 miles outta town, cold irons bound". I am in fact 20 miles outside of Mount Vernon's Hugo Helmer. Do you mind telling me how the hell I can get a 52' RI for less than 1,600 at Hugo Helmer? Plus, I think they are mad at me because I go and play all their really nice guitars until the salespeople have to come in and say "alright buddy, that's enough. We gotta sell em' new". I always feel like an ******* when I play guitar at Hugo Helmer.

I tend to be a pushover. It's very likely I'll go to Seattle, give this guy every penny he asks for. But, as ya'll have said; if it feels right, go for it. The problem is, even if it doesn't feel right, I tend to be the "nice guy" and go for it any way.

I'll report back tomorrow. You guys have actually been a tremendous help.

BTW, since I just joined this forum I should just go ahead and admit... I'm currently a strat guy. I have a 57' RI that I got on a whim down in New Orleans, and I love it do death. Play out of a Marshall JMP 50 watt combo. Makes me sound like Jimi.

Anyways I'm gonna' kill this bottle and panic some more.

Regards,

The Midnight Rambler

[Jupiter]

You know, that guy doesn't need you to be a nice guy, right? He says he's not in a hurry to sell it. Are YOU in a hurry?

Sounds like you've already bought in your heart, though. Well, don't worry; once you own it, we'll all be very supportive. ;-)

[Deadcenter]

The important thing is having your first tele, the rest is the story that goes with your first tele.

[Gary in Boston]

Am I Making a Catastrophic Mistake?! is kinda extreme a statement.

That model is fairly plentiful so top dollar and 200 miles round trim will add $ 40-ish to the bill. If indeed you really like the guitar maybe worth it to play it before you buy it.

I'm thinking a better deal money wise for you is in order from the seller or if they really are motivated to sell they take the lions share of the drive, oh and I'd take a friend with you who konws guitars or likes to drive.

Gary

[Nub]

There's a like new '52 AVRI Tele over on TGP right now for $1150 shipped & Paypal'd... good deals are out there, you just have to shop around and not be in a hurry. But it really sounds like you made up your mind before you started this thread...

And spending a few hundred bucks more on a guitar than it's worth isn't catastrophic. Dumb, maybe... but not catastrophic.

[rob53002]

I think that you should save your money and buy something that hasnt been used before so it will work like Blue said " I would go and play it first" I really would I don't always trust CL so I would watch out, maybe it is a scam!

[Telesavalis]

Originally Posted by James J LaRue

first of all, you need to watch Crossroads if you haven't already. If you love the soul of old black men (who doesn't) and telecasters (who doesn't)...it's right up your alley.

Something tells me he's already watched it many times

[rbrown]

Originally Posted by Telesavalis

Something tells me he's already watched it many times

I love that movie, isn't that the one with Brittney Spears? Wait, maybe I'm thinking of a different Movie, carry on

[rbrown]

:)

[Phelonious Ponk]

I just googled Telecaster Hot Rod 52. First thing that popped up was a used one, at a GC, for $1299. And that was made stock with the bucker. It hasn't been modded. And it doesn't look beat up. I think this guy's Tele is about $300 high, maybe $400. I wouldn't do it. YMMV.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/In-Store...&cagpspn=pla&=

P

[Bernie]

Originally Posted by Phelonious Ponk

I just googled Telecaster Hot Rod 52. First thing that popped up was a used one, at a GC, for $1299. And that was made stock with the bucker. It hasn't been modded. And it doesn't look beat up. I think this guy's Tele is about $300 high, maybe $400. I wouldn't do it. YMMV.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/In-Store...&cagpspn=pla&=

P

Good suggestion if the OP can get his hands on one.

[Fresh]

pass

[Arbiter]

Too much. Pass.

[jammers5]

I understand your hesitation. It is priced a couple hundred over in my opinion, but it looks sweet with plenty of mojo. The neck tint is killer! I would make the run up to Seattle to look at it if I were you, but give it a good going over. If you can get it to a tech to look over all the better!

Remember you may never get all your money back in resale, but if it's a lifer that will never matter.....

J5

[dan1952]

Originally Posted by Telesavalis

24 years old with the soul of an 90 year old black man.

?

What he said ^^^^

[bender66]

I've hesitantly walked away from deals that I traveled a good way to look at. The satisfaction of having the money in my wallet was more than comforting. Hard to get a feel for a guitar in that short of a time too.

Once you make that kind of drive, your mind starts to play tricks - "well, you drove this far. You gotta buy it". Know what I mean?

I'd pass on it. If it was closer it might be a different story. Ask anyone here, plenty of deals/guitars to be had if you're patient. Sounds like your caught up in the chase. Take a breath.