Am I Making a Catastrophic Mistake?!

[spkovach]

First time user of this forum, long time lover of tele's. 24 years old with the soul of an 90 year old black man.

I am considering buying a 1987 52' Reissue. Here's the CL ad:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/msg/2951323790.html


Is 1,300 reasonable? I just sold my mint 87 Martin D-35 and I think I got a rotten deal (1,400), so I'm in a crunch financially. But I'm in love with the 52' reissues. I've only played the one's that are made currently. This one's got a bucker in the neck position, and he doesn't know what kind. Was 87' a good year. It was made in the USA, I made sure to ask that. Seller seems like a nice guy.

This is my first post here, but I'm sure there will be many more. I'm just looking for advice. The guitar is beat up, it seems. A few nicks and scratches. But really, it's an old guitar and that just means it has more soul. So if it were "YOU" guys, what would you do?

I want to join the illustrious world of Telecaster ownership. Please advise!

I'm supposed to drive 100 miles to meet him tomorrow so please write ASAP!

-Steve

[Blue]

I would go and play it first then you will know

[Bernie]

52ri Teles routinely go for about 1000-1200 in the SF Bay Area. $1300 might be a little high in theory, but if it's "the one" for you after you try it out, you might have to go for it. If you intended to put a hummer in the neck anyway, you're probably about even at $1300, if everything else is OK.

[Kyluckyman]

If they are asking 1300 and it has any damage to it, any mods then work from about 950 up. You should be able to get a new one for 1500 with a warranty and most folks pay 50% to 60% of new street price for used guitars.

[robotguitar]

Since there is a humbucker in the neck, the body had to be routed. That should take a substantial amount of the resale value away.

[markw51]

Drive 100 miles? You can buy a new one like that with free shipping from many online retailers like musiciansfriend.com.

[Ryan0594]

Hey, welcome to the forum!
The guitar looks like it's had a few knocks and been modified, so you COULD try and get the price down a bit... but it depends what YOU want, play it first and seen what price you want to pay for it.
Good luck,
Ryan.

[spkovach]

Thanks for writing Blue,

see that's the problem, with gas prices as they are, it's going to be a solid 80 bucks to get there and back just to play it. You're right though. It's all about feel. I love the necks of the new 52' Reissues. But I'm just wondering if 1987 was known as a good or bad year. If if it really doesn't matter. I bought my 57 reissue strat new for 1000, and it seems strange to pay 300 more for the same kind of guitar that's 24 years older but still not old enough to be "vintage".

-Steve

[markw51]

Originally Posted by spkovach

Thanks for writing Blue,

see that's the problem, with gas prices as they are, it's going to be a solid 80 bucks to get there and back just to play it. You're right though. It's all about feel. I love the necks of the new 52' Reissues. But I'm just wondering if 1987 was known as a good or bad year. If if it really doesn't matter. I bought my 57 reissue strat new for 1000, and it seems strange to pay 300 more for the same kind of guitar that's 24 years older but still not old enough to be "vintage".

-Steve

Now ur thinkin!

[Toto'sDad]

I more interested in how you came to have the soul, you ever make any deals down in Georgia, say with a fiddle player? The Tele you can't go wrong on, so what if it's a few bucks higher than someone else thinks it's worth. It's kind of unique, and that right there would be worth a couple hundred to me. Just like you were getting it for $1100. Too many times I've passed on something I really liked over a few bucks, if you like the guitar buy it, don't worry, be happy you have a cool guitar, let the 90 year old black man use your fingers to play the thing. WAIT, hold your horses. What if the black guy is an accordion player? Ye better check with him!

PS, the guy who got your D-35 if it was any good, burnt some paint off of your rear end. I've done that too, so don't worry about that either, the guy playing the 35 is probably happy, you've done your part to make the world a better place.

[spkovach]

Wow you guys are really quick to respond haha, I appreciate that.

Mark, I know I could get a new one. I guess I like old stuff. I'm attracted to it's age because it happens to be the same year I was born. Call me corny. Also, I'm an enormous Stones fan so..... obviously....the humbucker....yeah.

The kid doesn't seem to want to budge on price. We're both pretty broke haha.

What I'm hearing is that there is nothing special about a 1987 52' reissue. That it's no better than buying the same model new at Guitar Center?

[spkovach]

Toto, you've made me feel slightly better about being essentially ripped off. The problem is, I was initially ripped off by some rich lawyer in a trade for the Martin. I traded him a brand new Gibson ES-335 glosstop tobacco sunburst - my dream guitar. He lied about the age of the guitar. Told me it was a 72, found out it was an 89. Just sold it on eBay for 1400, not including all those bloody paypal fees. So I feel like every deal I make, I end up getting screwed. That's why I'm referring to the experts here.

-Steve

[akukulich]

That seems a little pricey to me considering the body's been carved up. I'd assume there's some room for negotiation in there.

[spkovach]

When you say carved up, do you mean the scratches and dings, or do you mean because of the humbucker replacement? I'm not too technically wise with this kind of stuff, but I want to learn. That's why I joined this forum.

[TeleTown]

Its only worth what your willing to pay for it! I gave up 3,500 for a heavy reliced custom shop tele with a 59 SD humbucker at the neck; such as the 52 ri your considering. Im not sorry at all for paying the price. Im enjoying the hell out of that tele! Good luck!!

[Telepi]

Get a new one at GC with a 15% discount. You will not be ripped off this way.

If I hadn't just put $2,600 in maintenance and a water pump in my Hummer, I'dbe at GC getting one too. But, I'm trying to be responsible. And it's not easy with everyone talking about '52's.

[Chris H.]

In my opinion you've got to go and play it before you part with that kind of wedge because if it special to you then its worth every penny, if its not then i think you'll struggle to sell it on and not lose money. If its an 87' expect a thinner neck than todays 52's.

[joshigh]

Originally Posted by spkovach

Toto, you've made me feel slightly better about being essentially ripped off. The problem is, I was initially ripped off by some rich lawyer in a trade for the Martin. I traded him a brand new Gibson ES-335 glosstop tobacco sunburst - my dream guitar. He lied about the age of the guitar. Told me it was a 72, found out it was an 89. Just sold it on eBay for 1400, not including all those bloody paypal fees. So I feel like every deal I make, I end up getting screwed. That's why I'm referring to the experts here.

-Steve

Not everyone can be a Pawnstar and make money on everything. If you love the gear more than you love the money, you're going to lose some of the money.

You hear people talk about good deals all the time, but what they don't talk about are the deal they lost on lol.

Sometimes you have to slow down and let things pass while you recoup. If you are feeling it financially there is no need to roll into something else.

Sometimes I get caught up in the lust and chase of the gear more than the actual gear itself. I'll get worked up and convince myself that it's a deal then realize when I get it that it's not so much a good deal when I'm trying to resell it. Once the gear arrives, I get that empty feeling inside, kind of like after sex with a hooker.

That being said, I have a '99 52RI that is PERFECT in every way for me. The neck on mine is wildly different than any of the new models I've played, and it's also considerably lighter in weight. It's one guitar that has stayed with me through a few rounds of sell offs of my gear. I don't have any plans on ever getting rid of it.

If you think this is "that" guitar, then you need to buy it, otherwise, keep looking. $1300 will go a long way to one of the custom builders on this site.

[73Fender]

$1,300 sounds a little high. At that age make sure that it still has some fret life left. It is still a buyers market. I have been stalking CL looking for my latest Tele and lots of stuff is not moving.

Go look at it but try to keep your logic intact. It's not the last 52 RI in the world. Hello Music had them a while back brand new at a really low price..$1,250 I think. Good luck.

[timewave]

Welcome!
Considering my GUITAR GUY just told me a story about a guy who brought in a real 52(50,000) that sold for 10,000, I'd offer less,he says there"s alot of good gtrs going for way under value.