I just bought a Fender James Burton Artist Series Tele MIM for $499.99 plus 7.75% CA

David Falkenau · December 5th, 2007, 04:26 PM

I just bought a Fender James Burton Artist Series Tele MIM for $499.99 plus 7.75% CA sales tax from the Guitar Center Used Gear stock in Sacremento. They also threw in an SKB Freedom case for $50 plus 7.75%
CA sales tax. They said it was $649 used back in October, and gave me a good deal to clear it from the stock.

Does that sound like a good deal? Or did I pay too much?

It is the one with the Red body, and the texas tele bridge and neck pickups, and the nice buttery "U" shaped neck.

Just curious.

Thanks,

Dave

tele12 · December 5th, 2007, 05:47 PM

They went for about $699 new. What you paid used ($499) is right in the
ballpark of what the premium MIM models go for used. A couple of Muddy Waters Telecasters (MIM $650 new) on EBay recently sold for $402 and $499
Had you paid the $649 that would have been too much. You didn't overpay but you didn't steal it either.

Leon · December 5th, 2007, 05:57 PM

I didn't know they had a James Burton MIM model. Does it come in the paisley flames like the USA version? I want that guitar, but can't afford it right now, maybe a MIM is an option. Thanks.

Tele Fan · December 5th, 2007, 06:05 PM

It's red w/ a white guard and a maple neck. Fender has it on their site under artist series.

BroadMaster · December 5th, 2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leon

I didn't know they had a James Burton MIM model. Does it come in the paisley flames like the USA version? I want that guitar, but can't afford it right now, maybe a MIM is an option. Thanks.

Nope. Red or Black Or 2 tone SB is all I've ever seen or heard of. It's a two pups standard JAmes Burton. Check out Fenders Website to see the difference. THE MIM JB standard is, to me, a superior guitar over the paisley with 3 pups. But that's just me.

BroadMaster · December 5th, 2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tele Fan

It's red w/ a white guard and a maple neck. Fender has it on their site under artist series.

There is a JB 2-tone SB at 325 with about 50 minutes left on ebay right now. It is 7:27 pm, Central as I write this

Leon · December 5th, 2007, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadMaster

Nope. Red or Black Or 2 tone SB is all I've ever seen or heard of. It's a two pups standard JAmes Burton. Check out Fenders Website to see the difference. THE MIM JB standard is, to me, a superior guitar over the paisley with 3 pups. But that's just me.

Yeah...the MIM models seem to be excellent guitars, but I just like the flames on it, that is the main reason I ever looked into the guitar. I've never been one to buy something just because of the paint job.....but I would make an exception on that guitar.

boris bubbanov · December 5th, 2007, 07:42 PM

You did very well. Never mind what other MIMs that can be found used just about anywhere may cost, these are hard to find in any condition, no regrets had you paid $ 200.00 more.

I paid $ 429 plus tax for a 2004 pristine used Esquire, almost no evidence of use, and I don't think that's a lot given how hard they are to find, thank goodness this one is just so.

I think the same principle would apply to a Robert Cray as well, and even though a nice Jimmie Vaughan is great value for money and a fantastic guitar, better deals on used ones seem likely given they are no where as scarce, IMO.

And I guess there are regional variations, but I have never even seen a used Robert Cray or James Burton in a guitar store; I'm sure there's a few, but I haven't seen them. Yet.

Bubbanov

FartherAlong · December 5th, 2007, 07:58 PM

Great find! I love my 2004 MIM James Burton. Nice, chunky neck and great pups. The only change I made to mine was to swap out the stock bridge for a vintage 3-saddle style.

December 5th, 2007, 04:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
David Falkenau NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Carlsbad, CA 92008 Posts: 1	I just bought a Fender James Burton Artist Series Tele MIM for $499.99 plus 7.75% CA I just bought a Fender James Burton Artist Series Tele MIM for $499.99 plus 7.75% CA sales tax from the Guitar Center Used Gear stock in Sacremento. They also threw in an SKB Freedom case for $50 plus 7.75% CA sales tax. They said it was $649 used back in October, and gave me a good deal to clear it from the stock. Does that sound like a good deal? Or did I pay too much? It is the one with the Red body, and the texas tele bridge and neck pickups, and the nice buttery "U" shaped neck. Just curious. Thanks, Dave

December 5th, 2007, 06:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tele Fan Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Louisville, Ky Age: 29 Posts: 826	It's red w/ a white guard and a maple neck. Fender has it on their site under artist series. __________________ Life is better when you just make it up as you go along.

December 5th, 2007, 07:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 6,397	Scarcity = $$$ You did very well. Never mind what other MIMs that can be found used just about anywhere may cost, these are hard to find in any condition, no regrets had you paid $ 200.00 more. I paid $ 429 plus tax for a 2004 pristine used Esquire, almost no evidence of use, and I don't think that's a lot given how hard they are to find, thank goodness this one is just so. I think the same principle would apply to a Robert Cray as well, and even though a nice Jimmie Vaughan is great value for money and a fantastic guitar, better deals on used ones seem likely given they are no where as scarce, IMO. And I guess there are regional variations, but I have never even seen a used Robert Cray or James Burton in a guitar store; I'm sure there's a few, but I haven't seen them. Yet. Bubbanov

December 5th, 2007, 05:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
tele12 Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NY Posts: 526	They went for about $699 new. What you paid used ($499) is right in the ballpark of what the premium MIM models go for used. A couple of Muddy Waters Telecasters (MIM $650 new) on EBay recently sold for $402 and $499 Had you paid the $649 that would have been too much. You didn't overpay but you didn't steal it either.

December 5th, 2007, 05:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
Leon TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lakewood, Colorado Age: 35 Posts: 17	I didn't know they had a James Burton MIM model. Does it come in the paisley flames like the USA version? I want that guitar, but can't afford it right now, maybe a MIM is an option. Thanks.

December 5th, 2007, 07:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
FartherAlong NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 4	Great find! I love my 2004 MIM James Burton. Nice, chunky neck and great pups. The only change I made to mine was to swap out the stock bridge for a vintage 3-saddle style.