Build it or sell it?

[bluesfordan]

Back in 2018, I bought a swamp ash body, 3 lbs 9 oz from MJT, in vintage white. The build has so far not happened. I have all the parts and even a choice of a rosewood or maple fingerboard neck.

I have been in a selling mode lately and I admit to being ambivalent about the completion of this tele. I currently have an '08 CV50 Tele, a '20 ('21?) CV50 Esquire. This incipient build would be a third tele shaped object. I am striving to keep duplicates (or near duplicates) to a multiple of 2 for space and monetary reasons.

The body is in the shipping box I received it in. I took it out once to inspect it and sealed it back up for safe keeping. It is ready to ship without any real hassle. The parts I can keep until I feel like modding any of my existing guitars.

I'm trying to find a dollar amount for this body. A new custom order MJT Tele body sells for 450 plus shipping, there's a swamp ash body on ebay now for 575 dollars plus shipping. I can feel the dollar signs forming in my eye sockets. A little voice in my head is whispering "If you don't build it, you will always be wondering 'what if' and it will cost a LOT more to find another ash body like this one, unless you custom order it again. I got this with the least amount of aging possible.

What to do? I know, start a poll on TDPRI, LOL

 

[Sax-son]

If there is no passion from your part in the project, I would advise you to sell off the parts. If you want to move it, list it at your purchase price and see if you get any takers. Vintage white is a popular color so you might have some interest there. I would sell the other parts for an amount to where they know they are getting a bargain.

Partscasters have more value to the builder because they are something the builder wants. It may not be as important to the next person. Take it from me, as a person who has built over 30 guitars, you would be lucky to break even on your investment. It's just the unfortunate truth.

 

[MelodicBend]

I see prices dropping everywhere so if you sell, do it quickly.

I might be interested if you can compete with an on sale Squier.

 

[Milspec]

I vote to build it.

I always learned something from every build that made them worth more than the sum of the parts. This applies to both guitar building as it does for self-development.

 

[Hodgo88]

Build! Building guitars is fun. Sounds like you have the parts already, how much more ya really gonna lose by assembling?

 

[nojazzhere]

Back in 2018, I bought a swamp ash body, 3 lbs 9 oz from MJT, in vintage white. The build has so far not happened. I have all the parts and even a choice of a rosewood or maple fingerboard neck.

I have been in a selling mode lately and I admit to being ambivalent about the completion of this tele. I currently have an '08 CV50 Tele, a '20 ('21?) CV50 Esquire. This incipient build would be a third tele shaped object. I am striving to keep duplicates (or near duplicates) to a multiple of 2 for space and monetary reasons.

The body is in the shipping box I received it in. I took it out once to inspect it and sealed it back up for safe keeping. It is ready to ship without any real hassle. The parts I can keep until I feel like modding any of my existing guitars.

I'm trying to find a dollar amount for this body. A new custom order MJT Tele body sells for 450 plus shipping, there's a swamp ash body on ebay now for 575 dollars plus shipping. I can feel the dollar signs forming in my eye sockets. A little voice in my head is whispering "If you don't build it, you will always be wondering 'what if' and it will cost a LOT more to find another ash body like this one, unless you custom order it again. I got this with the least amount of aging possible.

What to do? I know, start a poll on TDPRI, LOL

I knew before I voted (to sell it) that the majority would say to build it......that's what this community is all about. But, as someone who is trying to "right-size" my collection of guitars and amps, I understand if you wouldn't want to take on a project. If you can sell something you don't just passionately want, especially at possibly a profit, I say do it. That body CAN be replaced in the future, if you wanted to, but the chance to sell something in these uncertain times may not come again any time soon. This is where you need that Magic 8 Ball......

 

[Spox]

Build it, play it, if it doesn't stick sell as is or break it down again and sell.

 

[RobRiggs]

You people that voted firewood/wood chipper are sick puppies

 

[Norrin Radd]

You will not get near your purchase price selling it second hand. Even new MJT bodies in a solid color go for way less in eBay auctions. I just think you should be realistic about the potential sale price. Go view some completed auctions and see where your particular body might fit in.

That being said, I would advise selling. If you’re not feeling it then…meh.

 

[4pickupguy]

Build it. You may just end up selling one of the other teles.

 

[hopdybob]

i am in with @Sax-son
no pasion no fun.
you want to wake up, and have that urge to get on with the build.
if not, sell it because in your heart, you already left the building

 

[Sax-son]

The fact that you have had this body for over 5 years and all the necessary parts to complete it tells me that this thing will never get off the ground. If I were in your shoes and had all the parts, that thing would be up and running by this afternoon and gigging by tomorrow. Once I get into motion, it's a runaway freight train. I become obsessed!

 

[bluesfordan]

The fact that you have had this body for over 5 years and all the necessary parts to complete it tells me that this thing will never get off the ground. If I were in your shoes and had all the parts, that thing would be up and running by this afternoon and gigging by tomorrow. Once I get into motion, it's a runaway freight train. I become obsessed!

to be fair, life got in the way back in 2018, dealing with my mom and her dementia, then the house sale and the emptying of 55 years of stuff (by myself) and moving twice in 15 months, not having the space, etc. And our family is seemingly genetically inclined to procrastinate, but it may be a nurture thing, LOL. We'll see what other stuff I can dig up to sell and see how the week unfolds.

 

[user name]

Don't ever do anything just because you feel like you have to. If your heart isn't in it, sell it to someone who will get some joy from building a Tele. Otherwise you'll end up with a guitar that doesn't get played and you'll never get what it's worth once it's built. You're only hope in breaking even is to sell parts one at a time

 

[Sax-son]

to be fair, life got in the way back in 2018, dealing with my mom and her dementia, then the house sale and the emptying of 55 years of stuff (by myself) and moving twice in 15 months, not having the space, etc. And our family is seemingly genetically inclined to procrastinate, but it may be a nurture thing, LOL. We'll see what other stuff I can dig up to sell and see how the week unfolds.

I'm sorry! I was not intending to be critical with you in dealing with your family issues, I do understand and those should take top priority. My post was more or less a reinforcement of my previous post that maybe you should just move on from it because you were reaching out for opinions as to make a decision. That's all! You will obviously do what you think is best. Best of luck!

 

[Chipss36]

If selling, individual parts, will yield more money. Than a completed guitar, but parts may take longer to sell….

still think I would build it up, just to see if a keeper is made. Or not.

 

[kuch]

put it up for sale wherever you sell things at whatever price you feel is fair. If it doesn't sell, maybe you have a project to complete this winter

 

[Killing Floor]

Build it. Bigsby. Humbuckers. Do it.