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Martin Mahogany 5 Tenor on Ebay
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=14780
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Author:  Bruce Dickey [ Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:21 am ]
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Just watched this guitar, NOT Sell, I was wondering why?

It appears to have the wrong pickguard on it. The bidding stopped at close to $500.

I've only seen one tenor four string in person. The guy was short and had tiny hands, all his guitars were tenors.

Maybe it's the fact the pickguard is wrong? or just not that desirable, no case. Colorado.



Link to the auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170172957 579&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.d ll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm37%26satitle%3D170172957579%26c ategory0%3D%26fvi%3D1

Author:  burbank [ Mon Dec 03, 2007 4:21 am ]
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Bruce,

It got to $500, which seems like an OK price, but it didn't reach the reserve. Maybe the bidders got tired of bidding and not reaching the reserve. And like you said, maybe not that desirable. It's way on the low end, being a 15. Personally, I wouldn't give $500 for it. Cute little thing, though.

Author:  JohnAbercrombie [ Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:48 am ]
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Bruce-
Like Pat, I wouldn't pay $500 for it either. Tenor guitars don't appeal to me very much, and this one was a pretty common model.
I don't know the current 'Price Guide' number for it, but my 2005 book lists the value for an excellent example (with case) at $1000-1500.
This eBay one had neck 'problems'- bow with 4mm at 12th fret. Probably needed a partial refret at least, and fix of divots in fingerboard. Bridge seems to be missing a chunk. Finish looks 'funny' to me, too- these eBay 'treasures' often have had a coat of polyurethane wiped over the original finish.
The seller didn't point out the neck problems in the original ad- only in response to a question. It makes the buyer wonder what else 'hasn't been mentioned'.The ad copy sounded a bit cranky as well- would you enjoy dealing with this guy?
Checking the seller's feedback, there haven't been many sales recently- most of the feedback is for buying- and the most recent sold item was a watch, previous items sold included a Barbie doll, etc...so not a guitar guy, for sure. With no case, you have to wonder whether the seller could pack/ship it safely.
And on top of that, the seller doesn't take Paypal, which is a 'red flag' for many buyers.
If I'd been the seller, I wouldn't have set the reserve so high- you can often get more if you have the nerve to set the reserve low (or no reserve)- the chances of getting a bidding war going are much better.
That said, eBay is crazy- and getting more so every month. If this tenor had been kicked in, it probably would have gone for $1000 as a 'project'! Sometimes you gotta wonder..

Cheers
John

Author:  Bruce Dickey [ Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:56 pm ]
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Wow, John, you looked this baby over, and the seller. I didn't realize you could cipher a seller to that degree. I've done some snooping before, but you are really good at it.   

Poor sap, probably just got taken and wanted his money back. He may have paid a grand for it off Ebay????? OH MY.

Author:  JohnAbercrombie [ Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:57 pm ]
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Bruce-
I've done quite a bit of buying (and selling) on eBay- with many buying mistakes along the way!
Sometimes you can get a 'bargain' by dealing with a seller who has bad ads, fuzzy pictures, etc, but usually it's 'buyer beware' in such cases, even more than usual.
Lately, to me, everything in guitars/amps on eBay seems like junk or very overpriced, or both. I don't know if I just getting old and cranky, or if eBay is changing! (or both)

Cheers
John

Author:  Bruce Dickey [ Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:46 am ]
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John, You are probably getting old and cranky and Ebay is Changing!

I am doing up a Tele, and looked for parts and pieces, but struck out except for a set of cheap new Wilkinson pickups because my Fender Noiseless Backordered.

So, I'm watching all the Fender stuff. I'll declare, these guys are taking new Fender guitars apart, selling the neck and body separate and tossing the strings in the trash.

They are selling the guitars in pieces for more than the price of the guitar new. So, folks just know if it makes sense for them and pay a pretty price for stuff.

If I'm bidding I ask questions. Especially on S/H costs.

Author:  FishtownMike [ Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:49 am ]
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Just like a car chop shop Bruce. The parts alone are worth mor then the guitar as whole

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