Really good deal on a 1997?

[sloop_john_b]

What do you guys think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41439&item=7333618773&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[octagon]

I don't know if that is a good price but that guitar ad has been running on Ebay for about 2 months and it has not had 1 bid.

[tony_carey]

Look very closely at the pics John....it's knackered. This is about the 50th listing...if it was any good, I would have bought it long ago!

[sloop_john_b]

I have been watching this guitar for a very long time. It started out at about $1300, was up to $2000 for a while, but this price seems to be rock bottom for a rare model, despite the fact that it's "knackered".

I suppose i'm just having withdrawl symptoms while waiting for my 660BBR.

[jingle_jangle]

But, guys, the ad says "very good condition!"... FOUR STARS.

[sloop_john_b]

Paul, don't forget:

Pickups: Dual Humbucker

[Scastles]

Dual humbuckers or dual toasters? The description reads two different ways. Or am I missing something?

[jingle_jangle]

John, I was kidding. I NEVER trust any gcrep's descriptions or rating system. Gotta see it for yourself, I say (at least in their examples). The pups on this one are toasters. Standard-sized hummers are too big to fit into toaster covers.

I always have a good look at the top of the headstock. It's sort of like checking the transmission oil on a used car. It's a good indicator of the respect a guitar has received by its previous owner (s). This one has had many collisions and a couple of ****** attempts at touch-up, too.

[sloop_john_b]

Paul, I was just continuing your jab at GCrep. Obviously thsoe aren't humbuckers, just another example of the GCRep not knowing what he's talking about.

[randyz]

John, I've seen the guitar in person. They have it tagged for around $1500 in the store. It's pretty beat with lots of chips and scratches in the Jetglo finish. The hardware is badly tarnished too. I don't recall whether there were any cracks. It actually looks old like an original 1997. I've thought about it. Even at $999, it would cost me almost $1100 with sales tax. And I'm willing to bet if one person ever starts bidding on it, the price will keep going up.

[BobKat]

BTW, I have seen the 360/12v64 that GCREP has been running out there at 2099.00 for the last month. The store price is $2300.

The guitar looks great. It is somewhat beat but as such looks damn vintage. The untrained eye would probably believe it was a real mid-60s RIC. The binding is yellowed to hell, the guitar has dings and two nasty scratches on the back, and the color is fabulous. It also has a great nut and terrific neck profile. It's the only beat RIC I have ever seen where the damage did not bother me and made it even more appealing. It's a stunner.

But....it has a bad case of neck pull. Really bad- it could easily be seen with the naked eye while hanging on the wall. It plays great now, but the bridge is very low.

Sad.

[randyz]

John, I just won the auction for the 1997. I went back to the store over the weekend and looked it over. No cracks or structural issues. Just a lot of scratches, chips, and tarnished hardware. I figure I'll clean it up and play it for a while, then it'll get a fresh Jetglo finish. I figure a 21-fret guitar with f-hole, toasters, and the good old hardcase for $999 is a good deal. Since it's only a couple miles from my house, I won't let them ship it. And since the seller is in Georgia and I'm in Texas, he says I don't pay tax. I hope you don't feel like I 'snaked' this one. I've actually been watching it for a long time myself. Now if I can just figure out how to use the GCREP checkout procedure...

[randyz]

This story hasn't had a happy ending yet. See my posting about being 'snaked by GCREP' under 'Forum Comments'. Arrrggghhhh!