In general what have you all found the re-sale value is on a very well done strat or tele using Warmoth body and necks and all other components of utmost quality. Is it generally less or more than a really nice Fender. I know we builders do this too get a guitar of much higher quality than factory but in general what does the rest of the guitar world think and appreciate about our stuff.
Re-sale
- Thread starter rolloman
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stratamania
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It's not generally attracting a high resale value. So generally less.
Often parting it out would get more cash back than leaving it asssembled. In this case the whole being less than the sum of the parts...generally.
Often parting it out would get more cash back than leaving it asssembled. In this case the whole being less than the sum of the parts...generally.
Jesse
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There are several reasons I can think of why this is.
1. Collector mentality. Customs are by definition not collectible. A lot of the expensive used guitars that you see bought and sold are being moved around by collectors.
2. Customs are very personal guitars. If I want a custom guitar, it's likely because I want my exact guitar, not your guitar. So unless the stars align and you built it exactly how I would want it, I'd probably still rather build my own.
3. No assurance of quality. How do I know that a guitar assembled by someone I don't know is going to actually be a good player? With a factory guitar I at least somewhat know what I'm getting.
1. Collector mentality. Customs are by definition not collectible. A lot of the expensive used guitars that you see bought and sold are being moved around by collectors.
2. Customs are very personal guitars. If I want a custom guitar, it's likely because I want my exact guitar, not your guitar. So unless the stars align and you built it exactly how I would want it, I'd probably still rather build my own.
3. No assurance of quality. How do I know that a guitar assembled by someone I don't know is going to actually be a good player? With a factory guitar I at least somewhat know what I'm getting.
musicispeace
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I've seen a couple of parts guitars for sale in one or two local shops since I started playing again about three years ago and I think I remember them as being not more than $600 so you know they gave the previous owner less than that. I was a little surprised to see them actually but the shops involved knew their guitars and parts and have good reputations. If one had something they really wanted to or needed to divest themselves of parting it out may be more lucrative. I've sold a couple major parts I realized I was not going to use for anything after all but I priced them to sell and took a loss. I just used what I could get on them toward another project. If you had time and could calculate a somewhat higher asking price you obviously could do better.
musicispeace
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Jesse said:
Sums it up perfectly. I could not have said it better. As well, for me part of the draw of going the partscaster route was that it would keep me focused on sticking with the guitar this time around as there would be no great temptation to get the resale out of it if I was frustrated in my playing for a bit.
KaiserSoze
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All the more reason to really put in the thought to get exactly what you want in a guitar and do the homework to be able to plan and build it properly. I built three and the first turned out to be a good lesson in what I really wanted for a personal custom guitar and how to build one. It turned out fine but ultimately not what I wanted to keep forever.
The cost vs value will never be a good thing, but my last two guitars are perfect for me and I know they are super high quality and likely the last I will buy…unless I get that itch again…...
The cost vs value will never be a good thing, but my last two guitars are perfect for me and I know they are super high quality and likely the last I will buy…unless I get that itch again…...
musicispeace
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rolloman said:
I think this is not uncommon. I started out with a standard thin on my first Warmoth and had thought I would really settle into that. After a few months I sold that neck and replaced it with a chunkier one. I made half my cost back when I sold it but I tried to price it to move quickly.
This is not intended to be a flame, so please don't take it that way. I've just always been curious about the "resale" mindset. I notice it a lot with people who buy software too. It's like the goal is the resale instead of making the goal to buy things you want to keep. However, I know there are people who make a living being niche middlemen. But, it never evens occurs to me when I make a purchase to think about if I'll be able to sell it again. I always consider "is this the thing I want/need." And, is the price TO ME at a reasonable value.
Also, I rarely sell anything. So maybe that's part of it.
Even collectors have an interesting take on purchasing. I know people who have paid massive dollars for old analog synths "because they were suddenly cool". And, are now bitching about the re-issues because it kills the value of the grossly inflated thing they bought ... that they don't even use/want as instruments.
Also, I rarely sell anything. So maybe that's part of it.
Even collectors have an interesting take on purchasing. I know people who have paid massive dollars for old analog synths "because they were suddenly cool". And, are now bitching about the re-issues because it kills the value of the grossly inflated thing they bought ... that they don't even use/want as instruments.
jmcecil said:
Every guitarist I've ever known is constantly buying and selling gear. You trade up, trade down, trade all around until you find a keeper that just has that magical tone. You never really know until you get it home and play it for a few months. If you can afford to buy new and take the hit on resale, more power to ya.
Oh I've taken a zillion guitars back. But once I've owned them, I've owned them. I've sold 1 guitar ever. I've given away a ton as presents. Same with gear. I still have the pig nose I had in high school. I still have the original Rockman setup complete with controller. A lot of that stuff is absolute shit. But, it's my shit.Wolfie351 said:
And your point was what is curious to me. I don't understand the constant gear swapping thing. Especially when 99% of the guys doing it are marginal players at best and they are just trading one piece of crap for another in hopes of some magic guitar player fairy dust to fall on them.
A lot of players are looking for some sort of feelings or inspiration from their gear. I think the whole 99% comment is pretty ignorant. The needs of a living room rockstar versus a weekend warrior versus a studio pro versus a signed touring player are vastly different. Their methods for obtaining gear are different as well. I could never criticize or look down on someone for being on a tonequest or looking for that piece that just feels right. Hell, we're on a forum of dudes that couldn't find it so they opted to put it together themselves. Not everyone can afford to buy every guitar they think might fit. There is a big difference in being inspired by and connected to gear and keeping useless gear for sentimental reasons. One is called hording. I dont see much of a difference in selling/trading gear and giving it away. It is still getting rid of something that didn't really work out. It doesn't make you any better than the next guy because you didn't get anything in return. Some people might even call that stupid. Others might need whatever value they can get from one piece to help fund the next. I wouldn't dare state percentages but I'd be willing to bet the latter is closer to par for the course.jmcecil said:
For what it's worth I swap gear all the time and I am a marginal player. I would never consider myself anything but. :rock-on:
I could never criticize or look down on someone for being on a tonequest or looking for that piece that just feels right.
[/quote]
First ... I started out by saying I wasn't criticizing. I just find it an interesting thing that I witness regularly that I've never quite understood.
Second ... I am definitely in the marginal player category. Again, I wasn't casting stones. I probably worded it poorly as this is an internet forum where we try to have discussions 2 sentences at a time. However, based on my experience around musicians of all the kinds you discussed, the person who showed up to a gig with different stuff every week were the ones grasping for the magic axe/amp that would make them a player. It may be totally anecdotal. The more accomplished people tended towards gear stability. Not that these folks are immune to gear acquisition, it just seemed the better players were less likely to swap out gear. I know there are exceptions to everything, but that's how it has looked to me over the years.
[/quote]
First ... I started out by saying I wasn't criticizing. I just find it an interesting thing that I witness regularly that I've never quite understood.
Second ... I am definitely in the marginal player category. Again, I wasn't casting stones. I probably worded it poorly as this is an internet forum where we try to have discussions 2 sentences at a time. However, based on my experience around musicians of all the kinds you discussed, the person who showed up to a gig with different stuff every week were the ones grasping for the magic axe/amp that would make them a player. It may be totally anecdotal. The more accomplished people tended towards gear stability. Not that these folks are immune to gear acquisition, it just seemed the better players were less likely to swap out gear. I know there are exceptions to everything, but that's how it has looked to me over the years.
Jesse
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People are into guitars for different reasons. There is no denying that it is exciting to get new guitars and the whole "GAS" thing can't be ignored, regardless of the level of the player. I bought a piezo-equipped guitar a while back because I thought "hey this could be fun" but then ultimately didn't really like the guitar as a player so I sold it. I put that money towards an extended scale seven string for the exact same reason. Jury is still out on that guitar.
I think part of what you're seeing is that as people get better, they start to gravitate to certain guitars because they just feel right, or play extremely well, or give them the tone that they want. The "worse" you are, the more likely you probably are to just pick up a random guitar and play it. As you get better, it becomes really obvious that some of your guitars get zero play time and you start to question why you have them.
I think part of what you're seeing is that as people get better, they start to gravitate to certain guitars because they just feel right, or play extremely well, or give them the tone that they want. The "worse" you are, the more likely you probably are to just pick up a random guitar and play it. As you get better, it becomes really obvious that some of your guitars get zero play time and you start to question why you have them.
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