Question about who holds their value

[jfine]

I don't buy guitars with investment in mind. Playability and sound are my criteria, and does it fill a need that nothing else in my collection will? I've been known to trade down in perceived value to get what I needed--in '77, I traded a '59 Tele that I'd had for a few years, straight across for a Gibson Les Paul Recording. The neck on the Tele was worn out--I'd already had the last fret job that could have been performed on those frets, done--I was playing six nights a week on the road, and I didn't have access to anyone who could replane and refret the neck (it was getting unplayable), so I traded it for the LP. Every sound I could get out of the Tele, I could also get out of the Recording, plus a few more besides. The Tele was already worth more than the LP, and would be worth a lot more today, but I didn't care--I needed a playable guitar that I could get to sound like the Tele, and a new '77 Tele wouldn't cut it. That's why I'm getting a Hallmark 60 Custom instead of a Fillmore Mosrite. I'm sure the Fillmores are built extremely well--a friend of mine has a 1965-type that's really nice--but what I wanted was a bound sunburst set-neck, and to get that in a Fillmore would cost four times what I'm paying for the Hallmark, and I'd still have to contend with the tiny frets and narrow neck. What I want out of the Hallmark is something with that classic Mosrite look, with a more controllable cleaner sound and more modern playability, which Bob Shade assures me is what I'll get. The Fillmore probably will hold its value well, but who's to say the Hallmark won't? I almost never see any for sale, but the only Hallmark I've seen for sale lately sat unsold at close to the price of a new one--when the owner came down a bit on the price, it sold. It's a moot point, as I don't intend to sell mine anyway.

[Veenture]

It is nice though, to know that, if you absolutely had to, you could sell a guitar for what you paid or even more if need be.

Good thought Jayson. Of course it's good to know that your instrument represents good value, however, I don't expect to reap any $$ benefits from my little collection during my lifetime (hopefully my son will during his…) because in my case it is 'merely' a hobby to play guitar (preferably on an instrument of my choice of course, heh heh), simply because my guitar heroes are the ones who started me running for a guitar in the first place.

Having said that, I can also understand and appreciate why some people -who also love guitars- use [utilise?] their knowledge, expertise, experience etc. to expand their own collection by buying and selling guitars …and possibly even if they do it just to make an honest living. Trading and selling in this way can be an exciting hobby in itself -is what I'm thinking.

Good thread, thanks

[GTSP]

Here is something else that just popped into my head. We all say we buy these guitars by their playabily, how it feels, sounds, etc. Just the mere fact that we are in THIS forum tells me we like quality. Quality guitars seem to hold their value better so we just buy guitars that hold their vaslue well almost by accident because we demand quality in our instruments. Good quality holds up.

We also tend to take very good care of our guitars. I had a Gibson SG Standard that I sold a few months ago for $100 less than what I paid for it. It was in perfect condition except for the pick guard had some marks on it. Guitars like Mosrites & Hallmarks are in demand constantly and will be purchased to close to what a new one goes for if they look new.

[eltuce]

I only think of it as an investment as far as when I leave this earth. Hopefully someone will get them that appreciates them, most likely my nephew. The only thing that ever bums me out is with some of my newer guitars. Not that they aren't great, but should I decide to sell for something I might want more I doubt I could get what I paid for them. On the occasion that I have sold any I only try to get what I paid and also do my best to sell to friends. I tend to get a bit too personally attached to them all. Sometimes I think about selling my '64 Mustang because I only paid $150 for it and could probably get some decent dough for it, but it was my first electric so I'm pretty attached to it sentimentally.

[Veenture]

We all say we buy these guitars by their playabily, how it feels, sounds, etc. Just the mere fact that we are in THIS forum tells me we like quality.

True -and eltuce beat me to saying what I forgot to mention: SENTIMENT! ...and don't guitar manufactures know it! For many people (including me) it also plays a huge part in choosing an instrument. During my high school days in the late '50s, the name "Fender" was on every classmate's mind. It had to be a Fender, whether you could afford one (I couldn't) or not. I remember boys enjoying drawing the Stratocaster shape on paper or in books, rather than paying attention to the teacher, LOL.

A few years later when The Ventures switched to Mosrite, my interest was kindled for "that strange looking guitar" with the name "Mosrite" on it and pictured on the back of my Ventures albums! From then on, my association of The Ventures "playing and sounding" Mosrite was signed and sealed.
With me it was like a volcano...my desire for a Mosrite lay dorment for many-a-year until it finally erupted in 2008 with a strong non-stoppable urge to go out and finally get me one...A Hallmark is keeping me quite happy until I get my first Mo'