best deal u ever got

[BernebeM50]

So many great deals. For me my best deal was $450 for a 1968 Taurus model 56 classical guitar in very nice shape. Not quite as nice as my Bernabe but at 1/11 the cost.

[lodi_55]

Back in 81, I bought a 73 Telecaster from my friend. He charged me $300 and threw in a small Fender amp. I complained about the "excessive" price, so he knocked it down to $275.

25 years later, I sold the amp for $300 and the guitar for $3000. My best deal to date, but it did take some time!

[01bluemiata]

Bought a NOS Adamas II for $600 2005. Sold it 2 yrs later for double. Best deal buying it. Worse decision selling it. Wish I had that one back.

Early 1970's when I was young, a guy gave me a Gibson B-25. A few years later, probably 1976, another fellow gave me his beloved Gibson J-50. Different times, those were . . .

[reeve21]

Originally Posted by jgriggs

best bargain I got?

Easy, a first act electric 30 bucks.
Now first act isn't anyones idea of a high end guitar, and 30 isn't really a smoking deal. 30 is simply what they sell for in the pawn shops. But that cheap guitar taught me the basic chchords, and opened up a new hobby to me. Makes it a bargain in my book. That was three months ago. Now I have two other not high end guitars. An Epiohone EJ 1 and a fender DG 16 12. No smoking deals on either of those, 100 and 200 respectivelyreally I really do love playing them. A couple hours a day, 15 to 20 minutes at a whack. I may never get good enough to play for an audience, and you know what? I don't care. I do it cause I like it. And thats 30 well placed dollars.

I like your attitude! It will serve you well in getting maximum enjoyment from your new hobby.

I learned on a used Kay that cost me 40 bucks. It got lost in a move and I still miss it.

Fast forward--after a decade without a guitar, I picked up a brand new Goya for $125--because it was "designed" by C.F. Martin in the USA, said so right on the label! Not a bad guitar for what it is (plywood). Sound is mediocre, but it was well set up and played nicely. I dig it out every few years and hope to give it to a youngster some day.

The Ibanez mentioned in my signature below was $275 used, and it is a cannon. The Alverez was $149 on a post holiday clearance sale. They both have solid tops and I play them both frequently, sometimes daily.

Nice(er) guitars are nice(er), but for many of us--especially beginners and intermediates-- lots of fun can be had on cheapos if they are well set up

[Irish Pennant]

A 1974 "Lawsuit" Takamine F340s in very good condition for 150.00. The people I bought it from had bought it new, took a few lessons but never really played it and so the guitar sat in it's case with the original strings on it, original electronic tuner of the era and the original paper work for the guitar.

I didn't know what I really had until recently, the guitar is just now getting broken in and is starting to get a very nice voice. I did put on it a bone nut, saddle, bridge pins, a K&K PWM pickup and a good setup. The only fret wear on it is what I've put on it.

[Hurricane Bob]

a beat up Taylor 110 from Craigs list for $140.00. Installed a new bone saddle, re-filed the bridge pin slots, and now is my main teaching guitar for work. Will add a pickup soon!

[TwoMartinMan]

A CL find...mint condition Larrivee LV-03 with case for $15. Kept it for a few years, then sold it for just under $1000.

[silverswirl]

Originally Posted by TwoMartinMan

A CL find...mint condition Larrivee LV-03 with case for $15. Kept it for a few years, then sold it for just under $1000.

WINNER!

[SteveA]

I was a mailman and delivering mail on a Saturday. I walked up on a yard sale and came across a Beatles Bass. Must've been a Hofner or Epiphone but not sure really. Violin style and Sunburst. Got it for $10.

Used it for years

[mkitman]

My 1966 Gretsch Country Gentleman cost me $225 at Sam Ash in NYC back in 1970...

[SecondCity]

Originally Posted by TwoMartinMan

A CL find...mint condition Larrivee LV-03 with case for $15. Kept it for a few years, then sold it for just under $1000.

Did you haggle or pay asking price? If they were asking $15, no way I give them a dime over $13, on principle alone.

[fatt-dad]

when I first met my girlfriend's father, we talked about all sorts of stuff. He was then a junk and trash dealer in Florida after retiring as an A6 navigator in the Navy (1,400 carrier take-offs). I mentioned mandolins and guitars and likely showed him my A3 Gibson mandolin. Mentioned I'd like one of their fancier models if he ever stumbled on one.

Next time I saw him, he handed me a guitar case. He'd stumbled upon a Gibson guitar and thought of me, bought it and carried it up to the house (at this point, I was engaged to his daughter).

That's how I got my 1930 L1. That was over 30 years ago. Still married too!

Over in mandolin land, I was on the mandolincafe.com and reading their forum. Saw a thread about Stiver mandolins and I knew nothing about Lou, so I googled him. Saw a Stiver A5 at a real auction house, placed a phone bid ($750) and won!

That's how I got my Stiver, which I since sold for almost 3X - a great mandolin! (learned of my preference for 1-3/16 nut since).

f-d

[Everton FC]

$100.00 for a Yamaha LL6, with case, about a week or so ago. Plastic still on the pick guard. Serial # not crossed out/removed!

I like playing it, but also saw it as a potential investment to upgrade to a Yairi. We shall see! Couldn't pass it up, though. Fantastic guitar.

[geichel]

In 1972 I paid $250 for a '53 Gold Top Les Paul in perfect condition with case. I was shamed by my family for being so selfish with a 5 month old daughter. Sold it a few weeks later for $400 and a '65 Telecaster which I was also shamed into selling.