Price difference between used and new Martin

[sbmackie]

I've read on this board a number of times that a used guitar of standard make should be had for around 60% of retail. The question is, street retail or Martin Catalogue retail?

Example: 000-15sm Catalogue $2099; Retail advertised $1599; I've got offers from two retailers for less then that.

So which figure do we use to get a ball park used value? I've looked at Ebay solds and Reverb.

Reason I ask:

Guitar A) Local enthusiast, went to his house and played the guitar. Very good to excellent condition. Case excellent. Bought less then a year ago from a very reputable local shop that does tune ups and re-strings within first year. That is a condition of sale--fresh inspection, set up and strings. It is in the higher range of ballpark for Ebay and Reverb solds

Guitar B) New from same shop. Price difference is 29% including tax. I've played the instrument they would sell me, assuming it's still in the shop. As above, includes one free re-set up and re-string in the first year. Nice shop and I like buying local.

Guitar C) New from reputable on line and brick/mortar seller. Price difference including local set up is 24%. Won't play guitar until it shows up on my door. Ummm....

The difference is in the $400 range depending.

Has anyone actually needed substantial warranty work on a Martin? Yes, I know a neck re-set can get spendy. Can't be that common or they wouldn't cover it.

Thanks
Scott

[sbmackie]

I've always bought used cars save two, used furniture, used houses (except one),and scratch and dent appliances...so I'm willing to assume some risk with well re-searched items. Martins seem very well built. Bought a used Taylor and Larivee, no issues (although i only had them for a few years).

[justonwo]

Buy the guitar that you bond with and forget about the rest.

[Goodallboy]

No playee, no buyee..........

[HeyMikey]

Buying new do you also get limited lifetime Martin warranty? Could be worthwhile if you tend to keep things for a long time.

I would also see if your preferred dealer will price match the other.

Since you have options you can also push the negotiations for a little more $ or extras like a free 12-pack of strings....

[fatt-dad]

the rule of thumb has been. . .

For a 2,000 dollar (full Martin retail list price - not MAP) you'd be doing great at 60 percent (i.e., $1,200). If that same guitar (and in excellent shape) was used, you'd base the offer on 50 percent (i.e., $1,000).

There seems some dispute to the tune, "Yeah, but the retail price 20 years ago was less, so 50 percent of that lower price is the offer." I don't buy that and would say the used price at 50 percent of the current retail. Then the bickering begins. . .

f-d

[DenverSteve]

The answer to your question is 60% of LIST not retail. Retail (street price) is retail. List is what it shows on the Martin site.

[sbmackie]

Good stuff. My preferred shop has price matched the on line save tax. Best they would do.

So a 2099 List should be in the 1000-1200 ball park in excellent used condition.

Looks about right for both Ebay and Reverb sales of recent used examples that weren't beat up.

Scott

[DenverSteve]

That sounds about right. But that's ball-park. It all depends on what is being sold at what price. I would expect to find one in the $1,200 range if mint and hope for lower.

[Vol46]

“Has anyone actually needed substantial warranty work on a Martin? Yes, I know a neck re-set can get spendy. Can't be that common or they wouldn't cover it.”


I am not absoultely positive, but I think Martin stopped covering neck resets a year or so ago.

[DenverSteve]

Originally Posted by Vol46

I am not absoultely positive, but I think Martin stopped covering neck resets a year or so ago.

They have not.

[ChrisE]

When I got my Martin at a local store the guy made an adjustment in the price so that my "out the door" price (including sales tax) was as good as the "special price" many online dealers offer.

It was not much more than a lot of used ones I'd seen on ebay, Reverb, etc.

[HodgdonExtreme]

On a ~$2k purchase, I think it's crazy to tradeoff test driving THE guitar in favor of saving a couple hundred and getting an unknown one.