What's the best "Deal" you ever got on an acoustic guitar?

[Mr. Paul]

My 62 / 63 Bozo was $250 at the Denver Folklore Center in 1992,

[llew]

Maybe a bit generic but I think back when I used to be able to buy brand new Standard Martin's from Jon @ MFG for 60% of MSRP. Those were GREAT deals!

[Rudy4]

Does my 1939 Epiphone Triumph archtop in it's hard case with accessories qualify, since I picked it out of the rubbish pile waiting for the trash pickup?

[Rev Roy]

About five years ago I bought a Martin D-41 for $3,500, which was 40% off MSRP. That was a very good deal in and of itself. But it got better. After enjoying that beauty for three years I traded it in to CME for a new guitar. What trade value did CME give me? $3,500. So I was able to play a fine guitar for three years then get every dime back when I was ready for a new one. Definitely a great deal in my book.

[RussL30]

Ironically, my best deal is probably on the Takamine GB7C as well.

I basically got a brand new guitar that was $500 off because of tiny little mark that you can only see in the right light.

This guitar has become one of my favorite that I’ve ever owned and has surpassed many other guitars I’ve had that cost quite a bit more.

[davidd]

2016 Gibson J45 for $900 about four years ago. It had a 1.5" case latch scratch on the upper bout that went through the finish. I got a Stewmac dark walnut lacquer pen and touched it up to where it is barely visible.

2013 D18. Bought in 2014 for $1300. Good deal but not great.

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by brad4d8

Best deal was winning my F512 on the first Let's Meet Guild tour in 2010....

Jeez, can't beat that!

Oxnard-built F512s are up around $4,000. I got mine for $1,400 because it was supposedly "for parts or not working." It was essentially brand new but had a couple small gouges on the edge of the top, which I had fixed for next to nothing. Fantastic guitar!

Then there's my excellent condition Corona-built burst Guild JF30-12. These are going for anywhere from $2,000-3,500. Got mine for $800 some years ago. I later picked up an F412 but had to let it go -- it just couldn't compete with this JF30-12....

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by llew

Maybe a bit generic but I think back when I used to be able to buy brand new Standard Martin's from Jon @ MFG for 60% of MSRP. Those were GREAT deals!

Those were the days, huh, Jim! Back then I had at least three shops on speed dial that would give me that discount without even having to negotiate.

[fpuhan]

Does "free" count? A couple of years ago, a friend was cleaning out his basement and came across a handmade guitar his sister had purchased 45 years ago. She was in college and wanted to learn how to play.

She never did, and the guitar fell into my friend's hands who put it in his basement. Not wanting to toss the guitar and knowing I was a player, he gave it to me.

It's a fine guitar -- nylon string classical, and even with 45 year-old strings, was still in tune, neck straight as a ruler, and intonated perfectly. A little research led me to the maker, a James Fellows in Connecticut, who recognized the guitar and told me it was his "number seven." Number eight was used in performance by a classical performer, and he still builds about two guitars a year. Nice to have some provenance!

[llew]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

Those were the days, huh, Jim! Back then I had at least three shops on speed dial that would give me that discount without even having to negotiate.

Yeah Roy...it made buying a Martin very easy! Sometimes maybe a little too easy? But I'm glad I got to experience that time. I got to try a lot of nice Martin's and not lose my shirt on the backside. Although, I never did quite as good as you!

[rstaight]

Best deal was my Grandmother gifting me my Gibson SG. I have a picture of me with that guitar dated May 72. I still have it.

[BlueBowman]

Man, some of you all have found incredible deals! I've never been so lucky to find deals on high-end guitars, but I did buy a 2021 GS mini last year for $100. It had coke spilled all over the fretboard, and once I cleaned it up it was like new. And such a fun little travel guitar to play.

*Edited for misspelling

[BlueBowman]

Originally Posted by L20A

By far, the best deal for me is my hand made custom build that the builder gifted to me.
Dreadnaught with Adirondack Top, Zebrawood sides and back, forward shifted X bracing, Ebony fingerboard and bridge Gold Evo frets, Gold Grover tuners.

My dream guitar!

Any how does one go about making this happen?!! Congrats...and if only I were ever to live to be so lucky

[Neil K Walk]

I paid $950 for my D-16GT back in 2010. IIRC the MAP was $1100.

[rmp]

in 1989 I traded two budget model Ibanez guitars that probably both went for around 200 for a 1978 Yari Dy74

I still have it today..