Seems too cheap

[guitar george]

How can this beautiful looking guitar be for sale for only $307.40, including free shipping within the USA? It is described as an "open box - like new item".

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dean-Perfor...frcectupt=true

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[TBman]

Originally Posted by guitar george

How can this beautiful looking guitar be for sale for only $307.40, including free shipping within the USA? It is described as an "open box - like new item".

Its an all laminate guitar. You can't buy a guitar solely on looks. Plugged in it might sound passable, but unplugged I'm sure its disappointing, to say the least.

Basically its a plywood guitar.

[DenverSteve]

Because looks don't make a quality guitar. That doesn't mean you wouldn't like the sound/tone but only you can tell.

[ataylor]

What’s crazier to me is that you can get a Yamaha FG800 for $200 — or less with the right promo.

[Graham H]

I read the add, it says "used", it mentions that Open Box units get a discount, but nowhere does it say that this specific guitar is indeed an open box. I also looked to see if the description said solid back and sides, or solid top........... you gotta remember "Cavet Emptor".....Let the buyer beware !!!

[frankmcr]

Looks like it's covered with contact paper.

[Steadfastly]

And it's a Dean, not known for their outstanding acoustics.

[robj144]

It's more than I'd pay for it.

[RagtopGT]

And yet Esteban still sells guitars.

[Red_Label]

Originally Posted by Steadfastly

And it's a Dean, not known for their outstanding acoustics.

Yup. You can make a nice (but gawdy) looking guitar for cheap, but it won't have any sweet, musical, lively mids. It'll sound dead. A comparably-priced, less flashy-looking Yamaha, Breedlove, etc will no doubt sound FAR better.

[Christian Reno]

Not trying to be demeaning to the brand, but a simple question - have you played any Dean acoustics? Might be a good idea to do so if you haven’t.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by ataylor

What’s crazier to me is that you can get a Yamaha FG800 for $200 — or less with the right promo.

+1. I'd go for a Yamaha 700/800 over an all plywood guitar.

I usually find that the prettier the guitar is at that Dean price point the less impressed I am with the tone over a similarly priced plain looking guitar.

[Earl49]

The only Dean guitar I've ever enjoyed playing was a cool copper-bodied resonator. Everything else in their line is (charitably) a $100 plywood guitar with fancy veneers and more bling. They do spring for scantily clad models for their booth at NAMM.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

[guitar george]

Originally Posted by Earl49

Everything else in their line is (charitably) a $100 plywood guitar with fancy veneers and more bling.

Are the fancy veneers real wood?