Buying a boutique guitar thats been in the shop for a while? - Page 3

sdelsolray · #31 09-12-2015, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabphoto

Hi There-

Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts or important questions I should consider on buying a boutique guitar that has been sitting on the wall in a shop for a while like a year 1/2

I'm looking at a Bourgeois that upon investigation is a 2013 but being sold as new though its been on the wall at a shop for going on 2 years.

I asked if it had ever been sold and they say no.

I asked about the amount of shop wear on the guitar and they said not noticeable.

Anyone have any thoughts or concerns I should consider. Should this guitar be sold as new?

original price was $5080 I'm getting it out the door with shipping for $4880

is this fair or should I get more off?

It's Sunburst OM Vintage 2013 with Indian back and sides and Adirondack

I've purchased NOS boutique guitars in the past, and I've avoided NOS boutique guitars in the past. Facts and circumstances rule.

boombox · #32 09-13-2015, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Burns

I wouldnt worry about a guitar that has been hanging on the wall a couple of years -
not every guitar in a shop is on everyones hit list -unusual stuff waits for its new owner -
it might be a great instrument - but maybe not a popular style -
...

Agreed on this. The Collings market in the UK is small (but growing!). Bought my C10 deep body sight unseen as essentially NOS. Was completely unmarked aside from a few swirls on the scratchplate and couldn't be happier with it. I would question whether the OP is getting a good enough deal if it is NOS - but if the guitar speaks to you, don't worry about it.

Elisdad · #33 09-13-2015, 03:52 AM

I bought my Collings new in 2014 and the serial number shows it is a 2012. It was from a small "by appointment" shop that has little foot traffic. I don't think it is uncommon for high end acoustics to move a bit more slowly. I love my guitar and it doesn't bother me in the bit that it was made a few years earlier and not right out of the factory.

pieterh · #34 09-13-2015, 03:58 AM

Just to chip in. Although not boutique I bought my G&L ASAT Classic hollow body with the slimmer neck and the natural wood binding as NOS (which I guess is the same thing). When I bought it the guitar had full warranty, was in pristine condition and was (and is) a joy to play. The fact that it had been in the store for a ear just meant I got a great deal on a guitar that is equivalent to custom shop Fender for around American Standard price.

I wouldn't worry about it - if the guitar is right and it's been looked after at the store then who cares if it's one or two years old. I mean, I still think of my Strat as my "new" guitar and I've had it since 1992!

sbpark · #35 09-13-2015, 04:02 AM

The OP is asking us whether or not there are any concerns about buying a guitar that is new, but has been in the shop for a while? I'd say for a $4000-$5000 guitar you'd know your stuff and be darn sure it's exactly what you want, let alone be able to play it. This blows my mind. Buying a $5000 sight unseen, then using people on an online forum if there are any concerns? My only concern would be buying such an expensive guitar and asking a question like this on an online forum! For that money you should know what you're doing.

dwstout · #36 09-13-2015, 05:45 AM

Just a comment about the "No Sale Tax" out-of-state idea. I can't say for sure about CA but I'm guessing it's the same as the states I've live in, i.e., PA, NJ, and NY. Just because a store merchant doesn't collect sales tax doesn't mean you aren't required to pay sale tax. The state income tax form has a place to enter the paid price for items for which you haven't paid sales tax and then you pay it through the income tax form. This is for EVERYTHING you haven't paid sale tax on that would be subject to sale tax in you home state. All online purchases are subject to sale tax. If the merchant collects more sales tax than you would pay in your home state you're OK. If less, you are required to pay the difference.

You can get caught not paying sale tax, States have auditors who search merchant records for out of state purchases and will contact you about it. It happened to me, just once. I'm neither agreeing nor disagreeing with it. I'm not trying to start an anti-government thread either. Just trying to clear up a very common misconception. Just because they don't collect the tax doesn't mean it's not subject to sales tax.

Von Beerhofen · #37 09-13-2015, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbpark

The OP is asking us whether or not there are any concerns about buying a guitar that is new, but has been in the shop for a while? I'd say for a $4000-$5000 guitar you'd know your stuff and be darn sure it's exactly what you want, let alone be able to play it. This blows my mind. Buying a $5000 sight unseen, then using people on an online forum if there are any concerns? My only concern would be buying such an expensive guitar and asking a question like this on an online forum! For that money you should know what you're doing.

Knowing what you're doing has to start somewhere, which is different for everyone. It didn't start for me after buying an Ibanez Artist and just playing it for 35 years. It was fine and still is, even though it was a demonstration model.

As a self taught guitarist the need to know only became important after acquiring a high end instrument in the 4000+$ range and only available online. No shops around me carried anything even remotely simmilar so I joined this forum to learn.

The instrument was choosen with the opinions of several forums in mind, as well as the reputation of the brand and a lot of work went into researching whatever I could learn about the instrument and guitars in general through Google and the forums.

That's all one can do if there's no place where you can compare several high end brands and pick the one you like. It turned into a sad experience, inspite of taking forum member's advice to use the services of reputable advertisers in this forum.

There's too much contradictory information relating to what is important and what's not and that goes for what you research on the internet too.
On top of this, no matter what some luthiers may say, it's important to me that I can rely on 'official' dealers selling me a high end guitar without any issues when there's no mention of such issues. In other words, when I pay 6000+$ for a high end Martin, I don't expect a repaired hole in the back or that it needs a neck set or a bridgeplate replacement.

One can argue that such things have to be detected by the buyer after purchase within the return period but I think the 'official' dealers should take responsibillaty for that and do a proper inspection for shortcomings on the instrument before putting it up for sale.
After all, it'll cost me 200$ to return something plus another 200$ to buy something else, and I end up with nothing in return, where it would hardly cost anything to give the guitar a proper look over before it's sold.

Isn't that what 'official' dealers advertise on most occasions anyway, to give the guitar a proper setup before shipping and making sure it's all in order? What would be the meaning of the words 'official dealer' without this, it's just an empty phrase and without any guaranty for the buyer.

I'm a guitar player, not a luthier, I want to learn how to become a better guitar player, not a better luthier or a guitar inspector, and I expect 'official' dealers to know more about guitars then I do and make sure their condition is 100%. When they don't I'd rather see em disappear and get an appropiate job they can perform properly, like sewer attendant or street cleaner, no specialist knowledge required and very beneficial to the community.

Ludwig

cabphoto · #38 09-13-2015, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbpark

I'd sell the Masterbuilt and add that to the money you are planning to spend on your second guitar, and just have one really nice guitar instead. I spent many, many, many years owning middle of the road acoustics until last year. Bought myself a J45 for my birthday and have never looked back. Have no desire for another and just wish I would have been patient and bought one really nice acoustic years ago instead of going from moderately priced guitar to moderately priced guitar, thinking I'd find the one. Instead of chasing after something you want to might not be able to afford (not saying this is the case here at all with the OP, just making a statement), have some patience and get a plan so you can have the guitar you really want. In the long run you'd end up spending more on buying cheaper guitars in the moment as opposed to just saving up and buying on lifetime instrument once.

Guess I'm trying to attain knowledge by asking questions. Crazy huh? This helped me though. Thanks and have a great day.

sbpark · #39 09-13-2015, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabphoto

Guess I'm trying to attain knowledge by asking questions. Crazy huh? This helped me though. Thanks and have a great day.

There's just so many people here that spend SOOOOO much time reading, watching videos, fixation over (seemingly) insignificant things and buying these ridiculously expensive guitars when they'd probably benefit form taking this time and directing it to actually playing more! IF you want to learn more, just play the darn things instead of obsessing over things like this topic, etc. I guess that's what these forums are for though, for people who'd rather learn and read about things relating to guitar instead of playing them (just like what I'm doing now with this reply!)

But when someone like myself calls someone out and goes against the grain it ruffles peoples feathers. Maybe because they also realize they're guilty of being too critical of things when it won't matter to a hill of beans because they're not good players to begin with. I've just found over the years don't sweat the insignificant things or what others say is important. Buy a guitar that speaks to you, for whatever reason. Sure it has to sound good, but it has to look and feel good to you to inspire you to pick it up and play the snot out of it. So if you like it and it speaks to you, just buy it and enjoy it!

Also, it does sound a bit pops to be buying boutique guitars and spending $5k on something you don't really know much about, but again, I'm probably the only one who will say it out loud, and others will get their feathers ruffled because they also realize they fall into this category. Instead of stressing over a $5k guitar buy something less expensive and play the heck out of it until you get better and realize what you like and don't like about guitars, THEN look for something later one that suits your needs that is special. Maybe I'm more old-fashioned about paying your dues or starting from the bottom. Plus buying a $5k guitar ain't going to make you a better player just because it's expensive.

cabphoto · #40 09-13-2015, 05:41 PM

sbpark

Dude! I get where you're coming from. I don't think that you've ruffled feathers. I think that you have your opinion and it is valid and peoples opinions is what I was looking for when writing my post. I do however, think that people genuinely try to be constructive in their responses to posts and that is why I think we're attracted to this forum. Regarding your concerns about how expensive a guitar is or isn't, I played a ton of Martins and Taylors in my search. Some very fine instruments of course but when I held my first Colling's OM2H and felt the fit and finish and the obvious care that was put into creating it I Understood why it was $1000 more than the comparable Martin. Sound being a preference and subjective, I don't feel that build quality is as subjective and if it's important to me and seems like a large number of others as well, why does that concern you so much?

Your own quote about buying the nice guitar early instead of a bunch of middle of the road guitars contradicts everything you're saying anyhow.

I don't claim to be Chet Atkins or anything but I play guitar everyday of my life and it brings me enormous pleasure. I've owned Martins and Taylors in my life.

The most important thing to note here though, is that my post was for those interested in this topic and as you can see there were people interested and who helped me a lot in my search. I'm not sure if you're interested in this post because you are into guitars or if you are interested in this post because you're interested in the way you think the world should be. Why do you care what I like?

I appreciate amazingly executed design. It matters to me a lot.

As far as "paying my dues" I've learned over time, from feeling the same way about certain subjects, that it was a phrase used to protect my ego when it felt threatened for whatever reason, only I could figure out by looking inward at myself instead of pointing my finger at others.

sbpark · #41 09-13-2015, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabphoto

sbpark

Dude! I get where you're coming from. I don't think that you've ruffled feathers. I think that you have your opinion and it is valid and peoples opinions is what I was looking for when writing my post. I do however, think that people genuinely try to be constructive in their responses to posts and that is why I think we're attracted to this forum. Regarding your concerns about how expensive a guitar is or isn't, I played a ton of Martins and Taylors in my search. Some very fine instruments of course but when I held my first Colling's OM2H and felt the fit and finish and the obvious care that was put into creating it I Understood why it was $1000 more than the comparable Martin. Sound being a preference and subjective, I don't feel that build quality is as subjective and if it's important to me and seems like a large number of others as well, why does that concern you so much?

Your own quote about buying the nice guitar early instead of a bunch of middle of the road guitars contradicts everything you're saying anyhow.

I don't claim to be Chet Atkins or anything but I play guitar everyday of my life and it brings me enormous pleasure. I've owned Martins and Taylors in my life.

The most important thing to note here though, is that my post was for those interested in this topic and as you can see there were people interested and who helped me a lot in my search. I'm not sure if you're interested in this post because you are into guitars or if you are interested in this post because you're interested in the way you think the world should be. Why do you care what I like?

I appreciate amazingly executed design. It matters to me a lot.

As far as "paying my dues" I've learned over time, from feeling the same way about certain subjects, that it was a phrase used to protect my ego when it felt threatened for whatever reason, only I could figure out by looking inward at myself instead of pointing my finger at others.

I actually enjoyed reading your reply, and thanks for respecting my opinion, because I do respect yours as well. I just find that on this forum if you speak up and go against the grain, lots of folds start blowing up and puffing their chests and get super offended.

cabphoto · #42 09-13-2015, 07:47 PM

Sbpark-

No problem. I'm super excited about getting my Guitar. It's my 15 year sobriety present to myself. I can't drink so I should at least have a Guitar I can get euphoric about huh?

Have a great Sunday.

Chris

Claude Bolz · #43 09-14-2015, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbpark

The OP is asking us whether or not there are any concerns about buying a guitar that is new, but has been in the shop for a while? I'd say for a $4000-$5000 guitar you'd know your stuff and be darn sure it's exactly what you want, let alone be able to play it. This blows my mind. Buying a $5000 sight unseen, then using people on an online forum if there are any concerns? My only concern would be buying such an expensive guitar and asking a question like this on an online forum! For that money you should know what you're doing.

Wow, call the charm school and tell 'em you're coming back for a refresher course.