Would you sell a Mint condition guitar for something not as pretty?

[ericcsong]

In my case, a African Blackwood Ryan Cathedral which is in MINT condition with no flaws.

I'm looking at a very special guitar. The finish isn't UV so it doesn't look as refined. However, the tone and playability are simply outstanding.

The guitar I'm looking at has a small crack in finish as well.

Of course, if a guitar speaks to you, it speaks to you. Ryan speaks to me a lot, the other one does too, but the finish crack bothers me a little bit!

so, would you sell a Mint condition guitar for something not as pretty?

[Brent Hutto]

I would sell the mint condition guitar if I no longer wanted to play it and it would bring more money than keeping it was worth to me.

I'd buy the new guitar if I wanted to play it and had the money, a finish crack would not worry me at all.

For me those two decisions don't have much to do with each other. The fact that your Ryan is mint condition has no effect on the other guitar. The fact that the other guitar has a finish crack means nothing with regard to your Ryan.

[ericcsong]

well said brent. they definitely don't have any effect on each other, but both have effect on me!

[MikeD]

I recently just traded a mint 2008 Manzer for a 1998 Walker. The decision was a no brainer for me... I did not play the Manzer,and the Walker (although a dozen years old with plenty of play wear) sounds and plays phenomenal. If I were a curator of a museum, or viewed guitars as more artwork than instruments, I would definitely have kept the Manzer. However, that not being the case, I made the trade based on playability & tone... I can deal with a few nicks, scratches and dings, none of which you see when you're playing the guitar btw.

[ericcsong]

MikeD, I hear you. I still play the guitar a lot and I really love the Ryan. Its very very versatile as well.

I'm thinking about a somogyi and the somogyi does fingerstyle so so well, but not as versatile. also, the somogyi doesn't have a hole for pick up. I'd like to install one, but then I'd hate to drill a hole in a somogyi.

hard choices! but good ones to have

[brian a.]

Eric,
I have been in similar situations before, so I understand your dilemma. For me the solution was to look at the choice from the perspective of, "If I were going to buy one of these guitars today, which would I buy? And why?" Then the choice was always clear.
Good luck and happy shopping,
Brian

PS, to answer your original question, yes, I would sell a Mint guitar for something not as pretty. If the ugly ducking sang to me more.

[Dwight]

Originally Posted by ericcsong

Ryan speaks to me a lot, the other one does too, but the finish crack bothers me a little bit!

The answer is in the question! Keep the Ryan because the finish crack in the other one bothers you a little bit.

Some people are affected by imperfections and others are not, I am and it sounds like you are too. It appears you could afford to get something more perfect if are willing to wait.

If 98% of the people on this forum are not bothered, good for them. We'll have someone to sell our less than perfect guitars to.

[usb_chord]

Yes. Have you played the Somogyi in question, though? If so, it seems like that would be the determining factor (for me, at least). Also, I'd probably do everything in my power to mic a Somogyi in all settings.

[Brent Hutto]

Originally Posted by Schoolside

If 98% of the people on this forum are not bothered, good for them. We'll have someone to sell our less than perfect guitars to.

Price appropriately, of course.

[cotten]

Originally Posted by brian a.

..."If I were going to buy one of these guitars today, which would I buy? And why?..."

This makes perfect sense to me.

cotten

[Humbuster]

Yes sir.

In fact, I am in the process of doing this as we speak.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by ericcsong

...so, would you sell a Mint condition guitar for something not as pretty?

Hi eric…

If the new guitar spoke more to me…yes

[ericcsong]

the new guitar definitely speaks to me more in a fingerstyle way, but not a more versatile way. thanks for good insights! need to play the somogyi a couple more times!

[Ilovetaylors]

This is how I would see things...

If I knew I would never sell the somoygi......and its the perfect guitar in terms of what I was looking for. (fingerstyle)

By all means I would...

But if imperfections bother you. It might creep doubt later on and you might be filled with regret.

[Kitchen Guitars]

I had a dead mint '47 Gibson ES125. NO refinish, NO Crazing. I knew it was a matter of time before the crazing happened. I was petrified to change the strings. I sold it and bought a 72 Yamaha Brazilian OM with scratches marks and soul you cant believe. No regret. I would like a beat ES125 some day.