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to be or not to be,to buy or not to buy


bebove64

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Posted

hello everybody,

I've just found a 1989 h535 asb price 1500$,no certificate at all,no original Heritage hard case (Gibson 335 hard case...agh).Well I haven't touch it yet,I don't know anything 'bout its conditions,pups etc ,it's 70 miles away from my home. Anyway it is 21 years old!So better find a younger one or a new one or go on with this sale although the guitar has no certificate(lost) and original case (Gisbon?!?!) ? is this a right price?

Any advice?

Thanks

bebove

Posted

I know that these are more rare than in the States, so that's a factor.

 

I love the older ones a lot, but must admit I pretty much love all Heritage guitars.

 

Older ones may have...

a slightly thinner neck.. ( not always though )

slightly crooked tuners.. ( work fine, just a small detail )

Schaller pickups and hardware... ( personal opinion if you like them )

 

With that said , I tend to prefer the old ones with 20 year old wood. I love the older feel and the lumber that they used on these.

 

Like any guitar , you have to look at condition, electronics, visual appeal, features etc.

 

And keep looking for any more currently for sale to compare it to.

 

 

( oh , and I'd want to change that case.. just because..)

Posted

From this side of the pond, that is a bit high for an H535 of that age, in my opinion. And without an original case. Thing is, it might be a good price in Italy. How easy is it to come across an H535 over there?

Posted

Not having a feel for the Heritage market in Italy, it would be hard to judge whether the price is a good one for you.

 

Having said that, the condition of the guitar and how it feels/sounds to you make the difference. Check for fretwear and anything loose in the hardware. Other than that, there is nothing wrong with older guitars if they have been well-kept.

Posted

unfortunately it's not easy to come across Heritage guitars all around the boot,only 16 guitars(all models) on sale right now ....ah ..ah and there's only a dealer for all the stores.what a shame for a heritage fanatic fan!

What important is the certificate for a second hand sale ?

I'd want to change case for sure...just because....of course! :icon_thumleft:

Anyway thanks for all the informations you're giving to me guys,I really appreciate it!!!! :drink2_mini:

Posted
What important is the certificate for a second hand sale ?

 

If you are talking about the little warranty card certificate, it doesn't matter at all.

 

The only case where a certificate matters is on a limited edition where it is a special certificate, and even then doesn't make much difference in resale price, but it is a good marketing tool to help sell.

Posted

If you are talking about the little warranty card certificate, it doesn't matter at all.

 

The only case where a certificate matters is on a limited edition where it is a special certificate, and even then doesn't make much difference in resale price, but it is a good marketing tool to help sell.

Well I mean for example this one:

post-1540-007137900 1294432550_thumb.jpg

Posted

Well I mean for example this one:

 

I'd say that isn't important at all. Not for a used resale. Only ones that would be importand are the ones Fred mentioned - Limited Edition Certs.

Posted

What Fred & Kenny said. I would not worry about the certificate. As for the price . . . I'd see what shape it was in and try to negotiate based on what's there. To me, that seems a bit high for one bought here, if that's true for over there I might try to get them to shave some off. The two Heritages I got that were not off of eBay, and the one I've made a deal to sell, were all just discussing what it was worth, a price was thrown out there that was agreeable to both, and the deal was done with, as far as I know, both parties extremely pleased with the outcome.

 

If only all of life was that simple. But I digress. I'd check it out, see the shape, and maybe try to haggle a bit. Best of luck!

Posted

hello everybody,

I've just found a 1989 h535 asb price 1500$,no certificate at all,no original Heritage hard case (Gibson 335 hard case...agh).Well I haven't touch it yet,I don't know anything 'bout its conditions,pups etc ,it's 70 miles away from my home. Anyway it is 21 years old!So better find a younger one or a new one or go on with this sale although the guitar has no certificate(lost) and original case (Gisbon?!?!) ? is this a right price?

Any advice?

Thanks

bebove

I had an '85 H-140 that was absolutely awesome until i broke the headstock on it..But thats a story for another time..But that being said, seeing as Heritages are so rare in "The Boot" as you say, I'd go look at it, and defintely plug it in in and see how she sounds..If you like it, try to make a deal..you can always pick up a case later..good Luck..Scott

Posted
I'd check it out, see the shape, and maybe try to haggle a bit.

 

 

Get lots of pics of it. Point out the things that would typically reduce the price in a shop.

I'd have a pretty good idea of my feelings about it before driving 70 miles.

Negotiate in a straightforward, business like manner.

 

 

(A store may trade you for that Gibson case or you could even cover up the Gibson logo with a little effort. )

Posted

I understand that the price for this guitar is a little bit high and first of all I'd have a first touch with it in order to give a good check (wood,hardware,frets,neck,headstock etc).

Well there'no big difference of price between a new and a second hand model all around the "Boot" just because there are no many Heritage guitars on sale here!(everybody says here:the older the guitar the higher the price"; I agree 50%)

So you could say:why don't you buy a new one? 'cause I am actracted by old guitars (vintage) although in certain cases a new one can play even better than a old one(my 2007 h 575 custom has an incredible amazing sound!).

Good news about the certificate !thanks

 

 

 

apologize for my scholastic crappy english,not my mother language

Venice time 11:45 pm

Kalamazoo time 5:45 pm

Posted

Helping Southpawguy find leftys, i know how hard it is for you guys to get nice American made guitars over the pond. I wouldnt worry about the warentee certificate. Whenever i buy a guitar out of country i always get very detailed pics of all the VITAL AREAS:

 

1. heel joint

2. headstock, nut area..front and back

3. F holes, check for cracks

4. top and back, look for unusuall wear

5. frets

 

given the Euro exchange rate, you might be ok on price.

 

good luck!!!

Posted

Definitely what Brent says, plus I would always look for a close up of the rear of the headstock.

 

Some sellers unknowingly have factory seconds, marked with a "2", or maybe even a "BGN" ( "bargain" not available for sale to the general public but sometimes appear for sale). I've seen a guitar actually listed as a BGN model.

Posted

All good advise. 70 miles isn't very far to find a new love, see it in person.

 

I agree with Hfan, for the money, it's more than close enough to drive, and it saves shipping cost. Plus, you can check firsthand for things like setup, fret wear, scratchy volume controls, and the condition of the neck joint. I bought an 86 model H140 last year, and it's a fine guitar, in very good shape for something that is 20+ years old.

 

Good Luck BeBove64. Make sure you post pictures if you make the deal!

Posted

thanks to all of you guys

next week I'll drive for 70 miles .My eyes and my hands must be on this White whale!I'll check everything,every single inch,every single mil of the guitar.all your advise are really important for me! And my next guitar will thank you also!

All pictures will be posted in case of deal.

I understand that:a) the cert. of aut. is not so important for a used resale.

B) definitely no gibson case!I'd want to change that case...just because...

 

the hunt is going on..

 

Venice time 9:45 am

Kalamazoo time 3:45 am

Posted

bad news from the '89 h535 friends! the guitar has been withdrawn from sale for rethinking of the seller!!Aghhhhhh :crybaby2:

Anyway I've just found another White Whale,the only one model of eagle classic on sale all around "The Boot"(what a shame!!!!).

here is a couple of pic of it, a 2007 model.

Any comments?

 

Ps still missing a h535

post-1540-036635000 1294868701_thumb.jpg

post-1540-066394600 1294868757_thumb.jpg

Posted

I was living in Europe in 2009-10 and noticed the relatively high price of guitars in that part of the world versus the U.S. $1,500 isn't necessarily too high in the U.S. for that instrument but I'm guessing it's pretty good for Europe.

 

Might be better to look at the percent difference between H-535's and their Gibson counterparts in the US and then see if the one you're looking at in Italy compares similarly to Gibson ES 335's being sold there.

Posted

I was living in Europe in 2009-10 and noticed the relatively high price of guitars in that part of the world versus the U.S. $1,500 isn't necessarily too high in the U.S. for that instrument but I'm guessing it's pretty good for Europe.

 

Might be better to look at the percent difference between H-535's and their Gibson counterparts in the US and then see if the one you're looking at in Italy compares similarly to Gibson ES 335's being sold there.

good advice thanks! :icon_thumright:

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