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Topic: Advice on asking price for Model 59 Rick |
Stephen Rethmeier
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 1 Sep 2014 6:38 am |
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Hi All,
I have a 1937 Model 59 Rickenbacker that I never play and am thinking about selling. I bought it from Jim Palenscar at Steel Guitars of North County about two years ago. He had gone through the guitar, stripping the paint and plating it, replacing the tuners, replacing the old newspaper stuffing (dated Sept 9, 1937, if I recall) with cloth rags, and checked/work on the 1.5" pick up--can't remember if he rewound it or if it was fine, but it plays loud and strong. No case, only a cheap gig-bag. Anyone have thoughts on a reasonable selling price? Thanks.
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Randy Reeves
From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 5 Sep 2014 7:14 am
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my Model 59 original paint. sort of a rough light beige toothy surface. the newspaper inside dates to Oct. 10, 1938. I bought it at Willie's American Guitars in St Paul, MN for $ 395 about seven years ago.
yours looks great and should bring in more bucks. everything works. |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 5 Sep 2014 7:38 am
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I have a question for Jim or anyone--having done this beautiful work on this Model 59, is it now essential identical to a Silver Hawaiian?
Silver Hawaiians have not been getting good prices for a lot of years now. (personal disclaimer--I have one and I would love to see the value increase significantly in order to sell it.) They are gorgeous but you don't seem to be able to even get $1000 for excellent condition specimens. One just sold here for an astonishingly low price (including a great stand)--I will consider this an anomaly.
So if an Exc. S. Hawaiian might have a real market value of $800-900, this might help you price your guitar. |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 5 Sep 2014 8:02 am
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Other than an adjustable height unit (half moon mounting tabs, springs, flat mounting plate, knurl nuts) ... Yep, it's now a "Silver" ...
I've seen "Silvers" that were ... All chromed brass ... Chromed brass top with chromed steel body ... All chromed steel ...
A small rubber magnet will tell you what you have ...  ... I have one of each
Side story ... I recently redid a black wrinkled Model 59 for Jeff Kearns ... And that rascal sounded better than any Silver, 59, NS or Model G Deluxe I ever heard ... Don't know why, but it sure did  |
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Stephen Rethmeier
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 5 Sep 2014 3:17 pm
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| I always thought the difference between the 59 and the Silver was the pick-up width--59 is 1.5" and (I thought) Silvers were 1.25". Not true? |
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Stephen Rethmeier
From:
Nashville TN
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 6 Sep 2014 6:23 am
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I always found it funny that the 59s lacked the adjustable unit .. The post war version NS had them with its 1.25"- ers ...
Doesn't seem like they could have saved too much $$$ going with the hard mount .... 
As far as Jeff's black wrinkle 59 .... I rewound the coil and did my usual remag ... So it's superior sonic behavior remains a mystery to me 
Probably the near mint ... Tightly detailed ... Black wrinkle paint.  |
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