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Topic: Is this guitar worth the asking price? |
Terry Goodman
From:
Daphne, AL 36526
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Posted 23 Mar 2003 10:42 am |
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I hope this is not inappropriate to post here, if so please delete.
Is this guitar worth what Elderly is asking?
http://elderly.com/vintage/items/50U-1251.htm
I am evaluating this guitar now and have until tomorrow to decide whether to keep or not. The guitar sounds pretty good, a little on the quiet side, I just don't know if the price is average for this type of instrument.
I have seen them go for less on Ebay (around $400). Elderly recently sold one for $650.
I see the Oahu guitars go for around $300-$400 on Ebay. Is this guitar in the same class as the Oahu's?
Thanks |
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Russ Young
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2003 2:44 pm
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Terry: I'll go out on a limb and say the price seems a bit high. That's just a gut reaction, and I'm not there to hear it.
The Mastertones aren't nearly as common as Oahu squarenecks, although Oahu had their label on a wide variety of styles from different guitar builders. The materials ranged from plywood to solid tone woods.
According to Gruhn's Guide, the Mastertone Acoustic Hawaiian was offered between 1939 and 1942.
As always, if it sounds and feels like it's worth $700 to you that's all that really matters. [This message was edited by Russ Young on 23 March 2003 at 02:49 PM.] |
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Terry Goodman
From:
Daphne, AL 36526
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Posted 23 Mar 2003 3:10 pm
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Thanks for the reply, Russ.
I guess I don't know if it sounds like it's worth $700 or not. I don't think Elderly is trying to gouge anyone; perhaps I should have asked if an Oahu (which I've seen go for half that price on Ebay) would sound just as good. In other words, is it in the same class as the MasterTone. From your email I assume the answer is "It depends".
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 23 Mar 2003 3:18 pm
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I think some of the Oahu guitars of the same era would sound as good as the Mastertone. It all depends on which model you have. Oahu guitars ranged from entry-level beginners models to quite fine and fancy models.
I think Elderly does a good job of providing decent instruments at a fair price. I can't say whether this one is worth the money, but I haven't heard it either.
Sorry to be so indecisive, but it all boils down to how the guitar sounds to YOU.
------------------
Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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Russ Young
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2003 3:25 pm
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Terry:
Most of the Oahu squarenecks that I've seen on eBay appear to be the lower-end student models. Their better guitars -- the ones that would probably be comparable to the Mastertone -- don't show up nearly as often. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 26 Mar 2003 9:25 am
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Though I'm far from an "expert", I find it hard to understand why this guitar is classified "VG-EC" condition. Of course, it's just a personal observation on my part, but it seems to have maybe over a hundred bumps scratches, and what appears to be, in some places, serious "dings". Also, with "painted-on" pfurling, I wouldn't exactly call this a "high-end" acoustic Hawaiian guitar.
And, just because it's rare doesn't make it good. Expensive...maybe, but not good.
(my2cents) |
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Russ Young
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 26 Mar 2003 2:14 pm
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Hey Terry -- Is the winning bidder on this Oahu squareneck anybody you know? 
It looks like a pretty sweet guitar at half the price -- I hope we get a full report from the new owner ... |
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Terry Goodman
From:
Daphne, AL 36526
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Posted 27 Mar 2003 4:52 am
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Yes, Russ, that would be me. I'll let you know what I think after I receive the guitar.
Thanks |
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