Mint Condition?

Rick Collins · From: Claremont , CA USA

Does anyone have a vintage steel guitar that they would classify as "mint condition". I do not; but I have a Fender 26" triple Stringmaster, that I would rate about a B plus.

It's odd, that vintage steel guitars seem to be mistreated more than most other older instruments.

I have a violin made in Genoa, Italy in 1907 and it looks almost brand new except for the normal wear of the varnish on the back of the neck. And, it's nearly 50 years older than my oldest steel guitar.

BTW, the former owners of the violin did not even attempt to put pedals on it.

Rick

Jussi Huhtakangas · From: Helsinki, Finland

I assume with "mint condition" we mean "little or no playing wear" and not "new old stock" with factory tags still hanging on them. If so, the Bigsby I have could be considered as one. The original owner was an army officer and it was his pride and joy. He passed away in -79 and the guitar was put in the case and into a closet for the next 23 years until I bought it two years ago. Nothing has ever been changed on it ( except for strings ), the lacquer and metal parts are as shiny as 40 years ago when it was new. The only wear you see, are the little dim spots on the aluminium necks where the player rested his hands. It has the famous built-in ashtray and since I don't smoke myself, I decided to keep the owner's cigarette butts there too ( I told you it's all original

)!
The owner also had a beautiful D10 Marlen Speedy West pedal steel, that Ricky Davis is currently setting and puffing up. I assume he will be posting pics when it's done!

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

I have a '46 Rick D-16, metal body, a '51 National New Yorker and an early '50s Gibson Ultratone 6, black with the clear barrel knobs (from the '40s) and a Gibson console grande from the early '50s that were all museum pieces when I got them.

I have a '38 Gibson EH-150, 10-string, a '27 tricone, an early '50's Gibson Century 10 and the "Chalker/Day" Wright Q-8 that are all mint as well as a '46 Epiphone E-Harp that was mint before I put a couple of Jason Lollar pickups on it, now it's mintier. Then there's the Bigsbys.....

[This message was edited by chas smith on 25 February 2004 at 12:17 AM.]

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

I consider my Stringmaster D-8 mint.
(Not the tweed case, which has a stain).

A working musician can't use an instrument on the job and keep it mint. When you find mint instruments they were most likely in storage most of their life.

I've put plenty of dings in new equipment, no matter how careful I am.

[This message was edited by Joey Ace on 25 February 2004 at 07:34 AM.]

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Joey
How did you get the stain?

My 69 Emmons pp is "Mint" still has original
strings and the original player.

My Quad Fender is Brand New Mint..so there

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

The most strict definition of "mint" used by collectors is: absolutely brand new, no marks--like the clock stopped the day the instrument was made and the instrument was stored under museum conditions. Using this definition, there are extremely few mint vintage instruments.

I bought a 1970s Fender DeLuxe 8 about 3 years ago that was dead mint--like the clock stopped. Frankly, I was kind of afraid to play it. I sold it to the Campbell Bros. When Chuck received it he said something like, "Bob, why didn't you tell me? This thing is so perfect I'm afraid to touch it?" I had, in fact, told him several times over the phone how clean it was, but he just couldn't believe it until he saw it.

One lesson I learned was that I don't need a mint vintage instrument and really don't want one. I don't want any (additional) inhibitions when I play.

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

My late-lamented '39 Bakelite was as close to mint as I've ever seen - at least externally. I agree with Bob that dead-mint is too scary for a player to own - you're always paranoid about a scratch. My preferance is somewhere in the continuum between "really nice condition" and Willie Nelson's Martin.

James Quackenbush · From: Pomona, New York, USA

Mint to me is a scary situation...It's like a collector's piece ...I don't really like to own either one...I had a 55 Les Paul Jr. that was very close to mint ...It had the original faux Aligator case and all ...The guitar was GORGEOUS, and had very nice tight grain in the very light weight body...It sang like no other LP I have even owned...The tuners were getting to the place where they would need replacing, but I couldn't reaplace them to keep the value of the intstrument up ...If I replaced them , and then started to play the guitar , it would get banged up from use , and would then no longer be as desireable ....It drove me NUT'S !!!....I sold it !!....I was told by a well established Blues player, that he bought up a bunch of cheapo Epiphone copies with the bolt on neck, and replaced the electronic's , and the hardware with decent stuff, and ended up having just as much fun with it , and could use for a bat if he wanted to since he had so little money in it ...I thought he was kidding !!....Just as I thought he was pulling my leg, he sent me a copy of his latest release ....7 of the 11 songs on the album, were done using this LP Jr. copy !!!.... I am now I firm believer in the players guitar, or the players Pedal Steel, or the players ANYTHING !!...If you're afaid to play it, sell it !!...Museum pieces are fun to look at , but when it comes to my musical instruments, if I can't play em, I don't want em !!....Jim

[This message was edited by James Quackenbush on 25 February 2004 at 07:08 AM.]

[This message was edited by James Quackenbush on 25 February 2004 at 07:09 AM.]

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

That makes it worth more

Put the case in the sun on a hot and sunny day and those stains will disappear.

Leave the case empty or your guitar will get hot.

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

James you said and I quote

The tuners were getting to the place where they would need replacing unquote...Jim thats the exception and not the rule..I check my guitars every week and give them a run and work the tuners as well..but they are still mint.

Karl Oberlander · From: Austin, Texas, USA

My 1955 Alkire EHarp D-10 is mint and I mean it looks like it sat in a closet, even inside the control cover. No dust even. Strange, eh? And I have a 1951 Rick DC-16 that would be close to it.

I've got a bunch of others but none I'd call mint exactly. Most are in 8+ shape though. Take a look at the homepage.

Kobe

------------------
Gibson D-8 Console Grande - Stringmaster T-8 - Alkire EHarp D-10
Fender Super Reverb
kobe@austin.rr.com
http://home.austin.rr.com/kobeco

[This message was edited by Karl Oberlander on 25 February 2004 at 01:42 PM.]

Bob Hickish · From: Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.

I think I know how ones steel gets in the shape thay are ! My D8 string Master was mint when I bought it used in 1960 , BUT back in thoes days it drank a lot and used to Smoke so it has burns on it as well a dings and dents , but its still as sweet as it was back then ! NOW ! that a Marage that lasted and the love is still there ! I have a lot of dents as well !!
Keep picken Guy & Gals Life just gets better
Bob

Bobbe Seymour · From: Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.

Joey and Jody, You guys are killin' me!
You guys are funnier than the comedy channel. Almost as funny as my spelling!
Just don't ever stop, I need you humor!
Your pal, bobbe

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