Okay, so I am in a bit a a dispute as to the value and condition of a guitar I bought online. It is an Epiphone SG- G400 (retails for $300 on musicians friend) was listed as in near perfect condition. However, when I recieved it, here were the things I found wrong with it:
1.Bridge Pickup does not work at all
2. Toggle switch shorts out in the mid position, causing a the guiatar to stop playing through the amp.
4. Crack (not too deep yet, but over an inch long) in the body near the neck
5. Several dents in the back of the guiatar plus numerous scratches
6. Finish chipped of to exposed wood in two places (one of them the wood is chipped away too)
7. Strap holders completely missing
8. Neck improperly held on with a washer. Looks like a homemade fix
With this in mind, how would you rate the condition (poor, fair, good...ect.), and what would you appraise its worth at. Thanks.
2007-02-15 17:08:54 · 5 answers · asked by dios_et_dios 2 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
It's been awhile since I've been connected with muscial instrument retail, but based on the mark-up Epiphone had then, a used model in near mint would command about 50% of the suggested retail price. From general observation I think most companies have lessened the difference between their price and the MSRP, but realistically, we are probably still talking about $170-$200 for near mint condition.
And, this is not near mint. The electronics problems are most likely not something that would be too terrible to fix, but it's probably a little time (and if you're paying for it, that would probably be $50). The Crack is more troubling... if this is actually into the body and not confined to just the paint, this alone could be very bad! Even if fixable, it would cause a major devaluation.
The dents and scratches may be fairly normal... though certainly takes it from "near mint." If they are just on the back of the instrument, it coudl probably still be represented as good or very good condition (though the next comment about exposed wood could knock that down).
The missing strap pins would knock another $10 (rough cost for new ones). And lastly the neck? I can't really picture what this means (is this a bolt on using washers instead of a neck plate?). If this still properly secures the neck, then it is at best a further downgrade of the overall instrument quality. At worse, it may not be working correctly and could cause problems with the neck.
As for what it's actually worth? If the body isn't cracked, and the neck and body are in good shape and made of decent wood, I think there is probably still $100-120 in value there, though personally I wouldn't put more than that into it. If the body is cracked and/or there are real problems with the neck stemming from it's attachment, then much less.
From what you say, I would rate the condition as fair; potentially poor depending on how bad some of the things are.
2007-02-16 11:59:16 · answer #1 · answered by Paul S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to tell you, but its basically worthless. 300$ is dirt cheap to begin with and for it to have inoperative electronics cracks,finish issues, as well as bodily damage you are stuck with equivalent of driftwood. I can't tell you a value for sure.
The only way you'll get anything worthwhile out of it is if you con a naive aspiring guitar player into thinking its worth something. I don't recommend doing that, its just cruel.
To the person who said at least its a Gibson, There is no comparing a 300$ Epiphone to a decent Gibson guitar even if Gibsons use fake pearl and aren't worth the 1200+ dollars they cost.
2007-02-15 19:57:22 · answer #2 · answered by crudcasserole 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the answer is pretty obvious...the guitar was misrepresented by the seller...I mean, what you describe is far from "near perfect" condition.
I'd have to rate it: poor and not worth much in it's present condition...maybe $50 (mainly due to the funky neck repair...might not be able to stay in tune).
The only good thing about it is, it's a Gibson.
Any chance of getting your money back?
2007-02-15 17:17:53 · answer #3 · answered by GeneL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately your guitar is basically worthless. Maybe you can save some parts from it but the body/neck is trash.
2007-02-17 01:19:36 · answer #4 · answered by bikeworks 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
total CRAP...it would cost you what you spent to fix it.
worth next to nothing I'm afraid.
2007-02-15 23:38:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋