Price watch (99)

Didn't realize this blue version (SML721) is already available here. This version is $20 more than its previous red-ish version. 

The new S520AH is also in; $50 more than the previous weathered finish version. 

It's plain to see that prices are moving up without substantial changes to the instruments' specifications; exchange rate, shippings costs going up, etc. - we understand. This day & age, we should make efforts to acquire instruments from dealers who have the buyers' interest in mind (slim chance) as opposed to marking prices up to make their ends meet, excessively for some. I'm not implying the dealer for these instruments featured above are as such. It's something to take note of.

Pics: Ibanez

Price watch (66)

This is a guitar store located at Excelsior SC. The store's glass panel extends to the building's washroom area. Enough clues already.

The guitars you see above are all discontinued models less one PRS. These are not new models, they have been around for a while, still waiting for the right individuals to fall in love with them & bringing them home (after payment, of course). The thing is, prices for these instruments are Day 1 prices. Yes, these have not been subjected to any discounts (yet) till today so falling in love with any of these instruments is a little subjective. Some of the guitars still have the plastic protective layer on them, eg. the Fender Elvis Costello Jazzmaster. This one debuted in 2008 so good luck in removing that; we know what it's like dealing with something that should be removed but given a prolonged existence. 

I'm nobody when it comes to sale recommendations but some things should be cleared in good time. Take that green Strat there with the flag sticker on the pickguard for instance; is an American Original Series. It debuted in 2018 & discontinued in 2021. When Swee Lee still had it in stock, it was listed for $2.8k+ & rightfully so as it's in the higher tier of Fender's offerings. Also, this particular store does not display prices up front; even their online references do not bear any price listings. Price tags, I feel, has a psychological effect on the shopping minds. Even if you don't end up buying, the figures cannot be unseen (if you understand what I mean). This is why some stores even display a fake slashed / discounted listing. I've nothing against this store. In fact, I've purchased three guitars from them, pickups & countless number of strings. I would want them to do well & give other stores there good competition. Then again, I'm sure they know what they are doing despite us (the outsiders) thinking otherwise.

Wishing everyone a good week ahead.

Price watch (23)

Another difficult proposition; a Gibson Robot SG with a broken headstock.

Reality check

Gibson guitars with any kind of auto-tuning technology is a difficult one to sell away.  This guitar is an SG, the mechanical implements on the headstock makes the neck dive obscene. The other painful mitigating factor there is the broken headstock; it's unrepaired & offered for sale as it is. 

Managing expectations

This discussion will touch on matters pertaining to Gibson instruments with broken headstocks. The implications discussed here shall not be cascaded unto other instruments bearing other brand names.

A Gibson with a broken headstock will be devalued by 50% of its initial listing price & this applies to guitars with a repaired headstock. If done well, the buyer might offer a little more, depending on his conceptual acceptance of the repair standard. The 50% devalue status is not a strict adherence, it depends on the degree of damage (slight crack vs totally snapped off headstock / clean break vs fragmented break / etc.). Also, no two repair standards are the same simply owing to the nature of the damage. Some damages do not require a re-finish, a simple touch up & it's good to go. Other repair types, like a dowel insertion, is better off with a re-finish. In addition to visual appeal (the finish helps to conceal the dowel's existence), the re-finish helps seal gaps & strengthen the neck. 

Will I buy the Gibson depicted above?

No, not even for $500. Simple reason - I will incur further repair / restoration costs & the fact that it has robot tuners to begin with. These compounding factors will make the guitar repulsive in the after-market. At best, if there's a sentimental value in there, I might do a trade with a pedal or a good, practice tube amp. You might say the pedal-to-guitar matching consideration is way off in terms of value but if that is the case, then there is a failure to understand that this SG is in a problematic condition to begin with.