JF-55 6 string - value?

[elasticman]

a previous thread asked about the JF-65. What about a 1989 JF-55 6-string? I'm thinking of selling it. I'm finding that I prefer hog backs for my style of strumming and singing. This guitar is absolutely gorgeous but it seems to just hang on the wall watching me play my F20 and D46

Can anyone give me a ballpark value? It has a little buckle rash, some normal finish checking and a bit of wear near the headstock where it hung before I had it. I'd give it an 8 out of 10.

the bad news (for most of you) - it's a lefty

 

[elasticman]

not sure if we can talk price here?

sorry if I was out of line.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

Not out of line...not to worry.

More likely is very few lefties here, people and guitars, and hence no real comparison.

You can check fleabay history...if you can find a lefty.

You can check righties to get the general range for the model/year.

But basically market will be how badly someone wants it...and as you are aware...smaller percentage of market for lefties. And the lacquer checking will reduce the value...assuming there is no additional work, common to older acoustics, needed.

You can risk putting it up on fleabay with a relatively low starting bid and see where it goes.

Or you can keep it, knowing how difficult it would be to replace. You liked it at one time. You might again.

So your question, while simple to you, is relatively complex to others.

Good Luck.

 

[chazmo]

Oooh, I don't know if I can even ballpark a lefty for you. As a righty, this guitar is probably $1300-$1500?? Thereabouts, I guess.

 

[West R Lee]

Re: not sure if we can talk price here?

sorry if I was out of line.

No, you weren't out of line. I saw this earlier and meant to respond. Fine guitar if you ask me, but I don't think they sell for what they're worth. For one thing, it seems to me that a lot of folks don't recognize the fact that they are an F50R. Oh they call them a JF55, but they are the same guitar....big rosewood jumbo....only the designation changed.

Over the years, I've noticed that the old F50R's seem to hold their value a tad better than a JF55, I can't explain that other than probably not as many people recognize the designation.

On a guitar like that, if you really want to know, personally, I'd start at about $1700-$1800 and then deduct for various reasons. One thing that could help or hurt the value for obvious reasons is the fact that it's left handed. I also like guitars to be pretty close to mint, so I'd deduct for the finish checks. Then the 3rd thing that reduces the value is this horrible economy. Guitars just aren't moving they way they used to.

On the positive side, she's a Westerly built rosewood beauty.....I don't know....I'd ballpark her at $1100 to $1400.

Don't ever be afraid to ask questions here Elasticman.....and welcome to the website.

West

 

[bluesypicky]

Re: not sure if we can talk price here?

sorry if I was out of line.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Yeah like it was said below, probably the lefty thing that did you in. :shock:
But in fact, (and if you don't find any lefty here), they sometimes sell for more on the infamous "Bay", precisely because of their scarcity... Yes, there are some lefties out there looking for good guitars! :wink:
So don't despair and best of luck with the sale!

 

[elasticman]

F30 lefty NEAR MINT

Or you can keep it, knowing how difficult it would be to replace. You liked it at one time. You might again.

I'm leaning towards this option :wink: I have 5 guitars and want to keep only 3 that offer a variety of tones. So the JF55 would fit teh rosewood dept.

I'm more inclined to move my '75 F30. I already have the F20 (my fav) and a Tacoma DM18 that I got for a song. How many spruce/hog guitars do you need????

So... if I were to put a NEAR MINT 1975 F30 on the market (again, a lefty), I wonder what I could get?

It may be difficult for a righty to understand, but when a lefty sees a vintage Guild on fleabay or craigs, a feeling sets in that "if I don't snag this one it will not come around again". I've been buying and subsequently selling many guitars over the last 2 years to try and find that right one. The F20 and my D46 are keepers. The Tacoma is my "beater".

 

[adorshki]

Re: F30 lefty NEAR MINT

So... if I were to put a NEAR MINT 1975 F30 on the market (again, a lefty), I wonder what I could get?

OK fella NOW yer gettin outta line! :lol:

It may be difficult for a righty to understand, but when a lefty sees a vintage Guild on fleabay or craigs, a feeling sets in that "if I don't snag this one it will not come around again". I've been buying and subsequently selling many guitars over the last 2 years to try and find that right one. The F20 and my D46 are keepers. The Tacoma is my "beater".

I agree with you 3's just about the right number...except I'm wondering if I might not need some rosewood myself. I agree with West's pricing method and also agree with you that as a lefty it might actually carry a slight bump in the right place due to overall scarcity. For F30 if it's in truly almost new condition and neck is good I'm thinking $1000, they're not that common. I'd think even more in a healthy market but unfortunately think the current market won't want to pay that much.
Oh yeah, there's actually a "blue book" for guitars in case you want to check out that angle..

 

[bluesypicky]

Re: F30 lefty NEAR MINT

It may be difficult for a righty to understand, but when a lefty sees a vintage Guild on fleabay or craigs, a feeling sets in that "if I don't snag this one it will not come around again". quote]
...hence my remark above. :wink:

 

[killdeer43]

Elasticman,
Welcome to the Guilded clubhouse.

Blue Book, 11th Edition
Excellent condition 1,500-1,900
Average condition 1,000-1,200

Don't know how/if that transposes to a lefty.
Great looking herd, however. :wink:

Joe