Guildedagain
Enlightened Member
I would dread selling anything to people that want mint 50 year old guitars that were made to be played, but I never ever ever buy a guitar that says mint in the listing, I know it's bogus, there's no such thing.
I have better eyes than most people, or at least they work. I had a guy send me a "mint" Les Paul flametop, that actually had worming on the back, nevermind the usual nicks and dings everywhere.
It was obvious that guitar had been played lots, witness the missing gold plating. It doesn't just fall off, it wears away with playing and cleaning.
As warned, Bonfires got you. A possible crack and an unmentioned fret job. I'm still learning as I go, and I tend to buy guitars that are a good deal on impulse, but a lot of all the guitar problems I've had in the last few years could be alleviated by asking seller for a pic of the 1st three frets, and more of the frets/fretboard.
Problem like huge gouges in the G/B strings from either capo or guitar falling forward and strings denting frets, and nasty irrepairable side to side gouges in the fingerboard from wannabe luthiers working on the frets.
Ask to look at the frets, ask to look at the fingerboard, or you will have surprises.
Pickups and electronics are important, but you play the neck.
I have better eyes than most people, or at least they work. I had a guy send me a "mint" Les Paul flametop, that actually had worming on the back, nevermind the usual nicks and dings everywhere.
It was obvious that guitar had been played lots, witness the missing gold plating. It doesn't just fall off, it wears away with playing and cleaning.
As warned, Bonfires got you. A possible crack and an unmentioned fret job. I'm still learning as I go, and I tend to buy guitars that are a good deal on impulse, but a lot of all the guitar problems I've had in the last few years could be alleviated by asking seller for a pic of the 1st three frets, and more of the frets/fretboard.
Problem like huge gouges in the G/B strings from either capo or guitar falling forward and strings denting frets, and nasty irrepairable side to side gouges in the fingerboard from wannabe luthiers working on the frets.
Ask to look at the frets, ask to look at the fingerboard, or you will have surprises.
Pickups and electronics are important, but you play the neck.