Neck Reset

[Woolley]

In the current collectors market, does the fact that a guitar has had a neck reset adversely affect the value of the instrument? I would say from a players standpoint, definitely not. But to a collector, not so sure. Ideas?

 

[Guildedagain]

It's paradoxical. I've never knowingly bought a guitar that's had a neck reset because the cost is greater than what I like to spend on a guitar, or equal, and it's usually passed on in the sales price, nevermind commonly mentioned damage done during the job.

Are you keeping it longterm, or selling it?

If done correctly, it could come out even, like new paint and roof do not increase the value of a house, it's just maintenance, but most sellers would like to see that money back when they sell.

I like to buy guitars that "need a neck set" someone has been told, but could just benefit from lighter strings, as well as the fascination with high saddles can be taken to extremes, when it's a proven fact that guitars with extremely low saddles can sound just fine. The break angle thing is overblown.

 

[Woolley]

I am trying to decide on whether or not to sell or keep a guitar I own that would benefit from a reset although it plays pretty well the way it is setup. Also looking at something to buy that prob will need a reset down the line. A friend of mine suggested I think of it as a fine violin. Many if not all will need a neck reset in their lifetimes.

 

[Guildedagain]

I think I'd list it the way it is and let the buyer decide on a repair, factoring in the price, whatever that may be, but if it still plays pretty well it can probably wait a little longer. Some guys have this done routinely, it make them feel better, and they can afford it. As well there's an expert at doing old Guilds that folks send the better instruments to, and he seems to keep pretty busy from what I read here. His name comes up again and again, Tom Jacobs.

 

[davismanLV]

I'm just dropping in here before I'm off to dreamland again. Having not read any of the above, I'd say a great guitar with great action and geometry that has NOT had a neck reset is better (or more desirable) than one that's had a neck reset. The main thing is originality. Taking a neck off and resetting it is not something to be taken lightly. It's done because it's the only choice to make it playable again. And it's major work. And I'd also say that the reset is only as good as the person who does it. There are good ones, and bad ones. So none is the best, IF it's all in line and playable. And now as I've read above, it depends on what you're using it for. Collector or player?

If it plays well now, then I'd just move in on and let someone else worry about it, pricing accordingly. As far as buying.... depending on where you live and how expensive that repair is, make sure it's priced accordingly. Here on the West Coast of the USA, they're kind of expensive. $1000-1500. And there's a huge wait time depending on the backlog of work the luthier has.

Does this help you at all??

 

[fronobulax]

In the current collectors market, does the fact that a guitar has had a neck reset adversely affect the value of the instrument? I would say from a players standpoint, definitely not. But to a collector, not so sure. Ideas?

Depends.

The cost of a reset is highly variable. Some luthiers won't or can't do one, some luthiers do better jobs than others and some folks won't ship to a luthier to get a reset done. Others just plan on having the instrument shipped to their favorite luthier in Florida. Some folks are willing and able to try the reset themselves.

So there are definitely cases where a potential buyer won't even consider an instrument that needs a reset because the buyer will not be able to get the work done to the buyer's satisfaction.

Buyers who can get the work done will include those costs in their assessment of value and lower their offer accordingly.

Some people believe the need for a reset is an intrinsic feature of the guitar's design and thus a reset within X years is inevitable. Those folks are willing to pay more for an instrument that has had a reset already than one that needs it. It is inevitable and there is value if someone else has taken care of it.

Some folks do not believe that a reset is inevitable (or believe X (above) is closer to 100 years than 25). So needing a reset lowers price and having had one devalues the instrument and so lowers the price.

But you did say collectors, not players. Most collectors eventually place a value of how close something is to new condition and if they can tell by inspection that a reset has been done they will lower value.

You might get better answers and less speculation if you give us context.

Are you buying or selling? If the instrument needs a reset do you have access to a competent luthier that you trust? Is $5,000 a reasonable price because that is one arbitrary place that separates collectors from players.

You have hinted that you are both buying and selling different instruments.

I would not have the work done on the instrument being sold and would lower my expectations a little bit. The buyer might also decide it doesn't need a reset or the instrument might have more value to them if their luthier does the work.

I would factor the cost of a potential reset into any offer I made to buy an instrument which will lower what you offer the buyer.

You are allowed to post pics and ask for opinions on pricing and value.

 

[Mingus]

It's a tricky subject, and something that i'm dealing with at the moment as well. I have a friend who is passing on some instruments that may or may not need it done. And I might want to purchase those instruments...so what's the risk? Having purchased a guitar last year that had the neck reset (gone wrong) already, i'm still finding little issues with it. Besides the disclosed issues when I bought it (cosmetic damage that was skillfully repaired), the frets were leveled above the neck joint, but never recrowned. Things like that on this specific guitar don't bug me because 1) I'm not playing above the 12th fret on an acoustic guitar...like literally ever and 2) This guitar is STILL fantastic. I'm still smitten with it and 100% satisfied with my purchase, price, etc. I'm lucky that all of the "issues" i've found are either cosmetic or don't matter at all to my playing style.

But there's the rub. Neck resets are incredibly common with older guitars. But that doesn't make the process any less destructive. You are literally breaking the guitar - parts that were never meant to separate. Anything can happen during that process. So if we are comparing a guitar that needs a neck reset vs one that's already had one, it's a tossup. I'd posit that, assuming it was done right and CAME OUT right in the end, the guitar with the neck already reset is more valuable than even the cost of the unreset guitar plus the cost of the reset. When you shell out cash for a reset, it's a gamble. The more skilled AND EXPERIENCED the luthier, the better your odds.

I'd say, unless you have an extremely competent luthier operating at a reasonable price AND the guitar is worth a substantial amount, don't reset the neck just to sell it. If it's playable as is, list it and see what you can get for it. Just be honest about the condition. You don't have to tell potential buyers that "it needs a neck reset," but rather be very descriptive about the action, any belly bulge, saddle height, etc. Facts that matter. If you want to keep it for yourself and are concerned about playability, don't be concerned about the resale value. It'll hold if it's a valuable instrument. Just get it reset if you need to, keep it as-is if you're happy!

 

[Woolley]

All great responses above and certainly thought provoking. I am coming to believe the value of the guitar will decline if it is in need of a reset or has already been reset. The guitar I own I will sell with out resetting the neck because it is more than playable as is and as a collector I would want to make that decision. The luthier that set it up and repaired the binding (1963 Gretsch Jet) is more than capable of neck resets. I have seen many he has done. The guitar I had been considering buying (Guild Archtop)needs a reset. I have decided to pass on the guitar since I want to play, not send guitars to the luthier to reset necks as soon as I buy them. It's just not worth it to me. Especially if it is expensive. There are so many nice guitars out there I dont feel the need to choose something that needs a lot of work. So enjoy your guitars and your time playing them. I know I will. cheers.......