Nightbird price?

[Hanover Fist]

There's a 1997 Nightbird GG for sale, which I'm REALLY interested in, and the seller is asking close to $2,200 for it. I asked him specifically about dents, scratches, breaks, etc., and he says there are "no issues."

I know they are a rare breed, but isn't that price kind of steep?

 

[dapmdave]

Wow. That looks like a really nice example.

Pricewise, I'd say it's not too bad. I don't know enough about the Nightbird to identify the variants, but any of them can fetch something close to $2200 according to the Price Guide.

 

[guitarslinger]

I sold mine with a spruce top and passive DiMarzio's for over 2600.00. It's been a bit and lately I'm seeing some bargains. I'd want more info than "no issues" but if I had the scratch I'd be all over that Nightbird. It's a beaut!

 

[Quantum Strummer]

That should be a 1987 GG, no? Anyway, if the guitar's structural & electronic condition is as nice as its cosmetics then US $2200 is IMO a reasonable price. If Guild were now to make a Nightbird reissue to the same quality standard using the same materials as a GG original (though likely with HB-1s rather than EMGs) I expect the retail price would be well north of $2200.

-Dave-

 

[GAD]

That guitar's been up there for a long time. It might have fetched that five years ago, but used guitar prices aren't what they used to be. $2000 is the mark for me on Nightbirds, but I don't like EMGs (many people don't) so that's probably also hurting the sales potential.

There's another nightbird on eBay that is an auction. I'm curious to see where it ends.

 

[Hanover Fist]

I asked for clarification on the "no issues," and the seller replied "No major issues, no breaks or repairs. Has surface scratches and some wear."

That's still not specific enough for me, so I'm going to hold off for now.

Oh, and it IS a 1987 model.

 

[Quantum Strummer]

That guitar's been up there for a long time. It might have fetched that five years ago, but used guitar prices aren't what they used to be. $2000 is the mark for me on Nightbirds, but I don't like EMGs (many people don't) so that's probably also hurting the sales potential.

Okay, I'll go with that. Particularly the EMG angle. TBH I haven't recently paid much attention to used price trends with most guitars. If it's not a '66 Jazzmaster (to go with my Jag of the same year) or a 1930s Martin 0 or 00-17 I'm blind to it.

-Dave-

 

[Stephen]

That guitar's been up there for a long time. It might have fetched that five years ago, but used guitar prices aren't what they used to be. $2000 is the mark for me on Nightbirds, but I don't like EMGs (many people don't) so that's probably also hurting the sales potential.

There's another nightbird on eBay that is an auction. I'm curious to see where it ends.

Yet if the reviled EMGs were replaced then the price would suffer because the guitar is not original.

 

[txbumper57]

Yet if the reviled EMGs were replaced then the price would suffer because the guitar is not original.

Not necessarily, The also came stock with HB1's and Kent Armstrong pickups if I am not mistaken. So in my mind if someone swapped the EMG's for HB1's it might increase the value of it to some. While it may not be original to this guitar it would be an original configuration.

 

[Quantum Strummer]

My Steinberger GL4-T came with EMGs. They were alright but kinda hifi sounding in this particular guitar, which heavily emphasizes fundamental tones and can sound clinical with overly clear pickups. So I swapped in a set of Evans pickups, not unlike the EMGs in design but hotter and voiced with more midrange. The guitar is a little hotrod and sounds huge through an amp that can handle the heat without compressing much.

I still have the EMGs somewhere in a drawer, hoping I'll eventually find the "right" guitar for 'em.

-Dave-

 

[fuman]

That's at the high end of the "Reverb" price scale, but in my experience at the low end of what people generally ask for one of these in great shape.