This was a nice guitar when I bought it so many years ago. I had it customized by the late, Eldon Stutzman of Rochester, NY who lowered the bridge and cleaned out the inside. That made it better, but after it spent about 35 years in its case standing upright in a closet, it became a great sounding guitar. It has only one scratch on it. I am loath to part with it, and I have never seen one priced at $2000, for example, but neither have I seen one advertised as near-mint. So, I think it might well be worth that price to someone who wants to step back in time to purchase a 1971 instrument. So, I am wondering what you might of the price and also, how one goes ago about finding the right buyer. Appreciate your advice.
Price for a near-mint Guild D35 1971
- Thread starter Kaiser
- Start date
GardMan
Enlightened Member
First, welcome to LTG!
I have a '72 D-35, and I understand both how great they are, and how attached one can become to them.
However, I do think asking $2,000 for ANY Guild D-35 is unrealistic. The mean selling price for '70s era D-35s on eBay a couple years back (when I sold a '78) was $450. Granted, they were not in "near mint" condition. Nonetheless, you have to realize that a buyer can probably get a NEW D-40, with warranty, for less. Yes, it will need to open up over time. I'm just saying I don't think you will find a buyer at that price. As another example, I did see a "time capsule" "near mint" D-25 from '71 (flat back, all mahogany) sell for nearly $1,000 on eBay in the summer of '06... When they were new, a '71 D-35 might have cost ~$50 more than a same year D-25 (but paradoxically, D-25s usually outprice D-35s on eBay). Just my $0.02... take it for what it's worth.
Best of luck to you!
Dave
I have a '72 D-35, and I understand both how great they are, and how attached one can become to them.
However, I do think asking $2,000 for ANY Guild D-35 is unrealistic. The mean selling price for '70s era D-35s on eBay a couple years back (when I sold a '78) was $450. Granted, they were not in "near mint" condition. Nonetheless, you have to realize that a buyer can probably get a NEW D-40, with warranty, for less. Yes, it will need to open up over time. I'm just saying I don't think you will find a buyer at that price. As another example, I did see a "time capsule" "near mint" D-25 from '71 (flat back, all mahogany) sell for nearly $1,000 on eBay in the summer of '06... When they were new, a '71 D-35 might have cost ~$50 more than a same year D-25 (but paradoxically, D-25s usually outprice D-35s on eBay). Just my $0.02... take it for what it's worth.
Best of luck to you!
Dave
Taylor Martin Guild
Senior Member
Any guitar is worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
Would I pay that much for your guitar?
No but you never know who may.
Ebay is the best place to advertise your guitar.
You can put a reserve on it and if that isn't met, it's a no sale.
Give it a try and see what the world thinks it's worth.
Would I pay that much for your guitar?
No but you never know who may.
Ebay is the best place to advertise your guitar.
You can put a reserve on it and if that isn't met, it's a no sale.
Give it a try and see what the world thinks it's worth.
Dadaist
Senior Member
Welcome.
The most recent, 2011 VG Blue Book appraises your "near mint" Bluegrass D-35 at $700-$875.....a bit of a run up to $2k, unfortunately. Guild made thousands of D35s
between 1966 and 1988. They're a nice, basic, sturdy spruce and mahogany guitar.
The challenge and reality here is that much more ornate and higher quality Guild Dreads, made of rosewood or maple are going for a lot less than your target amount of $2k.
David
The most recent, 2011 VG Blue Book appraises your "near mint" Bluegrass D-35 at $700-$875.....a bit of a run up to $2k, unfortunately. Guild made thousands of D35s
between 1966 and 1988. They're a nice, basic, sturdy spruce and mahogany guitar.
The challenge and reality here is that much more ornate and higher quality Guild Dreads, made of rosewood or maple are going for a lot less than your target amount of $2k.
David
frettedstrings
Senior Member
Hey, run it up the flag pole and see if she flaps in the breeze. Maybe you will find yourself $2000 richer.
killdeer43
Reverential Member
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Do you have any photos to share with us?
I'd like to have a look, and I'm sure others would as well.
And by the way, welcome!
Joe
I'd like to have a look, and I'm sure others would as well.
And by the way, welcome!
Joe
Welcome to the gang. I'm sure your '71 D-35 is a gem. I've got a just a few years younger sister and mine's a terrific spruce/mahogany dread. Unfortunately a very long way away from "mint".
As to price. I went back to some older Vintage Guitar Price Guides and the $875 Dadaist quoted has been pretty stable. I also looked at 70's vintage, Gibson J-45 (square shoulder) and Martin D-18 prices. Those guitars top out at just under $2k. So, it's pretty doubtful you can get close to $2k when Martin and Gibbys are barely commanding that figure. But, as has been correctly noted put it out there on E-bay and see what happens.
Good luck.
As to price. I went back to some older Vintage Guitar Price Guides and the $875 Dadaist quoted has been pretty stable. I also looked at 70's vintage, Gibson J-45 (square shoulder) and Martin D-18 prices. Those guitars top out at just under $2k. So, it's pretty doubtful you can get close to $2k when Martin and Gibbys are barely commanding that figure. But, as has been correctly noted put it out there on E-bay and see what happens.
Good luck.
Scratch
Enlightened Member
A 'near mint' quality rating usually means nothing more than light pickguard scratches. A very minor finish scratch or minor finishing checking would place it in the 'excellent' or 'excellent minus' category. Ratings are usually somewhat subjective, but most buyers would expect a 'near mint' rating to mean near perfect. Good luck with your sale and welcome aboard.
Dubbaround
Member
Hi, welcome.
To be blunt: No.
A fair price is $800. A Great price is $600. A determined buyer who has a thing for these might go $1000. A sucker or a very rich guild lover might go $2000.
Why on Earth are you selling? Hard times?
To be blunt: No.
A fair price is $800. A Great price is $600. A determined buyer who has a thing for these might go $1000. A sucker or a very rich guild lover might go $2000.
Why on Earth are you selling? Hard times?
Hey thanks for the response and the welcome. I would be glad to post pictures (including the original price list/brochure from 1971) but it doesn't appear that I can upload images from my desktop. I am guessing that requires special permission?
GuildFS4612CE
Senior Member
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You need to use an online host such as photobucket and link from there. Easy.
Welcome,
Not lkely anyone here is a prospect for a D35 at your price.
Default composed a tutorial on posting pictures here. The post uses Imageshack, however the process is basically the same whatever site is used.
Ceptin maybe Apple users in New Zealand
here's a link viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5522
Not lkely anyone here is a prospect for a D35 at your price.
Default composed a tutorial on posting pictures here. The post uses Imageshack, however the process is basically the same whatever site is used.
Ceptin maybe Apple users in New Zealand
here's a link viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5522