Valuation? - Westerly Guild D4 12NT

[drobinson9]

Hi, I purchased this Guild D4 12NT a few years ago, imported it from the USA , where it had apparently been under a bed for over 20 years, to the UK in June 2013. It's absolutely mint. Well, it is if adding a pick-up doesn't detract from its value. Thing is, because it was in mint condition when it arrived, I don't play it - hardly. So it's still mint. Not a single dink, no blemishes, scatches. Even the scratch board appears scratch free (I don't use a plectrum when I have played it, which is very rarely).

 

[drobinson9]

 

[drobinson9]

 

[Cougar]

Condition is indeed a major factor in valuation, so you've got that covered. I usually just look on reverb.com sold listings to get a good idea of what a guitar is worth. Remarkably, sold Guild D4-12's yield zero! There is one for sale in Spain for a little over $1,200, but it's been there a month and hasn't sold, so apparently that's priced a little high. Looks like yours is a very nice Guild dread 12-string. Good luck with the sale!

 

[Cougar]

Well, now I see one sold on ebay at auction for just $500. Only one bidder. It was also in reportedly excellent condition. I'd say somebody got a steal at that price.

Oh, regarding adding a pickup, I think that's a slight plus for resale purposes, not a minus.

 

[drobinson9]

Well, now I see one sold on ebay at auction for just $500. Only one bidder. It was also in reportedly excellent condition. I'd say somebody got a steal at that price.

Oh, regarding adding a pickup, I think that's a slight plus for resale purposes, not a minus.

Thanks for your replies! I'm glad you said that about the pick-up!

 

[AcornHouse]

D4 s, in general, are the unsung workhorses in the Guild canon. A late Westerly interpretation of the D25, they are no-bling cannons. (See what I did there?) One was my introduction to Guilds. They don’t command the prices on the used market that their sound does, around $500 depending on condition. Great value for buyers, no cash cows for sellers. A 12 string may boost that a bit, but Guild’s F series 12ers are far better known, aside from Tom Petty’s D25-12. Doesn’t take away from how good the sound probably is, just that they aren’t well known or coveted for that reason.
Can we assume you’re in the UK? That should bump the price up a little more, as is typical for Guilds in Europe.

 

[Longnose Gar]

I bought a 1993 D4-12NT on consignment at my local shop a few years ago for $650. Good, not great, condition.

 

[GAD]

Moving to Acoustics as there doesn’t appear to be anything for sale.

 

[drobinson9]

D4 s, in general, are the unsung workhorses in the Guild canon. A late Westerly interpretation of the D25, they are no-bling cannons. (See what I did there?) One was my introduction to Guilds. They don’t command the prices on the used market that their sound does, around $500 depending on condition. Great value for buyers, no cash cows for sellers. A 12 string may boost that a bit, but Guild’s F series 12ers are far better known, aside from Tom Petty’s D25-12. Doesn’t take away from how good the sound probably is, just that they aren’t well known or coveted for that reason.
Can we assume you’re in the UK? That should bump the price up a little more, as is typical for Guilds in Europe.

Hi, yes, I'm in the UK, open to offers!

 

[GAD]

Hi, yes, I'm in the UK, open to offers!

Either you’re selling or your not. If you’d like to sell it we can pit this back in the FS forum but you must list a price.

 

[adorshki]

Thanks for your replies! I'm glad you said that about the pick-up!

A very small detail but that compensated saddle isn't original either. Maybe installed with the UST?
Given their growing popularity however it's likely a plus.

 

[davismanLV]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the neck angle. The guitar can be as pristine as new, and if the neck angle is bad, it's still going to need some expensive work. We've seen "closet queen/case queen" guitars that have been stowed for long periods at full tension, that are beautiful but the neck angle has changed over time!!. Especially on a 12 string it's critical. So a 2' (convert to metric) straight edge will tell the tale. See explanation and direction HERE.

Let us know how that turns out.

 

[wileypickett]

What Tom said!

 

[drobinson9]

A very small detail but that compensated saddle isn't original either. Maybe installed with the UST?
Given their growing popularity however it's likely a plus.

Yes, it was changed when the pick up was fitted.

 

[drobinson9]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the neck angle. The guitar can be as pristine as new, and if the neck angle is bad, it's still going to need some expensive work. We've seen "closet queen/case queen" guitars that have been stowed for long periods at full tension, that are beautiful but the neck angle has changed over time!!. Especially on a 12 string it's critical. So a 2' (convert to metric) straight edge will tell the tale. See explanation and direction HERE.

Let us know how that turns out.

I'll give it a go.

 

[drobinson9]

Either you’re selling or your not. If you’d like to sell it we can pit this back in the FS forum but you must list a price.

Hi, okay, I'll post at £800. The LR Baggs pick up is charged by a Mi-Si so no need for batteries. I use the same tech in my Gibson Hummingbird and it works a treat.

 

[twocorgis]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the neck angle. The guitar can be as pristine as new, and if the neck angle is bad, it's still going to need some expensive work. We've seen "closet queen/case queen" guitars that have been stowed for long periods at full tension, that are beautiful but the neck angle has changed over time!!. Especially on a 12 string it's critical. So a 2' (convert to metric) straight edge will tell the tale. See explanation and direction HERE.

Let us know how that turns out.

What Tom said!

My DV72 is an excellent example of that. the good news is that by the time @Fixit gets done with the neck reset, it will quite likely be the nicest one out there.

 

[drobinson9]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the neck angle. The guitar can be as pristine as new, and if the neck angle is bad, it's still going to need some expensive work. We've seen "closet queen/case queen" guitars that have been stowed for long periods at full tension, that are beautiful but the neck angle has changed over time!!. Especially on a 12 string it's critical. So a 2' (convert to metric) straight edge will tell the tale. See explanation and direction HERE.

Let us know how that turns out.

I can say that there is categorically no bellying of the guitar, though.

 

[adorshki]

I can say that there is categorically no bellying of the guitar, though.

Uh-oh. Somebody once said they wouldn't trust a guitar that didn't have a little belly.