An odd sale.

[dapmdave]

I've had my GF-30 listed on craigslist, and it sold yesterday. It was a nice guitar, but we just didn't "bond".

So, a fellow calls and comes over to check it out. He looks at the guitar for maybe 5 minutes, hands me the cash, and after a few minutes of chit-chat, we're done. He didn't play it, or ask me to play it for him.

Have any of you experienced this?

Dave

 

[learnintoplay62]

No but some people know what they have just by lookin' at things. By the way did you post it here ? if you did I missed it :?

 

[dapmdave]

No but some people know what they have just by lookin' at things. By the way did you post it here ? if you did I missed it :?

No, didn't post it here. I have sold one or two here, but I prefer the local sale to avoid the shipping hassles.

Dave

 

[davismanLV]

Dave, did he strum it or pluck a string or anything?? To me that's just weird. I do understand the embarrassment of not being able to play well, but I'm gonna hit some chords and strum and do exactly what I do with a guitar, a bit of flatpicking..... just to see. I also pluck strings while it's still on the wall if I'm at a store.... with the soundhole RIGHT IN MY FACE just to hear it that way. Then I'm gonna have someone play it for me to get an idea how it sounds to everyone other than the player.

Did he ask good questions or seem to know what he was doing? I'm curious about this sale.
Tom in Vegas

 

[dapmdave]

Dave, did he strum it or pluck a string or anything?? To me that's just weird. I do understand the embarrassment of not being able to play well, but I'm gonna hit some chords and strum and do exactly what I do with a guitar, a bit of flatpicking..... just to see. I also pluck strings while it's still on the wall if I'm at a store.... with the soundhole RIGHT IN MY FACE just to hear it that way. Then I'm gonna have someone play it for me to get an idea how it sounds to everyone other than the player.

Did he ask good questions or seem to know what he was doing? I'm curious about this sale.
Tom in Vegas

Tom, I'd do the same things you describe. I think most people would. He might have lightly run a finger over the strings, but that was all. I thought that he was perhaps shy about playing, but this seemed pretty extreme.

Different strokes, right?

Dave

 

[fronobulax]

Does it matter as long as the cash is not counterfeit? :wink:

I suspect shyness and perhaps a level of inexperience. I can remember when my knowledge of guitars was such that if someone told me it was in good condition and that "it worked" I'd believe them because there was nothing I knew to do that would verify or disprove that claim.

 

[dreadnut]

It would make me think immediately that I sold it too cheap! :lol: :lol:

Nah, he was just a blueblooded Guild-o-phile. He knew what he wanted, maybe he even had one before.

I bought my DV-52 sight unseen (other than photos) from a pawn shop on e-bay. I already knew it was gonna be nice, barring any major issues. Fortunately, it arrived in nearly perfect condition, and of course it's got "that Guild dread sound."

Previously, I claimed I'd never buy a guitar sight unseen. Now I can't say that.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I have sold 3 guitars locally. Two were purchased by someone that was getting it for someone else.
They didn't play so I strummed a few chords anf they said that it sounded great and bought it.
The third on was a guy that wanted a Guild and after less than 5 minutes of playing it, gave me the money and left.

Selling a guitar one on one it very different than going to a guitar store and playing 5, 10 or more guitars to see which one you like best.
I think that most people can tell if they like a guitar within a few minutes of playing one if it isn't being compared to other guitars.

 

[fronobulax]

I think that most people can tell if they like a guitar within a few minutes of playing one if it isn't being compared to other guitars.

I bought my B-4E in a face to face transaction and I distinctly remember that I decided to buy it after less than 5 minutes, but I futzed around for at least 15 more minutes since both Mrs. Fro. and the seller seemed to think I should play it some more.

Knowing what I know now about saddle heights, adjustments and neck resets I probably could have found things to check, that I didn't, but at the time I was looking for a working acoustic bass with a neck like a Guild and I knew I was 90% there after I saw the headstock.

 

[littlesongs]

My recent T-100 purchase was somewhat similar. The seller is a jazz player and the director of a great music school in central Oregon. He sent it north with one of the best up and coming singer-songwriters in the region. I met her in a busy coffee shop downtown and we had a great short conversation. I thanked her for doing us a favor, slung the gig bag over my shoulder, set out for my train and didn't open it until I was home. It was wiser to invest faith in the parties involved than the potentially sketchy people along the way. It all worked out just fine. Of course, I'd hashed all the details out in many emails, so there was little risk of disappointment.

 

[bluesypicky]

He looks at the guitar for maybe 5 minutes, hands me the cash, and after a few minutes of chit-chat, we're done. He didn't play it, or ask me to play it for him.
Have any of you experienced this? Dave

I have.
The guy who bought my Smartwood Martin, looked at me opening the case, didn't even reach for the guitar, but instead reached in his pocket to grab the cash! :shock:
He was buying it for his wife so I guess he didn't know anything about guitars, but the REALLY weird thing is that the wife was waiting outside in the car, and after he got out of my house with the guitar, I watched the wife grab it from the case (in the street) and strum a few chords and gave him a long hug (I guess she was happy) but then why didn't she come in with him to check it out first? Maybe the gift thing made it so that he didn't want her to see him hand the cash over...?
But regardless, and as Frono said, as long as the cash is real.... :wink:
So now that you have room for one more, what is it gonna be? :lol:

 

[dapmdave]

Does it matter as long as the cash is not counterfeit? :wink:

I suspect shyness and perhaps a level of inexperience. I can remember when my knowledge of guitars was such that if someone told me it was in good condition and that "it worked" I'd believe them because there was nothing I knew to do that would verify or disprove that claim.

I think I agree with you. But it was kind of an extreme case.

Dave

 

[dapmdave]

It would make me think immediately that I sold it too cheap! :lol: :lol:

Nah, he was just a blueblooded Guild-o-phile. He knew what he wanted, maybe he even had one before.

I bought my DV-52 sight unseen (other than photos) from a pawn shop on e-bay. I already knew it was gonna be nice, barring any major issues. Fortunately, it arrived in nearly perfect condition, and of course it's got "that Guild dread sound."

Previously, I claimed I'd never buy a guitar sight unseen. Now I can't say that.

I didn't get the impression that he was a Guild guy, and I know it wasn't too cheap.

I'd rather play a guitar before buying, but that's not always possible.

Dave

 

[dapmdave]

He looks at the guitar for maybe 5 minutes, hands me the cash, and after a few minutes of chit-chat, we're done. He didn't play it, or ask me to play it for him.
Have any of you experienced this? Dave

I have.
The guy who bought my Smartwood Martin, looked at me opening the case, didn't even reach for the guitar, but instead reached in his pocket to grab the cash! :shock:
He was buying it for his wife so I guess he didn't know anything about guitars, but the REALLY weird thing is that the wife was waiting outside in the car, and after he got out of my house with the guitar, I watched the wife grab it from the case (in the street) and strum a few chords and gave him a long hug (I guess she was happy) but then why didn't she come in with him to check it out first? Maybe the gift thing made it so that he didn't want her to see him hand the cash over...?
But regardless, and as Frono said, as long as the cash is real.... :wink:
So now that you have room for one more, what is it gonna be? :lol:

Craigslist can be weird. I remember one time, a guy from Jupiter showed up to buy an old amp... uh... what?

I'm pretty happy with the current state of the guitar closet (this week :lol: ). I think I'll stash to cash, for now. (unless you have a DV-52 that's looking for a new home)

Dave

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I'm pretty happy with the current state of the guitar closet (this week ). I think I'll stash to cash, for now. (unless you have a DV-52 that's looking for a new home)

Didn't I see a post where there are some old new stock or new old stock Guilds hiding out in Texas?
Wasn't there a DV-52 in the lot? :twisted:

 

[bluesypicky]

I think I'll stash to cash, for now. (unless you have a DV-52 that's looking for a new home)

The only window of opportunity for you here would be in the form of.... say a 60 somethin Fender amp?.... :shock: and then I would have to get another one anyway.... unless I bumped into the 72 somewhere? 8)

 

[bluesypicky]

Craigslist can be weird. I remember one time, a guy from Jupiter showed up to buy an old amp... uh... what? Dave

What an idiot.... and I bet you he didn't even keep it?!! :roll: :lol:

 

[dapmdave]

I'm pretty happy with the current state of the guitar closet (this week ). I think I'll stash to cash, for now. (unless you have a DV-52 that's looking for a new home)

Didn't I see a post where there are some old new stock or new old stock Guilds hiding out in Texas?
Wasn't there a DV-52 in the lot? :twisted:

Seems like they were priced out of my range. It's just that I happen to know where a good one is...

Dave

 

[dapmdave]

I think I'll stash to cash, for now. (unless you have a DV-52 that's looking for a new home)

The only window of opportunity for you here would be in the form of.... say a 60 somethin Fender amp?.... :shock: and the I would have to get another one anyway.... unless I bumped into the 72 somewhere? 8)

Probably not going to happen. Still savoring the crispy cleans.

Dave

 

[bluesypicky]

Probably not going to happen. Still savoring the crispy cleans.

And I couldn't blame you Dave, that's a sweet old amp....
I am currrently looking at a Vibrolux myself.... I may have a Prosonic for sale in the near future. :shock: