I need some advice on selling archtops

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Willy

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A friend of mine has cancer and has to sell a couple of guitars to help pay bills, he has entrusted them to me to sell. I've already sold an F512 and a Martin D35 for him, those were easy to sell locally and they went for good prices. But these remaining two are Benedetto models, an early Benny and a Limelight, and I need all the advice I can get about how I might get these in front of potential buyers and then how to safely handle the exchange of funds and instrument.

How do I get a realistic estimate of values?

Are there reputable dealers anyone can recommend for high-end instruments?

These instruments were purchased directly from Bob Benedetto in the '80's and have been kept as investments - essentially unplayed and spotless.

I welcome your thoughts, this is a bit out of my league!
 
Brad Little

Brad Little

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Willy said:
How do I get a realistic estimate of values?...
Are there reputable dealers anyone can recommend for high-end instruments?
Click to expand...
Archtop.com has a very good reputation for dealing with archtops.
Brad
 
Jeff Haddad

Jeff Haddad

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Maybe for a second opinion, contact Mandolin Bros. on Staten Island NY. They deal with alot of high-end stuff.
 
gilded

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Back when I was selling more guitars than I am now, I used to think that Mando Brothers were about 20-25% high in terms of the 'real' retail value. At the same time, I thought that Gruhn's pricing was reflective of 'True Retail'.

If I were trying to sell some stuff for a friend, I would contact George Gruhn and see if he felt like he had a handle on the value of these exceedingly cool, relativiely modern guitars. If he did, I would let him appraise them. Lots of people like to see a Gruhn guitar appraisal certificate: http://www.gruhn.com

Still, Benedetto's aren't vintage instruments, but rather, really cool arch-tops. That is a little different, in terms of the prospective buyer.

So, I would also Google 'Benedetto guitars for sale' or 'Benedetto for sale' and see what stores come up with guitars for sale. That will give you an idea for pricing, plus you might want to contact those stores as well and see if they want to sell them on the open market. If I get a chance later this weekend, I'll google it for you and send you the info.

Laurence Wexer sells a lot of archtops, too. You might give him a shout: www.wexerguitars.com

Now that I think about it, Dr. Tom Van Hoose in Dallas sells a lot of archtops, is a current Benedetto dealer and might be a good person to contact. I've known Tom for a long time and he is a reputable person: http://www.vanhoosevintage.com

I have no financial connection with any of these folks, by the way.

Gotta go, Harry
 
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alpep

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contact bob or cindy tell them Al sent you and ask them who is their #1 dealer and they will let you know.

contact that dealer and see what he/she says and maybe consign the instruments expect to pay up to 25 percent but it is easier than going through the selling yourself

bob's instruments although cool are not yet IMHO collectible status with a few exceptions. You may be able to get a premium but I am not so sure.

or there is always e bay
 
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