What would you pay for a 1978 R.I. Guild D-55 natural?

[TBman]

It had a neck reset back in 1979, the truss rod broke. The saddle is down as low as it can go, no buzz, the body is ok. I'm just trying to get an idea what is reasonable to expect from either a small guitar store that specializes in buying and selling used guitars and of course a fair price from a Guitar Center. I have some leverage at GC because I'm a frequent buyer there. The smaller store has a few guitars I'm interested in as a trade/cash out (to me) deal.

I've been the only owner of this guitar, it was my first "good" guitar.

 

[Frosty]

A neck reset at one year old? Geez, did you string it with piano wire and tune up a major 3rd?

My guess, GC will offer between $400 and $600 for your guitar.

Guitar Center policy is to purchase at 60% of the price at which they will try to sell the guitar. This is a good way to figure out how much your local GC has invested in a guitar, btw. It's 60% plus about $150 "setup" fee - so bear that in mind when bargaining for used.

 

[california]

GC offered me a "very generous" $300 for my Gretsch Silver Anniversary. It sold a few weeks later on eBay for $1800. I'd be carefull with them if I were you.

 

[Frosty]

I think GC will pay 60% of what they think their market will support. This is not an unreasonable business model, IMO. Anyone can pick up a copy of the VG Price Guide and evaluate the market potential of their old guitar, but this does not necessarily mean that the local customers will be willing to pay that money.

OTOH, have I told you about the $1,100 banjo I purchased from GC for $150? Taken in on trade against something with pickups I expect - the local GC knew it would be ignored by the vast majority of it's customers so they took it in to make the sale on the Stratoblaster and priced it to move it out quickly. I am willing to wager that I am the only old-time banjo picker to have walked into that store in 2007.

But, I digress. This isn't about GC and I do not want to hijack the thread. Good luck, TBman.

 

[TBman]

Thanks guys. So then if I were to trade it in, my approximate break even point would be to get a guitar priced at retail between $650 and $1,000. (400/.60 to 600/.60) Ok, that helps.

 

[Dreamlander]

Unless you get a good deal on something you really want to trade for i would head straight to ebay or sell it personally somewhere. I would think you should be able to get around $1000 on ebay if not more.