I see used equipment being sold for some prices I can not believe sometimes. 1 year old hard drives for 80% of new, I’m sorry that’s just ridiculous. What the hell is one going to do with that practically useless now HDD? 100 off for used 2000$ item, 2800$ used when you can buy new for 3000$, who pays this kind of money for used equipment? How about warranty? I could call sweetwater and they probably would let me have it for that price new. Have people lost the sight of reality?

There are a LOT of people who assume used is less than new and don't bother to even look at new prices. It only takes one dummy ( imagine- only one) to give you a good-wallet day.

Jeff

Yep, people are fools.

I constantly see these nimrods on craigslist asking $300 for some PII that's "great for surfing the web." LOL.

And I've been outbid numerous times on Ebay by these morons who bid higher for a used item than the NEW price would be...

Prices are weird. I just replaced a bunch of stereo equipment and that was a real eye-opener. Receiver, cassette decks, CD players, etc. can be got for like 5 or 10 bucks used (and in excellent condition), but these things are like $100-$200 new.

Whereas guitars in pawn shops are now frequently barely cheaper than they'd be at Guitar Center.

What happened to pawn shops? They used to be a great place for music equipment. I never even bother anymore.

Chris

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Sers:
There are a LOT of people who assume used is less than new and don't bother to even look at new prices. It only takes one dummy ( imagine- only one) to give you a good-wallet day.

Jeff

True words IMO.


That said it sure is nice to know I can get back what I paid for a few items with good names...both a savvy shopper and a savvy buyer take resale value into account.


I agree though, it's just insane what some people with more moeny than brains are willing to pay for things. The only thing worse than a gouging seller is a gullible buyer.

quote:

Originally posted by bandini:
Whereas guitars in pawn shops are now frequently barely cheaper than they'd be at Guitar Center.

Ha , I was in local music store a few days ago & this guy offered to pay 280$ for a mim strat with very visible crack in paint & they wouldn't agree to goo lower than 300$+tax

Guitar Center will always drop the price if you care to ask, but I never find myself wanting any of their tortured gear. I mean it's nice when you can try the instrument, but I see every idiot there with no intention to buy trying almost every peace he can get his hands on. They should find a way to fix this anarchy.

quote:

but I see every idiot there with no intention to buy trying almost every peace he can get his hands on.

That idiot would be me.

I looove getting my grubby fingers on all those $5K Les Pauls I have no intention whatsoever of buying. Long live the anarchy!

Chris

Well, as much as there are ridiculous prices being asked, there are quite a few bidders that expect to be able to get everything for less than half of what it cost new.
Now if something is old and worn I understand, but for stuff that's in excellent condition I think 2/3's is fair.

What happened is:

1. eBay
2. retro-rage

eBay brings a gambling mentality to buying - it appears some people just must win at any cost.

Retro-rage makes everything used good. That $3,000 new item doesn't use the same great parts as it's used $2,800 ancestor.....didn't ya know?!?!?!

Zygon, back before eBay (BE), I would scour the local trade pub for deals. I purchased based on the 50% principal (at most). But with ebay around now, it's more like 90%-95% and that's just plain stupid, period.

The only thing is, I've bought a lot of new items that I kept for awhile (sometimes a couple of years) and then sold for only a few bucks less. Sometimes I have even made a few bucks. It's why I usually shop smart and buy instead of rent. I can own something for a year or two for less than a weekend rental fee.....and sometimes even turn a profit.

Anyway, the used gear prices have gone nuts for many items. Interestingly enough, there are some things that people put no value in that you can get cheap and will be very useful.

BTW, I have a used PC - P1, 120 mHz with the best sounding vintage 500mb hard drive you'll ever hear......It's like printing to tape, really it is. Only $600 for the lucky bidder....$700 if you want only the hard drive (extra for my labor) but I will ship it free. Interested gearslutz should PM me with your bank account, routing number and mother's maiden name.

quote:

BTW, I have a used PC - P1, 120 mHz with the best sounding vintage 500mb hard drive you'll ever hear......It's like printing to tape, really it is.

Will it make my mixes "warmer" and "phatter"?

Chris

quote:

BTW, I have a used PC - P1, 120 mHz with the best sounding vintage 500mb hard drive you'll ever hear.....

quote:

But with ebay around now, it's more like 90%-95% and that's just plain stupid, period.

I agree on that. I'm just saying, if I see a year old american strat I think $600 is justified.

quote:

Will it make my mixes "warmer" and "phatter"?

Definitely! And if you want more of a European vibe, I've got a similar HD for ya - it's that difference between 50 and 60 Hz in the power supply that makes the difference.

quote:

Retro-rage makes everything used good. That $3,000 new item doesn't use the same great parts as it's used $2,800 ancestor.....didn't ya know?!?!?!

Every once in a while that's true though.

Several luthiers and others have told me (for example): MIJ Custom Shop Fenders that were built from old growth wood over there (which is no longer available - government won't allow the harvesting there anymore, etc.) are some of the best-sounding / performing guitars ever built.

It used to be, back in the stone age that music equipment would depreciate to about half it's retail price and then if you were lucky you might recoup 2/3 many years later if it was a reasonably decent or collectable piece.

Here's one I saw yesterday that I thought was kinda funny:

1983 MIJ Tele Deluxe (or whichever one has the F-hole, I forget).
$165.

Problems: Warmoth neck replacement (there's a deal killer right there), some cosmetic problems, seller had no idea and was unwilling to find out if the thing actually had a Fender body (he was selling it for a friend). And here's the kicker... $130 shipping fee.

There were 18 or 19 bids I think it was, maybe less, lot's of interest and still the price was climbing. Sooo... someone will be buying half a Fender essentially (MIJ, not custom shop) without any proof that the rest of the thing actually is a Fender.

The thing will probably go for around $400 or so. Weird. I might have paid $150 just to have the body, but probably not. A reissue I think is what, $500? Not sure. Anyway that just seemed weird to me.

The problem with the guitar market is that regular investors (other than investor/players) are getting into this too now. They're starting to snatch up the 80s guitars now, I've heard. So... more demand, less of them on the market and all that.

quote:

Originally posted by bandini:
That idiot would be me.

Ooops , I feel like an idiot too now.



Here is a local craiglist advertising I juat had pleasure to read:

"Seagate 200GB 8MB 7200RPM 3.5" Desktop Hard Drive -- used to store backups -- ON WARRANTY TILL 02-Dec-2010 -- $85

For faster response please call ***.***.**** -- Please do not contact me to bargain! If my prices aren't good enough for you, please look somewhere else."


Seagate gives 5 year warranty, which makes me think the hard drive has been purchased 2 years ago. Besides I don't know of any manufacturer that will service a HDD I bought from someone else used. I don't even think they will service mine if I don't have the original receipt & live at the same address. What warranty are they talking about?

Seagate 250GB HDD from reputable store 80$+tax+shipping = less than 100$. WTF!

quote:

Originally posted by 1adam12:

quote:

Retro-rage makes everything used good. That $3,000 new item doesn't use the same great parts as it's used $2,800 ancestor.....didn't ya know?!?!?!

Every once in a while that's true though.

I was actually saying this tongue in cheek about people bying say a GR 2 ch pre for $1800+shipping when they could get it new for $2,000 w/free shipping, not about actual "vintage" gear, which itself is way over priced, but with the recent boutique makers.

Mad -

Are you referring to the MP-2NV's? And if so, where are you finding them for 2 Grand? Last time I looked at these they were $2150.00 street.

Here's another thing I've been wondering. Take the Fender guitar for example - Strats and Teles.

You can buy a new US-made Highway 1 of either for right around $750. Why are these American guitars so inexpensive? What's the catch? I realize you only have two colors to choose from (I think that's the case, blue or blonde). So what's the deal? More automation at the factory? Three pieces of body wood instead of two? Lesser quality electronics? Zero fret dressing? What gives?

Anyone know?

I would rather have a "player" than a "collector" if these are any good. But I am wondering.

I don't know how true it is, but I've heard US-made Highway 1 is half US half Mexican made. The way I've been explained it's Mexican made strat with finishing done in US. From the looks of it it sounds like something that I could believe in. I don't really know what electronics they use in them, but would be interested to find out too.

From a quick glance at some posts it looks like the bridge and tuners are MIM - the debate is on about the electronics. The finish is supposed to be old school - which means it will chip and check like the old stuff I guess. I wouldn't care about that.

I actually own a MIM Tele that I picked up for some reason years ago that actually plays really well - almost always go to that before the old LP believe it or not, just easier to play - and lighter

Skeetch - I was just generalizing.....sorry if I got you excited. Still, I bet you could find them for that much money if the typical going rate is $2,150.

Adam, the main reason the Highway 1 guitars are less expensive is because of the finish. If you ever finished a guitar, or saw the process, you'd know why the finish cost so much - when done properly anyway. The Highway 1 guitars have a sort of hand painted finish, as do some of the Gibson retro guitars.

I have a Gibson LP Jr. Double Cut and a LP Jr. melody Maker with those finishes and I love them......they really seem to breath. It's funny, the Melody Maker almost looks homemade (with it's 1 P90) but it playes well and the tone really smokes (bites actually).

BTW, I don't think the finish would chip at all, although it will probably wear off sooner.

I've played more than a few Highway 1 strats and like them too for the same reason. I'd recommend you try one out if you want a player.

If they were going to do anything in Mexico I would imagine it would be the finish.....but I am only speculating.

Hardware: I'd probably want to replace the PUs anyway - I always do ; however, you never know. I have a Korean made Squire Protone (blond) and the pickups sound very, very good (I still replaced them with Kinmans.....I can't help myself sometimes).

You definitely want good tuners - bad ones are just a nightmare.

FWIW, I've played some MIM Fenders that were as good as anything tonaility wise (unplugged) and playability wise. With guitars you never know. Every one is different - you just have to pick each one up and play it to know how it's going to respond.......specs mean almost 0%.

quote:

The Highway 1 guitars have a sort of hand painted finish, as do some of the Gibson retro guitars.

So what do they do with American Strats?