is this worth it?

[Progdude]

So,

A student of mines mom has a friend that is contemplating selling some supposedly rare Pink Ernie Ball Music Man Guitar. And he says he wants around $5000.00 for it. Im guessing its an EVH or an AL but its just a guess. Thats all she knows about it. I asked for some pics. Not that I would shell out 5Gs for one guitar even if it is a EBMM. Anyone have any idea if a guitar matching specs like that would fetch a price of 5Gs? I kind of doubt it. But thats just my guess.

 

[Stratty316]

Well, if it is a Pink EVH then it is in the right ball park as I have recently seen one go for similar money in the $4000-5000 range. Its really going to depend on the condition it is in... is it a player or a collector piece? Its been a while since I have been in the EVH market, but as I recall Pink was one of the most limited colors with between 100-200 made or something like that. The only translucent color that is rarer is the Green with about 100, but honestly I see the green ones for sale more often... I would only assume that is because Green may have a larger market. I will say that my green went for a lot more then what this guy is asking for the pink, but I would think about it if you are in the position to purchase it as it will most likely hold its value better then the current stock market! Problem with high value EVHMM guitars is that they eventually become too valuable for the average joe to play... thats why I sold mine. If you are truly in the market for a MusicMan and want something extra special go for a Ball Family Reserve. If you want the "EVHMM" you have to look no further then the Axis and its MUCH, MUCH less expensive.

 

[Progdude]

You got me all wrong sir. I have no plans on spending $5000.00 on 1 guitar. Im just wondering if anyone heard of a pink one and what it would run for and maybe it would guage some conversation. Thats all. Im not trying to sell it or buy it I dont even know the guy just a friend of his whos son I teach guitar to. thats all.

Holla.

N

 

[Big Poppa]

HE was explaining value and trying to help.

I wouldnt pay 5,000 for an older one of my guitars when I could buy two that are really better. We have improved over the years and some of the stuff we are making now I never dreamed we could.

 

[threeminutesboy]

I still want a 25th !!!!!! :d

 

[Slingy]

I like new guitars, and I'm not likely to ever pay more for something than it sold for new.

 

[Smellybum]

Well, if it is a Pink EVH then it is in the right ball park as I have recently seen one go for similar money in the $4000-5000 range. Its really going to depend on the condition it is in... is it a player or a collector piece? Its been a while since I have been in the EVH market, but as I recall Pink was one of the most limited colors with between 100-200 made or something like that. The only translucent color that is rarer is the Green with about 100, but honestly I see the green ones for sale more often... I would only assume that is because Green may have a larger market. I will say that my green went for a lot more then what this guy is asking for the pink, but I would think about it if you are in the position to purchase it as it will most likely hold its value better then the current stock market! Problem with high value EVHMM guitars is that they eventually become too valuable for the average joe to play... thats why I sold mine. If you are truly in the market for a MusicMan and want something extra special go for a Ball Family Reserve. If you want the "EVHMM" you have to look no further then the Axis and its MUCH, MUCH less expensive.

Used guitar market is just burst right now, Buy new guys, the stuff you buy now will be worth a bundle in 10 years - you heard it hear first....

KOA JP's - I can see KOA being on the no-touch list in 10 years, and BFR tops - you don't get grain like that all the time, buy now and stockpile!!!!!

As for that kind of money a used guitar - mental I've been buying and selling for over 15 years, that kind of money is a select audience (Usually more money than sense in my humble opinion) they buy big becuase they have the cash, they think they have the sacred chalice of guitars then either hang it on the wall and invite their friends over to look at it discussing it's qualities or they decide to sell it on to find out it's worth sod all....


I must be gettin' old I've seen this trend before!

Rant over (And not at anyone in particular!- just the market!)

 

[Hendog]

HE was explaining value and trying to help.

I wouldnt pay 5,000 for an older one of my guitars when I could buy two that are really better. We have improved over the years and some of the stuff we are making now I never dreamed we could.

Anything really stand out in your mind? I kind of want a second new EBMM.

 

[Progdude]

HE was explaining value and trying to help.

I wouldnt pay 5,000 for an older one of my guitars when I could buy two that are really better. We have improved over the years and some of the stuff we are making now I never dreamed we could.

I read his post again, I see. I wouldn't either. Id rather but 2 new ones or a BFR JP 7 and some accessories.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Anything really stand out in your mind? I kind of want a second new EBMM.

aside from the guitars already mentioned a good candidate for an investment could be the hardtail EVH's due to their rarity?

 

[ShaneV]

If I had 5k to spend on Balls I'd hunt down a maple/trem 20th and grab a BFR JP. I'd like the JP to be koa, but I believe that would push me over 5k combined. These wouldn't be for investment purposes though, they'd be to play. I feel bad for the guitars that are doomed to live in cases accumulating value.

One of my wife's professors is a player from way back, and he has an original black beauty 50s Les Paul. He told a story about how he brought it to a tech for a setup and the guy just about went into apoplexy when told that the guitar was still played regularly and enjoyed, instead of being under glass somewhere. This same professor also has a Silo Special and a BFR JP, so he certainly seems like a cool dude for numerous reasons (I haven't met him, my wife just tells me these guitar stories when she gets home from class).

 

[Spudmurphy]

If I had 5k to spend on Balls I'd hunt down a maple/trem 20th and grab a BFR JP. I'd like the JP to be koa, but I believe that would push me over 5k combined. These wouldn't be for investment purposes though, they'd be to play. I feel bad for the guitars that are doomed to live in cases accumulating value.

One of my wife's professors is a player from way back, and he has an original black beauty 50s Les Paul. He told a story about how he brought it to a tech for a setup and the guy just about went into apoplexy when told that the guitar was still played regularly and enjoyed, instead of being under glass somewhere. This same professor also has a Silo Special and a BFR JP, so he certainly seems like a cool dude for numerous reasons (I haven't met him, my wife just tells me these guitar stories when she gets home from class).

That's an interesting story - trouble is the 50's Les Paul guitars I have played are ... ... nowhere as good as the newer ones, and that links in nicely with what BP says about his newer guitars.

My 1930's archtop is a lovely looking guitar - but if you played one in a pawn shop not realising what it was you'd be disappointed when comparing it to modern ones.

Older guitars are not the best "playability wise" imo

 

[ShaneV]

That's an interesting story - trouble is the 50's Les Paul guitars I have played are ... ... nowhere as good as the newer ones, and that links in nicely with what BP says about his newer guitars.

My 1930's archtop is a lovely looking guitar - but if you played one in a pawn shop not realising what it was you'd be disappointed when comparing it to modern ones.

Older guitars are not the best "playability wise" imo

I've played two 50s Les Pauls (both pre- humbucker P-90 models) and a '61 strat. I didn't find the playability to be particularly bad, but they did have a certain 'x-factor' that I never would have anticipated going in (I'm far from a vintage snob, more of a super-strat kinda guy). Aging wood (and Brazillian rosewood) do have a flavor that can't be replicated- this is just my personal finding based on my (admittedly limited) exposure to vintage instruments. I would take a 50s Gibson or Fender over the stuff they put out now every day of the week and twice on sunday, no questions.

The fact that EB continues to innovate and find ways to push forward, instead of finding cheaper and cheaper ways to make stuff that looks like products they made fifty years ago is why they keep getting better, but sadly that is a rarity in the guitar world today.

In any case (and getting back on topic) my point is simply that if I had 5k to spend on guitars, I would buy them to play, not to accrue value.

 

[Spudmurphy]

The ones I played had the trapeze tailpiece and I kinda agree with this guys comments
Gibson Les Paul Goldtop guitar Gibson gold top LP info electric vintage 1952 1953 1954 1955

It's interesting what you say about the old Strats - I've seen quite a few late 50's - early 60's strats dis assembled - and they are crude by todays standards. Even Leo said that the newer Strats were better.
Now I'm not dissing an iconic brand such as Fender - I mean what the hell did we have over here? - Burns, Vox, Watkins,
We were still suffering from import embargoes after the second world war right up until the end of the 50's and the only wood available was poor in comparison - I mean ,we could only buy for example "War utility " furniture made from all kinds of second rate wood, so the UK guitar manufacturers could not compete with US guitars - shoot how the heck did I get onto this without a bottle of wine in me???
Anyway, back on track sort of - I mean no disrespect to Gibson/Fender.

I love looking at Old cars like Model T's and Morris Oxfords - great to look at, nice to be seen with but not very nice to drive and I think the analogy holds true with old guitars. They made good ones and bad ones in the 50's/60's.
I just have a bit of a wry smile when people are desperate for a vintage instrument (of the 50's/60's) - good luck to them though if that's what they want - but not for me.
Give me my 21 st Century balls any day over my 70's Les Paul too!

 

[ShaneV]

The ones I played had the trapeze tailpiece and I kinda agree with this guys comments
Gibson Les Paul Goldtop guitar Gibson gold top LP info electric vintage 1952 1953 1954 1955

I've heard horror stories about that tailpiece, the ones I played did not have it so I can't comment on it personally, but it does have some obvious design flaws. One of the goldtops I played had been routed for humbuckers sometime in the late 70s- I can only imagine the regret the owner felt when he decided to sell it (it was for sale when I played it- and for a LOT less than it would have been with the original pickups.)

 

[Spudmurphy]

I've heard horror stories about that tailpiece, the ones I played did not have it so I can't comment on it personally, but it does have some obvious design flaws. One of the goldtops I played had been routed for humbuckers sometime in the late 70s- I can only imagine the regret the owner felt when he decided to sell it (it was for sale when I played it- and for a LOT less than it would have been with the original pickups.)

It was the same with my Les Paul - I modded it - but that's what we did in those days and its what a lot of guys do today- It was my tool and earned me more than it cost me - I'd never get rid of it - holds too many memories.

I wish I had left it unaltered though!!

BOT

I think the playability of a 90's EVH still holds good today

 

[ShaneV]

It was the same with my Les Paul - I modded it - but that's what we did in those days and its what a lot of guys do today- It was my tool and earned me more than it cost me - I'd never get rid of it - holds too many memories.

I wish I had left it unaltered though!!

BOT

I think the playability of a 90's EVH still holds good today

Oh totally, if I had been around back then I'm sure I would have hacked up a Les Paul or two. Very few guitars enter my possession and remain unaltered. So far my JP is the closest to mint- which says a lot for how awesome it was out of the gates.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Oh totally, if I had been around back then I'm sure I would have hacked up a Les Paul or two. Very few guitars enter my possession and remain unaltered. So far my JP is the closest to mint- which says a lot for how awesome it was out of the gates.

... and you know what? - I know exactly what you mean about the JP - awesome guitar. - Les Paul killer ha!

Gotta go! - way past my bedtime - thanks for the dialogue ShaneV

 

[bbake1]

+1. What BP said. I love my Axis' and don't regret selling the EVHs years ago.

 

[Progdude]

+1. What BP said. I love my Axis' and don't regret selling the EVHs years ago.

What is the difference between the Axis and the EVH besides toggle switch placement?