Would a Mismatched Headstock Color on a Used AL Keep You From Buying It?

[jholcomb]

I have a line on a nice used sunburst AL SSS w/ trem that's for sale at a GREAT price. Only catch is, when the current owner bought it, the shop that sold it to him had switched the original, plain headstock neck with a red headstock neck (the buyer of a red AL before him wanted a plain headstock so the shop switched them to appease that buyer, I'm guessing that they were both used pieces). So anyway, it's a sunburst AL with a red headstock. Again, it's being offered at a really great price, but the red headstock would bug me. Am I being too picky? I'll probably only have one AL and I want it to be "right".

Opinions?

 

[Roubster]

Yea, that's kind of weird and stupid of them to do that. Is this an official EBMM dealer? Maybe contact CS and see what they suggest?

 

[e.mate]

If it's a really, really, really good deal...why not

...but Sunburst and Red That's some SEPCIAL combo

 

[browndog]

I can picture that looking rather ugly in my eyes. Thats just me though.

If it were to be my only AL and had to live with, I don’t think I could.

As a beater... its perfect.

 

[maciek]

You can always refinish the headstock to natural or black or something

 

[browndog]

You can always refinish the headstock to natural or black or something

If you do that you lose the logo... for good.

 

[Norrin Radd]

It would bother me to no end. The only way I would do it is if I was planning on refinishing the whole guitar something else. And if it was a really stupid deal - I would!

 

[jholcomb]

I don't think it was a EBMM dealer, I think the shop had two used ALs and the owner did whatever it took to sell the red one, we've all seen guys like that.

Yeah, the sunburst and red headstock are kind of fugly together, for sure. I wouldn't want to refin it and lose the logo. It's too nice to be a beater.

Ah well...........

 

[kbaim]

It would bug me too...but if you're drawn to the guitar and it plays well and it speaks to you, and you can get a great deal on it, I'd strongly consider pulling the trigger anyway.

But resale will be hurt as the original neck has been replaced.

If you compose and the guitar starts spitting out songs, as some seem to do more than others, or it inspires you to play the stuff you're already playing even better...then the off HS color will be less an issue imo

 

[roburado]

I don't think I would do it. It would bug me, and yes, there are resale issues. The price would have to be extremely low (a small fraction of what the guitar would cost with the appropriate neck) with the guitar in otherwise excellent condition.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

If the price is unbelievably low, you should run away from it, but post the shop's info here......not that I'd go buy it or anything. Well, not that I'd leave work to buy it or anything.....

 

[beej]

Wouldn't bother me if the price was right. But I'd probably strip the headstock in that case.

 

[browndog]

Wouldn't bother me if the price was right. But I'd probably strip the headstock in that case.

But you’re loaded beej and wouldn’t care about the resale price.

 

[paranoid70]

If you can snag it for a great price - go for it. Certainly a mismatched headstock is a bargaining chip for you.

You could always keep an eye out for a red AL w/ a natty headstock - swap the necks and then sell one.

 

[guitfiddle]

I'd definitely buy it if the price was right. Can't go wrong with a SSS AL with trem! Resale value is not an issue if you are getting it for a great price up front. It would only be an issue if they were charging too much for it. You'll pay less now and you'll get about the same amount less when you sell it. It's a wash price wise.

 

[ScoobySteve]

It depends how awesome the deal is. You can always sand and refinish the headstock to ALL NATURAL!

 

[ScoobySteve]

I'm gonna go on a limb and quote Rob here:

"Matching headstocks are for sissies"

 

[Slav123]

it would bother me to no end. The only way i would do it is if i was planning on refinishing the whole guitar something else.

+1

 

[beej]

But you’re loaded beej and wouldn’t care about the resale price.

Sure, that last scotch was a double, but I'd probably still buy it if I were sober.

 

[threeminutesboy]

Wouldn't bother me if the price was right. But I'd probably strip the headstock in that case.

same for me strip the headstock or paint it black as some rolling stones may say