Guitars at the auction

[KarenSews2]

Each week there is a big auction nearby. It's mostly estate stuff, but there is usually a good variety. Household goods, books, quilts, electronics, jewelry...almost anything you can imagine. On Tuesdays, the public can go through the buildings to view the items, then the auctions are on Wednesdays. Today there were several guitars and 3 or 4 banjos. I know nothing about guitars and banjos, but there were names like Alvarez, Gibson, and one label inside one of the guitars said "Martin DM-2." Sure wish I had more knowledge. I might even be tempted to cut my nails (gasp!) and learn to play.

[Eva]

cut my nails (gasp!)

:eek: :eek: :eek: *hitchcock sounds*

Fainting Eva...

[Amy in Vermont]

Karen:

There are 2 guitars i would currently give my eye teeth to find a good deal on (if they are in decent condition). They are:

Gibson SJN: This is the original model on which the "Sheryl Crow" model was based. It was introduced in the early 60's. I had one, and would love to have one again. Currently selling on eBay in the 1800-3000 range:
http://community.middlebury.edu/~aehoffma/Images/SJN.jpg

Martin 00-17: This is a smaller, all mahogany unit. Great little blues guitar. Pretty hard to come by in good shape these days. eBay prices in the 1500-2500 range:
http://community.middlebury.edu/~aehoffma/Images/00-17.jpg

You can be pretty sure any older, solid wood Martin, Gibson or Guild is going to bring a good price. The Martin DM series have solid tops, but the sides and back are laminated mahogany, making them less expensive, and somewhat more durable. To a purist, laminated parts are a travesty, but from a practical standpoint they do keep costs down while providing OK sound and looks.

[KarenSews2]

That part of the auction starts at 9 AM, and I got there around 10:15. By that time, all the guitars and banjos were gone. I have no idea what they brought. I did get a small 3-shelf thingy for one of our bathrooms for only $10!

The auctions are really fun. Sometimes I see things that my family had when I was a kid. I've bought a few James Whitcomb Riley poetry books, did almost all the decorating for the aforementioned bathroom, and even got an old treadle sewing machine in excellent condition; something I'd wanted for a long time. Several months ago there was a high school yearbook from Broad Ripple High School (Indy), dated 1963. I wondered, and sure enough, there was David Letterman's sophomore picture! I didn't buy (or want) that.

If I see guitars/banjos, etc., again, I'll try to get more info if anyone is interested.

[Amy in Vermont]

There are 2 guitars i would currently give my eye teeth to find a good deal on (if they are in decent condition). They are:

Gibson SJN: This is the original model on which the "Sheryl Crow" model was based. It was introduced in the early 60's. I had one, and would love to have one again. Currently selling on eBay in the 1800-3000 range:

Martin 00-17: This is a smaller, all mahogany unit. Great little blues guitar. Pretty hard to come by in good shape these days. eBay prices in the 1500-2500 range:


Well, folks.. my patience paid off.

Yesterday I became the proud owner of a 2002 Martin 00-17. No, its not vintage. But its in perfect shape, and it SINGS. I spent over an hour playing this evening, after restringing it. The price was very right. The neck fits my hand perfectly.

Being a young instrument, its bound to get even better over time. I can't sing worth beans, but I get great pleasure out of playing and singing just for myself!

[Dar]

Lucky you!! Glad your patience paid off!!

[Gandalf]

The subject line pretty much says it all, doncha think?

[janisian]

Amy, Gandalf and I are drooling so much that we don't even have to water the dogs...

[DaveM]

Joining in the drooling here....

You may find that you prefer the new baby not being "vintage". As a recent model, it will take on a "personality" with time, and the more you play it, the more it will be "yours". You are well aware of how to take care of a solid-wood instrument, right? Have fun now....

I've often wondered what the results have been when someone has gotten their hands on a guitar Bob Dylan has worn out and tried restore it to life. Quite possibly rather humorous to everyone but the purchaser.

[Amy in Vermont]

Dave:

You are right. And yes, I owned a D-18 for 35 years that I foolishly sold because I was in a "bad cash flow" phase while we waited out Michele's disability situation. I know how to care for a guitar.

By the way, when I went to pick the 00-17 up, they had 3 new Gibsons.. one a Sheryl Crow, the other a model I don't rememeber. If I'd had the $$$ one of them might well have been my new baby... they were awesome.

But.. once a Martin owner, always a Martin owner, i think.