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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 288
Location: New Hampshire, USA | Hey all - long time lurker, first time poster.
Here's the thing. I have an opportunity to buy a black Breadwinner in mint condition. I've only seen pictures at this point, but the seller claims that he can't find a single blemish on it, all the original electronics are present and working, and it plays like a dream. The word he used was "pristine".
I would be buying it in person, so I will be able to verify all this before forking over the cash.
Seller also claims that it was part of a lot that he bought from a man who was dumping his collection. He says the guitar appears to have been sitting in its case for many years, because it shows next to no signs of use.
He wants a grand for it, and says it's a firm price due to the mint condition.
It's not that rare a specimen in the Breadwinner world. It's black and has nylon saddles but the output jack is on the pick guard, so it's early but not "first run" early.
So since it's not super-rare, the only reason I would consider paying that price is the mint condition.
So I ask the good people here - does the mint condition justify that asking price?
Thanks for any input you can offer. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | To me that's like a low mileage old car. Do you want to play it or collect it? After a couple years when you want to sell it because you never play it, will it be worth more than a grand? Very doubtful. |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | IMHO ... it's gonna be really tough to find any really nice, high quality US made electric guitar for less than a thousand bucks. If you want to invest, put your money in a CD. If you want a really cool guitar, a grand is not a lot of money for a guitar of that quality, rarity, and uniqueness. It'll look good hanging on the wall, be a great conversation piece, and the sounds you can experiment with are terrific. If I had the money and didn't care about flipping it, I'd buy it. |
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Joined:
April 2007
Posts: 61
Location: Montréal, québec, Canada | If it is in mint condition i would take it.
The black is my favorite color for a breadwinner.
Not rare but you don't see them everi day on ebay !!.
Good luck. |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487
| I guess I have not been keeping up on the values of these. A breadwinner at $1,000 ? Whacky Whacky stuff...did not know that..... Looks like Sam was right, he sold a very rare Deacon to me very cheap and I am now selling this very rare deacon very cheap as well. Well actually it is not sold......... yet. Amazing how some older guitars seem to loose value and others gain.
Randy |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | That price seems just a bit high unless it is in unplayed mint condition with an original case in similar condition. For about $850 you can get a nice Breadwinner. I haven't looked at prices in the past 3 months, but that is my opinion.
If it is mint mint condition, I'd pay the price if I had the money and wanted a mint guitar. |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 288
Location: New Hampshire, USA | To clarify a bit...
I definitely want to play it, not just hang it on the wall. And I wouldn't plan to ever sell it. But I really like the idea of buying a fresh minty Breadwinner.
I just want to know whether the price he's asking is fair and realistic. I know there's the "but is it worth that much to me?" factor too, but I also don't want to buy it and 6 months later see one in similar condition for half the price. What I don't know is if there are that many out there in original mint condition like this one.
A little ancient history: In 1972 I was watching an episode of the Partridge Family (hey, I was 10!). David Cassidy was playing the coolest guitar I had ever seen.
A few years went by and I took up the guitar and along with my best friend started the typical garage cover band. Over the next 5 years or so, we had a lot of fun, played some parties - the usual story.
But that guitar I'd seen years before was always there in the back of my mind. I just had no idea what it was. Over the years, I'd occasionally describe it to people, even sketching out the guitar shape for them but no one could ever tell me what it was. It's a little ironic that in 1976 I got an Applause roundback that I still play today, but I digress...
Then a while ago I thought I'd see if Google could come up with a picture of Cassidy playing that guitar, and it did. That's when I noticed the distinctive Ovation headstock that I hadn't previously remembered. Another google of "Ovation electric" told me all I needed to know, and I've been lusting for one since.
So I don't want to make an emotional purchase and regret it later. If the condition makes it worth $1000, then I won't mind paying it. Sure, it will be worth it to me anyway, but I still don't want to be ripped off.
Which is why I'm here. :) |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 288
Location: New Hampshire, USA | Originally posted by FlySig:
That price seems just a bit high unless it is in unplayed mint condition with an original case in similar condition. For about $850 you can get a nice Breadwinner. I haven't looked at prices in the past 3 months, but that is my opinion.
If it is mint mint condition, I'd pay the price if I had the money and wanted a mint guitar. It is in the original hard case. Not sure of the condition, but if the guitar is as little played as claimed, the case is probably in similar shape. |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487
| Difficult question for anyone other than yourself to answer in an exacting way.
Sure you'll find lots of opinions about value but it all comes down to you. There are just to many variables that change the value for us to guess at.
If you are willing to wait and look around at all the hundereds of vintage guitar shops for one?? If you are willing to wait for one to come up on ebay, and only bid your price until you come up with one cheaply. I'd say you'll do much better than $1000.
But if your in a hurry to get one in your hands and start playing then by all means if this one is real nice then "go for it". Don't look at other breadwinners until 10 years from now and you'll never worry about how much you spent and you'll have a blast playing your guitar.
Purchase price and value are all relavant to what you get out of owning the guitar.
If you want to buy it for resale at a profit.........Don't buy
If you have found the guitar you remember as a kid and you can afford it....well you get the point.
Hell make the guy a $850 offer...........I'd say that would be the best of both.
Randy |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 288
Location: New Hampshire, USA | I have no doubt I could eventually come up with one on ebay, but probably not in this condition.
And if i spent x dollars on ebay and it needed any work or parts, by the time I was done would I have spent a grand anyway?
I've seen things like that 12 string deacon currently on ebay for $999 and that's a lot rarer than this one. As I said, the only rare aspect of this one is the condition.
I do know that if it's worth it to me, then it's...worth it to me. I just want to know if the asking price is out of line.
Oh, and I would certainly try and work the price down, but he seemed pretty firm on the phone.
Thanks for the replies so far! |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by scooterboy:
but I also don't want to buy it and 6 months later see one in similar condition for half the price. Then think twice before buying this one (or any one in the future). You never know what will show up 'later' (without ever getting a guitar).  :D
Seriously, get it if you can afford it! Yeah, you might pay a tad much, but you'd be getting what you want.
Offer him a lower price and see if he budges.
Oh, one last item: if you buy it, DON'T LOOK BACK once you get it! Just enjoy...  |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Just buy it and don't look back. Even if you can find one that is $300 cheaper (which is unlikely given the minty-ness), then over 20 years you would have saved a whopping $1.25 a month. Buying guitars is an emotional decision ... if you try to make it into a rational decision you go from player to doily knitter. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | DON'T LOOK BACK once you get it! Just enjoy...
Every time I buy/win something in invariably see it for cheaper. Usually the next Day! :mad:
[I just bought a sorta New Behringer AC112...
Immediately, someone bought the exact same thing from the same seller for $36 less.]
But on the bright side, I have seen another 1778T-OF go for Twice what I paid for mine.
So, Offer the guy $850 and see what happens! |
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Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 270
Location: Yorkshire, England | I'm in the market for a Breadwinner at the moment - I just passed over on a white one on ebay (UK) it went for £587 - which is around $1100 and a bit at the moment. (which I thought was a bit steep)
I think my best bet at the moment is to try & get one from the US.
I'm not too sure what a reasonable asking price is either just now. |
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July 2005
Posts: 3411
Location: GA USA | You'll love it, and the wow factor is worth $150 easy. |
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December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I find this an odd subject on so many levels.
A guitar's worth is a VERY personal thing.
Saying a guitar is worth $300 "cause that's what you see similar ones on eBay sell for" has the SAME validity as saying that same guitar is worth $2500 because "that is what someone sold a similar one for."
Guitars per se, neither lose or gain value over time on their own. What the majority of people are willing to pay does. If someone finds a 57 'Paul at a yard sale for $500.00, does that mean they are worth $500.00??? I don't think so, except to that person.
As someone said, when compared to what you can find in general, features, place of build, quality, a Breadwinner or Deacon is about a $1000 guitar. Some people pay $400-$500 for those $1000 guitars, and some people pay $1500-$2000 for those $1000 dollar guitars.
Bottom line... who cares..
Pricing guitars is like herding cats.. They may actually get into a group, but it won't be because of your herding skills. It will be just because..... |
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June 2007
Posts: 270
Location: Yorkshire, England | Valid points, Miles. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | If I had one each of every solid body Ovation ever made, except a BW, and was looking, then I wouldn't think twice about picking this one up at the asking price. In the opinion of many, I've probably spent way too much on some guitars in the past and perhaps not enough on a few others. As Miles suggests, what difference does it make? I'm never in it for the bargain. Somebody explained it to me a long time ago and it really made sense. We all cut expenses and save in our own way so that we can spend it our own way. SWMBO calls that eccentricity. Scooter, if the guitar speaks to you, then go for it. |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | If you like it and have the money - don't even think twice, JUST BUY IT!! Minty fresh! Breadwinner, cool, great playing guitar! What's not to like!
I know I have overspent on guitars before, but I have never regretted owning them! |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | An Ultra GS just sold for over $350 and another sold for over $500. Apparently some people really value minty Ovation solidbodies. |
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June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Hi Scooterboy.
If it's mint.
At that price, Grab it!!!
Yes Mark I saw that.
Good news for us GS owners
I've seen a group of pussies, but not a herd of cats
:D
AJ |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 214
Location: Stratford, Connecticut | For me, buying guitars, is definitely an emotional thing and I never look back. I have always, and still do buy, Deacons and Breadwinner,,, from $35 in pawn shops to $700 or more dollars from Daddy's or whomever out of VG... if I like the guitar... if I JIVE with it especially.. it stays! Its that simple! Just do it up brother! If not? I still never bought a black one.. pass on the number! LOL Just got a tan breadwinner transferred over for me to check out hopefully this week! I can't wait! Yes.. I definitely value the solid bodies... the Deacons and Breadwinners MAINLY but the UKIIs just as nuch.. as well as all the others. They're all just so very cool. The poor man's Gibsons! No doubt! |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | If you can afford it get it.
If you can afford to let it go just walk away...
I'd get it. |
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December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | Hey, Scooterboy! Did you buy this yet???!? If not hurry up so we can see some pictures!
:D |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Yeah, did you buy it yet?
You should. |
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Breadwinner valuation advice needed...
