$2,500 pick guard

[Kitty]

Ok, guys... 'splain this one to me...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=47069&item=7334447338&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[kewlpack]

Wow - that was fast - it's already gone! eBay removed it.

[Kitty]

No, it's still up but for some reason it doesn't work if you click the link. Something about how the message board puts new links in a frame.

But if you copy the URL and paste it into a new browser window, it still works.

[JackG]

WOW! What a deal! :-)

Jack

[MrMike]

Within the vintage guitar community, a great deal of value is placed upon originality and authenticity of parts. If a 60's Strat had suffered some sort of malady that would require the pickguard to be replaced, a replica just won't do. That would cast a shadow over the guitar's authenticity, and could possibly cause some to question whether or not it is what the seller purports it to be. As the plastic ages, it becomes more and more brittle, causing the supply of genuine replacement parts to dwindle. For example, the "Rhythm/Treble" switch ring from a 50's Les Paul will set you back a solid 3 grand, easily. The original pickup mounting rings for a Les Paul? 15 grand! Yes, it is expensive, but the guitar's market value or resaleability would be questionable without genuine, authentic parts. Most guys will take the hit for the cost of the parts in order to be able to sell the instrument, or to maintain its "all original/genuine" status.

[Crunchyriff]

To add to that, if you replace the pickguard with something newer or 'incorrect', it will severly diminish the value to a collector.

Now Kitty, I can hear ya "these guys are NUTS" (har!); and for the avg 'player' it wouldn't matter it all; but when it comes to collectible, high-value guitars, all bets are off. It's all in the 'details', just like an air cleaner from an '86 ElCamino, even if it fits, has NO business on a pristine '68 ElCamino, and would affect it's value .

Mike's projections for those parts may be a tad on the high side (maybe not), but when you find a nice, clean set of PAF's (pickups) for a 50's LP for example, you can pretty much name your price. The cheapest PAF I've seen in the last 5 years went for $1800, had no cover; and though fully functional, was quite worn. Those days are over.

Now Mike's projections are also based on guitars that currently fetch anywhere from $80k to well over $200k...Stratocasters have got quite a ways to go before they command THOSE prices; so what I'm trying to say is, it's all relative in vintage parts prices.

[refin]

Vintage plastic is outrageously expensive---but it's supply and demand if you want to restore an old guitar.After all,what are the chances of finding vintage correct plastic,or someone willing to part with it?
The most stupid price I've seen are the old M-69 pickup surrounds (rings) from 1957 to 1960 in cream.......they are the hardest to find unbroken,and a pair will run you from $9,000 to $15,000!!!
But----if you are restoring that '59 burst.
I'll tell you what---if I ever get fortunate enough to find another affordable old burst (unlikely) those M-69s are comin' off and going on the market---the way those guitars are skyrocketing ($150 to 275 large) it won't affect the overall price! :lol:

[Crunchyriff]

I would put all the old plastic away and use my "burst" or whatever with replica/repro plastic pieces until the day I decided to sell.

[stephen]

For 2,500 bucks, I could buy two great guitars, and they already come with picgaurds installed!

Yeah, I know the value put on in the vintage market, and its a shame, cause sadly there are going to be some good guitars not played, because of their monetary value.

I remember when my buddy Gilby got a 64 Fender Telecaster (back around 80'-81'), and I think he got it for about 200 bucks. Case included! And believe it or not, the skinny little strap that Fender use to throw into the case with it! I dont think there was a ding on it: It was a closet classic. I'd hate to think how much that guitar was worth. Heck, I'd hate to think how much my old 59 DC Les Paul Jr is worth nowadays!

Curious, is it a 'bakelite' pickgaurd? If it is, and its in excelent condition, that may explain why it is going for so much.

[Crunchyriff]

That doesn't look like bakelite- looks like tri-layer plastic to my squinty eyes...

[leecow]

A bargain considering the rest of the guitar in similar condition will set you back an aditional $32,500. I could seriously feed my Anderson habit with that kind of change.

[leecow]

I'd hate to think how much my old 59 DC Les Paul Jr is worth nowadays!

Buddy of mine owns a studio in Seattle and as part of his Recording Academy (the Grammy folks) work was on a trip to Nashville where he not only was in the same room as a dead mint '59 Les Paul Deluxe but got to play it. You should see the 'cat ate the canary' grin on his face in the picture! :lol: Anyway, that studio owner paid $53 large. Sitting in the same room was a pre-war Martin, early run Gibson J45, mid-60's Strat, 62 Tele and a few other stunning pieces of history.