vintage electric guitar appraisal in Los Angeles

November 3, 2004 4:05 PM

Suggestions for getting a vintage electric guitar appraised (and possibly sold) in Los Angeles? (solo inside.)

I have a late '60s Gibson SG that was a gift from a musician-turned-academic friend about 10 years ago. (I always promised to learn to play it, but besides being able to hesitantly pick out "Anarchy in the UK," frankly, I've never quite lived up to my word.) How do I go about getting it appraised and possibly sold? Showing up at someplace like The Guitar Center seems unlikely to be the best option. (This assumes that I can get over the guilt at the thought of selling a gift. Does this make me a bad friend?)

posted by scody to media & arts (7 comments total)

You'll never get over the guilt. Give it to me instead. I am conveniently located in LA.


Fine. Twenty bucks. That's my final offer.



Or try to sell it on consignment somewhere so the store has a stake in the price.

There are a host of other guitar stores on Sunset near the Guitar Blender. The smaller ones are staffed by people who are excited about guitars and would give you an honest appraisal.

Also, check out Ebay and other places people are selling guitars online. Googling the model number will get you that. Look for similar items, that will give you a fair range of what people are paying for them.
posted by sfz at 4:39 PM on November 3, 2004

You have a late-60's Gibson SG?

You, my friend, are one lucky bastard.
posted by Mars Saxman at 5:39 PM on November 3, 2004

You should head to the forums at EverythingSG. Those guys know more than you can imagine about SGs, and will certainly help you figure out who to talk to about selling it.
posted by uncleozzy at 6:16 PM on November 3, 2004

The Official Vintage Guitar Price Guide is what was recommended to me when a musician friend was getting rid of a lot of his guitars. If you can get me specifics I'd be happy to look it up.
posted by substrate at 8:09 PM on November 3, 2004

Aha! It looks exactly like this 1967 Melody Maker. Same turquoise finish, and includes whammy bar. Neck has some cracks, and finish is kinda beat up, though. The number on the headstock is 940651.
posted by scody at 11:29 PM on November 3, 2004

My source says that the serial number means it's from 1968 and that, if it looks like that Melody Maker, it *is* a Melody Maker.

She's in LA and was going to music stores anyway, so she'll ask some questions for you today.

I'll report back if she does.
posted by donpardo at 10:41 AM on November 4, 2004

OK, from the guide I mentioned for a Melody Maker D, 1967-1969 the going rate is between $900 and $1,150. The D is the double pickup version of the Melody Maker. If you actually have a single pickup, a Melody Maker, then it's worth $700 to $1,000, again for excellent condition.
posted by substrate at 3:52 PM on November 4, 2004