Limited edition guitars,worth it?

[s4wgb]

Are ltd guitars worth the money? Do they hold their value?Are they better made? sound any better? Would you buy one? If 50 are only made and 10 only available in the Uk will the guitar hold its value or go up/down in value? Not just Fender but Gretsch etc. Thank you

[Charlie Hall]

They might hold their value better. I suppose it would depend on the desirability to however many would be interested in a particular model against how many were resold.
After what I have heard about a Fender Custom Shop Strat (not exactly limited edition, but one would expect the quality to be similar) very recently, I would never buy another Fender, instead preferring my replica versions. The Terada made Gretsch models are fine instruments.
Regards,
Charlie

[s4wgb]

Hi Charlie.Thanks for your reply.This is the one i'm intrested in the Eddie Cochran G6120EC comming soon.There are only 50 and 10 comming to the Uk. www.gretschguitars.com/cochran/ I have my eye on one at the moment but its very expensive!! They say there is no number 1,2,3 etc but they are all numbered different,i have asked how would you know which number you have? They have not replied.Unless someone out there knows? or has bee to the NAMM show and got and pics inside of the serial numbering.

[philbarker]

Also an extremely interesting piece by the designer on youtube at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=64TN9JlHq8M
Whether this guitar will hold it's value in the future, who knows, but why care - it would be great just owning one!

Phil B

[s4wgb]

Hi Phil i have seen the video thank you.if you goto the Gretsch website you can see other videos from the NAMM show.Also there is a new book comming out soon. www.amazon.co.uk/History-Legendary-Gretsch-6120-Evolution/dp/0764334840/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264932564&sr=8-5

[Deleted]

HI S4WGB,,,,,,,,,,,,,,A SHORT ANSWER IN MY OPINION ''ONLY''.........''NO''

CHEERS ALL....................''aussie-barry''..

[clivea]

Why does my Classic Series 50 sound far superior to my old Mex Standard and why does an American 57 Vintage Reissue sound superior to my Classic? Is the 57 Vintage Reissue the 'Bees Knees' should I consider owning one?

Rgds - Clive

[john]

Clive and all.

Lets face this "classic" guitars thing head on. What is a "classic" the date it was made? The brand of guitar? We have all looked and observed the prices of some. Lets say you have the "Doh Ray Mi" to go out and buy one. You've spent a fortune, tried it out in the shop to bring it home, put it through your gear and it sounds like a wooden railway sleeper with strings. Well it's a "classic" it shouldn't sound like this!

To me, a guitar is a guitar, some are great, some are outright dogs whether it be a Gibson, Gretsch Fender etc, it's like a dog chasing it's tail and the only person making big bucks are the sellers. Recently I tried out a Fender Custom Shop Classic "Relic" chunks out of it, paint worn off, rusty tuners and bridge, the price a whopping US $5200 and it was rubbish, total junk.

If you want a "classic" go like Charlie did, build your own, put your heart and soul into it and the best gear you can afford. I have my own "classic" a 2002 Jap Fender Strat of which I changed a few items and to me and quite a few others, one of the best Strats they have ever played and that is just not me crowing. I was lucky that the wood and what went into it, came together and produced a very good guitar. Serial numbers, who owned it before, means nothing to me, as for one, I can't play like them, it's what feels good in my hands and above all happy with.

Regards
John

[peterbower]

This thread reminds me of a comment Leo Fender made when he was being interviewed by an American Music magazine [can't remember which one now]. The interviewer asked Leo what he thought of the trend in astronomical prices some very old Fender's were fetching on the collectors market.
Leo' reply was typical. He said, if some body brought in one of those old wrecks to my workshop, I would recommend he used it to light his Barbi and to buy a new one. That was Leo's philosophy, he had no interest in the collectors market. He said when it wares out chuck it and buy a new one.
Wonderful.

Peter

[malcolmv]

I was going to stay out of this conversation (being unhappy with a guitar I bought with my eyes wide open). I would say that having played a new Gretsch the other day, that I thought it was amazingly good. But I think you do need to spend some time with a new guitar before you spend your money. There are some lucky people (not to mention any names) who have very acute and experienced hearing and know, even acoustically, what sounds good and whether it will amplify well. I really do think that some of the hand made strat type guitars that I have played, can never be equalled by mass production. I also believe that the 'Custom Shop' logo attached to some guitars these days (by quite a few companies), counts for nought.

If you can play it for a couple of hours and like it then go for it. But I would never buy on reputation or hype. Good luck with it.

I have just realized that I have not answered your question I would not advise buying on the premise that it would be an investment (financially) but if it looks like you want it to... and it plays well then... you only come this way once.

[john]

Thanks for your input Peter and Malcolm.

For I get very naughty thoughts when seeing the prices of "Relics and Custom guitars, they are however are just guitars. It to me is a madness that has got out of hand and Leo hit the nail on the head! It's the same with spare parts that are offered for sale, stating "this" came off a 54 Telecaster, "genuine" how can we tell, just because its rusty??? although some items can be identified I agree on this, but here I getting off the track.
As for the Gretsch Malcolm, they are like chalk and cheese US verses Japanese and here I have mentioned this before. I worked with a guy years ago that owned a Country Gentleman and having played both, one out of the Terada factory, The Japanese guitar is far superior, will it become a "classic" I don't know, but for sure it was made with "aijou" ( love ) if this is the correct word. Time was taken over it manufacture and it shows in every aspect.
Well I've had my say and thanks for reading. Now it's back to my big $$$$ birds eye neck mentioned in another posting and work out a way of straightening this sucker
Regards to all
John

[john]

Hi all.
Just an after thought on the "Limited Edition" My son bought one, manufactured in Asia. Number 3 of 40, paying Au $1780 for it. Well known brand and a beautiful guitar, dragon inlay down the rosewood neck in abalone, quilted maple top in a light emerald green over a mahogany body, gold hardware. guess what, 14 months to the day after purchase he pulled it out of it's case and low and behold strips of the lacquer was peeling off, neck and patches off the body, ruined, now he can't afford to get it re done and of course out of WARRANTY. Of course the company that sold it would have nothing to do with it
Regards
John

[peterbower]

Hi all
I got myself a 'limited' edition California Strat. The standard California Strat was on sale in the UK a few years ago, but the US web site showed a limited edition for the US market only.
It was about $1000. So with a the help of a friend who worked for Fender UK, we ordered all the parts as seperate components, i.e. body, neck, etc. etc. I then assembled it myself.
The final cost worked out at around £475.

Fender and any of the other manufacturers are in business to make money. If by adding on a 'limited' edition to the selling label they then can charge a lot more money for little extra cost to themselves. One or two little extra items or exclusive colours warrents the limited label.
Quite frankly, I have never been enticed [except for the Calif Strat] to buy these products.
Some of my cheapest guitars such as my Tokai Strat are built better, sound better, and play better than most of the Fenders I have played. I'm not slagging off Fender because I also have a realy super 62 re issue, but then that was made in Japan.

Peter

[Tone]

Hi

This subject really seems to polarise opinions. Some people love them while others can't see the point of them.

As the owner of three limited edition Strats plus a "standard" Custom Shop 60 NOS I think I'm realistic enough to know that spending £1000 upwards on a guitar does not mean you get a directly proportionate increase in quality over a, say, £500 instrument. In terms of wood, fittings, electrics and so on and playability any difference does not, in itself, justify the enormous premium although you would, of course, expect the build quality to be faultless (but we know that's not always the case).

But there's more to it than that, isn't there? Collectabilty, exclusivity, desirability, clever marketing, kudos and the secret pleasure of owning something that not many other people have all come into it. This, of course, doesn't just apply to guitars - you can say the same about all sorts of things ranging from furniture to cars. A Ford Focus will get you from A to B just as quickly, in as pretty much the same comfort and at much less cost than, say, a Rolls, Jaguar etc but wouldn't it be a boring old world if functionality and cost were the only considerations when buying something?

I thought long and hard before buying my limited edition Strats and felt guity about spending that amount of money at the time. However, the guilt didn't last long and I can honestly say that since then I haven't regretted it and I still get a great feeling every time I look at them, let alone picking them up and playing them. If only they came with a guarantee that they would make you a better player!

But each to his own!

Cheers.

Tony

[clivea]

Hi Tony,

Why do you have 4 fantastic Strats? Perhaps you have different P/ups in each to give you different sounds, if so, which p/ups do you use and for what sort of sound?
If I was wanting to obtain, not a vintage sound, but say more of an 80's sound, then in which direction would you point me?

Rgds - Clive

[Tone]

Hi Clive

I've sent you a PM.

Cheers.

Tony

[John Butcher]

I have read all the threads with interest as I have owned and played a 62 reissue strat for the last twenty odd years and never thought I'd change.... BUT!! I have just taken delivery of a new Burns Marvin and I'm totally blown away with it. It was not a decision that was made lightly,( as they aint cheap ) but after a very long chat with Barry Gibson ( MD of Burns) and armed with the information about where parts are made and the logistics involved in obtaining all the parts from around the globe...... I bought it with my eyes wide open. The quality of craftsmanship and materials make my old fender look very crude. The sound is the best I have heard for a long time and has that 60's sound I require. Some parts may be machined in China or the USA but its made and finished in England and to me that counts for a lot these days. Peter may remember working on my Strat some years back and its still a great guitar, but there is great and then GREAT!! as for limited editions? They are good investments if kept in a box but guitars should be played. Not just looked at. John.B

[malcolmv]

I must admit that the Burns brand seem to producing superior guitars than one would expect from guitars being machined in China But I Have found mine to be excellent. I think that Barry Gibson is keen to present the best product you can buy for the money. Finish, wood, fittings are all top notch and for Hanks sound. I think Barry produces a very luxurious guitar for the money.

Charlie gas two Strats that are exceptional and that was because they were hand built to his specs,

[kenny]

RE LTD EDITION CUSTOM SHOPS,ETC, Over the years ive tried them all .And at some piont in time owned quite a few now i have 2 fiesta red strats hand made in uk, a wilkinson v6 and a tatty old no name £50 strat put fender pickups on it ,and gess what its as good as most of the guitars ive had used or owned and has the right sounds .Conclusion you dont need to spend thousands as i the fool have

[asimmd]

I have a Custom Shop 56 NOS Strat,and though it's not limited edition I am very pleased I got it,especially at the price I paid.

Today it would cost £2000+to replace it,as it has a lightly figured Birdseye neck,which is not usually supplied with the 56.

I have changed the pickups for a set of custom wound 59's by Tim at Bareknuckle,and when I finally get to play it through my Vox Heritage,I will know whether I am happy with it.

I don't think I would buy another Custom Shop guitar,I just had to get one so I would stop wondering if they were any good,answer YES,I am so pleased I got it.

I know it is possible to make a £50 cheapo sound like a Strat,but if you care about the build and overall quality of a Custom Shop,you should just get one.

Alan