guitarboy2828
Bob-Dubery
The Martin is going for a mere $69995 cash.
You neglected to mention that it's a 1930 model ? $70k for a 1930 45 Martin in that kind of condition is not unreasonable. You'd buy that as an investment.
Even looking at that site can cause your credit card to get dizzy. They're not in the... how can I put it... commodity end of the market.
They've got a really nice looking Sobell for a piddling $12k.
guitarboy2828
Bob, I could also buy a house for an investment ? and.. They're the same price.. Nearly..
I'm sure they are absolutely great guitars, but would people actually pay that for a guitar? Would people actually have that kind of money for a guitar? I guess they must be if they're for sale.
It would be pretty amazing to play a R500 000 guitar. ?
Bob-Dubery
You have to understand what you're paying for here. It's not just the quality of the guitar, but it's rarity value as well. They aren't making any more 1930 Martins! Most of that 70 grand is for the rarity value. It may be sacrilege to some, but you can buy other guitars that will sound and play just as well and spend a lot less money. But you won't be getting a pre-war 45 series Martin.
The investment potential is an interesting point. George Gruhn claims that vintage instruments have out performed nearly every other kind of investment over the long term in the USA, and I'd bet that he's got some figures to back that up.
Gruhn's have a couple of 1960 Les Paul standards for sale right now. One at $185000 and the other at $135000. He's also got a 1939 Martin D28 for 70 grand. He's virtually giving away a 1959 Strat for 25 big ones.
So yes... that market is there, and people invest in it, and I do mean invest.
guitarboy2828
Hmm.. That is interesting.. If i had the money, I'd invest.. Although, I'd feel bad, keeping a vintage guitar locked away as an investment.. ?
Bob-Dubery
Those old Martins don't have an adjustable truss rod, and a lot of them need a neck reset. Vintage guitars are not necessarily better playing and/or better sounding than newer models. But they are vintage.
