July Guitar Roundup - Better Learn How to Shred

Here's the problem with buying a "new" guitar, under the premise that you are going to sell others to make up the difference: You inadvertently start "guitar shopping" again, looking for trade opportunities which might yield better sales results.

If you're not sure what I'm on about, think about this: If you're having trouble selling your guitar, look for a trade opportunity that might benefit both of you.  I've found that one-for-one trades, or even those involving cash going one way or the other,  can often result in better luck - certain guitars just need a change of geography to get sold... so it goes without saying that you shouldn't look to swap with someone in the same geographic area, and you should look for older postings.

This is pretty much the situation I'm in.  Not sold on selling the Les Paul Studio, but not committed to keeping it either, I began looking for interesting trades.  Basically, search outside your area for guitars of similar value.  If you see one that's close, check carefully for the dreaded "no trades" in the description, then send a polite message.

The worst they can say is no, right?

With that in mind, here are my guitars for July.  Even though I wouldn't have a bloody clue how to properly use a Floyd Rose, I seem to be drawn to these right now.

Charvel Pro Mod So-Cal ($850)

This is a pretty cool guitar if you ask me.  What I took to be "Surf green" is actually called "Specific Ocean", which seems to be basically the same thing but cooler?


This is one of the newer ones, made in Mexico, which means it is different than the MIJ version in subtle ways, but not any that have been reported as much worse.

Loaded with Duncan Distortion pickups in both the neck and bridge, this seems like the perfect addition to my wall... except...

I'm supposed to be thinning the herd, not adding to it.

Ibanez Prestige 1451 ($650)

Interestingly enough, I was offered this very guitar in a trade this evening (for the Les Paul Studio).  This guitar had caught my eye, both because it was a hardtail prestige, because it was extremely local, and because the poster was looking to trade for a Les Paul or similar.


As fate would have it, I have two such guitars.  I offered the Epiphone (a long shot), and received no response. This evening, this was offered against the Gibson Studio.

Clearly, that wasn't going to work, and it should be obvious why.  This guitar hasn't sold at $650.  If I listed my Studio at $650, how long do you think it lasts?

Exactly.

I politely suggested that the values didn't line up, and he laughed at me.

How rude.

Music Man Steve Lukather - $1050

Aside from the fact that this is loaded with EMGs (which is a love it or leave it kind of thing), this one strikes me for the price alone.


To be honest, I have no idea what this would typically go for, because honestly I haven't seen them pop up very often.  Everything I've heard about every Music Man guitar is nothing short of outstanding, so having a little piece of that magic for the cost of an American Standard Stratocaster is tempting.

too bad about the color if I'm honest though.  That body shape, combined with that particular hue of sunburst has me thinking of nothing but Carvin's DC series of guitars, which always looked just a bit off to me.

Fender MIJ 50's Stratocaster - $800

Circa 1996, this guitar is definitely not a shred machine, but cool nonetheless.  There's something about Shell Pink which is unappreciated if you ask me.

$800 does seem a bit steep, but Stratocasters seem to be getting a solid 20% bump in value right now, and this one is from an anniversary year (evidenced by the back of the headstock, not pictured here).


This was another case of me making an offer, this time it was straight up for the Studio (which 5 years ago would have been nuts).  The seller responded that they were only looking for a cash sale.

Fair enough.  Cash is king.

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