My Guitar Won't Sell

Watching listings as often as I do, I tend to come across the same guitars over and over again.  Most don't last more than a month before either selling or seeing the owner give up, but there are some owners out there that just don't know when to give up.


One things for sure: They're not the least bit interested in my opinion as to why their guitar isn't selling. Sending a message to a seller to tell them that their guitar isn't worth what they think usually turns into a completely unnecessary pissing contest.  I know, having been on both sides of that conversation.

Despite this, I'm going to pick a guitar I've noticed hanging around for quite sometime and reflect on why the owner is having such a hard time moving it. Hopefully it saves someone from unrealistic expectations in the future.

Dot on Shaft Flying V

Listed: 12+ months, non-continuous

Price: $350-$250-Swap/Trade

While I'm not always going to be sure of the amount of time a guitar has been listed for, I'm certain that this guitar has been listed for at least 12 months on and off, because I was offered this guitar in a trade 12 months ago, and was directed to a listing to see pictures.  That is a REALLY long time to have a guitar you clearly don't want.

Bad Brand

The biggest issue here is the brand.  "Dot on Shaft" isn't around anymore, but they're the same company as "Carparelli", and Canadian company that sources from the far east.  Living where I do, I often see these guitars come up for sale, and they usually stay listed for quite awhile.

The hard truth is that off-brand companies will always command far less demand. Outside of the big brands like Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, PRS, Gretsch, Epiphone, and Squier (yes Squier), you're pretty much up shit creek without a paddle.

Terrible Looks

Terrible is subjective, but I dare you to not agree with me.  The shape of this looks like a slightly smaller  Jackson "King V", but it could be the same size.  That finish isn't doing it any favours either. Traditional finishes on "metal" guitars never work in my opinion, and gold hardware is the cherry on top of this particular shit-sundae.

Clean Your Guitar!

Look at the close up of the headstock above. The gold hardware is fucking terrible, but the months and months of dust on the gloss black surface really seal the deal. I can almost smell the cat hair caught under the bridge. The fretboard looks bone dry as well.  Some lemon oil, polish, and compressed air would do wonders.

Keep it Professional

You know what I don't want to think about when looking at a guitar? Your goddamn bedsheets, that's what.  Everyone has a decent enough camera in their phones nowadays, so do yourself and everyone else a favour and take a picture of your guitar against as neutral a backdrop as you can muster. Good lighting helps too.

What's it worth?

In short, nothing.  A guitar is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, like everything else in this world. I wouldn't be at all surprised if at this point the seller would be willing to move for $100.

I still wouldn't buy it.