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pirateflynn
Guest
I have a line on a Hamer Monaco w/ a Bigsby, TV Jones PUs, Crown inlays, Trans orange over spruce, $2850 new. What do ya think?
Ken
Ken
Price the new ones with the dealers before paying that. You might be happier with something from the HFC....someone might have a great used one? Put up a wanted to buy (WTB).
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pirateflynn
Guest
I was told that retail is $4,075 and the sale price is $2,850.
I definately would use a dealer here if doing a Custom Order but I just ran across this one.
Man, is it cool. But, do I need a Gretsch style guitar?
I definately would use a dealer here if doing a Custom Order but I just ran across this one.
Man, is it cool. But, do I need a Gretsch style guitar?
What would a used Monaco cost? Then consider the cost of putting in TV Jones pickups in that. Is the remaining difference (crowns, color) worth the extra $1200 or so?
That comes out to 30% off the list. That's in line with some dealers....some others will go 40%, but that's pretty much it. If it's brand new and EXACTLY what you want, and the dealer is reputable/gives good service, I'd say go for it....the MOST you could save anywhere else would be another $300 - $400. Of course, if they're stuck with a custom order and are wanting to get out from under it, they might come off of it a little more too.
That is a custom order guitar and right in line for what I would expect to pay for that kind of build. Yes you might be able to get a similar guitar built from a board dealer. But I would say that you'd see a price tag that is similar or more for the same guitar. If you like it get it. 2800 and change is a fair price for a custom guitar.
I guess I'm having a hard time seeing how they arrived at that price without a lot more custom options. Trans orange on spruce is zero upcharge. There's an upcharge for the pickups and the crowns. But not that much more. Does it have an ebony fingerboard? Are there any more options added?
Sounds high to me. An HFCer here just bought one that was essentially new (NOS) for less than half that. It was the stock one, but for 1/2 price, I wouldnt' think twice. You could probably do as well or better through one of the dealers here and get exactly what you wanted. Custom orders can be a wonderful thing. If you're not sure you want a Gretsch, you might overpay on this one, hate it and then lose big trying to flip it, particularly b/c it wouldn't be new anymore.
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pirateflynn
Guest
Yeah, I'm going to wait it out. I was caught up in a fit of GAS.
NewAKowner
New member
If a dealer wants to do business with you, and does not have a customer lined up who is willing to pay a higher price, you should be able to negotiate them down to about 60% of list price. I have done that twice with my local Hamer dealer (with an Epiphone in 2003 and an Artist Korina last March) by telling her exactly what I want, having her order from factory, agreeing to pay cash or check when I pick it up. In each case, I got a brand new guitar right out of the case, not played or nicked up by another customer, and gave the dealer a check for 56% of the list price of guitar & case combined. Of course, that approach might not suit you if you need to try the guitar out before making a decision, but in both situations I knew exactly what brand & model I wanted, and I did not write the check until I inspected each guitar closely for 30 minutes before taking them home. It helps if you already have a relationship based on trust & integrity with the dealer. Have fun & good luck.
In general, the 40% off thing usually applies to stock that has been around too long, not something brand new.
NewAKowner
New member
In addition to the 2 examples I already mentioned, of which I took delivery the day they arrived from the factory, I previously got the same 56% deal on a Gibson Les Paul in December, 1999 from another store in my area - it left the factory 12-12-99, I bought it brand new 12-22-99. Not saying it happens often, but if one is willing to wait it out, check the available alternatives, etc, great deals should still be out there. Dealers in different regions of the country may have different policies.
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pirateflynn
Guest
Thanks for the suggestion Mike but you know all too well how beautiful the Monaco is.....I'll wait for a Hamer.Hey here's a thought get one of the newer Gretsch Electromatics hollow bodies and do a pickup upgrade to TV Jones and viola Gretsch guitar with bigsby et al.