BadgerDave Posted October 11, 2007 Posted October 11, 2007 After all of the crap I went through with eBay over the past couple of months, including multiple attempts to hack my account, a misdirected suspension by eBay, and a couple of extremely irritating auction "winners", I was ready to walk away. But . . . I've been jonesing for a PRS and spotted one on eBay that had some of the earmarks of a potential bargain. Primarily really bad photos and a mid-week, mid-day ending time. Best of all, the guitar is located within 10 miles of my job! I was hoping nobody else would bid and sniped it this afternoon. I pick it up tomorrow morning. Take a look, did I do OK? PRS Auction Linky
kizanski Posted October 11, 2007 Posted October 11, 2007 Primarily really bad photos and a mid-week, mid-day ending time.I used to seek out guitars in that category all the time and used to score often.That was back before the days of sniping software, and whatever it is these kids today do.
DavidE Posted October 11, 2007 Posted October 11, 2007 I guess you'll be able to tell us when you pick up the guitar. I can't tell squat from those photos!Figure a regular McCarty probably goes for $1200-1400 these days. Sometimes less, sometimes more. The birds are a nice option that make it more valuable. I think red is unusual for a McCarty (at least I haven't seen any), so that's a nice bonus as well.These are killer killer guitars.
MCChris Posted October 11, 2007 Posted October 11, 2007 I bet it'll sound better if you screw the pickups directly into the body, a la Ed Van Halen.Bring it to the Blue tomorrow. We'll have a duel.
cmatthes Posted October 11, 2007 Posted October 11, 2007 Looks like you did okay - McCarty models ("McCartneys" on eBay and Craig's list, typically) are great guitars, and the birds are not typically ordered on that model for some reason. Looks like a Black Cherry finish, since it appears to have the black back (why, oh why do you do that, Paul?!?!?!!).Enjoy!
BadgerDave Posted October 11, 2007 Author Posted October 11, 2007 I'm hoping it's Black Cherry - my favorite PRS finish, but it looks like there's no masked binding, which would indicate Scarlet Red or a custom finish. Who can tell from those photos, though? I'll find out tomorrow if I don't get "rolled" during the hand-off.DavidE, I need to get connected with your sources. The going rate for a decent McCarty around here is several hundred more than I paid for this one. CE-22s are selling for $1,200.00 and up. Of course, I'm looking at eBay and retail stores like Dave's, not Craigslist or private sellers.Chris, I will be doing the EVH mod, and depending on how the McCarty pickups sound, I might add a set of Fralin Unbuckers and one of those RS kits with the coil-splitter. I'll bring it along to the Blue tomorrow.
BubbaVO Posted October 11, 2007 Posted October 11, 2007 Too bad the Fighting Illini whupped the Badgers and da Bears went to "Lambo" field whupped the Packers, maybe the guitar will help you feel a little better?
LordOfTheThighs Posted October 11, 2007 Posted October 11, 2007 Great score. I haven't evah owned a PRS, but I played a few. Nice gits. I hope its all you expect. The description says its a winner. Yeah ... nice pictures really help move a sale along. OTOH, crappy pics can kill an auction for the seller. But an informed buyer, can make the cruddy pics work for him. Nice ebay strategy.
licksville Posted October 11, 2007 Posted October 11, 2007 Looks like a Black Cherry finish, since it appears to have the black back (why, oh why do you do that, Paul?!?!?!!).+1. If the back can't be the same finish as the top, why not just leave it natural ? I have never understood the popularity of black guitars. Fingerprints and such always seem to stand out, far more than other colors. To each his own, I guess.BTW, if this guitar isn't everything you hope it will be, you can rest assured there'll be more than a couple $350 offers waiting in the wings here.
ZR Posted October 11, 2007 Posted October 11, 2007 Looks like a Black Cherry finish, since it appears to have the black back (why, oh why do you do that, Paul?!?!?!!).+1. If the back can't be the same finish as the top, why not just leave it natural ? I have never understood the popularity of black guitars. Fingerprints and such always seem to stand out, far more than other colors. To each his own, I guess.I agree that it would look better but I'm sure it's done from a cost perspective. Opaque (black) paint covers up everything including many pieces of wood, imperfections etc. Where a natural stain finish shows everything good or bad. I'm not necessarily saying PRS, or anyone else, is hiding inferior wood behind paint but it makes sense to a manufacturer; the best wood is selected for stain finishes and the not-so-pretty stuff gets painted. Hamer has surprised me though in a few cases where stripped guitars had beautiful grain underneath. Not sure what you'd find under some Gibson painted finishes.
MCChris Posted October 11, 2007 Posted October 11, 2007 I'm hoping it's Black Cherry - my favorite PRS finish, but it looks like there's no masked binding, which would indicate Scarlet Red or a custom finish. Who can tell from those photos, though? I'll find out tomorrow if I don't get "rolled" during the hand-off.Yeah, Elk Grove Village is a rough town.Chris, I will be doing the EVH mod, and depending on how the McCarty pickups sound, I might add a set of Fralin Unbuckers and one of those RS kits with the coil-splitter. I'll bring it along to the Blue tomorrow.We should bust out our PRSi right there in the restaurant. We'll have to beat the women back with sticks after such a public display of guitar nerdery.
AdmiralB Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 DavidE, I need to get connected with your sources. The going rate for a decent McCarty around here is several hundred more than I paid for this one. CE-22s are selling for $1,200.00 and up. Of course, I'm looking at eBay and retail stores like Dave's, not Craigslist or private sellers.That's my (limited) experience as well, McCs bring $1300-$1700 depending upon details (non-rosewood). Birds are not super common but certainly not rare. A good solid deal but not a steal, IMO.
DavidE Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 I'm just going by selling prices recently on TGP and BAM. Prices on ebay go up and down like a roller coaster. I recently traded for a McCarty Soapbar that's especially nice thinking it was a 1500 fiddle only to see many at the 1200 mark. I think you got a very solid deal with the birds! Easily worth $1500 if it's minty fresh!!!One with birds sold on Ebay recently for $2175. BUT, it's one of the first 100 (and people will pay more for those) and 1 of the first 6 six with birds.http://cgi.ebay.com/1994-PRS-McCarty-First...1QQcmdZViewItemPrices seem to fluctuate from week to week.Here's a rare McCarty trem with birds for $2200: http://thegearpage.net/board/showthread.ph...ghlight=McCartyOne with a solid rosewood neck for $1800:http://thegearpage.net/board/showthread.ph...ghlight=McCartyA black one for $1750:http://thegearpage.net/board/showthread.ph...ghlight=McCarty10 top with birds and indian rosewood neck for $2250:http://thegearpage.net/board/showthread.ph...ghlight=McCartySome unusual ones ranging from $1900-2200:http://thegearpage.net/board/showthread.ph...ghlight=McCartyNOTE THAT ALL OF THEM HAVE BEEN UP FOR A WHILE AND NOT SOLDOn BAM:McCartyburst with birds for $1495 plus shipping:http://forums.birdsandmoons.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41377$1199 for a black one:http://forums.birdsandmoons.com/forum/show...ghlight=McCartyAn '01 in dark cherry burst for $1350:http://forums.birdsandmoons.com/forum/show...ghlight=McCartyA very nice looking '06 for $1600 that won't sell:http://forums.birdsandmoons.com/forum/show...ghlight=McCartyI love the unique color on this one for $1500 (notice not even a reply):http://forums.birdsandmoons.com/forum/show...ghlight=McCartyHere's one that sold (but for what?). VERY nice looking. No birds. Asking $1450:http://forums.birdsandmoons.com/forum/show...ghlight=McCartyBlack with moons for $1300:http://forums.birdsandmoons.com/forum/show...ghlight=McCartyBlack with moons for $1250:http://forums.birdsandmoons.com/forum/show...ghlight=McCartyI can't understand why this McCarty trem with birds only reached $1400 on ebay (didn't meet reserve):http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...=ADME:B:SS:US:1
MCChris Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 Hey DavidE, are Dragon II pickups w/covers desireable among PRS fans? Any idea what the going rate would be for a pair?
DavidE Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 Hey DavidE, are Dragon II pickups w/covers desireable among PRS fans? Any idea what the going rate would be for a pair?No idea. I'd check BAM, TGP and Ebay.
DavidE Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 Man, a nice turquoise McCarty (with moons, not birds) on TGP for $1300:http://thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=301808And there's one soapbar with a nice quilt top for $1300 too:http://thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=296777But neither has birds.
BadgerDave Posted October 12, 2007 Author Posted October 12, 2007 I picked up the McCarty this morning. Turns ot it's Raspberry. But it's the darkest shade of that color I've seen. Looks very similar to a purple PRS I once owned. No masked binding and virtually mint condition. I'll post a photo. i haven't had a chnce to plug it in, but I'm very pleased so far.
MCChris Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 I'm thinking black pickup rings would look killer on that .....
DavidE Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 That sounds sweet! I just love the way my McCarty sounds and looks. Just a killer guitar.
BadgerDave Posted October 12, 2007 Author Posted October 12, 2007 Wow! Love the top and finish on yours, David. Very "old school elegant". Letting the cat out of the bag on the stealth comments by McChris, I did some work on his CE-22 last week, including a pickup and wiring swap. Turns out the mounting tabs on the pickups he bought had been drilled out, necessitating an alternate mounting technique. I went with the EVH "bolt 'em to the wood" approach, using springs and foam under the pickups. I drilled out the mounting holes on the mounting rings so you can slip a small screwdriver through to adjust the pickup height. Chris declined the switch to black mounting rings, but he's wrong. Judge for yourself:
MCChris Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 Well, you never showed me THAT picture! Change it back!
cmatthes Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 If you guys like the McCarty, you're gonna LOVE the DGT (Dave Grissom) Model.That thing is one of the best new guitars I've played in a while.
AdmiralB Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 If you guys like the McCarty, you're gonna LOVE the DGT (Dave Grissom) Model.AKA, the Francisco Scaramanga signature edition?
Guest Meshuggah Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 I have never understood the popularity of black guitars. Fingerprints and such always seem to stand out, far more than other colors. I beg your pardon?
MCChris Posted October 13, 2007 Posted October 13, 2007 I agree with Austin's way of thinking; the pickup rings should match the color of the outside coils of zebra pickups: Checked out Dave's McCarty last night. It is sweet.
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