Value correction of a late 70's Hamer.. With visible stress crack.

[Hamer Dave]

What would you think would be a proper deduction in value for a guitar with the very visible signs of a stress crack at the headstock? It hasn't broken off, but there are very visible signs of one starting. Can this be determined at a percentage? Say 20%, 30%, or greater discount. I know we all shun guitars with broken headstocks, and this is why I ask.

i.e. Suspect guitar at 100% market valued at $1,500.00. If there are signs of stress crack at the headstock, what would be a fair price? $1,200.00, $800.00, or ?. I would be a buyer in this example. Appreciate all your thoughts. As always, thanks!

dave

***edited to add request of opinion on fair market value of similar situation with an early Jackson Randy Rhoads. The RR headstock was cracked completely off, but reattached with evidence of break. No refinish.

[cynic]

Better estimates could be provided with exact year/model/specs.

[Steve Haynie]

Is it wood or just the finish that is cracking? On 80's Hamers with Floyds there will sometimes be a finish crack between the screw head on the back of the neck while the wood itself is OK. There are some paddle headstocks with finish cracks on the back that are not wood cracks.

[Hamer Dave]

Not a simple finish crack. Those are mostly negligible IMO, and expected. Still looking for typical deval'. No excuses. Lol!

The Hamer would be first run Sunburst.

Jackson Randy Rhoads also first run San Dimas. Both low serials. I'm guessing deduct easy 20% on stress crack, and easily 30-40% deval on complete break of Jackson RR? What u think?

[Hamer Dave]

Btw... Crack is easily felt, and visible.

[RichRS6]

Hard to say without more details.

Does the crack on the Sunburst open up when the guitar is strung up and under tension ?

Is the tuning stable, so does it affect it's functioning as an instrument ?

I wouldn't necessarily shun it if it was a guitar that I wanted badly but it will (obviously) affect the price I was willing to pay.

In certain respects it can make a guitar less precious so more likely to get some actual playing as opposed to a 10/10 condition instrument which may languish in the case for fear of it becoming damaged.

If its an early first run sunburst I will give you $350.

[Hamer Dave]

you guys aren't helping me

I don't think you could open the crack, at least at this point I wouldn't try (and make it worse).

You guys have to have some kind of directive for this kind of situation? Are my estimates fair?

[RichRS6]

AFAIK there is no real "formula" to work out the price reduction due to damage.

There are too many variables involved to just quote a figure.

Having said that I would have thought the 20 - 30% figure you suggested is about right on an instrument which has already been repaired, depending on the quality of the workmanship and the stability of the repair.

With a damaged instrument which has not been repaired the reduction would be much greater as the cost of any work has to be added and this is difficult to give rock solid quotes for due to the nature of the job, a seemingly easy repair could turn into a nightmare with added un-forseen costs (I was a mechanic/technician for years and I got tired of explaining that to customers moaning about their bills).

Show us the guitar and then it will be so much simpler for me to justify spending the $350.

[veatch]

I'd call Jay or Greg and get a conservative *estimate* how much they would want for a repair - subtract that and a little extra for the trouble from the typical street price, and Bob's your uncle.

Note - i stress *estimate* as the repairs may need more than what a picture or description might lead one to believe...

Your mileage may vary, offer void where prohibited, blah, blah, blah...

[cmatthes]

Your description is too vague, unfortunately, for the detailed answer you're seeking.

Pics and additional details help - you're talking about a late '70s Hamer, not a (relatively) mass produced instrument where values are easily determined, sight unseen.

[Hamer Dave]

It is signs of a stress crack. Nothing new. We've all seen them many a time. It is stable. I wouldn't do anything with it at this time. It may never crack, but the cosmetic scar is there. Or... With a good hit, it may easily crack. Nothing more to it than that.

As for the Jackson. It was cracked and solidly repaired. However, you can blatantly tell it was cracked. No attempt to refinish/hide was made.

Run o the mill issues we see very often, I'd think. I'm presuming me initial estimates are fair. Don't make this more of an issue than I described. Please. : )

[crunchee]

Your description is too vague, unfortunately, for the detailed answer you're seeking.

Pics and additional details help - you're talking about a late '70s Hamer, not a (relatively) mass produced instrument where values are easily determined, sight unseen.

^This^ +1.

[hamerhead]

Well, I figure a severed head is worth -40% to -50%, and work backwards from there. A small crack is maybe -15% to -30%. Your numbers seem to be in the ballpark (at least compared to mine and I know nothing).

If it was undisclosed or caused by UPS, I'd go for the way upper end of that.

[BadgerDave]

It the guitar is a collectable model, like a four digit standard (for example), I would not be willing to pay more than 50% of the going price of a clean, undamaged similar guitar. If it's a "player", I'd deduct 20-30% plus the cost of repairing it.

[Never2Late]

MACRO SETTING! Thou shalt 'focus' better....

[veatch]

Whose got Jay, and/or Greg's numbers?

Jay: http://www.ntlguitar.com/connect.html

Greg: http://www.bcrmusic.com/contact.htm

[pirateflynn]

That looks very much like the crack that appeared in the '77 Sunburst JJ bought and had shipped from Europe. Later, passed onto Kilroy, and then to me. Is this a '77 Hamer Cherry Sunburst by any chance?

[Hamer Dave]

Yes, flynn. However, I believe the one you're referring was b&c? This isn't.

I should be getting the 79 tomorrow, I believe? What type of reduction in price do you think is fair on something like this?

I have a much better pic, I paste it, and when I try to send it states "You must enter a post", or

"post_too_short". What is that all about? Somebody please help!!!!!!

[pirateflynn]

Cool .. I knew that '77 very well. Shoot me a message if I you'd like me to give you the rundown.

(edited) Oh, I see .. different guitar. I honestly wouldn't know how to advise you on a deduction for a neck crack. I would handle them on a case to case basis.

Enjoy, the BACK IN BLACK Sunburst!

[Hamer Dave]

Flynn,

I know the one you're referring. I believe, but this is an earlier one.

[cynic]

Is this about 7 0037?

[Hamer Dave]

let's try it again...

BINGO!

[BCR Greg]

That is not good. The crack that shows is just part of the actual break.

[Hamer Dave]

That is not good. The crack that shows is just part of the actual break.

BCR Greg,

I re-emailed you this pic, and another. Appreciate your opinion on a fix.

Thanks.

dave