If you want a new G&L tele

[just strum]

hurry, only 6 minutes.

http://cgi.ebay.com/G-L-ASAT-CLASSIC...QQcmdZViewItem

[just strum]

I didn't see it had a reserve, I thought someone might get it for $800. Auction closed with no winner.

Nice guitar - a real GAS producer.

[hubberjub***]

That's a nice guitar. I've always been impressed with G&L but they don't hold their value very well. They are a great buy used.

[wingsdad]

... but they don't hold their value very well. They are a great buy used.

Sorry, but I have to agree and disagree on that point, hub.

First. they're a great buy, period.

True, as far as standardized limited run production models like this one that go to market new based on special pricing:
ASAT Classic Limited Run Model

Models like this fare about as well as standard USA Fenders in terms of percentage of MSRP. My local G&L dealer had a run of Legacy's like this that went new for $799. One came back on a trade about a year later and went 2nd hand for $650.

Custom order models like that orange Bluesboy are another matter. They hold value better than say, a Fender American Vintage Series 62 ReIssue Strat that hits the street new at about $1,400 -$1,500 and then sells used 6 months later for $1,000. But even that's a standard production model, nothing custom about it.

That e-bay seller also seems a bit slimy to me in his representation. Here he's got a customized ASAT Special at a BIN price. I know for a FACT that unless G&L raised the option prices within the last 4 weeks, he's inflated the list pricing on a couple of the options, and thus jacked the MSRP up higher than actual price.

ASAT Special custom order

Aeolian is another fretter here who knows a lot more about G&L's, is active in the G&L discussion board for I think 10 years, and I'd be interested in what light he might shed on this issue.

[hubberjub***]

Sorry wing. I wasn't putting down G&Ls. They are great guitars. I believe they are putting out better guitars than Fender is. I just think that Fenders standard production models hold their value better than G&Ls standard production model. Would this stop me from buying one? No. I typically buy only used guitars anyway. Hamer is another example of this. They build stellar guitars that are just an absolute bargain used. Forgive me if I offended your brand of choice. It was not my intent. I have an odd obsession with economics.

[wingsdad]

No offense taken, hub I know you appreciate an unsung but well-made guitar, witness your Heritage.:

Seriously, though...take a closer look at the downward trend developing over the past 2 years of USA standard production model Fenders holding their resale value. As a matter of economics, marketing being an economic function, Fender's moves the last couple of years with Heinz's 57 Varieties of the American Standard Strat & Tele aimed at almost every conceivable niche demographic have taken a toll on their resale values.

G&L's standard models, on the other hand, have remained pretty stable over the last 10 years, with customization at the dealer order stage creating the variations. And yes, resale values on G&L's about 3 years ago were relatively low compared to Fender. But that trend has been gradually reversing.

I think I'm trying to prove any point here, though, because regardless, if anyone thinks of resale value as an important factor in why they should buy a partilcular guitar that they otherwise fall madly in love with, then they should probably not buy the guitar, quit playing, sell all their gear, and go buy a Porsche with the proceeds.