soundcreation wrote:Joop wrote:soundcreation wrote:That's all fine and dandy but him thinking it's worth 900+ US is really kind of a joke. Refinish should lower the value not raise it...I don't care if it's oil. by Gibson models can be had at that price range.
If he gets it then more power too him, but who ever buys it is getting ripped off.
Sorry Soundcreation, but you probably haven't looked at prices levels lately... Please inform me of ANY ObG's without scractches and dings for $900+ and I will buy them all!! A person that buys this guitar certainly does not get ripped off especially not with the better harware on it.
Apart from the look that you like or not, bet you that this is a really nice playing and sounding guitar and is that not what it is all about??
What Orville isn't going to have the odd scratch or ding? If that is your criteria for "value" then it's a very strange one. So it's been re finished...big deal. Still doesn't change what it is. And pickup swaps never increase value of guitars unless it's something super rare like a set of Dry Z's.
I guarantee if this were a gibson you wouldn't be talking the same way.
Take a look on yahoo japan right now....there are two black custom by Gibson's that look in very nice shape, both for 60000. I bet they don't get any bids, and could be had no higher than 70000. Even with fees and shipping they come out under a 1000.
And regular orvilles like his are no more than 800 bucks shipped.
And this guy is acting like this is some "extreme value"....give me a break.
It may be a great player....it may be a dog....I have no clue. But I wouldn't be taking a chance at that price and with that body. For the kind of dough he wants I could get a used bacchus duke out of japan with a two piece maple top 1 or 2 piece mahogany back and an oil finish that I guarantee would blow that orville out of the water.
I'm glad you had a good experience with the seller, and your loyalty to him is admirable...but THAT guitar is a rip off....period.
Well, if you are patient and search carefully you will come accross mint Orvilles and by Gibsons. I just got an '95 Fujigen made ObG ES335 in mint condition, so they are out there. Who wants a battered and broozed guitar? At least this sellers shows detailed pictures and offers a full description, and not throw away comments like " in good condition for its age"
Plus he says that it is a collector's night mare. So he offering a player's guitar rather than a highly collectable one (Regular Orvilles will never be highly collectable, yes, maybe in 50 years when most have disappeared off the market but for now....)
I find it strange that you say that changed hardware does not add value to the guitar. I have changed the tuners on all my Orville (and by Gibson ones) for Gibsons and many Orvilles you see have changed tuners so that certainly adds value. Nearly all people change the Orville PU's but perhaps it is better to choose your own replacements, but you're going to fork out money for replacement PU's, so you're going to spend more than your original purchase price.
Concerning selling prices, there is something that may needs a bit explaining for non European forum members.
Us Europeans, we have to pay high shipping cost for a guitar from Japan, and on top of that import duty and most of all, we have to pay VAT. That can add between 17 and 25% (depending on which country you live in) on the total value of the guitar plus shipping cost plus duty).
So, if your guitar costs let's say $600 plus $120 shipping, your total bill could easily run up to $888 which is 48% higher than the original price tag of the guitar.
The seller of course, had to pay these cost never mind the 10% that ebay plus paypal will take off the selling price in fees (talking about a rip off). And what about his profit? Is he expected to live of charity?
All in all, not sure if your rip off comment is really justified. It is a different guitar and i hope that some one buys it, just to read the feedback later on

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Have a great weekend!