Found a Squier 51

pictoratus · 04-24-2010, 08:52 PM

Hey guys.

I found a Squier 51 at a Music store in the area. The dealer says is is new (old stock).

Except for very light PG scratches, it looks great. No dings, dents, etc. and the frets look pretty much untouched. About what you would expect from a floor model. The action seems a bit high and could possible use some truss rod tweaking but otherwise looks great. The only drawback, at least in my eyes, is the color - Black w/white PG.

After a bit of talk, he's agreed to take $189.99 for it. What do you think?

3 Chord Hippie · 04-24-2010, 09:06 PM

Seems about $40.00 above the going price, but for a NOS umm I might do it. Depends on the guitar.

BillStickers · 04-24-2010, 10:41 PM

It does seem a little steep in terms of dollars [£124 here is a great price] considering the shop doesn't really have a reason to sell it for that much. It's old stock, it's been out of the box on display and it is no longer manufactured. The Squier '51 is desired by many but it's not exactly a collectable yet. I'd haggle a bit more but if you really like it and want it, then consider wether you can manage the money being used on it and find you can, screw it! Buy it!
I wouldn't but that's strictly what I would do in the scenario.

S. Rock · 04-24-2010, 11:54 PM

black and white are common colors for those. I've seen one up here at a local Guitar Center that was used for $149.00. so, the $189.00 is a little high to me. but as was said, if you can swing it and you're drawn to the guitar, go for it.

pictoratus · 04-25-2010, 12:49 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys. I think a little negotiation is in order. After all, he's been hanging on to this thing for a while now.

S. Rock · 04-25-2010, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pictoratus

--- I think a little negotiation is in order. After all, he's been hanging on to this thing for a while now.

there ya go. use some of that "Southern charm" that those of us from down there inherit.

if you're a good return customer, he just may come down a few more dollars. I have a music store up here that I've bought 2 guitars from and I've always been able to "deal" with the owner. matter of fact, it's where I bought my '93 MIM Squier Strat from. so, happy shopping ! oh, and let us know how it turns out.

Robbmonster · 04-25-2010, 12:37 PM

Agreed about the haggling. Offer $140, and see if you can get it for about $150.

Personally, I'm totally with you on the colour.

Allow me to tell a short tale...

My first 'good' guitar was a b/w Squier Affinity Tele from 2001. I love the guitar to death, but I just HATE the b/w colour scheme. Eventually, I could not stand looking at it anymore, so I bought a new Affinity, swapped off some of the parts I like over (neck, knobs, and neck pickup), and then sold the black one.

My point is, be careful buying a guitar if you don't like the way it looks. You have to look at it every day

YeahDoIt · 04-25-2010, 12:50 PM

Pictoratus, you have to be happy with it so if you don't like the color then don't buy it. The price seems high to me. You might ask about a case. I paid $ 70 for a new hard case for my Telecaster, and I remember the salesperson quoting $ 40 for a gig bag.

Stratatattat · 04-25-2010, 01:07 PM

51s are going for alot on ebay. $189 is about the going rate after shipping...

pictoratus · 04-25-2010, 01:18 PM

All good points! I like the idea about throwing in a case, etc. for bargaining points. I'll give it some more thought and let y'all know how it comes out.

Sollophonic · 04-29-2010, 06:38 PM

Actually I like the black ones, there is much more you can do to enhance a black '51 IMO. I have a blonde and a sunburst and to be honest there is a limited number of pickguards and hardware changes that suit them. Blonde is especially difficult IMO

A Black Tuxedo '51 would complete my collection.

All kinds of things work with black. Pearl/torty/ply guards. Different hardware metals. More pickups match too.

Go for the black, you can make black '51s look really sweet. Check out some of the black '51s on the '51 Forum gallery.

dannyvawn · 04-29-2010, 06:46 PM

Heres what looks like a bullet in cobalt blue. Starting a $60 with 5 hours left. This looks like a good deal. I would bid but I already have my weekly quota and my wife would kill me. Wonder if I could hide another one from her?
and on the one for $189. You can definitely get a better deal than that. Thats too much.
New old stock to me means showroom model that everyone has already played

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...T#ht_500wt_971

pictoratus · 04-29-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannyvawn

and on the one for $189. You can definitely get a better deal than that. Thats too much.
New old stock to me means showroom model that everyone has already played

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...T#ht_500wt_971

True, and the dealer is holding firm on the price. I think he can hold on to it for a while yet.

But I think I've found a much better deal on a Squier Strat. Not sure yet if it's a Bullet Strat or Standard or Affinity or what. Waiting to get more details.

S. Rock · 04-29-2010, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pictoratus

--- the dealer is holding firm on the price. I think he can hold on to it for a while yet.

yep, time to walk away. those guys like that usually don't see me again. just recently, someone had the "deal of the century" for me on a 5 year old Gretsch at today's price. I told him that I could buy brand new for that price.

Roxy · 04-30-2010, 02:25 AM

You can find brand new ones still for about 160$ however they are getting VERY much harder to come by . Search around but keep tabs on that particular one and if you don't see anything snag it . It's brand new old stock that's discontinued and becoming rare . In this situation I wouldn't really play the haggle game . A used one maybe . With the light pickguard scratches and it being a floor model be sure it wasn't preowned . If it's only on the pickguard I wouldn't care . You can replace a pickguard quite easily .

KCSquierFan · 05-03-2010, 02:34 PM

Just my 2 cents, if you have played it and like it, go for it. I love mine, though it doesn't get a lot of playing time. But I have never regretted buying it. Mine is the blonde with black p/g. Here it is with my other Squiers.

richieryan · 06-12-2010, 07:55 PM

Did you ever make a deal on it? Did it have the protective plastic and sticker like this?

Do they have the box? Just asking since they claim NOS.
Maybe tell them you are in for $190 out-the-door if they include a set of Gotoh tuners from Stew-Mac and new strings of your choice...

pictoratus · 06-12-2010, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richieryan

Did you ever make a deal on it? Did it have the protective plastic and sticker like this?

Do they have the box? Just asking since they claim NOS.
Maybe tell them you are in for $190 out-the-door if they include a set of Gotoh tuners from Stew-Mac and new strings of your choice...

No, I was in there a week ago and they still have it. It doesn't have the protective film and I didn't ask if they had the box, etc. We never got that far since they didn't seem interested in dealing.

I haven't given up on it though.

Detman101 · 07-20-2010, 04:14 PM

What you could try is going in there with the 140 in cash and wave it in front of the dude's face.

Money talks...

Oh yeah, if you don't like the black with white pickguard, make your own pickguard and paint it however you like. I made my own pickguard to replace the nasty looking tortoiseshell guard that came on it. Looked like dried blood...had to get rid of it.
Made my own guard from lexan.

=]
Dm

softwarejanitor · 07-20-2010, 04:17 PM

There was a Squier 51 posted on Austin CL within the past few days. Sunburst, but they are asking way too much for it if you ask me... $175

http://austin.craigslist.org/msg/1852177538.html

pictoratus · 07-20-2010, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detman101

What you could try is going in there with the 140 in cash and wave it in front of the dude's face.

Money talks...

Oh yeah, if you don't like the black with white pickguard, make your own pickguard and paint it however you like. I made my own pickguard to replace the nasty looking tortoiseshell guard that came on it. Looked like dried blood...had to get rid of it.
Made my own guard from lexan.

=]
Dm

A bit off topic but I am looking at making my own pickguard for a old circa 1970 Kay bass I'm rebuilding. Almost, if not completely, impossible to get stock parts so I'll probably go that route.
Any techniques from your experience appreciated.

As the dealer seems intent on keeping that one forever, I'll most likely keep a watch for a good craig's list or eBay deal.