Seems I am always weighing priorities nowadays. I may have decided I would rather revive my 1952 Chevy pickup for fun drives and hauling, than hang onto my 1956 Fender tele. By selling the Tele, that I rarely get out of its original tweed case, I could fund the ratrod revival of my 1952 Chevy pickup I have owned since 1974.
…. I don’t really want to EBay the Tele, but want to get a fair market value for it. What are my marketing options to achieve a fair sale price? Brad
Get it appraised and sell on Guitar hangout or try BHO.
Slammer!!!
1950s Fender guitars are in high demand. There are also lots of clever forgeries and many instruments that have been modified--not original. Hence suspicion of a stranger selling a guitar on the internet. If I had one I would take it straight to one of the big established vintage dealers (Elderly, Gruhn, Carter's, Norman's and others) who can verify authenticity, know the world-wide market, and have want lists a mile long. They also can get top dollar and assume the hassle of selling and shipping which makes up for their commission fees.
While I know the authentic origin of this guitar and the slight mod I do not mind sharing some sale price to an expert service. That maybe a way to go?
I doubt the local market would achieve the best sale price? Even considering a brokerage split.?
It's possible that a place like Gruhn's could get a higher price than you could manage on your own which would make their percentage much less of an expense. And, you wouldn't have to deal with issues like scam buyers and shipping, etc. I would call them, and Carter Vintage, and see if the numbers discussed would be worth a trip to Nashille.
You can also consider The Music Emporium - they deal in high-end instruments.
Do the local tour of EM Shorts, Ulick, and Senseny and see what they say. It would be fun watching their eyes pop out while they drool over it.
Have you done any research? Just a quick Google AI question search puts it at $30,000 to $45,000
Edited by - Dean T on 10/22/2025 19:30:25
I’ll trade you for 27 banjos ;-)
quote:
Originally posted by rinembSeems I am always weighing priorities nowadays. I may have decided I would rather revive my 1952 Chevy pickup for fun drives and hauling, than hang onto my 1956 Fender tele. By selling the Tele, that I rarely get out of its original tweed case, I could fund the ratrod revival of my 1952 Chevy pickup I have owned since 1974.
…. I don’t really want to EBay the Tele, but want to get a fair market value for it. What are my marketing options to achieve a fair sale price? Brad
Photos or it didn't happened. Being a Tele player would love to see what you have Brad.
reference material
Edited by - 5B-Ranch on 10/22/2025 22:12:08
quote:
Originally posted by cevantI’ll trade you for 27 banjos ;-)
Twenty seven? Good lord man what do you do with all that wood? You win...
quote:
Originally posted by 5B-Ranch
Photos or it didn't happened. Being a Tele player would love to see what you have Brad.
I don't know if Brad remembers, but I visited him at his house over 20 years ago, and have seen and held this guitar. It's the real deal, and does exist!
I agree that you should get it professionally appraised, several great places mentioned above. You can also consign it at many of those shops. Gruhn's is the only shop I'm personally familiar with and have done business with. Gruhn's can do the appraisal remotely. Anyway, it should fetch a pretty penny.
Edited by - banjoy on 10/23/2025 04:00:35
Mebee you can find a truck restorer..Who would love to have it.. ?
:0)
The cool thing is the original tweed case and lining. Brad
quote:
Originally posted by rinembThe cool thing is the original tweed case and lining. Brad
Anything original adds to value, and in good shape, even more. The case alone could command a nice price. Now, if you had the matching tweed tube amplifier, even MORE ka-ching!
quote:
Originally posted by Dean Tquote:
Originally posted by 5B-RanchPhotos or it didn't happened. Being a Tele player would love to see what you have Brad.I don't know if Brad remembers, but I visited him at his house over 20 years ago, and have seen and held this guitar. It's the real deal, and does exist!
Dean, I forgot about that. Not many have seen it. Brad
back in the late 1990s, I bought it along with a cool small tube amp, of a brand I was not familiar with, for a total of 300.00. I sold the amp for 300.00 soon after, so I guess the guitar cost me nothing, eh. they were stored in a stinky barn. I had to leave the case outside in the garage for months to air out before my wife would allow it inside. Along with some routine spraying fabreeze and lysol, as I recall. Brad
quote:
Originally posted by banjoyquote:
Originally posted by rinembThe cool thing is the original tweed case and lining. Brad
Anything original adds to value, and in good shape, even more. The case alone could command a nice price. Now, if you had the matching tweed tube amplifier, even MORE ka-ching!
Darn, I did not get the amp. But I do have a wall of pre-CBS Fender amps on my 3rd floor. Nowadays I cant even haul them downstairs. Brad
quote:
Originally posted by Dean TDo the local tour of EM Shorts, Ulick, and Senseny and see what they say. It would be fun watching their eyes pop out while they drool over it.
Have you done any research? Just a quick Google AI question search puts it at $30,000 to $45,000
Then there is Mass Street Music, in Lawrence, Ks...I have not been there for several years. Brad
quote:
Originally posted by cevantI’ll trade you for 27 banjos ;-)
Well...If you had 28 of them, maybe. ;-) Brad
Actually, I need another banjo like I need another guitar.
quote:
Originally posted by banjo bill-eIt's possible that a place like Gruhn's could get a higher price than you could manage on your own which would make their percentage much less of an expense. And, you wouldn't have to deal with issues like scam buyers and shipping, etc. I would call them, and Carter Vintage, and see if the numbers discussed would be worth a trip to Nashville.
The last time we headed to Nashville was in 1973. My wife and I borrowed an old Ford Econoline van to get there. Unfortunately, it broke down somewhere in Eastern Arkansas, and we never made it. Another opportunity dashed! ;-) Brad
Reverb, Craigslist.
Cant drive a Tele.
However, you cant play an old pickup truck, either.
Edited by - Buddur on 10/23/2025 07:36:35
Would love to see a pic or two! Of the tele AND the truck.
This one is out of my league, but I too am a Fender Tele (and occasional Strat) guy… and while I’m more into the modern muscle cars, I love old restomod trucks!!! PICS. ;-)
I'd go the Gruhn's or Carter way for sure. They get top dollar and the wealthiest Tele players are in Nashville or checking those websites.
