Boutique Guitar Pricing

[TexMexMike]

I came across a guitar at the local music store the other day. It is a used CFOX H-Sonoma 12 Fret Cutaway Engleman/Rosewood. It really is a nice guitar! Very modern build vesus a Martin, but a more Martinesque voice versus something like a Taylor. And some of the best build quality that I have ever seen. Here are a few links that I found on Frets.com.

http://www.frets.com/fretspages/Features/CFox/cfox01.html

http://www.frets.com/fretspages/FieldTrips/CFox/cfox1.html


My question is this. I know how to price a used modern Martin. Basically start at around 50% of the list price for an excellent example and work from there. It was my belief that most boutique guitars dont hold their value as well. Most when sold new are not discounted at 40%, like Martins to start, closer to 10%-15%, at best. So, would one say that starting around 60% of the purchase price is somewhere in the ball park?

I already put a deposit down on the guitar. And will have 30 days in which to return it if I find that it doesn't work for me. Is there any general rule of thumb to use when purchasing a used Boutique guitar?

All comments and advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[nothin but the blues]

Not real sure on this maker Mike. I haven't not heard much about them. I'm guessing they're guitars are probably priced in the $3,000 range new?

Best bet would be to try and track down others for sale, and see what they are commanding.

Bottom line though, if you love the guitar, than what ever price they are asking for it, its worth it. :thumbsup:

Make sure to get some pics up! I'd love to see it! :music-smi

[Bytor1975]

There is a good write up about Mr. Fox in the Blue Book of Acoustic guitars. It has the model listed that you mentioned, as well as his other models. They don't give actual values for them though, as they do other manufacturers, just his retail price. It also gives you some numbers to add to the price for additional extras, bells, and whistles.

[TexMexMike]

It is a very interesting guitar. 00/0M (between,,,sorta) 12 fret cutaway with an extended fingerboard. Kinda of the best of both 12 fret/14 fret. From the limited information that I have been able to obtain, thus far, it appears that this model with the upgrades would have sold for about $4,300.00 in 1999/2000. And around $3,300.00 in 2001 after they closed. This one is s/n 458. They made aprox. 250 guitars a year, so I imagine this one was made sometime in late 2000. As far as how many Hybred 12 Fret with extended fret boards were made, probably very few. So, it will be interesting having something that few others own.

I'm looking at $1,500 out the door. I guess that works out to around $1,392.50 + tax. I'd still like to get it down another hundred! But thinking that at "minimum" I am getting more than 50% off the purchase street price. That would be like buying a 000-28EC for that has a new street price of around $2350.00 and a used price of around $1800-1900 for less than $1,200.00. So, I am getting more comfortable with the price. And like you said Erik, it's more important how much I feel it is worth. And how much I want it. :Loco:

It will be a few more weeks before I pick it up. Hopefully sooner than later. And I will have 30 days to decide if it's a keeper. So, nothing would be lost if it turns out not to be for me.

I'll post some pics as soon as I get it in the house! :smoke:

[TexMexMike]

Cool Bytor! It is a Sonoma series Hybrid (H) 12 fret. The upgrades would be cutaway, extended finger board and an Engleman spruce top. I really need to get my hands on one of those blue books! :nod:

[Bytor1975]

Cool Bytor! It is a Sonoma series Hybred (H) 12 fret. The upgrades would be cutaway, extended finger board and an Engleman spruce top. I really need to get my hands on one of those blue books! :nod:Blue Book says, "CFOX H-12 Hybrid (Sonoma Series): Similer to the H-12 Hybrid (Napa Series), except features indian Rosewood back/sides, grained Ivroid top binding, grained Ivroid body binding, abaolne resette, ebony bridge pins with abalone dots, 3-per-side chrome Schaller tuners, available in natural finish.

MSR: $3200"

It normally should have a solid AAA Sitka Spruce Top, carbon-graphite reinforced Honduran Mahogany neck, 25 1/2" scale, 12/19 fret fingerboard. 39 1/8" x 14 7/8" (lower bout) x 3 1/4" body thickness at the heel, and 4" thickness at the end.

But, it also says add:
+$150 for Engelmann Spruce Top
+$500 for cutaway
+$175 for extended fretboard