Guitar Shows?

[alan67]

What are you experiences/thoughts on guitar shows? I’ve only been to a couple smaller shows recently. Are they more a way for dealers to try to score lowball deals off the public than for the public to find a decent deal? I didn’t see any of the latter but I did have a dealer offer me $300 for my EVH Frankie. He was like, it’s supposed to have eye bolts not regular strap pins and I was like, it’s totally stock, thats how it came. I didn’t have a case or bag for it but carried it to the show in a nice Fender gig bag that I didn’t intend to include- I needed something to put it in. He told me his offer was for both- I told him, there’s some sand outside- go pound it. I understand many are doing it as their full time business but……

 

[Randy R]

Yeah the dealers will always want top dollar, and expect you to take nothing for your gear. I am done with guitars shows as well

 

[NowYou'rePlayingWithPower]

Not a dealer, but I usually have booths at multiple guitar shows in the PNW every year. Most of the time my stuff isn't for sale, I just like to meet people and have them try out my gear or show off unusual and interesting guitars so others can experience them. It's fun to look around when I get a moment. Sometimes, I find something unique or end up doing a trade. But I've had dealers offer me 70%+ of market more often than not because they came to me, not the other way around. I usually pass unless they have something I want where a trade makes more sense. I think it really comes down to you went to them. YMMV.

 

[alan67]

I see what you’re saying but it’s not like I showed up at their brick and mortar store- the shows aren’t “theirs”. At the first show I brought 2 guitars and didn’t make it 5 steps before I had dealers approaching me asking- whaddya got in the cases? At both shows I never once asked a dealer if they would look at what I had, I was, however , being asked constantly. Of course if you bring something you want to sell it’s nice to have interest but it seems like the deals are mostly a one way affair.

 

[VonBonfire]

Shows are for people who work regular jobs. I can't afford to buy anything so I have no reason to go. Plus why would I wanna put myself in a place surrounded by other guitarists? Seems like a dumb idea.

 

[NowYou'rePlayingWithPower]

I see what you’re saying but it’s not like I showed up at their brick and mortar store- the shows aren’t “theirs”. At the first show I brought 2 guitars and didn’t make it 5 steps before I had dealers approaching me asking- whaddya got in the cases? At both shows I never once asked a dealer if they would look at what I had, I was, however , being asked constantly. Of course if you bring something you want to sell it’s nice to have interest but it seems like the deals are mostly a one way affair.

You just have to play hard to get

I'm not disagreeing with you that you're getting lowballed, but whether or not it's not "their show" it's still a show and your guitar is probably either common enough to obtain yet niche enough to sit around a while or can probably be ordered by the dealer from fender for a lot less than you might believe (often less than half of MAP for Fender products). If I'm spending cash at a show, it's not usually for something I can get at guitar center. Bring a 50s/60s Gibson with you next time and you'll probably see an attitude change.

 

[NowYou'rePlayingWithPower]

Shows are for people who work regular jobs. I can't afford to buy anything so I have no reason to go. Plus why would I wanna put myself in a place surrounded by other guitarists? Seems like a dumb idea.

You find a lot of cool stuff, not just guitars. There's always those people who want to leave with less than they came with so often the last hour is the best time for a deal. Though, it's also the best time to miss out on the unique stuff that was there earlier.

 

[alan67]

You find a lot of cool stuff, not just guitars. There's always those people who want to leave with less than they came with so often the last hour is the best time for a deal. Though, it's also the best time to miss out on the unique stuff that was there earlier.

Yep, there definitely was quite a bit of cool guitar related things!