Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:26 pm Post subject: Guitar values
I have an RF Elite that I have been thinking of maybe selling, but I don't really know what it's worth in today's market. I did see that someone here sold an Ultra SP for under $5000 recently, but I think that was too cheap. I know it would have gone for a lot more here in Japan. Anyone have any idea what an Elite might be worth these days? FWIW, it was built around 95 or 96 by Greg Fessler.
Joined: 21 Feb 2004 Posts: 243 Location: Rochester, MI
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 12:20 pm Post subject:
Bill:
FYI, a custom shop Ultra just sold on EBay fo $4,750 (also made by Greg). The number is:
320141731153
In the last couple years, I've seen Elites on Ebay go for the high 2,000s to mid $3,000s. It's been a little while since I've seen one, however. Interesteingly engough, the Vintage Magazine Price Guide totally misses the boat on these guitars. The 2007 issue says the MIJs are $1,100 to $1,500 and the custom shops are $2,400 to $2,700. I'm been looking to pick up a MIJ for years and I'd love to find one for $2000 +/-!
Joined: 21 Feb 2004 Posts: 243 Location: Rochester, MI
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 8:06 pm Post subject:
Bill while we are on the top of RF guitars, can you please let us know which of yours is your favorite? As I recall, from you website, I think you have them all. I'm particularly intereted in you comments on the difference between the Fender MIJ RFs and the Custom shop ones. Also, how you compare the Baker and the Sakashta.
Bill while we are on the top of RF guitars, can you please let us know which of yours is your favorite? As I recall, from you website, I think you have them all. I'm particularly intereted in you comments on the difference between the Fender MIJ RFs and the Custom shop ones. Also, how you compare the Baker and the Sakashta.
Thanks
Jack,
The necks on the MIJ RF's are wide and thin, quite a bit thinner than the Custom Shop models. That works for some people, but not for me. I have a couple of the MIJ guitars still, one RF and one old Flame Ultra. They don't get played anymore. If you can live with the neck, then otherwise those guitars are quite good. Well made, and quite good sounding (of course choice of pickups is a factor in that).
There is quite a bit of difference between the CS Ultra and Elite. The Elite is a solid body guitar, maple on mahogany, and it's thinner than the Ultra. To me it is a fatter and warmer sounding guitar. While I prefer that myself, some people prefer the more open and brighter sounding Ultra's. One reason for the difference may be the fingerboard material. I believe the Ultra's are all ebony, and the Elite is (I think) pao ferro. FWIW, although in general I prefer the sound and feel of the Elite, I have one Ultra (Robben's red one from Tiger Walk) that is one of the best sounding RF's I've ever heard. I don't know why, but that guitar sounds incredible. Maybe there is still some Robben mojo left in it. ;-)
The Baker RF I had was super light weight, and I think that may have contributed to the fact that it was very thin sounding. I tried several different pickups in it, but it was just not a fat sounding guitar. In fact, you could tell that playing it unplugged. It had no bottom end at all. Great neck though! One of the most comfortable necks I ever played on. I haven't had a chance to play a B3 yet.
The Sakashta guitars are in a world of their own, as well they should be considering the cost. Every guitar Taku builds is a work of art. And since they're all hand made one at a time, you can have whatever you want. Taku came up with a new way of finishing the back of the neck for Robben that makes it feel like a 50 year old guitar. Very comfortable and a joy to play. Robben said he likes it so much he wants to have it done to all his guitars. Me too! If I had to try to think of a down side to the Sakashta guitars (other than the cost), it would be that they tend to sound like a new guitar. If you get a chance to hear Robben play the Sakashta next to the '57 Les Paul, you can hear what I mean. That old Lester has a richness and harmonic complexity that new guitars just can't seem to get. But hopefully, as they get older, the Sakashta's will develop that same quality. One other thing, the last time I talked to Taku, he had so many back orders that he was not accepting any new orders. I don't know if that has changed or not.
Bill
PS: You asked about my favorite. Well, among the RF's I'd have to say it's the Elite. But to be honest, I have gone back to playing 335's and loving them. I picked up a couple of '67s that fit me like a glove, and I still have a '59 345 that I really like too. Since switching back to the 335, all my other guitars are just collecting dust.
Joined: 21 Feb 2004 Posts: 243 Location: Rochester, MI
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 3:07 pm Post subject:
Bill:
Thanks VERY much for the detailed post. I just bought (today) a MIJ Ultra. I've wanted one for years and just decided to do it. I'm sure it will be a lot of fun.
I also find your 335 comment interesting. I'm a total 335 guy. Of my 10 guitars (all great) my number one is a '93 335 dot reissue (it looks a lot like yours) with Fralin Unbuckers. The guitar plays and sounds amazing. My next favorite is my '67 335--a total Freddie King tone monster. I also have an '81 Ibanez AS 200 (like Scofield) that plays and sounds amazing.
Like you, when push comes to shove, and if I could only have one guitar, it would be my 335!
Thanks VERY much for the detailed post. I just bought (today) a MIJ Ultra. I've wanted one for years and just decided to do it. I'm sure it will be a lot of fun.
I also find your 335 comment interesting. I'm a total 335 guy. Of my 10 guitars (all great) my number one is a '93 335 dot reissue (it looks a lot like yours) with Fralin Unbuckers. The guitar plays and sounds amazing. My next favorite is my '67 335--a total Freddie King tone monster. I also have an '81 Ibanez AS 200 (like Scofield) that plays and sounds amazing.
Like you, when push comes to shove, and if I could only have one guitar, it would be my 335!
Jack,
Congrats on the new guitar. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
I've always been a 335 fan, but it was listening to Robben with the Yellow Jackets a while back that made me realize that I prefer that tone. Then when Robben and Larry came to Tokyo, that settled it for me. As much as I loved the sound of the '57 Les Paul that Robben played, Larry's 335 really spoke to me. So I bought a couple of '67 335's and never looked back.
Gibson has just released a smaller version of 335 which is a 339. It's tempting to buy one this Christmas. Anybody has tried one? Like how does it compares to a 335 when it comes to tone?
Thanks a lot.
Joined: 05 Dec 2003 Posts: 107 Location: Long Island, NY
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:12 am Post subject:
The 339 looks like a paired down version of the CS-336. I have not seen the specs only the ads. I'm not sure if it's a custom shop model. I bet it has a laminated top. It's about 1K less than the CS- 336.
I have the CS-336. I love it. Jon Herrington plays one on the last Steely Dan tour. See You Tube. I bought it after taking a lesson with Jon, he was playing it and I dug it. I like the smaller body so I went out and checked a few out and bought one. I get a lot of compliments on the tone....and look...in that order _________________ Rod
Regarding the Sakashta, I notice that Robben is using 6105 fretwire. .096 x .047
I have an SRV Strat with 6105 and I have a Warren Haynes Les paul that has .100 x .040.
I was considering ordering one. I prefer the les paul frets and since the Sakashta Noupaul is more like a strat I am wondering if I should order it with frets that size. Do you think that would mess it up? _________________ Jack R
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