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  pricing on squareneck 1930s Gibson Mastertone?

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Author Topic:   pricing on squareneck 1930s Gibson Mastertone?
John Pelz
Member

From: Maineville, Ohio, USA

posted 30 January 2005 04:44 PM     profile   send email     edit
I was wondering if anyone could tell me what a reasonable maximum bid might be for this squareneck 1930s Gibson Mastertone Special on E-bay? Or, put another way, what would be a reasonable price range for this guitar in this condition? It seems that pricing can often be rather subjective & subject to demand, etc., during a given sale/auction/etc., but if someone can recommend what might be a reasonable price-range, that would be great. Inquiring minds want to know! Thanks in advance for any info.
Mike Simpson
Member

From: Gilbert, Arizona, USA

posted 30 January 2005 06:43 PM     profile   send email     edit

Here is a little more info on Frets.com
http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Museum/Guitar/Gibson/MastertoneSpecial/mastertonespecial.html

------------------
Big Mike
http://www.blueswizards.net

Russ Young
Member

From: Seattle, Washington, USA

posted 30 January 2005 08:36 PM     profile   send email     edit
I thought I would bid just for the heck of it, but it's already higher than I'm interested in going. I've never played one of these, but what feedback I've read is that they are so-so in terms of tone and volume ... sometimes outdone by the more common plywood Oahus.

I picked up an all-mahogany O-sized Oahu in excellent condition for $300 a couple of years ago on eBay. My only regret about that guitar is that I sold while having an anti-GAS attack.

There's another, much more rare squareneck acoustic on eBay right now, but suffice to say it's going to cost a lot more than the Mastertone:
a Bronson Honolulu Master.

[This message was edited by Russ Young on 30 January 2005 at 09:58 PM.]

Charlie Wallace
Member

From: Marina, California, USA

posted 31 January 2005 08:24 AM     profile   send email     edit
I bought one of these years ago in a pawn shop for $70.00 so I'm not aware of it's current value . I can say that it sounds really good, not exceptionally loud but loud enough. I use it as a substitute for a Dobro when I work with electric groups. With a sunrise pickup on the guitar the sound is very nice.
Andy Volk
Member

From: Boston, MA

posted 31 January 2005 08:31 AM     profile   send email     edit
Gibson employee Julius Bellson authored the Gibson Mastertone instructional books for steel guitar. I assume this guitar was meant to go along with that course which was primarily for E7th tuning, if I'm recalling correctly.
John Pelz
Member

From: Maineville, Ohio, USA

posted 31 January 2005 05:01 PM     profile   send email     edit
Thanks very much for the responses & info. I thought about it (and have been watching the price go up), and decided that I just need to do some more homework and save up my pennies for something else. Thanks for the help, though!
Russ Young
Member

From: Seattle, Washington, USA

posted 31 January 2005 07:20 PM     profile   send email     edit
$449.44 ... not an obscene or just-plain-stupid price, but I think you did the right thing, John!
Ben Elder
Member

From: La Crescenta, California, USA

posted 31 January 2005 11:04 PM     profile   send email     edit
Mastertone Specials are just about the best non-Weissenborn, non-resonator acoustic steel I've ever played, regardless of price. $450's a bargain for this one and I've paid a lot more for a (!) sunburst variation.
Tighe Falato
Member

From: South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA

posted 01 February 2005 06:47 AM     profile   send email     edit
I've owned two Mastertone Specials. Sold one on eBay two years ago for $360 so $450 wasn't to bad. The other is still in my collection. It has a Pifer logo on the peghead instead of Mastertone but the same guitar. I picked it up on eBay for a BIN of only $70 this past fall. Like many other manufacturers Gibson would put your company or school name on there budget line for a specific # ordered. I was lucky to catch this one as it is minty including the original case. No truss rod and bare bones but it sure is sweet!

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