The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: gweimer on November 05, 2009, 12:10:59 PM

Title: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: gweimer on November 05, 2009, 12:10:59 PM
Well, I'm not sure about how Gibson prices are, but the old Epiphones are taking a beating.  People still seem to think that they're going to get a lot for the Newports and Embassies.  This Embassy has been up twice so far - first time at $3000.  No takers, and it's now at $2500.  That wouldn't be a bad price, considering the condition, but I'm guessing he still won't get any takers.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140356800607&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140356800607&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)

This Newport at least started low, but didn't hit the reserve.  I've been thinking about selling mine, but don't expect to make any sort of profit.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260496369611&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260496369611&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: eb2 on November 05, 2009, 03:22:34 PM
That everything is going down is what is going on.  The Embassy is a little surprising.  That would have been a steal a couple of years ago.  The Newport not such a good deal.  They show up in shops around here in the 500-1000 range, and sit.  So $620 seems low, but I would gather you can get a deal in person these days in that range.  I know that most of the shops are cutting deals on stuff now.

This is following a general pattern that has been going on over the last couple of years, and is mirrored in other antique/collectible markets: the economy is down and people are hurting.  And current economic policy and dollar devaluation are spooking most economists and investors.  These things - rare as they are - will tank as people hunt bargains or bail out.  The stuff they are bailing out first on are the secondary instruments - Epi's, Gibson basses other than old EB-3s or Tbirds, 70s Fenders, etc.  When $$ get tight, the buyers grind it out on the sellers, and if you can get an Embassy for $2500, then save it and grind out a real T-bird or a more valuable 60s Fender for a bit more.  And you can now.  A couple of years from now these prices and the dollar vs other currencies will seem like next to nothing.  Maybe people should take out a loan if they want stuff, because paying back 2009 dollars will be a laugh in a couple.

I went to a vinyl collectors show a few weeks ago, and one of the dealers said that there was no shortage of buyers for $300 and up discs, or $3.  The $10 discs were stiffing.  Same vibe.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Dave W on November 05, 2009, 06:41:08 PM
Agreed. The Epis will suffer more than the comparable Gibsons in this market.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: uwe on November 06, 2009, 03:53:22 AM
Epi is just too niche. Plus the company has not carried on producing in the US and sustaining an upmarket image like Gibson has. No one outside of a connoisseurs' circle is ever impressed by my Embassy and Newport, but if I take out the respective Gibson sister models jaws drop.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: PhilT on November 06, 2009, 07:17:45 AM
That's interesting because there's a couple of Korean reissue Rivolis coming up on UK ebay for between 500 and 750 pounds (825-1240 usd) and I was wondering if they're worth that kind of money in the current climate, if prices for the originals are under pressure.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120487411950&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200401434638&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: eb2 on November 06, 2009, 07:59:49 AM
Kind of tough to call for sure, but I would wait.  The 60's Rivolis have a stronger fringe following due to the 60s Beat association.  And, hell, I want one.  I would bet prices for these will drop but the first ones to start getting pulled from out of the closet or under the bed will get action.  The guys who wait too long will see them go wanting, and those are the ones that will put blood in the water.  The Korean ones - if the studs didn't pull out of the wood - are fun, but those prices seem too high given the state of affairs.  As long as people think "I really don't need to spend money on any of this" more than "I can afford to snap this one up" prices will go down.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Grog on November 06, 2009, 08:40:46 AM
This one still seems kinda steep.........http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/msg/1453093846.html
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: gweimer on November 06, 2009, 09:09:52 AM
This one still seems kinda steep.........http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/msg/1453093846.html

KINDA steep?  The seller must be smoking something REALLY good.  There's no way a Newport will ever hit $3000.  Not in my lifetime.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: eb2 on November 06, 2009, 09:25:07 AM
Well, that and they put their phone number in the ad.  Zul.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Dave W on November 06, 2009, 09:33:08 AM
That's just crazy. Granted it's an early black pickup model with the 2+2 headstock. Still I think it's a $1K bass.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: EvilLordJuju on November 06, 2009, 01:29:36 PM
I snapped this Epiphone Rivoli up yesterday...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270480925884&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

did I do well, badly, or about right?
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Dave W on November 06, 2009, 02:14:29 PM
I think you did well. Needs some work, but you like players.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: godofthunder on November 06, 2009, 02:30:33 PM
I snapped this Epiphone Rivoli up yesterday...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270480925884&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

did I do well, badly, or about right?
I think you did very well ! Nice looking  bass ! I always loved that finish.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: godofthunder on November 06, 2009, 02:32:02 PM
This one still seems kinda steep.........http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/msg/1453093846.html
I had one of these GREAT sounding bass ! I sold it when I moved to Boston back in the 80's, one of the ones I miss the most.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Grog on November 06, 2009, 05:55:06 PM

I snapped this Epiphone Rivoli up yesterday...

did I do well, badly, or about right?
[/quote]

Non origional Baddass Bridge? Nice!!
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Dave W on November 06, 2009, 06:59:31 PM

Non origional Baddass Bridge? Nice!!

It's not what the seller thinks. It's a late 60s Gibson two-point bridge, a/k/a Evertilt.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Grog on November 06, 2009, 07:35:59 PM
Looks to me that most of it is origional, with the exception of the pickup & replacing the baritone switch with a toggle switch, Time will tell.............. Nice color, I haven't seen many Gibson in that color, a few Birdlands maybe...........
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Hornisse on November 06, 2009, 07:43:37 PM
Very nice score.  I love the pickguards that came on these. 
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: EvilLordJuju on November 06, 2009, 07:51:38 PM
yeah, I intend to play this one out.

I like the front... although I find the back very unappealing. I much prefer the dark walnut brown that went on the backs of a lot of EB2/Rivolis

I've got the pickup already, so it won't take long to make it stock... although maybe another one to try the split coil thingy on.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Pilgrim on November 06, 2009, 09:48:18 PM
That Rivoli looks great to me!  Lovely color.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: chromium on November 07, 2009, 08:54:29 AM
Dang, Jules - that looks great!  Love the 'burst on that one.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Highlander on November 07, 2009, 03:00:59 PM
Beautiful...

How much is she costing to ship over...
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Grog on November 07, 2009, 06:10:22 PM
I saw the '62 Newport from Craigslist today, the owners were walking it around a local musicians swap meet. It was a nice bass, still a far cry from being worth $3,000.00, at least to me............. :D
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: eb2 on November 07, 2009, 06:28:30 PM
Quote
the owners were walking it around a local musicians swap meet.

I'm out of the loop.  Where was that going on?
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: hollowbody on November 07, 2009, 06:32:08 PM
Must have been the Anoka swap meet.  I noticed that the Newport seller took the price off of his listing.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Grog on November 07, 2009, 06:42:16 PM
I had posted this a couple days ago,  http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/msg/1453093846.html , The selllers were at the Anoka Swap Meet trying to pedal it for $3,000.00 or BO.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Dave W on November 07, 2009, 10:29:19 PM
...and it didn't sell. Right?
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Grog on November 07, 2009, 11:16:51 PM
Nope!! :rimshot:
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: EvilLordJuju on November 09, 2009, 08:49:20 AM
How much is she costing to ship over...

Can't remember exactly but I think it was $115... fairly typical for a not-too-heavy cased bass. There willbe tax on top, but I certainly couldn't have scored this in the UK for so little.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Highlander on November 09, 2009, 04:51:30 PM
Seems a lot cheaper to the UK than from the UK... go figure...
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Grog on November 10, 2009, 06:08:09 AM
Price is coming down closer to where it should be........ http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/msg/1458561121.html  :D
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: SKATE RAT on November 10, 2009, 07:05:07 AM
thats a really early one,with the 2+2 head stock.!
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Dave W on November 10, 2009, 07:31:58 AM
That was a drastic drop!

Still needs to be reduced, IMHO.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: gweimer on November 10, 2009, 08:51:15 AM
Yeah, the meds must have worn off.  It's still a few hundred high for the market right now.  A year and a half ago, I might have gone with the $1500.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Barklessdog on November 10, 2009, 12:40:55 PM
Does Uwe have one?
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Denis on November 10, 2009, 12:47:24 PM
Epi NR Thunderbirds haven't dropped in price though. Saw one at the beginning of the year for $250 and the last one I saw this year went for over $600.  :P
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: EvilLordJuju on November 10, 2009, 04:16:03 PM
Price is coming down closer to where it should be

Where is the price in the listing? I can't see it. What's this now up for.

The first time i've ever seen the case for one of these old shaped ones IIRC.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: uwe on November 10, 2009, 05:00:24 PM
Does Uwe have a Newport? Yes, a later one with batwing headstock in seafoam green. A pretty and well sounding bass, much clearer than any EB-O of the era would be. Don't need another one though, I'm not an Epi completist, I only buy what appeals and is mot in the herd already. Those new Triumph II basses will be my next Epis I guess.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: PhilT on November 10, 2009, 05:32:23 PM
Epi NR Thunderbirds haven't dropped in price though. Saw one at the beginning of the year for $250 and the last one I saw this year went for over $600.  :P

This one didn't do so well. The bit about the pickup screws being rusted by sweat might have put a few off.   :puke:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160374281832
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Grog on November 10, 2009, 06:56:11 PM
When I posted it, it said, "The first $1,500.00 takes it............. It looks like they edited that out.  >:(
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Dave W on November 10, 2009, 07:39:40 PM
I saw the $1500 too. Maybe they've lapsed back into dreamland.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: uwe on November 11, 2009, 04:35:37 AM
This one didn't do so well. The bit about the pickup screws being rusted by sweat might have put a few off.   :puke:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160374281832

Phil! Do my eyes deceive me or is that one imported US squirrel sodomizing another in your avatar? You guys have a knack for dragging even the most innocent aspects of Creation into your own filthy mire.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Barklessdog on November 11, 2009, 05:43:56 AM
Does Uwe have a Newport? Yes, a later one with batwing headstock in seafoam green. A pretty and well sounding bass, much clearer than any EB-O of the era would be. Don't need another one though, I'm not an Epi completist, I only buy what appeals and is mot in the herd already. Those new Triumph II basses will be my next Epis I guess.

Your batwing headstock one has the early black pickup?
 ;)

If not, then they are not the same.  ;)You can come back to this one down the road. 8)
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: uwe on November 11, 2009, 06:40:04 AM
My batwing has a real strange, but apparently original pup: A mudbucker sans any screws, it just features holes with some brownish paper/cardboard material underneath. But it sounds much more even than a real mudbucker. No idea what it is or where it came from, perhaps Epi were experimenting.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: PhilT on November 11, 2009, 06:49:58 AM
Phil! Do my eyes deceive me or is that one imported US squirrel sodomizing another in your avatar? You guys have a knack for dragging even the most innocent aspects of Creation into your own filthy mire.  :rolleyes:

It is in fact a very platonic massage

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2462/4095529200_63757ebe6f_o.gif)
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: uwe on November 11, 2009, 09:25:07 AM
 :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[

How you've caught me now!
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Highlander on November 11, 2009, 04:25:48 PM
Uwe should be ashamed of himself... sounds all very Freudian if you're asking me...

I had to find a suitable gif to try and complement your's, Phil... totally nuts...!
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: PhilT on November 12, 2009, 05:52:46 AM
Squirrels rule.

Of course, depending what sort of massage place it is, there might be extras.
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Highlander on November 12, 2009, 02:43:12 PM
"Do you have... walnuts...?"  ;D
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Pilgrim on November 12, 2009, 05:19:45 PM
I gotta wall..... :sad:
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: PhilT on November 13, 2009, 06:39:45 PM
I think this thread has caused a disturbance in the Rivoli market.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320447092734 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320447092734)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290369101084 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290369101084)
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Dave W on November 13, 2009, 06:43:13 PM
Eddies in the time-space continuum.  8)
Title: Re: The market is down for old Epiphones
Post by: Lightyear on November 13, 2009, 08:09:40 PM
It is in fact a very platonic massage

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2462/4095529200_63757ebe6f_o.gif)

Please, Oh Please!  Tell me that you DON'T have frames of the "happy ending" :o :puke: