The market is down for old Epiphones

gweimer · 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

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

eb2 · 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.

Dave W · November 05, 2009, 06:41:08 PM

Agreed. The Epis will suffer more than the comparable Gibsons in this market.

uwe · 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.

PhilT · 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

eb2 · 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.

Grog · November 06, 2009, 08:40:46 AM

This one still seems kinda steep.........http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/msg/1453093846.html

gweimer · November 06, 2009, 09:09:52 AM

Quote from: Grog on November 06, 2009, 08:40:46 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.

eb2 · November 06, 2009, 09:25:07 AM

Well, that and they put their phone number in the ad. Zul.

Dave W · 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.

EvilLordJuju · 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?

Dave W · November 06, 2009, 02:14:29 PM

I think you did well. Needs some work, but you like players.

godofthunder · November 06, 2009, 02:30:33 PM

Quote from: 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?

I think you did very well ! Nice looking bass ! I always loved that finish.

godofthunder · November 06, 2009, 02:32:02 PM

Quote from: Grog on November 06, 2009, 08:40:46 AM
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.

Grog · 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!!