Fair price for a mint Root Beer JEM ?

yuri1973 · #1 02-01-2013, 04:23 PM

Hi guys,

I've come across a guy who is willing to sell his 22 year old Root Beer Jem. He claims it's in pristine condition (pretty much a dead mint, case queen).

What do you think is a fair price range for such an axe if what he says is true? (Euros or Dollars, any knowledgeable input is really welcome so I can make my mind).

Thanks in advance and keep on rocking!

The Euphor · #2 02-01-2013, 04:34 PM

Best Jem ever made. Make sure you see pics, some are very light, others very dark. You might not like that specific colour. As for price. No idea. If it really is mint, unfaded pickups (not very likely) and everything... €1000-1200, tops?

yuri1973 · #3 02-01-2013, 05:04 PM

thanks euphor! i'll check it out soon.

anybody else who can provide his/her advise on the fair price for the RB (assuming it's mint) ????

Verus · #4 02-01-2013, 05:53 PM

I'd pay 1200-1500 USD

Verus · #5 02-01-2013, 05:54 PM

Also, forgot which section this is in. You may want to ask a mod to move this post into the correct section as the Marketplace is intended for wanted or selling ads.

carlosyabrudy · #6 02-01-2013, 08:36 PM

THe only way I would buy one of these is to exchange a crate of root beers and win it for free as part of a raffle!

Thumbs down to an unfinished jem with only a tube handle.

djanggo · #7 02-01-2013, 09:15 PM

Fugly guitar.... Not much of a value

**Diamond Dave** · #8 02-02-2013, 12:04 AM

Moved to the correct part of the forum.

By the way, to alert the mods, all you need to do is hit the report post button which is there for just such a task.

**jono** · #9 02-02-2013, 02:35 AM

I'd suggest if it's truly mint you're looking morein the region of 2000 Euros or so. Maybe more.

Although there are a couple of low-ballers here saying it's worth a thousand Euro or so, the thing you've got to remember is that if it was easy to guess the real value, you wouldn't need our help you'd just use ebay.

These thins don't crop up very often, and they weren't made for very long. An opportunity to purchase a 25 year old guitar in pristine condition is going to cost you more than a typical ebay purchase. Be prepared to pay the extra to get a case queen.

Check the neck pocket and back of the neck at the locking nut for cracks, check the trem posts for wobble/play and check the knife edges for wear, but the big thing to show its age will be fade on the pink humbuckers.

Share pics with us if you can, we love to see this sort of thing

yuri1973 · #10 02-02-2013, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlosyabrudy

THe only way I would buy one of these is to exchange a crate of root beers and win it for free as part of a raffle!

Thumbs down to an unfinished jem with only a tube handle.

LOL

what about if it sounds great? wouldn't you be happy to have and play one, even if the looks aren't as good to you as other jems or guitars?

yuri1973 · #11 02-02-2013, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jono

I'd suggest if it's truly mint you're looking morein the region of 2000 Euros or so. Maybe more.

Although there are a couple of low-ballers here saying it's worth a thousand Euro or so, the thing you've got to remember is that if it was easy to guess the real value, you wouldn't need our help you'd just use ebay.

These thins don't crop up very often, and they weren't made for very long. An opportunity to purchase a 25 year old guitar in pristine condition is going to cost you more than a typical ebay purchase. Be prepared to pay the extra to get a case queen.

Check the neck pocket and back of the neck at the locking nut for cracks, check the trem posts for wobble/play and check the knife edges for wear, but the big thing to show its age will be fade on the pink humbuckers.

Share pics with us if you can, we love to see this sort of thing

Thanks a lot for your feedback! I really appreciate it.
I'll post some pics soon ...

yuri1973 · #12 02-02-2013, 05:51 AM

here a link to the album, hope it works!

http://imageshack.us/g/1/9994718/

cheers!

**Diamond Dave** · #13 02-02-2013, 06:36 AM

Certainly not dead mint, judging from the play wear.

**jono** · #14 02-02-2013, 06:38 AM

Well it looks like a good condition example in the appropriate european case for its age. Looks like a flatsawn neck which are more prone to warping than a quartersawn one.

Still I don' think you'll find a nicer example easily and locally...

The Euphor · #15 02-02-2013, 07:13 AM

Just to add a few words on value. For me it's about two things. 1. The value of that specific guitar based on rarity and the desire to own it. 2. The value of that specific guitar as a guitar.

Number 2 will usually be lower in value, and unless you're a collector it might be the best value to consider. Then again, if you only go by #2, you could just as well buy another guitar - madness!