Need Your Expertise in Setting a Sale Price

[patrickgm60]

A friend borrowed by 2-year old LV03K last weekend and really likes it.  He has asked for my asking price.  Although I had not planned to sell it, he seems more fond of the guitar than I am.

It's in near-new condition.  Only mods are a bone saddle and a K&K mini western pickup.

How much should I ask for?  (I've heard that Larrive no longer uses koa on its "lower end" guitars; if so, would that influence the price?)

Thank you for you input on this.
Patrick

[fitness1]

email sent.....

[SongMan]

It depends how close of friend he/she is...but I would ask atleast $1000...and maybe upto $1200 since it's Koa and with upgrades.

[Jackwr]

If you don't really need to sell it and it's a close friend I'd ask what I've got in it. Any one not so close would have to exceed what I have in it to get me to sell. Remember he asked you for a price.  If it's a real close friend he'd be thrilled to pay you what you have in it if he likes the guitar that much. That's the only way Larri is going to get the respect it deserves, that's what helps make old Martins so valuable. The buyer likes the guitar so much he's happy to get it no matter the cost. My 92 00 is so wide open I fell in love with it immediately. I would have not hesitated to pay twice the asking price for it!

[expatCanuck]

If ... it's a close friend I'd ask what I've got in it. ...

+1

[WorksInTheory]

I'd keep it... but then again I don't have one of those and been looking for one.

But if you have to sell - what could be better to than selling it to a friend that you know would give it a good home... and possibly visitation rights?

Maybe do what you do with cars - make it less than what he'd have to pay going elsewhere but a little more than what it's worth trade in let's say in order to make it worth your while to part with it. I know most people say 50% of new retail is good but I don't think that is accurate esp when you factor other things into it like upgrades, attachment, rarity, etc.

[roknroll]

bone saddle materials and labor-$40
KnK-$100
LV-03K- about $1650 retail

total-$1790

I'd say sell to the friend for $900, but that's just me.

I mean, used L-05s hardly go for $900, and they retail higher than a LV-03K w/pickup...

usually a pickup isn't a big factor in used price...

although...Koa is kinda a rare treat...especially on an LV03...so maybe factor in the rarity of the guitar...

You could probably ask $1000-$1100 without feelin to guilty.

[patrickgm60]

Thanks for the posts and emails, guys.  Quite a variety of viewpoints - all valid and appreciated.

As I had not planned to sell and the friendship is not very long or close, I'm leaning toward Jack's "ask-for-what-you-have-in-it" approach, adjusted a bit for friendship and nearly 2 years of enjoyment.

Not meaning to start a riot, but the 03 vs. 05 or 09 retail price angle doesn't help me much.  I played a dozen Larris before buying this one and was pleasantly surprised to find that I preferred the sound and playability of the 03 to the more expensive Ls and OMs. I may be alone on this one, but I doubt it.  My friend wants to buy this one to replace a pricy Taylor A/E model.

Thanks again.  Will keep you posted, whether you want me to or not. ^_^

[Jackwr]

My friend wants to buy this one to replace a pricy Taylor A/E model.

Well just tell him you'll trade even or let him give you the Taylor and a few hundred :GRN>