The Collings Forum

Long time lurker here. Have a question for the hive mind about pricing on a Collings I am considering selling. It is a 2006 OM3 Mh G SS cutaway. Decoded OM3 bling, Honduran under German, short scale, cutaway. Original TKL case in good condition solidity, hinges, and latches wise. It has one stabilized crack on the bottom side as you play it (there when I bought it, and Maple Street Guitars added a cleat to help) a 1/4 inch ding on the opposite side, and there may be a small indent on the top that doesn't break the surface. Reverb shows a "mint" used at $74XX, and can't find another recent (post covid pricing) example for sale. I see custom OM's ranging from the upper 6's to north of 10K.

I've sold several other guitars, and my MO is come up with a fair street price, and stick to it. It's worked so far. Yes, I may have missed the unicorn buyer if I'd priced it higher and waited, but I'm not in the business.

So: anyone want to hazard an input on what the fair street price is?
You can PM me if you'd like to stay anonymous.
Thanks
Scott

Scott, Cutaway acoustics are a small demographic in the big picture. With the repaired top crack that's another re-sale devaluation (even though not sonically).
Here's the closest comparable i can find. I know the shop & i know it's been sitting there. Off the top of my head....I'd say $6k would be a good place to price your guitar....
https://reverb.com/ca/item/80789847-col ... 15-natural. ..... much younger than yours...no top crack... priced @ $5580.

small demographic

especially for Collings, i'd think.

Greg Y wrote: Thu Oct 24, 2024 10:01 pm Scott, Cutaway acoustics are a small demographic in the big picture.

Serious question - Are cutaways a truly less-desired attribute? I know most guitars don't have them, but I kinda thought that was because of the extra cost of custom-ordering a cutaway. I am asking because I love my OM3 cutaway, and a while back, I wanted to order a Collings D1 cutaway, but cutaways are not an option on a Dreadnought.

i normally don’t play in what Frank Ford called “the nosebleed” section. plus which, i think they are ugly, at least on the martin-based traditional designs. one exception: Schoenberg’s “soloist” OM. and also, LInda Manzer’s “Manzer" is quite nice with her cutaway. superficial, i know, but maybe that’s a reason for others.

Yes, I believe cutaways are a less-desired feature. There are less of them and fewer people who would be looking for a guitar with a cutaway.

The one on Reverb has been for sale for 7 months - that means the asking price is TOO high. OP, if your guitar is the same as that, plus the top crack, your price will be a good bit below that asking price. What I would do is take the replacement cost, less 40%, less $200-$300 for the top crack, less any other dings, dents, scratches and start there. There are 250 used collings guitars on Reverb alone and higher-end used guitars (for the most part) are overpriced right now. Remember, every Collings that is for sale, and hasn't sold, is either newly listed or overpriced, or both.

I also dislike cutaways aesthetically and do not /would not have one even on a n archtop.

I really do not see/hear anything musically attractive about the sound of an acoustic guitar above the 12th fret.