Vintage, Used, The Net, And Other Kinda Useless Stuff
by Crysta
Following are some clips of the e-mail that I have received from the last article. Wow, what a range of response that was received over the last week! I will try and answer some of the questions as we go along and others I will just have to laugh a little before I have the strength to carry on.
"Actually, vintage is a purely subjective term that NO person has the right to define! Not even the market which in which it is sold (although they are the ones always trying to define the terms)! If I want to sell a 95 squire strat as a vintage instrument and someone believes it, then it is vintage!"
Crysta's note: Anyone want to do business with this guy? This is the reason that the last article was written--to hopefully teach people how to avoid these type of people on the net. Don't worry, I am not revealing name's. So don't ask. You'll know him when you have to deal with him.
"As a dealer specializing in 'vintage' gear, I take your point about condition and desirability etc. etc........Maybe we should all put our heads together and try and come up with some sort of defining guidelines? Let us know what you think. Thanks for lending your ears(eyes?)"
Crysta's note: I would be more than happy to create with my peers a definitive listing of the proper definition of vintage.
"I found your comments to be pretty spot-on. So much of what we deal with in our industry is such (edited) that it gets pretty frustrating. Everyone is an expert and everything they own is a treasure worth millions. Yeah, right. 'Oh no, trust me, I know what I'm saying and I wouldn't lie to you.' Another thing I get a kick out of is ratings.....I always laugh when I see something like "'65 Ampeg Jet, MINT, reverb not working." WHAT?!?! How can something be mint when part of it doesn't work?....Get real with these descriptions!.... Or how about the "Vintage Paul Reed Smith" guitars that are cropping up? HUH?!?"
Crysta's note: This was more of the typical response that I received.
"What is the difference between the Strat and the Stratocaster?"
I found that the easiest way to anger the Fender Gods was to point out a fact that they did not know. Here is the difference between a Fender Strat and a Stratocaster. For years, even though the term "Strat" has been used to include all Stratocasters, there is a "Fender Strat". I can be backed up on all of these points in the book, "The Fender Stratocaster 40th Anniversary Edition" written by A. R. Duchossoir (ISBN 0793547350), page 24. In 1980 the Fender company introduced the Strat at the NAMM show. It has a hotter lead pickup (the X-1) with a stronger output, a new wiring circuitry, and 22k gold electroplated brass hardware.
Beware of those do not know the difference. If you see an ad for a "1979 Fender Strat" then it is very clear that it is a Stratocaster. But if you see an ad for a "1980 Fender Strat", what do you have? There are a vast majority of people who know this information and would instantly visualize a Strat not a Stratocaster. Part of what I am trying to get across is the fact that there is a difference and, knowingly or unknowingly, damage can be done to one or both parties if the terms are not clear.
I received a great deal of off-the-wall questions that were very specific in nature to each person's situation. I can not get your band on the air and I do not have the power to offer record contracts. I am not married. And, yes I was in LA last week at the Vintage Auction.
Now for something on the new side to discuss. I thought that this was a very good question. One reader asked what the proper way is to do business over the net. I can only set forth the rules that I follow. I have yet to be a victim so I guess that they are pretty good rules.
- Get all of the information that the seller is willing to give. Read between the lines. Example: the seller states that the front power indicator light is busted and yet claims the amp is barely used. I have a problem with that. The front indicator lights on amps are hard to break. This tells me that the amp was either used by a musician that traveled with the amp--even if was back and forth to a practice site--or the amp was in a romper room where someone hit it over and over again. That type of damage is not consistent with a pampered amp.
- It is normal to send a personal check or money order. I always wait for a check to clear before I ship out the item. It is almost impossible to collect on an out of state check that is bad.
If I were to receive an instrument or other equipment, I would ask for a 24-hour period to check it out. Nothing like wanting a Excellent+ Guitar and ending up with a piece of cardboard and strings. I always agree to pay shipping back to the person if I am not satisfied.
Editor's note: Also consider using an escrow service like TradeSafe. Such service will hold the money for the buyer, let him inspect the item first, then forward the check, minus service fee, to the seller.
- Talk to the person via phone. I have made some wonderful friends and contacts by doing this. You may find that you have more in common than you first realize. It's been known to happen.
- Trust your gut feeling. This is usually the best thing to do. If a deal seems to be too good then it usually is. The time of going into a pawn shop and finding a pre-war Martin for $150.00 is over.
- If possible, get photos before you buy. I recently had a friend that asked for photos of an instrument and the reply from the seller was, "I have no intention of taking a photo of the instrument". My friend very nicely wrote back, "Well then, I have no intention of buying the instrument." Ask for a photo even if it is a Polaroid via snail mail.
These are all things that have worked for me in the past. I may have to add more in the future or just stay where I am with the rules that I have set for myself.
Thanks to all for the e-mail. Again it is Crysta@inna.net. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to let me know
About Crysta
I am a 25 year old female in the industry--one of a few that has been allowed to enter the circle of men that consume the industry. I believe that I have only run into less than 3 women that run there own vintage brokerage. Many women work in this industry but have lacked the audacity to push through the stereotypes and forge their way through to being a force in the industry. I feel that my collectors and the others that come to me for assistance do so not because of my gender, but for my frankness. A mistake is just that, in any language, or however put. The key is not to dwell on it, but in fact to learn from it. I work in a retail environment in Eastern Virginia. The Company that I work is a large umbrella that covers several of the area's in which I hope to answer question about. We have a retail store for instruments, PA equipment etc., a Recording studio, a Record Store where you can buy, sell, or trade c.d.'s and the local bands use it as a place to sell their tape's, we do band promotion and bookings, a vintage instrument brokerage, etc. We are all "Music Junkie's". I have some years in the business. You see the ups and down's, the ins and out's and most of all, you feel the mistakes. E-mail me with any questions that you feel need to be addressed.
Fondest of Regards,
Crysta