ilovefuzz.com

I've been thinking about buying this guitar:
http://www.suttonstrings.com/inventory/item/maton_ms500_50th_electric_guitar/

If I saw it in a local shop I'd probably try to haggle a bit.

Would it be odd, uncool, out of line to email them an offer of $1,600?

Any other suggestions in this style and price range?

I'd definitely haggle, but call those shops, I had better results on the phone than via email. I ordered one from http://www.musicmartusa.com/ Sutton Strings had that same Maton in stock back then, I think they'd be eager to get rid of it by now. I just got the two places competing with one another and Music Mart came in a bit lower.

May want to check out Broadway Sound too, they came in $700 lower on my BB1200JH than any other dealer, and that was the first price they quoted, really good dudes over there.

Shitty thing about Matons (besides price) is there are only 4 US dealers and they don't carry much electric stock. It's hard to get a war going between the dealers due to that. Good Luck, amazing guitars!

If you haggle, I would do it in person. Much easier to do it I think, and you always have the power of walking out. A lot of how willing they will be in working with you is going to depend on how long it's been there. Before you go in, find out a price that you'd still be willing to pay if they countered with.

But you have nothing to lose. The worst case scenario is that they'll say "no" and you'll leave without a guitar.

one bad monkey wrote:If you haggle, I would do it in person. Much easier to do it I think, and you always have the power of walking out. A lot of how willing they will be in working with you is going to depend on how long it's been there. Before you go in, find out a price that you'd still be willing to pay if they countered with.

But you have nothing to lose. The worst case scenario is that they'll say "no" and you'll leave without a guitar.

It would definitely be better to do in person but there are no Maton dealers within 500 miles of me.
That would also give me a chance to play it before buying which is something I'd like to do before parting with that much cash.
I've contacted the other dealers that Holy Schnikes mentioned and I'm waiting for them to call me back.

We'll see.

when it comes to Matons, don't think, just do. I had the chance to buy a Josh Homme signature and never did, I regret it to this moment because it was fucking beautiful and basically played itself

Heavy_Soul wrote:when it comes to Matons, don't think, just do. I had the chance to buy a Josh Homme signature and never did, I regret it to this moment because it was fucking beautiful and basically played itself

If it really played it's self I would already own one.
One of the problems I am having in spending so much on a guitar is that my skill level probably doesn't warrant it.

Maybe so but the quality of the instrument may inspire you to greater heights no?

Heavy_Soul wrote:Maybe so but the quality of the instrument may inspire you to greater heights no?

That is a possibility.
I just got a pretty good offer from Broadway Sound and I'm still waiting to hear back from Music Mart.

MiddleEarthCrisis wrote:One of the problems I am having in spending so much on a guitar is that my skill level probably doesn't warrant it.

Skill schmill, it's not like you're ignoring bills to pay for the thing. Will you play it enough? That's the only question you should be asking. Some guitars/basses just make you pick them up more often than others, because they're more comfortable and/or just look cool. That to me is worth the money. And your skill level will go up as a result.

Heavy_Soul wrote: I had the chance to buy a Josh Homme signature and never did, I regret it to this moment because it was fucking beautiful and basically played itself

The JH is easily one of the best guitars I'll ever own/play, really perfect in every way. Maton got the guitar crafting skillz!

I'd low ball them at 1500 so then they offer you 1600 which is what you atually want to pay.

The4455 wrote:I'd low ball them at 1500 so then they offer you 1600 which is what you atually want to pay.

The Broadway Sound offer was $1550 shipped.
Music Mart was $1800 +shipping.
I also found a used Mastersound 500 for about $800.
It's not new or the 50th anniversary but for the difference in price, I may be able to live with that.

Thanks for the advice so far.
Decisions, decisions.

MiddleEarthCrisis wrote:The Broadway Sound offer was $1550 shipped.

NICE

MiddleEarthCrisis wrote:Music Mart was $1800 +shipping.

BOOOOOOOO!

MiddleEarthCrisis wrote:I also found a used Mastersound 500 for about $800.
It's not new or the 50th anniversary but for the difference in price, I may be able to live with that.

That's a great deal! Only real difference is the lack of binding and loss of one volume control, I think?? can't quite remember. Pickups may be the Alnicos also, which I actually prefer to Maton's Ceramics.

It's hard to drop that kind of money ($1500 plus) on a new guitar you can't try out. I had the chance years ago to check out a bunch of Matons which made ordering all the more easier. I don't think you can go wrong in the $800 price range though...

What finish is on the used one? That 50th packs some serious "sex appeal", not an extra $700 worth, but still.

800 sounds pretty damn good.

Always wanted to try one of those Matons, they look sexy as hell and from all I hear they must sound really great too. Do it, man.

Holy Schnikes wrote:What finish is on the used one?

It's "Tahiti Green" and it has a cream pick guard.
Like this, except right handed:



It comes with the OHSC too!