Martin Shenandoah-- worth?

[Deanna Moore]

I've got a 1990 Shenandoah D-2832 I got when I wanted to learn to play.
It never really happened and I've been carrying it around for years now.
I'd like to sell it, and searched the web to find out what it might be
worth to no avail. I couldn't find any in the used guitar sites anyplace.
I paid $500 because it had been in the shop awhile. It's in decent
shape, but when I took it back to where I bought it, they said (though I
don't remember the terms right) that the neck was a little too far from the
strings and that it couldn't be fixed. How much does that detract from
the value and how do I figure out what to ask? I don't want to be ripped
off further. If I can't get a decent price, I'll keep shlepping it
around. I"m not desperate- just don't see a time when I'll play it
anytime soon. Any advice?

e-mail if possible

Thanks,

Deanna

[Jim]

If you purchased the guitar new, you might want to call Martin to see about
having the neck repaired under Martin's lifetime warranty before trying to
sell the instrument. Your description of the Guitar suggests that without
such repair, the value of your guitar is minimal.

Deanna Moore wrote in message <36d82...@oit.umass.edu>...

[Jerry Dallal]

Deanna Moore (de...@emily.oit.umass.edu) wrote:
: I've got a 1990 Shenandoah D-2832 I got when I wanted to learn to play.

: It never really happened and I've been carrying it around for years now.
: I'd like to sell it, and searched the web to find out what it might be
: worth to no avail. I couldn't find any in the used guitar sites anyplace.
: I paid $500 because it had been in the shop awhile. It's in decent
: shape, but when I took it back to where I bought it, they said (though I
: don't remember the terms right) that the neck was a little too far from the
: strings and that it couldn't be fixed. How much does that detract from
: the value and how do I figure out what to ask?

If you can find someone who wants it for slide . . .
It sounds like you need a neck reset. That's $300-$400. The shop
should be able to provide you with an estimate. I don't know what the
warranty is on Shenandoahs. You should ask. If it's 10 years or more,
you're safe. Call Martin and ask.

One way to determine that value of an istrument is to go to eBay and
search on completed auctions for similar guitars. Another way is to ask a
reputable local dealer (which exist in Amherst). Another is to call a
national dealer such as Elderly who sells such instruments on consignment
or buys them outright.

[John Lane]

The Shenandoah line was a cheaper line of guitars Martin put out from some
time around 1980 through, I think, the early 1990s. The basic instrument
was assembled in Japan (I never understood why that was supposed to be an
economizing factor... but what do I know?). It was then sent to Nazareth
for finishing touches. Some of the woods used were laminates (but all solid
tops, I believe). I have a 1983 Shenandoah "D-35" (it has a cracked top).
My understanding is that they will bring a decent price if they are in
excellent condition. With any significant defect or damage, they may be
practically worthless, since the cost of repairing it may exceed the value
of the instrument. They are not and are not likely to become collector
instruments or significant "vintage" instruments, so expensive repairs may
not be warranted. For a student guitar, or a "beater," or perhaps a stage
guitar (they had built-in pickups), they may serve well if in good shape.
Another way to check the value would be the Acoustic Guitar Blue Book. I
don't have one (new edition is on order), but someone here might be able to
check it for you (or go to Barnes & Noble). My guess is Blue Book on the
instrument is probably around $500, but with a bad neck it could be
worthless. Get a second opinion on the neck (and if you are the original
purchaser and registered it, take it to Martin for warranty repair).
Good luck,
Mark Lane