Too Good To Be True?

[EVH5150]

Recently I've been watching a black '02 Gibson Sg standard on Craigslist. It started out at $650 and over the past few months, I guess due to nobody calling, the price has continued to lower and today it was listed for $500. Back in the summer the SG I posted about was $800 (which seems to be close to average on CL), so seeing the $500 made me a bit skeptical regarding its legitimacy. So I called the guy and got some more detailed pics of some important parts (headstock, etc) because they weren't show in any pics in the ad. Looking at the pics (links below), I'm a bit shocked that a guitar of this condition (if it's truly Gibson USA) is going for so little. Also, on the phone, this dude asked if I was over 18 years old and when I asked why, he said something along the lines of "it makes doing business easier" or something loosely based around that (can't really remember), but it struck me as kinda odd and I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience or could explain. Anyways so tell me what ya think and if it seems legit. Thanks!

 

http://s1077.photobucket.com/user/evh51501/media/image_zpsjkkdjmjv.jpeg.html

 

http://s1077.photobucket.com/user/evh51501/media/image_zpssdl4g5mv.jpg.html

 

http://s1077.photobucket.com/user/evh51501/media/image_zpsknkh2kzh.jpg.html

 

http://s1077.photobucket.com/user/evh51501/media/image_zpsqooukg9j.jpg.html

 

http://s1077.photobucket.com/user/evh51501/media/image_zpseftkxy8c.jpg.html

 

http://s1077.photobucket.com/user/evh51501/media/image_zpsukjf2efe.jpg.html

 

http://s1077.photobucket.com/user/evh51501/media/image_zpsdxh7ckki.jpg.html

[capmaster]

Looks clearly legit to me, BUT:

 

- The Tune-O-Matic bridge is modded from Nashville to ABR-1. If any woodwork had been done there, it would be a deal-breaker for me.

 

- Anyway, there already is another one for sure - I reject additional holes, in this case one per retrofitted machine head. Drop-ins or nothing is my motto for mods.

 

Just my two cents.

[EVH5150]

Looks clearly legit to me, BUT:

 

- The Tune-O-Matic bridge is modded from Nashville to ABR-1. If any woodwork had been done there, it would be a deal-breaker for me.

 

- Anyway, there already is another one for sure - I reject additional holes, in this case one per retrofitted machine head. Drop-ins or nothing is my motto for mods.

 

Just my two cents.

 

 

Thanks for the response. And I know, when I saw those holes left over that showed with the grovers he put in I thought it looked kinda sloppy.

[stein]

Also, on the phone, this dude asked if I was over 18 years old and when I asked why, he said something along the lines of "it makes doing business easier" or something loosely based around that (can't really remember), but it struck me as kinda odd and I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience or could explain. Anyways so tell me what ya think and if it seems legit. Thanks!

 

 

 

 

That seems odd. Never heard that one before, and it makes me wonder if there is some "liability" issue this guy has a reason to be concerned about.

 

500 bucks American for the actual guitar in the photos is an excellent price. I would be over there with cash, and get full written receipts (because of the "are you over 18" comment) if I had been wanting one of these.

[rct]

In America, a person under 18 is not legally obligated to fulfill a contract. A kid could take 500 out of moms purse and buy the guitar and a week later have to get the money back.

 

rct

[stein]

In America, a person under 18 is not legally obligated to fulfill a contract. A kid could take 500 out of moms purse and buy the guitar and a week later have to get the money back.

 

rct

I always thought that in a situation like that, the parent would end up the responsible party for the kid's actions. More specifically, if the kid steals from mom, the mom is responsible for the 500 bucks her kid stole from her.

 

I could see the other way around, though. Guitar being stolen property, and an adult being party to it.

 

Then again, times are changing.

[rct]

Whether the kid had legal tender or he stole it from mom is irrelevant to the contract of buying the guitar. If no adult was there to do the deal the kid is not liable for the contract, by law. Always been that way, most music stores will not take a few hundred off a minor for a guitar without their parent at least being there. That way he can say your parent was here when you bought it, they have to be here when you return it.

 

rct

[cjsinla]

I'd check to make sure that those Grovers don't make it neck heavy.