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I think a bass with dings through the finish, missing chunks, or anything else significant should be described as "very good" or lower, depending on how bad it is.Īs far as value, I think it's subjective. So, the seller's description was accurate.
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It has one tiny spot of paint discoloration, and a few light scratches you can't see unless you hold the bass up to light. Things that happen in the normal course of playing and handling a bass, but nothing serious.Īs an example, I recently bought a bass in the classifieds here, and the seller described it as "excellent or near-mint". the typical headstock bumps, for example. "Near-mint" or "excellent" means, to me, a few light finish scratches that you have to look hard to see, or maybe some small dings. In other words, an instrument that's been played but could pass for brand new (minus the plastic on the pickguard and stuff like that.) When I read a description of a used instrument as being "mint", I expect it to be spotless. Those ratings from Fjestad's are interesting. I think this thread might be a good resource for all of us TBers in the future. What do you personally consider to be mint, new, "gently used," etc? How much do you think this should affect the value, as either a buyer or a seller? Do you have any examples? On the guitar side, it's even more ridiculous: A 1959 Fender Stratocaster is worth about $21,600 in 98% near-mint condition $16,200 in 95% excellent condition-plus, with an additional $10,000 for "Mary Kaye Blonde" or custom colors. Rare finishes like Shell Pink or Surf Green can add up to 50% to these values. A 1959 Fender Precision bass in 98% near-mint condition is worth roughly $7,600, but a 95% excellent condition-plus only $6,300. These simple labels can mean many hundreds or thousands of dollars when selling or buying an instrument. The latest edition also includes a "Photo Grading System" with reference photographs for each condition grade, so it's much easier to determine an accurate condition.Īccording to both of these sources, there is no such thing as "100% mint." If it's 100%, it's new if it's ANYTHING LESS than positively no-excuses, unsold, brand-new, it's definitively less than new and cannot rightfully be labeled "100%." Even if it's only been played twice, with the peel-off clear plastic still on the pickguard, if it's been sold at retail, it's no longer 100%, according to these two sources. 90% - Excellent (Exc.), 9.0/10 - Light exterior finish wear with a few minor dings, no paint chips down to the wood, light oxidation on metal parts, normal nicks and scratches, light observable neck/fret wear in most cases. No major dents, dings, or other problems. 95% - Excellent+ (Exc.+), 9.5/10 - Very little observable finish wear and possible fine scratching, perhaps some light plating deterioration on metal parts, may have slight neck/fret wear. May have slight finish scratches - otherwise as new. On vintage and used instruments, this is as good as it can get. 98% - Mint, 9.8/10: Only very slightly used and/or played very little - may have minor "case" wear or very light dings on exterior finish only, without finish cracking, very close to new condition, also refers to a currently manufactured instrument that has previously sold at retail, even though it might be unplayed. Remember, there are no excuses in 100% condition. Some guitars that are less than 20 years old and have never been taken out-of-the-case (unplayed) may not be 100% (new), as the finish may have slightly cracked, tarnished, faded, or deteriorated. Even if a new instrument was played only twice, and traded in a week later, it no longer qualifies at 100%. On currently manufactured instruments, the 100% price refers to an instrument not previously sold at retail. 100% (New) - Factory new with all factory materials, including warranty card, owner's manual, case, and other items that were originally included by the manufacturer. He does say that the system is highly subjective, but "New" means "never sold," and "tags" means at least some of the original paperwork.įjestad's Blue Book of Electric Guitars, probably the most comprehensive publication on the subject (well over 1,000 pages) uses a significantly less subjective grading system (quoted below): His shop does not generally deal in instruments with less than a "G" rating. Very Good Plus "VG+" and Very Good "VG" George Gruhn, considered one of the world's experts in the vintage guitar market, deals in 7 or 8 categories of condition: I see the word "mint" thrown around a lot - "Dead mint - only had it 9 months, never gigged" or "Mint condition except for a small ding near the bridge," etc. Hey folks! You up for a semantic argument? Not exactly sure where this goes, but Basses seems like the most appropriate forum.