Came across of what could be a great find (Ibanez)

[1neeto]

Bought a guitar from a pawn shop a few days ago and told the guy to let me know when he gets any interesting guitars. He then sent me these pics and started to ask $500 for it.

1986 Ibanez AH-10 Alan Holdsworth signature guitar.






guitar seems to be in rough shape, maybe unplayable. I offered $150 for it and then he said he rather keep, fix it up, and sell it in the 4 digit range. Quick google search shows two of these listed on eBay for $2000+ and one apparently sold on reverb for $1000+. Also when he said he wants to fix it up, that tells me the guitar is in worse shape than what the pics show. What you guys think? Should jump all over this or pass?

[markD]

I would go look at it in person. If it isn't destroyed, then I'd buy it. BUT, I am a Holdsworth fan and have always wanted one of those. I wouldn't pay $1000+ for one, but I would pay $500....

[1neeto]

I would go look at it in person. If it isn't destroyed, then I'd buy it. BUT, I am a Holdsworth fan and have always wanted one of those. I wouldn't pay $1000+ for one, but I would pay $500....

Ok so I think I'm ready to offer $250 and maybe throw my old Boss GT-6 in the deal since it has been collecting dust for quite a few years now. My only concern is of course if it's a fake and that its 100% original. I have no clue if that's the original pickup there and from what I've read, that's one sweet pickup.

[Newc]

Looks like the pickup is held on with 3 screws rather than 2. Not sure if the Duncan Holdsworth pickup was supposed to be on these, but that doesn't look like it.

And yeah, $500 for a well-worn Ibanez Holdsworth....seems to me you missed your chance. Dude had a minute extra to look it up on Ebay, and now he's looking for a grand at least, because he knows you're just as likely to flip it for that.

[toejam]

From the pics I've seen, it looks original.

[xenophobe]

Rare Ibanez stuff is highly collectible. I think you may have missed a good deal.

[Axewielder]

Those Power Rocker type trems suck diiiiiiick

[1neeto]

From the pics I've seen, it looks original.

He still has the guitar and is quite firm at $450. I think I'm gonna take a chance here. Have to check it out and plug it in, he has some amps in his shop.

[markD]

That guitar looks stock - and it is not fake. get it NOW!!!!

[Nightbat]

My only concern is of course if it's a fake

I really don't think the AH models were of any interest to counterfitters
Jems, Satrianis, yeah, those are models you can unload pretty easily, but money to be made in Holdsworth fakes? Don't consider that very plausible

[xenophobe]

Yeah, I don't see any reason why you'd think it was fake. It's rare and there is a strong Ibanez collectors market as well. I'd grab that before it's gone if I were you and wanted it.

[1neeto]

Yeah I think I'm gonna get it sometime this week. I'm currently selling some stuff on craigslist in order to go there with enough cash for leverage. I want to get it, but I also want to show him I'm willing to walk away from it too.

[Tetsuo]

I really don't think the AH models were of any interest to counterfitters
Jems, Satrianis, yeah, those are models you can unload pretty easily, but money to be made in Holdsworth fakes? Don't consider that very plausible

Yeah I have to agree not likely a fake. At that cleaned up it is likely an awesome guitar for $450 anyway aside from the investment option, although I would rather have the Carvin version personally.

[1neeto]

I got way more feedback here than at the Ibanez forums! Thanks guys!

[1neeto]

So I went to check the guitar out. I wish I took pics but that's one banged up guitar. It has several paint chips he cleverly hid when he sent me those pics. The knobs are all green with oxidation, and the pick guard looks like it was really played, hell it looked like Allan Holdsworth himself toured the country with that thing slung on his back.


I showed up with $220 and some gear to trade, but he's actually closing shop so he's not buying or trading anything. The lowest he would go was $400 and he said he would throw a nice hard case with it (probably the same case he got the guitar with). He keeps saying he paid $500 for it and he would lose money at $400, but seriously, that guitar, although playable, looked like a $50 guitar. Since he's closing up shop I'll just wait a few weeks and see if he still rather keep it for himself like he claims. I already told him I'm not paying more than $220.