Old school ESP fans, I need some insight.

[sully]

So this guy I know (married to a good friend of mine) has a 1987 ESP M-1 with a black/white bengal graphic on it. Apparently he's been trying to sell it for some time (he's the original owner), with no luck.

My friend sent me the ebay link, but from what I can see, since it's not a Lynch or anything, I'm guessing that the graphic kills it. That, and he's asking US built money for a guitar made in Japan. To me, it looks like a case of "old/rare doesn't mean valuable."

Anyone know what these things usually fetch? My guess was 8-900, max; I'm kinda putting it in the category of a pointy from that era.

Here's a link (and no, I don't give a damn if anyone bids on it. Truth be told, the guy's kind of a douche)

Thanks,
Sully

[neilli]

I'm not an expert on old ESPs or the prices they get, but I'd guess you're correct in your "old / rare doesn't = big cash". I'd say it's around a $700 guitar...

[Jack Napalm]

I have seen that one before. 800 max I think. Its nothing that special. A good guitar but its not some missing link for a Lynch fan. Like me.

[straycat]

I love it but I think $700 would be my tops.

[lhrocker]

I think up to $800. For any pricing over that, the guitar needs to be absolutely clean without any nick, chips, etc...

[Rich#6]

For $750 shipped I would buy that guitar. I love the graphic.

[Dave L]

I agree with somewhere around $800-850... with a starting bid at $1500 it´s gonna remain unsold forever.

[DonP]

I'm mostly into neck-thrus of that era.

Sorry but $500 would be about my max. I bought a great Horizon neck-thru custom for about $750 from GC, with a free BKP warpig in the case.

Interestingly, the Horizon's s/n is 1031 (stamped at the last fret like a Jackson), so it might have been built at a similar time. It also has the Made in Japan inked on the back of the headstock.

[Chad]

I sold a solid black 1991 ESP Custom Shop Mirage/MII hybrid bolt-on with ESP Floyd for $870 a few months back. To have that thing custom built would cost a fortune, but the used market appears to be limited.

If that linked guitar were *exactly* what somebody wanted to order it might bring that kind of $. Other than that, as others have said he might get $500 to $800.

[AK47]

No binding, bolt on and dot inlays. That is like the base model, he would be lucky to get 700. If it was neck thru then I can see him getting a grand without too much of a problem.

[Dreamland_Rebel]

are the dots abalone or plastic?

my buddy paid $700 for a used M1 black with 24 fret maple neck with abalone dots.
and its f-ing sweet!

[sully]

Thanks guys! I've relayed the feedback!

[chrisolson]

$1500 - OUCH! I'm still trying to wrap my head around imports over $1200...even new.

I guess when you consider the other guitars you can get for that, this one, cool as it is, would not make that list. I'm with the $700 crowd. If it was a neck thru, then more around $900-$1000.

[Drake S.]

He's asking for what it sold for new back in the day, M1 are great guitars but not as good as the Horizon of that same time.

[j2379]

He's asking for what it sold for new back in the day, M1 are great guitars but not as good as the Horizon of that same time.

no they werent, i bought my M1 custom (neckthru) the one with the large bevel on the treble side bout for $440, my pheonix was just under $500. I know this cause as a kid i bought them both for less than a USA soloist was selling for. also all of the ESPs were basically the same quality back then, there wasnt different lines. just bolt on or neckthru otherwise all of the boltons were the same, as were the neckthrus just different body shapes & appointments.

if im correct that is a custom. back then an M1 was a single hum Vtrem strat body the same as the M1 tiger but no floyd, not a jackson or banana type headstock, m1 custom, dinky type beveled bout 1H or rarely 1H/1S, neckthru, no longer made. the 24 fret m's werent until later, early 90's. i think he'de be lucky to get $700.