'90 Rhoads Pro

[AdamFisher5150]

Hi everyone, new to the forum.

I've always wanted a pre-fender era Jackson and knowing that I probably couldn't afford a USA, I've been looking for the past couple years for a good deal on an early pro series. A few close calls on ebay, but unable to find a really stellar deal I told myself I'd wait until one fell in my lap.

Well, a '90 Jackson Rhoads Pro has come up for sale to me, and I'm strongly considering it. It's all original with the active mid-boost and schaller made floyd. It's in good shape with minimal scratches, typical rhoads scars on the points of both wings and on the end of the headstock. It plays really nice, but needs a fret dressing as there are some buzzy frets.

The guy who owns it isn't sure what he wants for it, as he has no real idea of what it's worth. How much would you guys say it's worth? I found the book value for a kelly of the same level and period is about $800.

How much would you pay?

[zeegler]

Without seeing it, it's hard to say. Offer him $500.

[AdamFisher5150]

really? $500 seems pretty low...

Judging from ebay prices and book value he's probably expecting around $800, I was going to say $750.

[Sunbane]

The RR Pros from the early 90's go for a lot more than $500, unless you find someone who doesn't know what he has. Back when I joined they routinely went for $700, and the prices increased with time. Only a couple of years ago they started hitting the $900 mark.

However, I guess the downturn in the economy has put a lid on the pricing. It may make for some killer deals, depending on how desperate the seller is.

[zeegler]

I know full well what these things are worth, and what they regularly sell for. $750 Canadian isn't too bad, but like I said, it depends on the condition. To put it in perspective, I bought a Rhoads Custom a few years back for $950 that had only very minor damage to the wing tips. A friend of mine got a Rhoads Pro for $300 that had a small chunk out of one tip. The bottom line is: what is it worth to you?

[dmnall]

Considering I just bought back during Memorial Day Weekend, Typical paint chips and some dents because the original owner, did not know using a 9 volt batter or a wooden dowel to hold up the Tremolo to change strings. All original down to the Mid-Boost Jackson Actives and I paid $ 550 USD delivered from San Diego *the guy drove to Santa Barbara to deliver it*.. The neck is flawless and I love how it plays. The actual damage is not bad at all, it was a players guitar just not beat at all. The Case took more damage over the years then the guitar did.. Since getting the guitar, I had the pickups and pots swapped out with dual emg 81 pick ups. My rhoads pro is my nicest guitar I actually own!

Cheers,
Charlie

[zeegler]

Considering I just bought back during Memorial Day Weekend, Typical paint chips and some dents because the original owner, did not know using a 9 volt batter or a wooden dowel to hold up the Tremolo to change strings. All original down to the Mid-Boost Jackson Actives and I paid $ 550 USD delivered from San Diego *the guy drove to Santa Barbara to deliver it*.. The neck is flawless and I love how it plays. The actual damage is not bad at all, it was a players guitar just not beat at all. The Case took more damage over the years then the guitar did.. Since getting the guitar, I had the pickups and pots swapped out with dual emg 81 pick ups. My rhoads pro is my nicest guitar I actually own!

Cheers,
Charlie

Yes, that's definitely a reasonable price. When they were getting up to the $900 range, that was just buyer hysteria. I'm not saying they're not good guitars, because I've played plenty of them, and I know they are. The problem is, when you see spikes in the selling prices of guitars like that, you can't let that fool you into thinking they are holding those values. Buyers get collective GAS, and temporarily drive prices up.

[AdamFisher5150]

Hmm, well seeing as it's his baby and he's selling out of desperation and neccessity, I'm fine with $750. I've got it here, I'll clean it up and post some pics in the Pro Series thread.

[dmnall]

Yes, that's definitely a reasonable price. When they were getting up to the $900 range, that was just buyer hysteria. I'm not saying they're not good guitars, because I've played plenty of them, and I know they are. The problem is, when you see spikes in the selling prices of guitars like that, you can't let that fool you into thinking they are holding those values. Buyers get collective GAS, and temporarily drive prices up.

Zeegler,
That is very true. I personally did not buy mine to be hanging on a wall as a collector, I play my rhoads pro at least every other day.. I just think it is crazy people try to jack the prices and before I picked up my rhoads, I was looking for the past 2 years for one and I almost bought an 04 RR3 but decided to wait to get what I really wanted.. Now I am looking for another one lol.

Cheers,
Charlie