Info on this guitar./Possible sale.

[EvanJ]

I would like to get more info on my El Degas Accoustic.

It is in excellent condition, I don't know the model number or anything as nothing is stamped on the label.

The one stamp on the inside is a date of 1976.

Pics.

[charles]

No model stamped on the sound hole label? I hate when they do that.

Looks like it could be a generic (and I mean that in the nicest possible way! ) clone of a Martin - meaning it might be a copy of a somewhat generalized idea of a Martin guitar...

Hard for me to say at this point - I admittedly do not know a lot about Martin acoustics. I do believe that your guitar is meant to emulate one, though.

Does the soundhole label mention the country of manufacture (many do)? On first glance I'd guess Korea.

[EvanJ]

There is still a half of a manufature sticker on the neck, nothing on the sound hole, It was made in guatamala :S

[charles]

There is still a half of a manufature sticker on the neck, nothing on the sound hole, It was made in guatamala :S

Weird!!

Can you possible snap a photo of that sticker?!

[EvanJ]

The sticker is only half there, but I remember it. I must of tried to remove it in my younger years. You can see the ala on it though. and I clearly remember Guatemala. I can take a snap if you still want it.

[Barry]

Hi Evan...welcome to the house that Charles built!
Guatemala?!
Seriously. I thought Romania was about as weird as it got with El Degas.
Never a dull moment with this company.

Anyway, how's it play?

[charles]

The sticker is only half there, but I remember it. I must of tried to remove it in my younger years. You can see the ala on it though. and I clearly remember Guatemala. I can take a snap if you still want it.

If you think of it and have the camera ready, sure. No bother if you don't, though.

I can't believe I forgot to ask this yet - how does she play / sound??

[EvanJ]

The tone on this thing is BEAUTIFUL. It is honestly one of the nicer accoustics I have played in a while. Friends always comment on how rich it sounds.

[charles]

Well, I'd expect the people of Guatemala to know what a guitar should sound like and be constructed... that's one country of manufacture where the Spanish-sounding "El Degas" brand is somewhat authentic!

[EvanJ]

yeah. Anyways, you wouldn't happen to know what I could get for this Great guitar. I'd LOVE to keep it, but Rent is almost due.. and I just got laid off. :\

[charles]

Hmmm.... depends on a few factors. Condition, sound, feel, level of motivation of seller / buyer, usage of words "vintage"/"mojo"/"rare" and buyer's reaction to them .

- I cannot get my hands on the actual guitar to gauge the first three factors.
- Motivation is affected by a) you as the seller may be quite motivated to sell due to circumstances and b) buyers may have no idea what an El Degas guitar is and the country of manufacture, condition, sound, and feel may change their view of the guitar drastically (for better or worse)
- The last one is tongue-in-cheek but in today's used guitar market, quite valid. I have seen those three terms applied to everything under the sun, and buyers reaction to them in both positive and negative ways.

The factors above can cause such a variance of price that I'd say you are looking anywhere between 100 - 500 bucks - without being able to touch the guitar I cannot set a realistic minimum or maximum you should ask. El Degas guitars have the dubious distinction of not being distinct in used guitar buyer's minds; in that they do not have that somehow elusive and exotic prestige that similar brands from that era fetch (that say, a 70's MIJ Burny, Greco, Orville, or Tokai will command).

All I can really say is good luck, set a realistic starting price, and consider other means of getting your rent money than selling the guitar should it have sentimental value or you are going to take a bath on the price and basically give it away. All the best to you.

[EvanJ]

YEah, your right. No one in todays market can really appreciate it. I honestly think that i'll keep it and pass it down generations.

Thanks for all the info, and this site. Answered a lot of questions

[charles]

YEah, your right. No one in todays market can really appreciate it. I honestly think that i'll keep it and pass it down generations.

Thanks for all the info, and this site. Answered a lot of questions

Thanks, I am so happy to have been of help.

And I haven't even finished the main "informational site"!

[Barry]

YEah, your right. No one in todays market can really appreciate it. I honestly think that i'll keep it and pass it down generations.
Thanks for all the info, and this site. Answered a lot of questions

Good decision Evan.
As Charles says, you'll likely never get what it's really worth. Not many collectors know the brand, or if they've heard of it they mostly dismiss it as a bottom end make. (Let's face it some of the later models were rubbish so you can't entirely blame them!)
The MIJ instruments though are mostly superb.
Hang on to it. I don't think you'll regret it.

[charles]

(Let's face it some of the later models were rubbish so you can't entirely blame them!)

Some of the early ones, too...

There are gems and there are lemons, just like any brand. I've played MIJ El Degas guitars that were inferior to some of the later MIK ones, so there's no hard and fast rules - if you can play them before you buy, that's a big help.