Should I buy a "cosmetically damaged" Gretch Electromatic?

[royaltrux]

I found a Gretch Electromatic Double Cutaway at a crappy Sam Ash by my house.

It has some general play wear (scratching, ect) and some kind of gash on the body that has been repainted.

They want $350 for it, given the cosmetic damage.

I'm unsure whether the damage was to the guitar and the body was worked on, or this was simply a matter of a mussed finish.

This being Sam Ash, the staff has no fucking clue what is going on.

I played it for some time and it sounds...like a Gretch Electromatic. There wasn't a problem with tone that I could see, and I tried it on all pickup and tone knob settings both clean and gained up.

Should I pursue this, or just spend $699 on a Gretch I know has no problems?

Thanks for any help!

[Dexterecus]

I'd go for it.

But I'm a sucker for "cosmetically damaged" goods.

[veteransdaypoppy]

The nasty ones always sound better.

If you want a guitar that'll sell well way down the line then buy it. But if you honestly think yer gonna hold on to it for a long time and play the fuck out of it then there's no point blowing the extra cash.

If they sound the same, and you just plan on keeping it (and obv. playing it) then there's no point in spending extra money.
You could always just repaint it, and for the most part with the exception of really, really bad woodwork, there's nothing you can't fix on the guy if something gets loopy.

[1,2,3, Pull Out!]

Some people, pay extra for "cosmetically damaged" guitars, some people pay less.

[Blurillaz]

"Oooh, looks like that fell out of your Delivery Truck. How much do you want for it?" *gets out wallet*

(In Redneck Voice)
"Ehh, $3,699.99 'ought ta do it"

[1,2,3, Pull Out!]

[Blurillaz]

One more

Presenting the Martin line of Relic'd and Roadworn Acoustic Guitars!

[1,2,3, Pull Out!]

$2000 for the "worn-in" feel

[Blurillaz]

Oh, and you should buy the Gretsch.

[1,2,3, Pull Out!]

Oh, and you should buy the Gretsch.

+1...you lucky bastard

[Blurillaz]

If there are any problems with the electronics in it, it would probably be cheaper to replace them than to buy a new one.

[htsamurai]

The nasty ones always sound better.

thats such an ILF thing to say...

[royaltrux]

unless somebody bought it between 8-9:30 tonight, I'm going to go down tomorrow and put $60 down and put the thing on layaway.

Got to love 19th Century buying guidelines. Thanks goofy samash.