Need advice: '05 CE24 vs '12 CU24 10-top, twice the price

[alphasports]

Okay guys, need a bit of clear headed advice! Looking at 2 nice gits:

- an '05 CE24 in a nice vintage yellow-type finish, great flame, no birds, excellent shape but a couple more-than-insignificant finish chips, both on the back/edge, $1250 CDN, 7 hour return drive to test/buy

- a '12 Custom 24 10-top in Trampas Green (nice color), birds, minty, unplayed, as new, $2400 CDN probably neg down to $2100-2250? 10 hour return drive so most likely a "buy it sight unseen" scenario based on trusting the seller

I already have a mapletop Mira (08), don't necessarily need 2 but buying the CE would allow me to keep both whereas the CU24 would require selling the Mira and from what I've heard a lot of people might not think that's a great idea, the original Mira has a lot of fans, myself included.

Other question: I see numerous cases on the forums of guitars with color fade issues, i.e. purple fading to pink, blue fading to light blue, etc. Not sure I'd like the faded trampas green look.

I love the tone of both these candidates, love the price on the CE, but don't want to buy it chips and all only to regret not finally buying the one I'd probably rather have if cash wasn't an issue. Did I just answer my own question?!!!

Cheers

 

[CatStrangler]

my .02$, I think that's too much for a beat up CE unless it really speaks to you, I would keep looking, FYI, there are lots of nice ones on evilbay.

 

[AP515]

Some people look forward to their PRS fading. The Emerald Green fades to almost a Trampas Green color that is beautiful. It seems the Trampas would fade to something like a light gray.

If I had the chance to have both the Mira and a CE or just the Cu24, I'd take the Mira - CE combo, but either way, you will end up with more eventually so it really doesn't matter.

The chips wouldn't bother me as long as it plays like it left the factory.

 

[CatStrangler]

Some people look forward to their PRS fading. The Emerald Green fades to almost a Trampas Green color that is beautiful. It seems the Trampas would fade to something like a light gray.

If I had the chance to have both the Mira and a CE or just the Cu24, I'd take the Mira - CE combo, but either way, you will end up with more eventually so it really doesn't matter.

The chips wouldn't bother me as long as it plays like it left the factory.

I may have been a bit harsh, you're right about the chips, they wouldn't bother me either, I was just making the point that at that price point, there are certainly options for used CE 22's.

 

[guitarman001]

How about used (2006) ce24 (yellow, dot inlays, wide thin neck) under £900 vs new American fender deluxe strat with compound radius neck (feels like my cu24 pattern thin) for £1350 (or £900 if I can manage to get one used)?

 

[alphasports]

Thanks for the replies. Jury's in with a verdict: no deal on either... neither one has me gassing enough. CE came close, will keep my eyes open for one in better shape. Outside chance I might lowball the CU24, maybe I'll get lucky!

Will keep you posted.

 

[shinksma]

A bit of moot point now I guess, but for the price, in CDN$, either axe is an ok price, but neither is a steal. Looking forward to find out what you eventually get!