Pricing/demand among different finishes in used market?

[Evan]

I'm relatively new to the PRS universe, and I'm curious if different finishes hold their value better than others (tobacco burst vs. purple haze, etc.).

On eBay, for instance, some finishes seem more rare than others, I imagine they would hold their value better?

 

[CJM3175]

Value is a tricky thing because there are two important factors that usually counter each other: popularity and scarcity. Popular finishes and models tend to sell more and thus more are produced, while rare models and finishes tend to be rare because they didn't sell well and thus few are produced. Best bet is to buy what appeals to you, not just today... but for your whole life. Ask yourself if you can see yourself loving that guitar 10-20 years down the road.

 

[Drew]

The Armandos Amethyst was an example of a finish that was an epic fail and will be lower valued than others. Many stores had to clear that out and some practically gave those guitars away. I remember seeing a 408 10top go for low 2000's and this was not a GC clearance.

 

[CantankerousCarl]

Not talking about specific colors, like with automobiles, "polarizing" colors - extreme ones - will probably tend to hold less value. E.G. I thought Eriza Verde looked great in photos, but when actually considering purchasing an axe that color, I had to wonder whether I would experience "buyers remorse" over staring at something that is basically the color of Hi-C Ecto Cooler for the next 30-some-odd years.

Buy what you love. If you're worried about resale, stick to something "classic" like a good vintage burst, natural or grey/black.

Oh, and if you get a blue one, Sergio will never EVER EVER even LOOK at it

 

[ozboy]

I wonder a lot about colour. My wife is a talented artist and I often ask her about prs colour a and finishes. The question is how over the top you want to be. For some people a more restrained finish may stand the test of time better. Assuming you want to pass the test of time. Not everyone does.

Along the the same lines I wonder about the two tone finishes, ie colored front but clear back and sides. You wouldn't normally see that on a n acoustic for instance.

 

[jfb]

Green is a tough resale for cars I've heard. I wonder about guitars. Cause I would rock some green sparkle.

 

[shinksma]

I specifically hunted down a Cu24 in Emerald Green. Why? I had seen Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree play an Emerald Green PRS, probably a Cu22 (he seems to prefer those), back in the early/mid-2000s. When I finally got the gumption/wherewithal to buy a PRS, I decided not to compromise, including finally getting a 24-fret guitar (sorry Mr Wilson!). I already had a nice maple-flame-top blue guitar (Godin Freeway classic), and a LP with a classic cherry sunburst, and a tele in natural ash, etc. Green had appealed to me for years for some reason, and they are indeed not a common color to stumble upon.

So the Emerald Green was on the must-have list. Curiously, my co-worker has an Emerald green Cu24 10-top (Artist Package) - he's had it since new in 1999-ish. He didn't curb my enthusiasm at all, oddly enough.

Now that I have it, I do not intend to ever let it go. It is quite nice looking, and although not the best "10 top" I've ever seen, still nice enough for me!

 

[markie]

Red Guitars are really hard to photograph...............

Early PRS in Vintage Yellow have always held their value................