Craig's List

We are selling a mixed bag of items on Craig’s List- things we do not want to move, cannot use in Norway, or haven’t used in years. Among the items was my 1983 Stratocaster- a genuine, made-in-the-USA model that has been thoroughly abused, scratched, dented, burned, and modified by yours truly. Actually, it was in rough shape before I purchased it. I could only afford a beater guitar when I was in college.

I wanted to find a local seller, since its condition was marginal. Mint Strats from this vintage can fetch around $1500 on ebay. Used condition can run around $600-800. I was asking $300, since I had taken a router to it and installed a rear humbucker and modified the electronics. I still had the original pickup. I did everything I could in my ad to discourage buyers. I hosted large, hi-res images, rather than the puny CL-hosted photos. I exhaustedly described its disreputable condition. I disclosed the sacrilege of my modifications. I received offers from all over the country.

Many of these were lowballers. The tremolo bar alone for the ’83 model has been going for $90 on ebay. Also, this had the case. The case and electronics should cost $300. Anyway, I finally narrowed it down to two local buyers. Over the phone, I tired to discourage both from buying it. Russ called me first to express his interest. He wanted to maybe stop by last night to buy it. Sloane was also interested, and called to schedule a time to see it later today. After I scheduled with Sloane, Russ said he might be in the neighborhood in the evening. We were leaving for a dinner party, and I said I’d call him later around 9-ish. We had a late start for dinner. Before I knew it, it was 9:30. I called Russ. Incredibly he was parked a block from our house, waiting for my call. I was annoyed, since I didn’t think this was a “for sure” thing- based on our previous conversation. I left dessert early and headed home. As I drove, another guy phoned who was interested in buying some speakers. I told him I was heading home.

As I was parking at home, I noticed the streetlight was out, and two guys were waiting on the dark corner. One looked like a Mormon missionary with a buttoned up white shirt. The other was a big guy with a shock of salt and pepper hair. I introduced myself. We joked about the confusion as each guy thought the other was me. We went into the house and straight down to the basement. Russ took a quick look at the guitar and said he’d take it. Adam pulled out his money to buy the speakers. I offered to help Adam load his car. Russ asked if I was selling any more music gear (which I’m not).

As I carried one of the Yamaha speakers to Adam’s minivan, I noticed it was completely crammed full of “stuff.” He said he was helping his girlfriend move to Eagan. I had no idea where he would fit them. He told me to set it on the seat. He didn’t want to keep me from returning for dessert. I headed back to the get-together. By the time we returned home an hour later, Adam was gone. Somehow he found room for the speakers.

Ebay is so much easier. There is no haggling on the price, no missed meetings to pick things up, no crossed phone calls, no strangers coming over at night. On the flip-side, last night went quite smoothly. I sold that old guitar for what I paid for it- almost twenty years ago. I received a great price for the speakers- which truthfully didn’t deserve being branded as Yamaha. Now for the rest of our junk….