Help with Old Kustom Electric please..

[buzz3953]

I have an opportunity to buy an Old Craftsman. I believe it was actually made by Spiegel but unsure of model and date or the possible value. I don't believe any hardware except for pickups and electronics are original. Any information would be very much appreciated. Many thanks.

Aaron

I really don't know how to work the HTML code to set up my pics but they are here

http://picasaweb.google.com/asfraser/Ol ... 6000664210

http://picasaweb.google.com/asfraser/Ol ... 6378866418

http://picasaweb.google.com/asfraser/Ol ... 7081435282

http://picasaweb.google.com/asfraser/Ol ... 7535532114

http://picasaweb.google.com/asfraser/Ol ... 0379845506

http://picasaweb.google.com/asfraser/Ol ... 1868376594

[Michael Ambrose]

Thats a Kay-made K300. First offered in 1962, no idea exactly when your piece was made. I'm restoring one right now. You'll find the same piece with several different brand names (the names vary depending on the department through which it was sold). I think Old Kraftsman might have been Spiegel... i can never keep them straight.

Bridge, tailpiece, and tuners are mods. Probably the pickguard, too... never seen one in black.

[buzz3953]

Any idea what the value might be? I guess in other words what would you be willing to pay if you were interested for example because if I were to buy it would be to resell.

Thanks,

Aaron

[Michael Ambrose]

Kays are always tough to say. Collectors don't want them, players can't afford the nice ones. They're pretty much worth as much as the nuttiest collector is willing to pay for them. Modded as such and missing the original bridge cover, no idea.

[cheepaxes]

One might argue that the replaced parts are an improvement. I don't know. I agree with Michael that it's hard to put a price on it with those changes. It's a pretty guitar. Probably plays and sounds OK assuming the pickups work. I would guess somewhere between $250 - $400.

-Scott

[Spud1950]

Here's the actual Kay version. The neck is quite a bit more fancy.



The Vintage Guitar price guide book on line puts a value of $500 - $600 in excellent original condition. Even if this one were in excellent,original condition,it wouldn't be worth as much because of the plainer neck and the fact that it isn't actually branded as a Kay.To me, the mods are definitely an improvement as far as playability, but from a collectible stand point,they do devalue the guitar. Also,from the closeups,I would rate it in fair condition,cosmetically. If everything worked properly and it plays well, I wouldn't want to pay anymore the $350 at the most for it.

[johnnyb]

it also looks like the pickguard was replaced. i can see the lines where the old one was. the new bridge kills the value, if you ask me. those are holes that can never be fixed. hopefully the guy put it on right. i had the misfortune of buying a guitar that was "upgraded" with a jaguar type bridge. he put it on too short and a bit to the side. not to mention the newer bridges are too wide for a lot of the old mij guitars. it can never be intonated properly and is off the side of the neck. his "upgrade" destroyed the guitar.

[Spud1950]