Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michael Kasmar-AutographPros.com on April 14, 2017 at 3:39pm

Hi everyone....the guitar the OP posted is just a regular signed guitar. The thread mentioned was for a guitar which had an album cover repurposed into the shape of a pickguard....unfortunately the images referenced in that thread ARE NOT of the guitar they were referencing there. I believe the images were overwritten but in regards to this guitar that was shown in this thread it's nothing to do with that and I'm an interested buyer if it's available. Also for clarity we've NEVER taken a signature off one item and put it on another.

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Permalink Reply by Allen Blankenship on April 14, 2017 at 3:59pm

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond, I really appreciate it. Since the guitar is signed on the pickguard and not on the body, what is the approximate value of the guitar?

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on April 14, 2017 at 4:50pm

The signed pickguard is all there is IMHO. The guitar has the value of whatever that is - recent Telecaster either MIJ, MIM or something other than Fender with a painting or image on it. It is hand painted? It doesn't seem to be a high end model with those saddles. The photo of Bruce holding this pickguard says it all. One might guess never held or even saw the guitar. Just my .02. YMMV.

Another answer to "what is the value of the guitar?" - "with or without that pickguard?"

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Permalink Reply by Mr. Steffman on April 14, 2017 at 6:25pm

A simple and direct answer is it's worth a lot, regardless of whether it's signed on the body or the pickguard. Bruce doesn't sign guitars or pickguards at all anymore, only for charity and they always sell for a big premium. Very rare.

The last time I visited my realtor she was bidding on a Bruce guitar over the phone and it was up to $30,000 and she asked me if she should continue bidding. (I didn't ask if it was signed on the pickguard.)

Generally speaking, sigs on the body are of course better in the opinion of mostly anyone and everyone, but pickguards (of a non-instrument signer like Bruce, in particular) are still premium and rare.

I'm sure someone may chime in here with some specific sale price ranges soon. Airbrushes tend to increase value, almost always.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Chase on April 14, 2017 at 7:05pm

It's only worth what someone is willing to pay and that could change as time goes on. I would be very careful paying to much for a living celebrity. I don't care who it is. Let's say you foolishly pay $30,000 for a Bruce Springsteen guitar and one day he has a change of heart and decides to sign guitars and bras at hookerbars, that $30,000 guitar just became $5,000.
Invest wisely

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Permalink Reply by Mr. Steffman on April 14, 2017 at 7:10pm

True. Steven Tyler was a disaster and suddenly started signing 50 items per person.

But mostly it goes the other way.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Chase on April 14, 2017 at 7:17pm

It happens

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on April 14, 2017 at 7:27pm

If that is what it appears, a modern MIJ or MIM Telecaster, I don't see it being with much more than a slight touch of premium for the painting. The $ is in that guard. Like that artwork posted today - $8000 for a recent Roger Waters signature on someone elses artwork. Yes, good charities and all that. But it is generally agreed that such items exceed reality when sold (initially). That photo says it all - Bruce signed and held that pickguard - he never saw the guitar. To me it is like...extra framing and matting. 

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Permalink Reply by marc e on April 14, 2017 at 8:49pm

totaly correct ,the pickguard was put on after

on the body is worth much more and harder to get and more money.

pickguards are a dime a dozen thanks to ebay

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Permalink Reply by Mr. Steffman on April 15, 2017 at 8:53am

There's a market value, it's likely $3k-$5k. If it was on the body, it might sell faster, and for more.

Uncle Bruce signed pickguards are the furthest thing from a dime a dozen. He hasn't signed an endless amount of pickguards, and he doesn't sign them at all anymore.

Not everyone can afford a signature model guitar, and not every fan who buys an autograph is a passionate collector with flawless or precise taste in instruments.

I think it's great that you have your opinions, and I agree with you about what is ideal, however the market has a bottom and the market has a top. There are buyers found throughout the entire range -- although way less of them are located at the top. If you're making a living selling guitars, it's probably not a great idea to disregard the large majority of the market. 

I'd be willing to bet that 90% of the people who buy autographed guitars on eBay will only ever buy that 1 signed guitar during their entire lifespan. And they don't actually care if it's from China or if it's on the pickguard. What they care about is that it's a real autograph, and there's a portrait of a musician they love on it.

When someone asks how much something is worth, why go on a rant telling them what is ideal and what your personal taste is? It comes across as virtue signaling. He just wanted to know how much it's worth.

Permalink Reply by marc e on April 15, 2017 at 9:02am

my comment about pickguards was a general one about pickguards being all over ebay from all artists

bruce still gets boarded so there out there

and i gave him a complete breakdown of what i thought each level off signed guitars are worth 

pss .i stoped making a living or getting them signed years ago due to the fakes on ebay and the people running around with pickguards devaluing them its wasnt worth it .i did a ,ong time ago while most in perperson were doing albums and pictures

Permalink Reply by Mr. Steffman on April 15, 2017 at 9:10am

He hasn't done them boarded in 4-5 years now.

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