Has the price on AV65's bottomed out recently?

[Embenny]

I recently found an AV65 JM locally with a Staytrem bridge and non-SB colour asking the equivalent of $1350 USD. I thought the price was mad. But even on Reverb, there are AV65s listed under $1300.

Is it just me, or is that down significantly? It's been a while since I checked prices on these, but that seems...lower than I remembered.

[Larry Mal]

I think they were pretty overpriced when they first came out, and they are only mildly better than the AVRI that preceded them. I wouldn't pay hundreds of dollars more for a used AV over an AVRI, although honestly I would prefer the neck binding and the slightly wider neck. But not hundreds of dollars more, I wouldn't.

I think the market is speaking pretty clearly as to the value of these guitars. Still great guitars, though, and $1300 is a pretty reasonable price.

Also, there is pretty credible competition from Fender's Mexican made offsets, which are probably more than sufficient for a lot of players who don't care all that much about American make nor vintage specs. This can only have an effect of depreciating the value of the AV series, I might think.

[Embenny]

I also wonder if it's a pull downward from the American Professional series, which are significantly cheaper new than the AV's they replaced.

I didn't jump on the JM because a quick search into the prices of the 65's showed that they've come down significantly. A year or two ago, $1350 for a cool coloured AV with a Staytrem would have been a steal.

[Larry Mal]

Now the Staytrem will cost more than the rest of the guitar.

And yeah, the American Professional is another viable choice that is likely leveling the prices out. A lot of cool colors with that one also.

[Larsongs]

Like New Stock AV65's have occasionally been available in that range for the past year or so...

If you can get one for that you should jump on it.. Next to Vintage or Custom Shop they're as good as they get. With or without Staytrem....

Nothing wrong with the Stock Trem.... Just needs to be Set up correctly....

[zeero9]

I also wonder if it's a pull downward from the American Professional series, which are significantly cheaper new than the AV's they replaced.

American Vintage was replaced by American Original. Professional is not an option if you want the rhythm circuit/vintage specs.

[wooderson]

Reverb sold prices are still in the $1500+ range, it looks to me. The cheaper ones have 'some' to 'a lot' of wear (and IMO aren't cheap enough to choose over a mint one for $1550).

https://reverb.com/marketplace/electric ... wsold=true

Jazzmaster pricing in general is weird - purely based on my opinion of what I'd buy, MIJ JMs are overpriced, AVRI 62s are overpriced, AV65s are just about right, used Thin Skins are a good deal, used MIM Lacquer/Road Worns seem to be a good deal.

[Embenny]

I also wonder if it's a pull downward from the American Professional series, which are significantly cheaper new than the AV's they replaced.

American Vintage was replaced by American Original. Professional is not an option if you want the rhythm circuit/vintage specs.

Oh, right! I get the new lines confused, thanks for that.

The Professionals may be different specs but they are definitely a lower price point for American-made offsets.

Reverb sold prices are still in the $1500+ range, it looks to me. The cheaper ones have 'some' to 'a lot' of wear (and IMO aren't cheap enough to choose over a mint one for $1550).

https://reverb.com/marketplace/electric ... wsold=true

Jazzmaster pricing in general is weird - purely based on my opinion of what I'd buy, MIJ JMs are overpriced, AVRI 62s are overpriced, AV65s are just about right, used Thin Skins are a good deal, used MIM Lacquer/Road Worns seem to be a good deal.

Interesting. There's a sunburst one in good condition asking around $1350 though on Reverb right now. Maybe it's a pre-Holiday buyer's market while everyone is paying for gifts?

I have half a mind to pick up the JM, sell the Staytrem, and flip it. The question is...is it worth the 2 hour drive?

[sunburster]

From what I have seen the only ones under $1400 are really beat up and often missing the original case or are modded. If you want a stock one in nice condition, it's going to be $1400-$1600, and those sell quickly. Still cheaper than most AVRI62 JMs (in similar condition) these days.

Of course there may be exceptional deals found locally, if you get lucky. But that is true of nearly any guitar.

[B]

In the past year I have purchased both an AO and AV65 and did not pay over $1300 for either (close though). One was on a forum and the other was on Reverb. Both were excellent+, like new condition. Not saying that is necessarily the norm right this minute, but I certainly didn't have to hunt & search or wait for somebody desperate for cash.

I don't know how this plays into your guy's market research... Just thought I'd share what I got these for.

[redchapterjubilee]

It is not hard to find AV65s in the $1300 range. I bought my gold JM several years ago for $1300 with Mastery, flipped the Mastery for a Used Staytrem and came out around $1175 for a fantastic guitar. Patience will do the same for AVRIs too, provided you aren’t picky about color. I’ve seen a few white AVRIs selling in the $1200s. But expect to pay $500 or so more for the rare AVRI colors.

[parry]

I'd say it's a strong indicator of market saturation. They're not really anything "special" anymore, and competing in a market with a thousand other mish-mashy, parts-guitar knock-offs (Fender, included) they're getting harder to sell.

[Beyer160]

Jazzmaster pricing in general is weird - purely based on my opinion of what I'd buy, MIJ JMs are overpriced, AVRI 62s are overpriced, AV65s are just about right, used Thin Skins are a good deal, used MIM Lacquer/Road Worns seem to be a good deal.

I pretty much agree. MIJ offsets commanded a premium when they were the only game in town, but now they have a lot of competition that offer higher quality at better prices. I don't understand why AVRI '62s are priced about the same as AV65s, when the AVs are an improvement. A used MIM Lacquer is probably the best bang for your buck on any offset with a Fender logo- I just wish they had more than one color (two if you count CME's special run). Mine's a dead ringer for my old AVRI. The real dirty secret in all of this is that a Squier VM properly set up will perform just as well as any of them. It's like going 100mph in a Honda as opposed to an Audi or a Ferrari, but it'll still go 100mph.

[Larsongs]

Reverb sold prices are still in the $1500+ range, it looks to me. The cheaper ones have 'some' to 'a lot' of wear (and IMO aren't cheap enough to choose over a mint one for $1550).

https://reverb.com/marketplace/electric ... wsold=true

Jazzmaster pricing in general is weird - purely based on my opinion of what I'd buy, MIJ JMs are overpriced, AVRI 62s are overpriced, AV65s are just about right, used Thin Skins are a good deal, used MIM Lacquer/Road Worns seem to be a good deal.

I bought my AV65 Jag new thru Reverb a couple years ago between Thanksgiving & Christmas. I got a very good deal on it. Comparable to a like new Used one... This time of year Deals usually become more readily available.....

Last year about the same time I bought a new AV65 JM from an Omline Store who wanted to blow out AV65's & got it for about the same price as those above....

Both are best of the best next to Vintage, SFR's or Custom Shop....

Lars

[redchapterjubilee]

MIJ offsets commanded a premium when they were the only game in town, but now they have a lot of competition that offer higher quality at better prices.

But MIJ Fenders are worth quite a bit more than they were when purchased new. Those were $500 guitars when first imported to the States in the ‘90s and now sell for quite a bit more. I’ve been able to flip several Japanese JM’s for close to twice what I’ve paid for them and I just don’t understand it. There may be a lot of competition for them now but their resale value is seriously strong.

I don't understand why AVRI '62s are priced about the same as AV65s, when the AVs are an improvement.

Perhaps because there were more colors available? As to AV65’s being an improvement over the AVRI 62’s, I disagree. They have different specs delivered at the same level of craftsmanship. Different pickups, different neck profiles, different styles of finish on the body and the neck, etc. I own both AVRI JM’s and an AV65 JM. They are both very well made. I happen to prefer my AVRI’s to the AV65 but both series are very fine guitars. It’s more a matter of which set of specs one prefers rather than one being better than the other.

A used MIM Lacquer is probably the best bang for your buck on any offset with a Fender logo.

Agreed. I refer to them As the MVRI series. I have a C60s JM as well and I’d challenge anyone to a blind test between it and my AVRI’s. A $700ish used C60s is A LOT of value. I’d 10x rather pick one up at that price than the MIJ/CIJ’s I’ve owned and subsequently sold.