Jorg wrote:
My honest opinion, I'm not sure I'd pay $800 for an R80. I know for fact I won't pay $800 for an RX80. I'd hold out for the R80. I'm pretty sure a used RX80 won't be nearly as expensive if an R80 doesn't show up.
I haven't seen a used RX80 anywhere. Not on ebay, craigslist - nothing. The people that have bought them seem to be very happy with them.
And it's more like $700 for the RX80 and $100 for the case (since it comes with a case).
For me the first thing is the design of the guitar, and on that count both the R80 and RX80 are equal (same specs/designs). The condition of the guitar is important, so a brand new guitar wins out there.
The intangible is the Matsumoku or Not Matsumoku factor. We all know that the Mats made guitars are VERY well made. While I'm sure that the RX80's are well made, too, there seems to be something intangible about the guitars made by Matsumoku (and whichever facility made the 70's and 80's Ibanez Artist series). With the Ibanez guitars the AR300 reissues from about 10 years ago were nowhere near as good as the AR300's from 20 years earlier. The reissues were made in Korea and not Japan, and while many Korean made guitars are extremely well made these sounded thin. There was something about the factory in Japan that made a difference.
With my PE SPL it's got a MUCH better sound (both acoustically and plugged in) than the Ibanez Artist reissues from 10 years ago, so I would imagine that the RX80's are also really, really good (if a lower end model plays and sounds that good then I'm confident that the top end from the same facility will meet or exceed expectations). Again, a 1981-1983 R80 would be my first choice, all things being equal. The problem has been finding one in decent condition at a price I can afford.
I've been looking for an R80 for about 8 weeks and the only ones I've found so far have been in less than great condition but just barely above my price range
or in very good condition but
way above my price range. Have the PE-R80's gone where the Ibanez 2619's and AR300's were 6 or 7 years ago in terms of value?
What have you guys seen in recent months?
Again, THANKS!