What happened? SRV #1 guitars rocketed up in price after they came out at the 2004 NAMM convention, and are now worth (arguably) anywhere between $42,000 (the one sold at the Eric Clapton Crossroads Auction on June 24, 2004), and in the range of $28,000 to $45,000 (at auction on EBay). Meanwhile, the EVH Frankenstrats actually dropped in 'value', and I have seen them go unsold on EBay at $15,000 (they were originally sold for $25,000 by Guitar Center). The Jeff Beck Esquires came out at $15,000, and now trade between $7500 and $9000... the $9000 for those buyers that want a brand new guitar, from a good source. The Andy Summers Tele's are currently going as low as the high 6's, (with a man in Texas a few months ago on EBay with one at that price, due to a distressed sale). Now the new 'Lenny' Replica's are out...I will say one thing... My Jeff Beck Esquire is about the best sounding guitar I have ever owned, and was built by Dennis Galuszka, who for my mind is the best of the best builders out there right now... hence why Andy Summers has been touring with a guitar built by Dennis, while on his Police tour. If you can snag ANY guitar, built by Dennis (with the numbers next to his signature, on the back of the headstock... Not the ones that have just his signature) you are getting a guitar that would easily cost you $10,000 if ordered custom from the factory, by Dennis. So if you are a true player, I WOULD highly recommend you buying an Andy Summers Tele or Jeff Beck Esquire... if you can get one at a good price right now. Also... the Andy Summers Tele's will come with a neat pre-amp, which I personally would love to try out.
