Another Liquid

[tobijohn]

Bad news... Saw this used one this morning on Reverb with the better headstock. Missing trem arm, pickguard redrilled, pickups no longer match, dings. Let's just sell it for $126 more than Rondo is selling them new?
https://reverb.com/item/41228098-sx-lef ... 8-sunburst

On one hand, how do they justify being far beyond new pricing when Liquids still sell new? On the other hand, if Kurt permanently discontinues the Liquid, the ridiculous high prices will probably win and keep going up, making all our Liquids valuable.

Lately, I've been constantly baffled by the pricing on most used Agile/SX/Douglas guitars. OTOH, if a trashed AL-2500 that once upon a time was owned by @honyock goes for $255 before shipping, what can you say? If that is the new norm, I think most of us have bought our last used Rondo guitars.

There are meme stocks priced at outrageous levels far beyond what the traditional fundamentals would indicate so why not meme guitars?

On another note, I do like that idea of moving the control knobs back. I've got a Liquid that's slated for an eventual custom pickguard with mini-humbuckers that I'll try that with...

[honyock]

Bad news... Saw this used one this morning on Reverb with the better headstock. Missing trem arm, pickguard redrilled, pickups no longer match, dings. Let's just sell it for $126 more than Rondo is selling them new?
https://reverb.com/item/41228098-sx-lef ... 8-sunburst

On one hand, how do they justify being far beyond new pricing when Liquids still sell new? On the other hand, if Kurt permanently discontinues the Liquid, the ridiculous high prices will probably win and keep going up, making all our Liquids valuable.

Lately, I've been constantly baffled by the pricing on most used Agile/SX/Douglas guitars. OTOH, if a trashed AL-2500 that once upon a time was owned by [mention]honyock[/mention] goes for $255 before shipping, what can you say? If that is the new norm, I think most of us have bought our last used Rondo guitars.

There are meme stocks priced at outrageous levels far beyond what the traditional fundamentals would indicate so why not meme guitars?

On another note, I do like that idea of moving the control knobs back. I've got a Liquid that's slated for an eventual custom pickguard with mini-humbuckers that I'll try that with...

And to think I felt like a big baller getting $200 plus shipping out of my excellent condition SJM...

[dabbler]

Seller believes that the old headstock is more desirable, and therefore someone is willing to pay a premium to get it.

They are probably right.

[tobijohn]

Seller believes that the old headstock is more desirable, and therefore someone is willing to pay a premium to get it.

They are probably right.

The only way I 'd pay $325 for a Liquid is if it could also cook, clean my house and based on my past experience, signed a pre-nup....

[mickey]

Seller believes that the old headstock is more desirable, and therefore someone is willing to pay a premium to get it.

They are probably right.

I've always liked the old headstock better myself.

[dabbler]

Seller believes that the old headstock is more desirable, and therefore someone is willing to pay a premium to get it.

They are probably right.

I've always liked the old headstock better myself.

Me too, as a general rule. But I've actually gotten used to the "spear" headstock on my tele style and Liquid guitars.

[Brendan]

I like that red lefty SJM on Reverb.
https://reverb.com/item/41079715-sx-lef ... t=41079715
More pricing absurdity. Think Kurt would do a run of these?

[tobijohn]

I like that red lefty SJM on Reverb.
https://reverb.com/item/41079715-sx-lef ... t=41079715
More pricing absurdity. Think Kurt would do a run of these?

So did all the SJMs have the Fender style Jazz/Jag/Mustang bridge and trem?

[Brendan]

I like that red lefty SJM on Reverb.
https://reverb.com/item/41079715-sx-lef ... t=41079715
More pricing absurdity. Think Kurt would do a run of these?

So did all the SJMs have the Fender style Jazz/Jag/Mustang bridge and trem?

I think so, but I could be wrong.
I sure like that red one.

[mickey]

Uh, no.
Some had T.O.M.'s & stop tails.

[honyock]

There were some SJM Roller versions for example, though pics in listing show the Jazzmaster bridge with threaded saddles.

https://www.rondomusic.com/sjm62vwh.html

SJM 57 with stoptail.
https://www.rondomusic.com/product1766.html

[BatUtilityBelt]

I like that red lefty SJM on Reverb.
https://reverb.com/item/41079715-sx-lef ... t=41079715
More pricing absurdity. Think Kurt would do a run of these?

I like it too, but agree the "used upcharge" is too absurd to counter-offer. I honestly think the Liquid could have a big market if actually marketed.

[tobijohn]

So did all the SJMs have the Fender style Jazz/Jag/Mustang bridge and trem?

I think so, but I could be wrong.
I sure like that red one.

It's too bad the new ones with TOMs couldn't be retrofitted with that style of trem but because of the dimensions and location, the tail piece stud anchor holes would be left exposed. I guess you could try matching the finish after plugging them but that's a project in itself. The current Harley Benton version has the same TOM setup and old Reville version uses a Strat style trem...

[BatUtilityBelt]

It's too bad the new ones with TOMs couldn't be retrofitted with that style of trem but because of the dimensions and location, the tail piece stud anchor holes would be left exposed. I guess you could try matching the finish after plugging them but that's a project in itself. The current Harley Benton version has the same TOM setup and old Reville version uses a Strat style trem...

I don't know how well the Liquid trems actually do, so I'm spitballing a bit here. When I have a choice between a stop tail and a finicky trem, I prefer the stop tail. I'm only ok with a tremolo if it somewhat reliably keeps returning in tune in non-aggressive use.

[tobijohn]

It's too bad the new ones with TOMs couldn't be retrofitted with that style of trem but because of the dimensions and location, the tail piece stud anchor holes would be left exposed. I guess you could try matching the finish after plugging them but that's a project in itself. The current Harley Benton version has the same TOM setup and old Reville version uses a Strat style trem...

I don't know how well the Liquid trems actually do, so I'm spitballing a bit here. When I have a choice between a stop tail and a finicky trem, I prefer the stop tail. I'm only ok with a tremolo if it somewhat reliably keeps returning in tune in non-aggressive use.

I posted this link earlier in another thread but according to the author, the trem/bridge design is not flawed, it's the ignorance surrounding the setup:

https://www.premierguitar.com/diy/guita ... ster-setup.

Anyway, it's impractical to try to retrofit any of these models with TOM setups but would be nice is if there was a reasonably priced bolt-on alternative. I've heard good things about the Duesenberg and there's a Bigsby option with a supplemental piece but they're not cheap. And of course, a dearth of left-handed options...

[Brendan]

[tobijohn]

What is that?

[Brendan]

That’s a home brew liquid body that accommodates a Fender neck. Reverse headstock would be a nice fit

[Brendan]

Check out that input jack

[Buddha Pickups]

I actually like having the jazzmaster trem with a tune o matic. A roller bridge works perfectly.
I actually have 2 ash SJMs/Liquids, im selling one of them as soon as I can but this one stays. Terrible pic but you get the idea.

[tobijohn]

Check out that input jack

Is that one you put together?

[Brendan]

Check out that input jack

Is that one you put together?

No, I found that on offsetguitars.com. Lots of cool build projects there.

[tobijohn]

If it helps any with any modification preplanning, here are a couple of shots of my CAR Liquid which I assume has the same routs as your LPB. My LPB was from an earlier run and has the switch on the lower bout.

I've got a set of chrome covered P90s from a mid 2000s PRS that are going in this one along with full sized 500K pots and a CRL switch:

[BatUtilityBelt]

If it helps any with any modification preplanning, here are a couple of shots of my CAR Liquid which I assume has the same routs as your LPB. My LPB was from an earlier run and has the switch on the lower bout.

I've got a set of chrome covered P90s from a mid 2000s PRS that are going in this one along with full sized 500K pots and a CRL switch:

Thanks! I was guessing it was a swimming pool rout, but didn't expect the blocks between the pickups. I'm guessing they're just to give the PG a more rigid seat. Also, I would have thought they'd have both switch positions routed already since they have made Liquids with the switch in either side of the upper bout.

[BatUtilityBelt]

Liquid on my front porch today. Apparently they pack them differently now - in a tight air tube burrito.

No damage, no flaws that I can find. Action and pickup heights were horrible, but those adjusted out fine. Only a couple of the fret ends need any filing at all, they're pretty good for this price. Plays well and sounds good. I prefer the look of the older (more heavily tinted) neck more, but the carve feels the same, so that's good and more important. With the alder body, it weighs in at a scant 8 lbs 1 oz, and I honestly think my older basswood body one is heavier.

While $200 is a lot more than the $135 they used to sell for, it's worth remembering everyone has been hiking their prices across these 7 or so years, and that $200 is still an absolute steal for a guitar that looks, plays, and sounds good.

I like the color. I'll take my time considering whether I want to remove the middle pickup. So far it doesn't seem in the way, though I did accidentally hit the pickup selector playing once.