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This thread started out offering 1 Patrick Eggle Berlin, but has evolved signficantly. To avoid confusion, here's what's left... a choice of one of two Patrick James Eggles offered for sale (only to fund another PJE):
SOLD - Patrick Eggle Berlin Standard - 1992
Background
If you’ve been keeping an eye on Patrick Eggle guitars in recent years you’ll know that prices seem to have gone all over the place, perhaps affected by the success of Patrick James Eggle’s newer models alongside Covid and other market factors.
So here’s a rare chance to get a very early example of Patrick’s flagship Berlin model at a very sensible price.
About the guitar...
In the very early days of Patrick Eggle Guitars 1991-1992) there were just 3 variants of the Berlin available – the differences between the models were subtle and most simply summarised as:
There was also another unique feature for this period which was the absence of a volute behind the nut – it’s alleged that the first models had hand carved necks and carving in a volute was labour intensive so this was added once necks moved to CNC carving – I can’t confirm the truth of this, and it may remain one of the lovely myths of a small guitar maker.
This is a 1992 model of the Berlin Standard, and apart from the model variations above, the rest of the spec is standard for the Berlin of that era:
These guitars are wonderfully made with a beautiful ergonomic design which along with the 25” scale length and lovely slim C neck carve makes them very easy and comfortable to play.
Tonally it’s relatively versatile with quite a hot sound from the humbuckers (with everything on 10) but roll back the volume or tone and you can get thinner or warmer tones. It’s handles rock and higher gain settings with ease, but with the tone knocked back a tad you can get a range of nice bluesier or jazzier voices that work well with clean settings. It plays and holds its tuning very well.
This particular example is all original with no modifications.
Condition
This guitar is a fantastic example of an instrument which has been very well looked after, but equally well used – as it should be. What I mean by that, is that there is plenty of evidence of use but in a cared for and not abused or neglected way. As such, there are very few dings (a small one on the upper edge of the body, a couple of marks on the back of the neck and also headstock) but there is natural wear and aging as follows:
Body – the creamy / ivory finish to the body has lost its glossy shine and now has a more matt and subdued feel with some wear, discolouration and surface marks to the front and back
Neck – like the body, the once glossy finish to the neck has worn to a more matt feel and there are a few little dings to the back of the neck. The frets have some notches of wear in the usual areas, but I have given these a light re-dress and polish and they play very well with a nice shiny finish. The truss rod works and the neck is straight.
Hardware and electronics – all the hardware is in good working order as are the pickups and pots/switches, although the tone knob itself appears to have a bit of a crack inside (only cosmetic)
Case – the guitar comes with the original TKL made rectangle case that Eggle used prior to Hiscox – this is in well used condition, still perfectly functional but has a split at one end and some damage to the feet.
Price: £675 £650 £625 can be posted at buyer's expense and risk - Parcelforce 24 for about £14)
Lots of pictures to enjoy!
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Comments
Thanks - I certainly believe this to be true, but it was how the whole volute background hangs together that I didn't want to be too absolute about.
What that leaves us with is... a corker of a guitar from a coveted period for a fair price price.
Bump for what looks a lovely guitar with the build quality and look of a 90's UK version of a PRS.
So, as per the updated first post, here's the second of the 2 Berlins available - I'll spare you much of the earlier background which is the same for both guitars and get right on with the details:
About the guitar...
This is a 1993 model of the Berlin Pro, with the following spec:
These guitars are wonderfully made with a beautiful ergonomic design which along with the 25” scale length and lovely slim C neck carve makes them very easy and comfortable to play.
I've given the guitar a full set up and everything plays and functions perfectly - even that notoriously difficult to set up trem is absolutely spot on and floats when the arm is lifted and locks when the arm is lowered.
Condition
This guitar comes set up and ready to use, but does have some signs of age. As the pictures (hopefully) show, there are lots of little marks and dings around the edges (and a few little blemishes to the surface) of the body. Similarly, the neck has a few little marks to the back, although the frets are great with minimal wear.
The truss rod cover is cracked so has been replaced with one I've made (original included).
The hardware and electronics all function as they should.
Case – the guitar comes with the original Hiscox case – this has some evidence of use but is still in great condition
Price: £850 £825 can be posted at buyer's expense and risk - Parcelforce 24 for about £14)
Got to love Fretboard…..
I bought a Berlin Pro for not much less than that a couple of years ago before the whole Covid era inflation kicked in. (Matt and others on here have always been very helpful and kind in terms of giving me advice and guidance on the breed - thanks Matt - but that's as an aside.). The feeling of quality you get when you pick up one of these early Eggles, is nothing like what you get off almost any mass-produced stuff fetching that or a helluva lot more on the used market.
Am I biased - hell yes. But if you get the chance sometime, try one and see.
I've spent a lot of time with these two guitars in the last couple of days and really am struggling with the decision of which one to sell - I bought them as a pair with the intention of selling one, but am now wondering if I should keep both and sell one of my Patrick James Eggle 96 models instead!!!
In summary:
The Berlin Standard (white one) has a more straight forward rock n roll approach with a slightly more vintage voice from the pickups - not quite as hot and a little less bright
The Berlin Pro (cherryburst) has all the bells and whistles and a bigger/brighter sound with a lot of versatility from the SD pickups and judicious use of the volume control
For now, these remain available but my head is a mess :-)
For those interested here's the PJE 96 - this was his NAMM exhibition model and features in one of Peach Guitars' videos from NAMM (2018 iirc) - price would be £2200:
https://www.studiowear.co.uk/ -
https://twitter.com/spark240
Facebook - m.me/studiowear.co.uk
Reddit r/newmusicreview
GLWTS, if there's any sense left in the world they won't hang about at those prices.
So:
£650 for the Berlin Standard (ivory)
£825 for the Berlin Pro (burst)