Prices on Baja Telecasters

Deijavoo

Ever since I sold my '52 Reissue I've hankered after one of these as a cheaper alternative and never got round to it. The prices totally fox me though, when I first looked at them they were £349 brand new, now you can't get them used for that. The few I've played were cool but are they really worth nearly double now (new) in 5 years?

Maybe I'm a scrooge.

fretfinder

I thought they went for £350-£400 used.

badlydrawnbanjo

£600+ for a new one and about £350 is about average for a used one. There's been a fair few bought and sold on the old forum, myself included. They're really good value for money and there's some great tones to be had out of the S1 switching. But they can be on the heavy side for a telecaster.

thomasw88

They're ok.. But for that 2nd hand value there is plenty of competition. Levinson blades go for that and IMO they are far far better guitars.

flyman

   A few years ago I tried a baja and a highway one and i've never regretted plumping for the latter.
 Nitro & basic p.u. switching helped sway the choice.
   Mind you,people ask silly money for both these days...

Deijavoo

I just can't justify the new pricing when I sold my '52 for £700. I also like the sound of the Highway One thick necks if I'm right? 

flyman

  Yeah, deffo chunkyish, but not 50's,I think(not too up on me neck profiles)

chrisj1602

The Mexican prices do seem to have gone up. I've got a 72 Custom, cost me £650, they used to be a fair bit less and and they're even more now. Good guitar though. I've played a baja, I think they are worth the money but there's plenty 2nd hand do that's what I'd get.

Deijavoo

I bought a 72 mexican custom about 10 years ago. Always regretted selling it. 

SimpleSimon

Deijavoo said:

I just can't justify the new pricing when I sold my '52 for £700. I also like the sound of the Highway One thick necks if I'm right? 

Its all relative as the price for a '52 will have gone up too. Your right though, the CP series were a bargain when they came out but - have almost doubled in price, along with the Squier Classic Vibes which started around £179 but are now £300+ its crazy how in a global downturn the prices of new guitars has risen, i bought a new Gibson LP standard in 2005 for £1300 a standard is now nearer £2000 new!

Deijavoo

Yeah I paid £999 for my Les Paul Classic. Sold it for £1350 not more than 7 years later so I'm actually a total hypocrite.  ha ha  

monquixote

I bought a US G&L for £500 you won't find a bigger bargain than that. 

Deijavoo

You are fond of that guitar hey?  I must try one. 

monquixote

G&L are approaching US Custom shop quality IMO and they go secondhand for stupid prices. 

Deijavoo

Which model was it you went for again? 

siremoon

I have a Baja and it is a pretty decent guitar in my view.  Mine has got that lovely tele "quack" to it.

They do vary in weight quite considerably - one I tried was very heavy indeed - so the "try before you buy" adage is very applicable I think

monquixote

Deijavoo said:

Which model was it you went for again? 

I've got an ASAT Special. 

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b197/monquixote/IMG_20130714_171641_zps32a2c470.jpg

Was at Gearfest East yesterday. 

Deijavoo

Delicious that mate. 

Moos3h

You might want to try keeping an eye out for the 'Lite Ash' telecaster too - these come up second hand every now and then and are just lovely.  The neck, to me, feels fairly similar if slightly less chunky but has the added bonus of lots of birdseye maple.

Tasty!

monquixote

Funnily enough I was playing @ESBlonde Lite Ash yesterday. Twas very nice. 

juansolo

siremoon said:

I have a Baja and it is a pretty decent guitar in my view.  Mine has got that lovely tele "quack" to it.

They do vary in weight quite considerably - one I tried was very heavy indeed - so the "try before you buy" adage is very applicable I think

The 1/2lb of lacquer on mine was quite impressive:

The whole thing is 7lbs dead on now.