I have a chance to buy a Gibson Custom Master Model here locally. It is a beautiful mandolin and apparently it is a one off. The wood for back & sides is highly figured. The construction is a cross of models with a Sam Bush neck and a Doyle Lawson body. Built in 2012 and signed by David Harvey. It has never been played but has been stored in it's case for the last 9 years. I was not terribly impressed by the tone, but then it's never had a chance to open up with little to no playing. It is in mint condition. Not a scratch nor ding. It looks better than any mandolin I've played new in a store. Seller is asking $9k which is less money than I've seen most Master Models go for.
My question is, because it's not been played should it be worth less or worth more as a used instrument? Are there less buyers in the world for a custom Master Model? Is it a smaller group of pickers that would want to own this instrument? Would only a collector want to buy it? I'm not a collector. Would a regular Master Model have better for re-sale than a custom one off?
The reason I ask is because I am totally tempted to buy it, but I am worried that if I buy it and don't like it, will I be able to re-sell it? or will it just sit forever waiting for the right buyer? I am also worried that I will buy it and then be afraid to play it and scratch it so it will just end up sitting in it's case for more time. I've never owned a mandolin this beautiful and my main mando now is fairly dinged up from constant playing and gigging.
So many of you guys here are more knowledgeable than I and have experience and advise that might give me some insight. I apologize in advance for such a lame question.
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