Okay, I hope this is not too complicated of a story but here goes...
My little family of guitars is almost complete. One more out of the shop and I will have three (almost) identical pieces: a 6 string, a 12 string and a classical. My problem is I have another 6 string that no longer "fits". It is a really nice guitar, a Yamaha LL 11. It has a sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides (my luthier says it is mahogany plywood) with a rosewood neck and fretboard. It is in beautiful shape. I sent a description to Elderly, and the owner sent back an estimate of $450 - 500 (usd) as its value.
I am thinking of perhaps down the road sometime adding another 6 string to my "family", but I would like it to be a high end Martin, Collings, Larrivee or some such (or maybe have another custom made). The problem is that the guitar would be cheaper than the divorce, as the Mrs. Freightdawg has been most gracious and accomodating with my Guitar Acquisition Syndrome to this point, but I don't know how far I can push it. So I am asking for my esteemed Mudcat friends for some advice.
I would like the guitar to go to a good home - one where it would be treated right and maybe even get out of the house now and then. I've considered placing it on the Mudcat auction, but I need to get a good price out of it, and I don't want to appear greedy. That way the Mudcat would get a pretty good percentage, too. Or, I could sell it through consignment at Elderly, or I could sell it on consignment here where I live (a risky shot, at best.) Or I could keep it as an eventual trade-in against the high-end guitar. (It would have about a $350 trade-in value).
Those of you who know guitars - is $500 a good price for a 6 year old guitar Yamaha? (I paid $700 for it new). It would come with a TKL hard shell case and a capo.