X-390PW - one more time

Let's try this again.

Only 96 of these guitars were made 1986-7. The only modification I have made to this guitar is to replace the regular behind-the-nut string lock with a Kahler Deluxe (tool-less) string lock as shown in pictures. I can (probably) put the old string lock back on the guitar if you prefer. This is a $100+ upgrade and Kahler doesn't make this part anymore. It plays great with low action and all electronics work. It has the tiniest bit of play wear on the frets and the pickup covers show some pick marks as well. It has a pro setup and plays great. As far as blemishes on the body - there are maybe 3-4 marks, none go through the finish into the wood, and only one appears to go through the clear coat. The pointy tip of the headstock is still there - rare for pointy guitars of this age. The Kahler Pro tremolo is in fine working condition and I have the original bar with tip. Also includes original hardshell case.

$1500 + shipping.

Will trade for a Gibson Les Paul Standard, Classic, or Custom.


X-390PW on Craigslist

The only thing I can offer in trade is a Vandenberg Custom in white. Interested? Not surprised if the answer is no.
Not in the market to purchase, though. No cash after buying an x390 off the 'bay for $850.

That Vandy custom may draw a bigger selling price than the X390 will. Vandy fans are as rabid as we are!

Yeah, I'd lose significant cash/resale value in that trade.

But it would be an even trade in functionality, workmanship, and rarity.

And I'm perhaps temporarily insane from the notion that the trade would mean I have cornered fully 3.125% of the Pantera x390 market.

But perhaps you are right: the smarter way to do it would be to sell the Vandy Custom and wait for the next x390 to pop up on eBay and pocket the difference.

Brainfertilizer wrote:Yeah, I'd lose significant cash/resale value in that trade.

But it would be an even trade in functionality, workmanship, and rarity.

And I'm perhaps temporarily insane from the notion that the trade would mean I have cornered fully 3.125% of the Pantera x390 market.

But perhaps you are right: the smarter way to do it would be to sell the Vandy Custom and wait for the next x390 to pop up on eBay and pocket the difference.

3.125% - pish posh.

I've owned a total of 5 X-390 guitars - fully 5.208% of the total produced.

I am only aware of the Vandenbergs in passing. Looking on Ebay, I see that they have sold recently for $200-2600, and there's a 'best offer' one right now with an ask price of $6500. How do you price these?

Lol! You can't price those Vandy's, they go all over. The first run Vandys are from $500 - $1000, the Customs and puzzles are much, much more.

I found that the pickup covers from my X-390CB were in better shape, so I put them on this PW. This guitar is GORGEOUS! Feel free to make an offer.

I think I've asked this before so if you've already answered it please forgive my bad memory but how new or old an LP Custom are you willing to consider a trade on?

Ice - I have no real preference. You tell me. But it must be a Gibson.

If I had to choose between the Pantera and the Vandy i'd stick with the pantera. The look of the pantera seems to have stood the test of time better. To me the Vandy screams big hair, spandex and glitter.

westcoaster wrote: To me the Vandy screams big hair, spandex and glitter.

To me, too. I'm baffled as to why that's a problem.


On a more serious note, I am strongly considering selling the Vandy Custom. I like the flamed maple fretboard, and I like the idea of owning something rare and sought after...

...but the action is medium, and the non-original pickups don't really impress me. I actually like my Vandy Std better. I go in the red on the guitar fund to get the X390CB and a few other guitars recently (including a blue Challenger! Woot!), and need to sell some to get back down below 40 (max for neat storage in our place), so this one is a strong candidate to move just to get the guitar fund back in the black.

I really need some money and I need it by Thursday.

So I will let this gorgeous piece go for $1000 delivered CONUS if you can get me cash/paypal by Thursday. If the money arrives late, I'll send it back, and no deal.

From wiki - "Conus is a large genus of small to large predatory sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs, with the common names of cone snails, cone shells or cones."

So I guess Hoax and Westbone qualify for the free delivery.

Oooh err Missus, no don't titter!!

You are a cheeky monkey!!

Hoax

Sorry I can be of no help, Colt.

Much as I would love to the tax man has taken his pound of flesh, and more than several drops of blood.

I think ya should keep it. you've had a bunch of the 390's and this is a really nice one.

sarcaster wrote:I think ya should keep it. you've had a bunch of the 390's and this is a really nice one.

You're right of course. But I sold it to a member here, so at least it goes to a good home.

But I still have another one.

Glad to hear of it Colt, but sorry for the circumstances that apparently forced the sale.

So, cough it up Mr. NewOwner... which one of you is the proud new papa?

Not me, I feel bad. Colts had a lot of nice 390's, and I wouldn't have bought it if I had the cash since I know he loves them that much. But it does suck to need to sell guitars - I've been there, and have regretted it every time. I want all the guitars I have sold back

Hmmm...I feel bad BECAUSE it is not me that ended up with it.

Not enough cash, all went to the two X390s that aren't as good as the one he sold.

Brainfertilizer wrote:Hmmm...I feel bad BECAUSE it is not me that ended up with it.

Not enough cash, all went to the two X390s that aren't as good as the one he sold.

Which 2 do have? did you see my Swap post for a 350 for a 390?

I saw it, and I was getting really excited because one of them is a CB...but then I saw that you did NOT want one with a Bendmaster. My X390CB has a Bendmaster.

The PW is the one with the broken/solidly-repaired headstock, but some minor electronics problems. But it has a Kahler trem, at least.

The CB that I still have - has the Bendmaster. And the headstock is repaired.

If you could have the chance to get all five of them back Colt, strictly to have the opportunity to choose one of them for keeps, which one would it be?

Inquiring mind(s) want to know...



**EDIT** Oh yeah, and which one of you characters is playing hard to get and not coming forward to claim title as the new owner of Colt's ex?? You should be very proud you know, after all it is the 2nd nicest x300pw out there ...

Iceman wrote:If you could have the chance to get all five of them back Colt, strictly to have the opportunity to choose one of them for keeps, which one would it be?

Inquiring mind(s) want to know...



**EDIT** Oh yeah, and which one of you characters is playing hard to get and not coming forward to claim title as the new owner of Colt's ex?? You should be very proud you know, after all it is the 2nd nicest x300pw out there ...

There was one CB with a Kahler that played better than the rest. They all play pretty good but that one was pretty much the 'finest instrument I have ever played.' At least that's what a friend of mine told me. I spent many hours tweaking the setup and it was just superb. Super low action, no buzz, good sustain all the way up to the 24th fret. And those guitars have the biggest frets I've ever seen - bigger than Dunlop 6100 wire. The combination of neck profile, fingerboard radius, and gigantic frets, all combine to make a really fast playing guitar that requires and also helps promote a light touch.

But...as time goes by, tastes change. And at this point in my life, I don't really like the way any of them sound. They're BRIGHT! Swapping out the pickups helps a lot. I had a DM tone zone in the CB with the Bendmaster, and it sounded great with that pickup. And I've found that I just don't like the sound of a neck pickup on a 24 fret guitar. It doesn't matter what kind of pickup, with a 24 fret neck, the pickup is just not in the right place.

What if you could re-make that guitar with a mahogany body and neck? Now that might sound GREAT!

The fret size has always been the key "X" factor that has caused the x390 to stand out from a playability standpoint from nearly every other guitar 'round here, and for the same reason you hit upon Colt... the lightness of touch necessary.

My wife has smaller and delicate hands/fingers so that comes quite naturally to her, and is the greatest preservative factor in why her guitars hold onto their condition I suppose. The x390 has by far the largest frets by the same noticeable margin that her '69 LPC has the smallest and those two she always rates as being nearly self-playing and effortless. The smoothness of the ebony fingerboard on each help out too I reckon, but the frets primarily are responsible IMHO.

My 390 has medium frets, and I'm nearly positive they are the original, although mine is or was a DBK

AHA!!!!

Could it be that our International Man of Mystery has finally shown himself to have the minerals to confess???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAn7baRbhx4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Wow, Abalone? I like it!

That's what I thought jim but it's just a coloured decal..

Ya - on my 350 it sanded away in a few passes - not Abalone

Alright Mike, you've strung us along far enough now... 'Fess up yea or nay before someone gets hurt.

that would be an emphatic
YES

it just arrived friday and i've been so busy i've only had a few minutes to play
but oh boy oh boy oh boy...i'm a happy boy yessirreeee!

many many thanks to colt933 for passing along such an amazing guitar

You lucky plucker..

I trust then that a full account if your impressions and thoughts will be forthcoming?

Congratulations to you Mike! You've indeed reached a pinnacle... of sorts.

Lucky bastid.