I need advice with an Pawn Shop Acoustic

[clarkbar]

I've been looking for a decent Acoustic/Electric to hold me over for a while (until I can save for a nice Seagull) I was in a local pawn shop and I found a (what I believe to be a 90's Epiphone pr5e/vs (vintage sunburst kinda reddish). Guy wants $125 but I believe if I walk in with $100 I can get it. The only problem other than some general wear is a crack in the bridge that runs along all the peg holes. It's by no means large but it runs as long a 6 peg holes. The bridge lookd dry also. It doesn't affect the tone at all (it actually is very sweet) but it makes me wonder if it's a deal breaker? How much could it cost for a new bridge in the event that one gives out? Everything else seems to be flawless.

edit: here's a pic from the web (NOT ACTUAL) for reference. the sunburst is Vintage Sunburst

[pumpkin]

The only problem other than some general wear is a crack in the bridge that runs along all the peg holes. It's by no means large but it runs as long a 6 peg holes.

walk away

[onezero4u]

keep looking my friend. that crack will only get worse

[clarkbar]

yea you got a point. i'll stick with the Ibanez v70CE, or maybe just bite the bullet and get a seagull now

[TieDye]

Don't walk away, RUN! The price of putting a whole new bridge on it will cost < $200.00 most places.

[paul_]

yea you got a point. i'll stick with the Ibanez v70CE, or maybe just bite the bullet and get a seagull now

While you may not have the immediate funds for a Seagull handy, and I know they cost a lot more than $100... they aren't biting the bullet, they're kicking the surgeon in the face instead. Amazing value for money, beautiful sounding guitars, I think they perform alongside acoustics costing FAR more.

[clarkbar]

yea you got a point. i'll stick with the Ibanez v70CE, or maybe just bite the bullet and get a seagull now

While you may not have the immediate funds for a Seagull handy, and I know they cost a lot more than $100... they aren't biting the bullet, they're kicking the surgeon in the face instead. Amazing value for money, beautiful sounding guitars, I think they perform alongside acoustics costing FAR more.

amen brother! i played an S6 at GC and had the same epiphany i had with the mustang: "WOW i WILL own one of these someday!!"

[mickie08]

def run away. It is not worth it for that. Also, a bridge cracked like that may show that the guitar was not taken care of and you could have the whole top coming apart the next major temp change...

I feel for you though as I ma trying to find a cheaper acousitc until I can order a Martin or Taylor (few months away it seems) and need it to sound and play pretty well off tha bat as I will be gigging it right away.

I am leaning towards one of the new breedlove passports or a lower end Takamine but have had issues with Taks.

[crazydave911]

Well, I guess I'm a little biased here, since I've done that sort of repair, and seen that kind of damage. For me, it would be more than worth it. Those korean Epis had some decent wood in them (mostly). The parts are 30$ at Stew-Mac, so it depends on you or a friend's skill set.
It works like this, those guitars had solid tops with (mostly) ply sides and decent mahogany necks. The bridges and fretboards on the other hand were usually cheap indian rosewood (madagascar in a few cases). They were cheap 2nds and 3rd grade stock rubbed with an oil-based stain to darken then to match good rosewood. This has a side effect on cheap wood, acting as a conditioner and keeping it flexible. Let it get a few months old, put it in a cheap chipboard case, throw it in a back seat to let the sun cook it. Bang, you get a split bridge, esp if some idiot REALLY pushed the bridge pins in the last string change. Most times the top is just fine.
My point is, you couldn't buy the wood it's made of for 100$, so if your handy it's a steal. But they only sold for 160$ new (and were worth it) and are worth around 300$ (with case) with a good setup done. Your call