Gibson Skylark GA-5T Crestline

[Pdavis68]

Someone local is selling a Gibson Skylark GA-5T Crestline for $150. It needs some work. Probably needs to be recapped and retubed and may need a new speaker. Cosmetically, however, it looks amazing. I've attached a couple of pictures. Would it be worth buying, fixing up and reselling?

[Resonator Guy]

If it works at all it is worth getting for $150. Looks to be in real good shape.

[g1]

As far as flipping for profit, how much would you put in, and how much more do you think you could get for it?
Here's some sold prices:
gibson skylark ga-5t | eBay

[Pdavis68]

Thanks, that's what I needed to see. I didn't know you could get the sold prices. The prices I see them posted for are far higher and I suspected that they may be unreasonable prices (there are a number on Reverb.com running from $350, with 2 at the $700 or so mark). At $250, it wouldn't be worth it, since I could end up needing to spend that much on a speaker. Thanks.

[g1]

Yes, I just found out recently you can refine your search on ebay to show only sold, or only completed listings (completed would include items ended but not sold).
It's in the left hand column under "show only" heading.
Otherwise, there are many very unrealistic "asking" prices under "buy it now" listings.

[Chuck H]

Yes, I just found out recently you can refine your search on ebay to show only sold, or only completed listings (completed would include items ended but not sold).
It's in the left hand column under "show only" heading.
Otherwise, there are many very unrealistic "asking" prices under "buy it now" listings.

+1
I've been using that feature for years. Maybe ten! And yes, they still include "buy it now" prices for "sold" auctions regardless of how they ended. Auctions that were ended with an "offer" price have the asking price lined through. Great tool... In some ways.

I still miss the days when there were "pawn shop prizes". I was visiting here in the PNW for a decade before I moved here. Twenty years ago you could walk into a local pawn shop and you might find a Traynor Guitarmate or Bassmaster for $200!!! Not so anymore. I suppose it's better this way overall but once upon a time a smart guy had an edge before "information technologies".

At $150 for the amp + restoration parts and time (I dunno) it looks like a keep and play or just a fun project based on the sold prices that are for that version of the amp (there are several). I had one of the later versions on the bench once. I remember liking it. Not very loud (even for it's small size) and weak bass, but the tone had other properties in spades that I liked.

[Pdavis68]

Oh well, it already got snagged by someone. There's a music store down here owned by a guy who repairs amps. I suspect he buys up a lot of these. His shop is wall-to-wall old amps. Maybe 300-400 amps, the vast majority are tube and none of them new. He probably bought it. Love checking their stuff out.

[Chuck H]

There's a music store down here owned by a guy who repairs amps. I suspect he buys up a lot of these. His shop is wall-to-wall old amps. Maybe 300-400 amps, the vast majority are tube and none of them new.

Need "drooling" emoticon. That sounds like too much fun. Even if they're not all high dollar collectibles.