20-year old bouzouki; how to determine it's value?

[gkaiser]

I purchased a bouzouki on a trip to Athens, about 20 years ago; we hung it on the wall as art (I don't play). As we're now downsizing, I am interested in selling it. I don't remember much about the purchase - just that I thought it was quite expensive at the time. I found quite a few pictures of Matsikas on eBay, some of which look almost identical to mine - but I'm not comfortable representing this as a Matsikas just based on pictures; it has no manufacturer markings.
I'm looking for advice on how to fairly estimate the value. I did attract one potential buyer on craigslist by referencing the closest eBay listing ($650) and suggesting a price of $400, but I don't want to proceed because I can't be sure I'm doing the right thing.
Any help would be appreciated.

[ollaimh]

that's a decent looking zouk but not worth a lot more than the 400 you are offered. only a few makers and eras are collected.

[Seter]

Could you post picture of the headstock? Or a full shot of the instrument? Also it would be nice to see the back as well.

[allenhopkins]

Not to be snarky, but the time to "fairly estimate the value" is before you list it for sale with a price. If I were your potential buyer, offered you the suggested price, and you said, "I'm not selling it, because I might have underpriced it" -- I wouldn't be a happy camper at all.

Were I in your shoes, I'd take the $400 that you listed it for. It's not a legally binding agreement, but if you offer something at a price, then you should sell it at that price.

Just my 2¢.

[DavidKOS]

Looks decent but on the basic end of the spectrum - these guys are spot on about the price. It's not worth more than 400 at best.

[gkaiser]

Agree with you Allen. I posted it on craigslist initially suggesting it was probably a Matsikas, or at least appears almost identical. During the exchange of emails with the interested potential buyer, I suggested backing off from the deal - not because I thought I could get more, but because I couldn't be sure it was worth what I was asking. He could have said "I don't care, I'll pay you the $400" - and then I'd be happy. My point is that I won't charge more than $400, but might need to charge less.

[gkaiser]

[gkaiser]

Another promising update; Nick Matsikas has replied to an email I sent him, asking for pictures and promising to let me know if it is his product or not.
As I was browsing this forum, I believe I read that he is good at responding to email; here is further support for that claim.
Thanks to you all.

[gkaiser]

Nick Matsikas replied; it is a Matsikas bouzouki.
I had someone come to examine it yesterday; he was impressed it was still (mostly) in tune, after 20 years.
We did find a hairline crack in the surface of the fretboard; cosmetic rather than structural, but a notable blemish.
So my plan is to offer it at $300 to the original interested buyer - verified authentic, but blemished. Given the feedback (so far) here, I believe this is a good deal for the buyer. Not a steal, but quite fairly priced; that's my goal.
And one more shout out for Nick Matsikas and his eagerness to help.

[DavidKOS]

Nick Matsikas replied; it is a Matsikas bouzouki.

......
So my plan is to offer it at $300 to the original interested buyer - verified authentic, but blemished.
...
And one more shout out for Nick Matsikas and his eagerness to help.

Thanks Nick! Sakis is a fine company.

I thought it might be their bottom end bouzouki. For 300 bucks it could be very nice overall. These things sound better than they "should" for the price.

[Tim N]

Just ran across the comment about still being in tune, and thought it sounded like the strings were 20 years old !? I can barely believe it to be the case, but it never harms to mention that a new set of strings can work wonders :-)