The Electra Forums

I HAVE AN X270 IN PRETTY DECENT SHAPE. I BOUGHT IT FROM MY DOWN-ON-HIS LUCK COUSIN AROUND 1981 0R 1982. I THOUGHT IT WAS OLD THEN BUT I GUESS NOT, SINCE IT WAS MADE FROM '80 TIL '83.

I FOUND THIS SIGHT WHILE TRYING TO GET AN IDEA OF THE VALUE. MY SON'S BUDDY WANTS TO BUY IT. BUT SINCE IVE BEEN READING THROUGH ALL THESE FORUMS, I'M HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS. I JUST GOT IT OUT OF THE CLOSET, AND CALL ME SENTIMENTAL, I DONT THINK I CAN SELL IT. THERES A LOT OF MY TEENAGE YEARS IN THIS OLD THING.

I MAY HAVE TO GET SOME NEW STRINGS TOMORROW AND FIRE IT UP.
I HOPE THE POWER EQ STILL WORKS, IT DID WHEN I MOTH-BALLED IT.

DOES ANYONE HAVE AN IDEA WHAT ITS WORTH? (NOT COUNTING THE SENTIMENTAL VALUE).

Welcome!

Good questions- and it sounds like you already know the answer. The value of anything is what somebody is willing to pay for it- at least when it comes to $$. But the sentimental value of a thing is much much higher. Can you imagine how many people out there that would give anything to get back their first guitar/motorcycle/car... (girlfriend?) So my advice would be to keep it.

Beyond that, maybe some of the regulars here have been watching ebay prices for X270's, other invicta/workingman models, and models with powered EQ. My guess would be somewhere between $250 and $500. Which if you think about it is too little to get for your first love, while on the other hand for the same price (if you don't care about vintage) he can get a brand new Epiphone today- there are some screaming deals to be sure.

Get the strings and fire it up. I think you'll find that your old friend still remembers you- I know mine sure does, and it feels so good and familiar under my fingers (in my case it's a red X185 which I thought was an X189, hence my nickname).

Oh, and you'll be surprised how the technology and prices have improved since then. There are some screaming good amps out there if you need one- for practicing and playign around the house and with acoustic instruments, I'd highly recommend the Vox DA-5, it sounds great, is battery poweed (convenience counts more the older you get) plus it has about 500$ worth of onboard effects. The Roland microcube isn't bad either= both are under $150. For something larger, the Fender Pro Jr is an excellent classic tube amp for $300, and for live gigs at stage volume, recently Fender has reissued many of hte old classics like the Deluxe Reverb and Twin Reverb that just can't be beat.

Keep us posted, let us know how it goes.