resoranger - Posted - 01/17/2022:  10:32:01

I have a friend who has a 2018 black MA 6 w/o a pickup that is basically brand new and has given up playing for health reasons. I contacted Beard and a new one like his now sells for $4500. I am going to have to pay to ship the guitar, which will cost around $100. I am trying to come up with a price to give for the guitar that is fair to both parties, but I am not having much luck searching on the internet. A few used ones have been sold or offered for sale and show a price of around $3100 to $3200, but they were not in as good of condition and did not have the fancy cover plate. I may be wrong, but possibly since Mike's passing these guitars do not seem to be quite as popular based on finding new ones for sale and other similar guitar models Beard sells. Since I will not get to play the guitar until I receive it and don't want to have to pay another $100 to ship it back my other question relates to sound of this guitar. Researching past posts it seems that these guitars are very consistent and with little playing time should still sound like Paul and Mike intended it to sound. Any advice or thought would be appreciated.

psikes - Posted - 01/17/2022:  11:03:03

One just had a price drop on Reverb and is now $2650 plus $80 fort shipping. Good luck with you decision.

Phil

psikes - Posted - 01/17/2022:  13:17:20

Well, I am unable to find it again myself. It may have sold. I know it was in someones Reverb store is all that I can remember. Sorry, Phil

psikes - Posted - 01/17/2022:  13:18:53

I did a google search for Beard MA6 and it came up again. Not sure why it doesn't show up with a Reverb search.

reverb.com/item/12968832-beard...rice-drop

JC Dobro - Posted - 01/17/2022:  14:21:05

Having just researched new and pre-owned MA-6 options last month, I can share an opinion.

First, it does appear Beard recently raised prices. I snuck in at $4200 for a new MA-6 (with pickup) in Dec. That included free shipping from the dealer. So evidently, like many things, they’re pricier now (if you can find one).

If your friend has a “near mint” 2018 model, without pickup, I’d be inclined to peg it in the $3500 or so ballpark. That is purely my take.

Note the used MA-6 in Phil’s reverb link is a 2005 model (refer to specs), in “good” condition, for just north of $2700 (including shipping).

Also, normally the “tuxedo black” model sports the fan style cover plate. If your friend has either a “hearts and flowers” or “lotus” plate, that may be custom.

I can’t help you with the consistency of tone question; I’ve only played mine, and it’s brand new. If it helps, here is a recent sound sample posted in the “sound off” section, linked here.

youtu.be/h-eqxcaw2W0

Good luck!

hlpdobro - Posted - 01/17/2022:  15:31:57

One of the primary aspects of a Beard artist model is consistency. If the artist is active in a model's promotion he/she wants to be confident that a guitar, IN THEIR HANDS, sounds remarkably consistent from individual to individual.

Now, I have not been directly involved in a few years and the last new MA6 I played was pre-Covid so, take this fwiw.

The great thing about the MA6 is the Finnish birch laminate body. It's a consistent, manufactured "flawless" material. This, imho really allows for uniformity between guitars. The other component that, imho, really lends itself to conformity is the Legend Cone. It really solved a LOT of issues when Paul developed his cone "recipe".

When Mike was alive, he'd personally approve EVERY SINGLE MA6. He'd bring his primary guitar to (usually) the shop and sign serial number stickers when he played and approved all of them. Mike's no longer with us but the guitar is treated exactly like all Beard, artist models. It's built to sound like the guitar the artist personally plays.

The only other thing that I'll add is that I'm not a fan of the Lotus cover plate on this guitar. IN MY HANDS my perception is that the fan or hearts & flowers design allows the guitar to be played at full potential.

So..take my opinions fwiw. How many MA6's have I played???

Several hundred of them actually.

Have fun in your search.

hp

hlpdobro - Posted - 01/17/2022:  16:04:25

While I'm thinking of it, there's a 2 part podcast with Paul B., a great portion of it discusses Paul's relationship with Mike and how the MA6 came to fruition:



Part 1

Part 2

LukeL - Posted - 01/18/2022:  09:40:16

quote:

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Originally posted by hlpdobro

While I'm thinking of it, there's a 2 part podcast with Paul B., a great portion of it discusses Paul's relationship with Mike and how the MA6 came to fruition:



Part 1

Part 2

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Thanks for sharing those links. Some really neat listening there.

Edited by - LukeL on 01/18/2022 09:40:29