Tagged As: Guitar Fender Malibu
Question:
I have a friend who wonders what his '64 Fender Malibu Dreadnought is worth. I'm not familiar with this guitar at all. Any opinions or resources ? and I'll pass them along to him.
Answer:
I seriously doubt if he's going to want to hear it, but the truth of the matter is that those old US-made Fender acoustics are one of the all-time clunkiest, worst-sounding acoustic guitar designs ever made. If this guitar has the big tube running through the sound chamber, it's going to be worth whatever he can get for it. Which is not much. Prior to the existence of eBay, I would have said: Good luck getting more than $200 for it, but if he or you can write some compelling ad copy for the eBay page, who KNOWS what someone will pop for it. Not everyone who buys guitars off eBay is a player, and Fender has a justifiably good reputation for its electric guitars. So play on that in your ad (That same great made-in-USA quality that characterizes Fender's famous electric guitars!) and if you dig around you can probably find some photos from the early 60s of the Beach Boys and other groups from the era playing the free ones the company gave them - so put those on the eBay page, as well. But to be completely candid about the instrument itself, Mark, it's one of the all-time stinkeroos so far as acoustic guitars are concerned, and most knowledgeable players are aware of that. Those few players who do like them are typically electric players who like their fast electric-style necks, but the California-made Fender acoustic guitars haven't got a lot of acoustic tone.
Info on 64 Fender Malibu Dreadnought
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Comment #1 (Posted by Rick from oklahoma
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i have a 1965 Fender Malibu and i would not take less than $1500.00 for it!! my malibu plays so easily and just has a great tone about it. this guitar sure makes it easy going back and forth to a strat. however, i did not know that fender made a malibu in 1964? if i was your friend, i would hang on to the guitar and just wait. the fender malibu from the 60s is the best accoustic fender made and will be worth a lot some day! good luck -
Comment #2 (Posted by jimm
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I actually really wanted a 1965 Fender Malibu, back in '66.... I liked the instrument, but the truth is that those 60's bolt-on neck acoustic Fenders have no vintage value, and, being acoustics, probably now require maintenance that prices out very far in excess of the instruments' real street value. Too bad. I saw David Byrne gig with one once. -
Comment #3 (Posted by Linda
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I think you are wrong, but right on about electric guitar players loving the old Fender Malibu for practice. I have had mine for 30 years and would not trade or sell it for any other acoustic guitar that has come out in the past 30 yeras. The neck is ideal for beginners. Willie Nelson and Jimi Hendrix were known users among many many other famous successful musicians.