Vintage USA ML ID help

Joined: 15 Jan 2013 Posts: 3

Hey there, just bought this guitar from a friend.

Does anyone know what model is it?

It's in pretty beat-up shape, i think the neck has been reset. How much do you guys think this piece is worth?

Thanks in advance!!

The serial is 82 05455

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 14455

That's a Baby ML that looks like it has had some parts replacement and seen a little wear and tear.

Nice.

Value is "iffy".

Joined: 15 Jan 2013 Posts: 3

Thanks a lot man. Is it worth anything?

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 14455

Sure, it's worth something.
BUT.......it's not going to fetch eye-popping amounts.
If I was going to venture a rough guess, I'd say something south of $400. And even that may be generous.

On the plus side, it's an ML. Not many Baby ML's floating around.
On the minus side, it's pretty rough. It may play phenomenally well, but that's not something that you're going to be able to effectively convey to someone over the internet. The visual is going to be the minus before any amount of convincing can be done for playability.

A total refinish would probably cost more than the market worth of it.

Opinions vary, though. Others can and probably do have different viewpoints. It's a fickle market for the vintage Babies as far as resell value.

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:07 pm

You meed to get those Charvel tuners off it and some Grovers in their place. I'd say $250, especially with the shrimpfork headstock. Cool guitar though, I would get it refinished

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 1:14 pm

Cool 82 USA Baby ML but as everyone said, been around the block. Still, it is what it is! I just bought an 84 ML Baby Body in need of serious work so you are way ahead of me! Cool

Also, if you are doing a tear down can I ask a favor? Can you get me a template of the Truss Rod Cover? I will have to have one made for my USA Baby ML.

Thanks in advance and cool guitar!!!

Chris

Joined: 15 Jan 2013 Posts: 3

Thanks for all you guys' help!

DeanSlime396, I will trace the truss cover on paper and scan it. Will that work?

btw, do you guys know if the bridge is original? Is it gonna be hard to find a arm for it?

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 14455

Send a private message through this forum to wstoll

It should contain.......
- serial number from the back of the headstock
- any numbers written inside the pickup cavity

Wayne *might* be able to pull some info from the original Dean Guitars log books regarding that trem and the original build configuration for that guitar.

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 6:35 pm

swirl wrote:

Thanks for all you guys' help!

DeanSlime396, I will trace the truss cover on paper and scan it. Will that work?

btw, do you guys know if the bridge is original? Is it gonna be hard to find a arm for it?

Looks like a common arm to me found on any base model tremed guitar like a Squier or Hondo. I might have one here, if I do, I will pm you and you can have it

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 14455

Northwinds wrote:

You meed to get those Charvel tuners off it and some Grovers in their place.

A lot of the Babies had Schaller tuners.

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 7:10 pm

swirl wrote:

Thanks for all you guys' help!

DeanSlime396, I will trace the truss cover on paper and scan it. Will that work?

btw, do you guys know if the bridge is original? Is it gonna be hard to find a arm for it?

That would be awesome!!! Cool

PM coming your way!

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2013 1:12 am

That Baby ML was shipped to Sam Ash Music on Oct 28, 1982. If you
look under the pickups you should find the Build# 4387