FAQ
Q: Is 9Ball a registered business?
A: 9Ball is a fully registered business in France. Our SIRET number is 50837712400013.
Q: Do I have to pay VAT or customs charges in the EU?
A: All our prices are shown TTC (tout tax compris) - inclusive of 19.6% French TVA. As Nine Ball is a registered company in France, and all our guitars ship from France, there will be no additional charges within the EU. For shipments outside the EU, please contact us for pricing without TVA and in other currencies.
Q: Are your guitars located in Europe?
A: Yes, all our guitars and amps are located here in SW France. There are no hassles with payment, delays, or customs fees that result from shipping from the US.
Q: Is there an approval period for on-line purchases?
A: You have a full 72 hours in which to examine and play the guitar. If you believe it doesn't measure up to the description on the site, simply let me know, and I'll gladly refund the purchase price, not including shipping costs.
Q: What kinds of guitars do you sell?
A: We have some definite opinions about how to get the most guitar for your money.
For modern guitars, we believe that buying used makes the most sense, for most players. When you buy a guitar new, you lose money as soon as you leave the store. We look for used guitars in excellent condition; often, they're in new condition without any play wear. This is particularly true for Les Paul Historic Reissues, which are often bought in the U.S. by collectors and played very little. Occasionally, we find a well-used guitar that we think offers a very good value, and we include that in our range of guitars for sale.
Q: What is your approach to vintage guitars?
A: There are essentially two tiers to the vintage market: "collector" and "player" guitars.
The first tier consists of "collector" grade instruments - all original, no modifications, the closer to perfect condition, the better. These guitars command a premium in the market, and are certainly wonderful to look at and, often, to play. The problem with these guitars is the size of the premium you pay. High-end vintage guitars have, over the past ten years or so, begun to attract collectors and investors who buy guitars for investment - not to play. This has dramatically enlarged the market for collector-grade guitars, and prices have risen significantly, to the point where you have to have deep pockets to afford many of the most popular guitars.
The second tier of vintage guitars is made up of "player" guitars. These guitars will have some quality that makes them less desirable to collectors, whether it's a new finish - even one applied fifty years ago - a modification, or some repaired damage. For some collectors, even new frets are considered a problem, so the definition of a "player" guitar is very broad. We believe that these "player" guitars offer the best value in the market, as they retain all the qualities that made vintage guitars highly prized in the first place - outstanding playability and sound - and they also tend to appreciate over time. The difficulty with these guitars is knowing how to select the best players, and avoid guitars that are legitimately compromised in sound or playability. Our goal at Nine Ball is to find these guitars, describe their collector "issues" accurately, and offer them at the lowest prices possible to European guitarists.
Q: Are your guitars new or used?
A: Unless specifically noted, all guitars that 9Ball sells are used. However, we have strict standards for the condition of the guitars that we sell, including fret wear. I've found over the years that the price you pay for a new guitar is too high - the value drops as soon as you leave the store. By buying used, you're very likely to be able to sell the guitar on down the road for close to what you paid for it - and, because of our low prices, often more.
Q: Will my guitar arrive ready to play?
A: All the guitars that we sell are professionally set up - new strings (.010 for electcrics, .012 for acoustics, unless specifically requested), truss rod adjusted, bridge adjusted, tuning gears fully operational, everything. You should be able to tune the guitar to pitch and play, bearing in mind that it might take a few hours to "settle in" - one reason we provide a 72-hour approval period.
Q: Can I come play the guitars prior to buying, rather than purchasing on-line?
A: Absolutely. By appointment, please come visit our fully-equipped recording studio and showroom in the beautiful southwest of France, with a wide selection of modern and vintage guitars and amplifiers.
Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: Our preferred form of payment for online sales is via bank transfer. We also accept Paypal, cheques (cheques must clear before an order is shipped), or cash on collection.
Q: Do I need to "haggle" over the price?
A: I believe we have the best prices on modern and vintage electric and acoustic guitars in Europe. I find haggling to be the most stressful part of the guitar buying process, so I've tried to make it unnecessary for you. Please, check our prices and service against any other dealer on similar guitars.
Q: How do you pack your guitars for shipping? Are they fully insured during shipment?
A: I follow the guidelines published by Dan Erlewine, noted guitar repair tech and author of many books on guitar repair. Check them out at: http://www.lespaulforum.com/dano/packing.html In over twenty years of shipping guitars, the last ten across the Atlantic, the only problems I've had have been with improperly packed guitars (not by me!) Every guitar that leaves 9Ball is fully insured until it's in your hands, and you've verified that it's in good condition - and that you're happy with it.
Q: Do you offer repair services?
A: Yes, for both guitars and amplifiers on a limited basis.
Q: What is a Les Paul Historic Reissue?
A: In the early 1990's Gibson began an official program designed to produce guitars as closely based as possible on the legendary Les Pauls of the 1950's (and 1960). The guitars were modeled after particular models highly prized by collectors and players: 1954, 1956, and 1957 Goldtops; 1958, 1959 and 1960 Les Paul Standards, known as "sunburst" Les Pauls because of their cherry sunburst finish; and the 1954 and 1957 Les Paul Customs, known as "Black Beauties" because of their black lacquer finish. The 1959 Historic Reissues generally receive the most attractive maple tops, with very attractive "flame" figuring in the maple. Other models have particular features sought out by players: the 1954 and 1956 Historic Reissues have single-coil P-90 pickups, which have a distinctive tone.
These Historic Reissues are also referred to in a "shorthand" - an "R" (for reissue) followed by the last digit of the year of the original model they're based on. For example, a 1959 Reissue is also referred to as an "R9".
As the years have gone by, Gibson has corrected a number of inaccuracies in the replicas; the newer models are the most accurate ever. However, many players and collectors feel that the early years of the program produced the best guitars, due to lower production output. I think it's a coin toss.
Gibson also created a number of other models in the Historic Reissue series, including the SG and Firebird. While I concentrate on Les Paul Historics, I keep an eye out for good examples of the other Reissues.
Q: Do you supply documentation for the Les Paul Historic Reissues that you sell?
A: Unless specifically noted in the description of the guitar, a Gibson Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is included with all guitars, as well as any additional items ("case candy") that came with the guitar. As most of the guitars we sell are used, some have lost their COA, and the quantity of case candy varies, but we look for guitars with as complete a package as possible.
Q: What is a "COA"?
A: Gibson began to supply Certificates of Authenticity with every Historic Reissue in the year 2000. Until 2008, these were a printed piece of paper with the guitar's serial number and a signature from someone at Gibson. In 2008, Gibson began to furnish smaller booklets, which fit better into the case pocket. So - prior to 2000, no COA. From 2000 - 2008, paper; after 2008, small booklet. Some collectors place a great value on COA's, others don't. We make every effort to make sure every Historic Reissue we sell has its COA, but, sometimes they're lost or discarded by previous owners. Replacements can be obtained, but the guitar has to sent to Gibson in Nashville.
