Conference napalm::guitar

    yeah, I woke up this morning with a scratchy throat ...
    
    and my boss is out this week ...
    
    
    yow! I assume this is a cash-only thing?

    according to the ad
    
    	Terms: Cash, certified or bank check. Letter from your bank
    guarenteeing your business check or any other payment acceptable
    to the auctioneer. One extra day for removal will be allowed through
    Thursday night, June 23rd.
    
    	Henry A. Bergman & Sons
    	Auctioneers and appraisers
    	P.O. box 335 - Worcester, Mass.
    	Mass auctioneers license #139, #148, & #194 
    	Tel. 617 - 753-2549
    
    	I gather from the ad that dealers are not only invited, but
    may make up a large contingency at this auction. I would imagine
    with so much merchandise to sell, that some things may be sold
    in lots like strings, accessories, etc.
    
        If anyone is planning to go, better plan to get there early. The
    only inspection time is 9:00 to 11:00 the day of the auction. I
    have my shopping list made out. Even if the the instruments are
    inexpensive no-names, I might just grab one for messing around
    like camping, the beach, etc. (if the price is right). 
    
    Direction:
    
    The best way to go is to take Route 2 to Fitchburg. If
    you are heading west on route 2, you can get off at Oak Hill Road.
    It is a small exit about a mile up from the Mount Elam Road exit.
    Follow this road past the Oak Hill country club, across Franklin
    st, continue down Oak hill road (the road will turn to the right
    at a stop sign and then to the left a couple of blocks up). Go
    past the St Joseph's club, through a cross street, Cleghorn st
    is the next one (look for a huge parking lot, and some factories
    on your right (Anwelt Shoe). This place is right at the corner of 
    Oak Hill Rd and Cleghorn st.
    
    Mark Jacques
                                  

    
    	Thanks Mark! It was very considerate of you to share that with
    us!
    
    	Beware, however, that *auctions* highly favor the auctioneer.
    The excitement of the moment and competing with others might lead
    you to buying 375 sets of strings ya dont like, even if they were
    only $100. Expect to be both lucky and dissappointed, it can happen!
    Be careful, and remember you'll be bidding against dealers who have
    a lot more to work with, and at a lot less risk than you, personally.
    
    	Good Luck!
    
    	Joe Jas
    

    I just called the auctioneers to find out more information.
    I was informed that all merchandise will be sold in lots.
    The public is invited, however nothing will be sold individually.
    I guess that makes it not too worthwhile for most of us. The
    person I spoke to was not positive that this is the case, however
    most of their auctions are handled this way. They also do not
    accept personal checks. I left my phone number, and someone is
    supposed to call me later to let me know for sure if they will
    sell anything singly.
    
    Mark Jacques
     

       My wife and I attend alot of furniture auctions, many of which
    are labeled "TO BE SOLD IN LOTS ONLY". Often times there just aren't
    enough dealers in attendance to buy all the lots, so the auctioneer
    is forced to sell items singly.(sp?) This may or may not be the
    case Wednesday, but it's worth a shot.
    
    P.S. Some of those coughs sound bad. You guys should take some sick
    time.
    

    I spoke with one of the auctioneers this afternoon. He claims that
    "all" merchandize will be sold in large lots (ie 60 electric guitars
    model #xxxx for $xxx.xx). He painted a bleak picture for people
    like me who hope to score a deal on 1 or two items. He claims that
    Hawk instruments is not going out of business, but they have to
    be out of the building. Most of the lots are very large. The only
    way that I can see taking advantage of the savings is for a bunch
    of us to pool our money and buy things by the lot. As was mentioned
    before it sounds risky, and I doubt anyone would be interested in
    doing this.
    
    	I should have known it was too good to be true.
    
    	Oh well, I might just show up just to be nosey !!!
                                           
    	Mark Jacques
    

    For those of you who didn't make the auction yesterday, you didn't
    miss much. Most of the merchandise was el-cheapo. There were a few
    decent guitars, which sold pretty damn cheap, but you had to buy
    an entire lot to get them. The lots that I bidded on were as such:
    
    1 lot of 8 guitars in fair condition. The lot sold for about $300
    
    1 lot of 8 guitars including 5 Heyman solid bodies
    
    1 lot of parts including 4 disassembled Heymans
    
    1 lot of books & magazines including about 15 years of GP and Frets
    which sold for $50, I stopped bidding at 40. 
    
    1 lot of 30 guitars, most of which were cheap flattops, but there
    were about 5-6 guitars in the batch I would have liked including
    an old National LP copy, a Hagstrom with bird-turd paintjob, a
    Peavey, a nice Jazzmaster copy, and a buch of harmonies. There was
    also an SG bass copy with what looked like a plastic fretless neck.
    This lot sold for $27.50 per guitar or $825.oo. I think the guy
    who bought it got screwed. The most I would have paid was $10/guitar
    for a total of $300.oo
    
    
    	I got the inside scoop on Hawk Instruments. The owner used to
    play with Duke & the Drivers. He bought out a place in New Jersey
    (called the Guitar Hospital) which went out of business. He picked
    through the inventory and removed everything of any real value,
    and auctioned off the rest. I believe he got about $25.ooo for
    everything.
    
    Mark J.
    

    I also went and came away dissapointed. I also wanted the lot of
    8 guitars. Most of them weren't much but I fell in love with that
    Gibson archtop. NOt alot cosemtically but it just sang to me when
    I tried the little I know on it. 
    I was not thrilled at bidding on lots by the indiviual prices. The
    calculation of lets see x times items means I have to spend BIG
    y is difficult at the speed the auctioneer went. Especially for
    say 18xx set of strings at 17.5 cent a set is.. is.. ah heck I don't
    really need them anyway.
    I couldn't compete with the music stores for the crates of parts
    ( was that Hampshire Music that seemed to get most of them ?) and
    the lot size kept me out of most other things so I left about 12:30.
    At least it was a different to spend a Looooong lunch and if I ever
    see another Gibson like that ......
    
    jak