I have a custom Dale Dye take down bow that he made for me in 1990.
I'm going to sell it
He inscribed it:
"61# @ 29 inches, custom 62"
"custom made for Gene Dietrich 90, Dale Dye"
I also bought a Delta Series III quiver from him at the time, which is on the bow.
I have never shot it, another story, & it's been hanging in my house since 1990.
A few people have expressed a desire to buy the bow. I took pictures of it to send to them. At that time I noticed, on each limb, for a better word, "line crack". Have no idea when it happened, as it has hung on the wall, only being handled to wipe off dust, & put a coat of furniture polish on it once in a while. If I run my finger nail over the cracks in the limbs, my nail will not pick up the crack, but you can see it.
Reviewing forums, I see where Dale Dye bows are some times going for $750+. One of the people interested in buying the bow says, since it's a "stress crack", the bow is worth, maybe, $350.
I have no idea, & this person may be right.
I called Dale Dye on Jan. 15th, telling him about the crack. He asks me where I lived,
I said VA
He said, lots of humidity there, yes.
He said, it's swelling humidity". Says it's common in humid weather. The holes for the bolts & the pins eventually collect moisture over time, & may swell slightly. The fiber glass doesn't give, so the limb develops a "swelling crack" in the fiberglass.
He said-his words "it does not affect the integrity of the bow" it's all cosmetic. Shoot it.
I believe Dale, but one of the prospective buyer, tells me its value decreased 50%.
I know people (& some times I'm one) look at the cosmetic of something. If scratches, etc. Not interested.
In your opinion, is the bow value decreased 50%.
Is it now worth, maybe, $350.00?
Would "swelling/line/stress, etc. cracks" stop you from buying a bow ?
If your bow has these, are you concerned about shooting it ?
Thanks for your replys
Gene
Unfortunately an item is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. It depends on the crack and all. You probably will be hard pressed to get full value for it but don't sell yourself short either. It may pay off to wait for the right buyer.
gene post this on powwow you`ll get more responses. or ask bowdoc or droptine
Gene I might step on some toes but it certainly is worth more than that. If Dale said that this hair line will not effect the integrity than I would believe him. Maybe you can post a pic. I have a feeling that the line crack you are seeing is a common occurrence.
tukudu,
people are people, I never knowingling cheated any one in life, & I'm to old to start now. If I sell it, I want a happy customer
1st & 2nd, of lower limb
3rd & 4th of upper limb.
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d120/chestsprings/cracklimbs010.jpg) (http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d120/chestsprings/cracklimbs006.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d120/chestsprings/cracklimbs002.jpg) (http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d120/chestsprings/cracklimbs004.jpg)
someone will tell you for sure, but I don't think that's a big deal. I've seen it on a bunch of bows, if you could feel the crack you could probably get some superglue or something into it. Make sure to pm bowdoc and he could probably tell you best...Mike
its worth more than $350 IMO iv seen those cracks on bows and never known them to be a problem, now with pics up some of the bow builders on here will be able to tell you what you have there.
I think someone was trying to get a real good deal! I have seen them a lot worse than that on TD bows and they have never caused a problem.
I got one just like it, dale made it in 88, don't believe what they say, the bow is good, go shoot it and don't take 350.00 for it, unless you need money BAD
That's pretty common on most three-piece take-down bows. Many bows that have a few years on them develop cracks extending from the limb bolt and or alignment holes.
I wouldn't be at all afraid of that hairline crack if I were in the market for a Dye bow. If you want to sell it list it in the classifieds here and ask what you think is a fair price. 1990 is fairly old, but it sounds like this bow is in like new condition.
If the bow doesn't sell, you can always lower the price. The used bow market seems a little slow right now, but good quality bows always attract interest. I agree with some of the other comments - I would think it would bring much more than $350.
I agree with Jason, someone just wants a deal. You won't get full price due to the cosmetic flaws, but half price is ridiculous. On the other hand, I have no idea what a 1990 Dale Dye takedown is worth. I think Whip has the right idea though.
I guess if I'd had it for 18 years, unless I really needed the money, I'd probably hang onto it for a while as prices aren't all that high right now. Lots of folks are just kind of holding their breath waiting to see what the economy is going to do.
That kind of very minor cracking is not unusual at all. It isn't even visible when the bow is bolted together. There is no problem with it. I have a couple of bows like that and you will never see any effect to the integrity of the bow. The only integrity I would question is that of the fellow who said it cuts the value of the bow in half.
Allan
Gene thanks for the pics. You confirmed by suspicion. Nothing to worry about on those limb bases. thanks and good luck.tom
You already know what I think!
The bow is close to 20 years old, what did it sell for new. I know Dales bows are great shooters. The cracks mean nothing, I know bows from big name bowyers and most have those type of cracks around the limb bolt holes. I have seen older dyes go betweem $350-$450 quite a bit so as people said it all depends on what the market is. Post it for $600 and see what happens, I doubt it will go for that, but not because of the cracks. See what happens, Steve O did you offer the $350? Shawn
No,no,no. I found Gene on a rifle site and told him about the nice folks here. Privately I told him somebody is trying to get a deal. Dale Dye is no great innovator--there is no difference between a 20 year old Trails End and a brand new one. That is not a bad thing either...
Shawn,
SteveO did now offer me any thing. he was one of the first to Strongly Advise me the crack was not a big deal. He also, has told me, don't accept a low offer. He got involved in another forum because I ask about a Gene Wensel & Roger Rothharra books I have.
He has given me very good advice on other things too. From my dealing with him, he seems like a "straight shooter".
My interested in the selling price of the bow was/is, would members of this forum, if they were looking for a bow like this, shy away, because of the cracks. Do you have/had simular cracks, on your bows. Did it affect your selling price.
seems like the consensus is most of you would not, if reasonable priced, shy from the bow. You would also, shoot it, as Dale said.
I don't really need to sell it. It's been hanging on the wall for 28 yrs., & a few more will not hurt it. That said, I would sell it as I am down sizing some Archery stuff, & books I have had since the 70's.
I really do appreciate the replies, since I have been out of the archery loop for a while. As I always tell my wife, 99% of outdoors/hunters are great honest people. to bad over 1/2 of society isn't.
I really enjoy the "Trag" forum.
Thanks
Gene,
Good info. I agree that those cracks are very commen and should not take away from the bow. If you price the bow right, it will sell. Dale builds a great bow and has quite a good following. I also believe the market is a bit soft right now and have seen some great deals on the classified section sit longer then normal before being being sold. I think it's a sign of the times with the way the economy is right now. Ask what you think the bow is worth and go from there.
Good luck on your sale!
JL
I've had Silvertip and a Pronghorn w/ worst stress cracks than that and shot them both for years.The cracks in that Dye bow probaly happen w/in the 1st year it was built.
Now 4 value? The pronghorn I sold for a thirds it original price and the Tip less than half.Why? because no one would take the risk at a higher price.
some one ask what the bow cost back then, i ordered one in Dec.of 88 got it in june 89 the price was : bow $255.00 tax 28.00 shipping 15.00 extra for clear glass 20.00 for a total of $318.00 and it was worth every cent and still is
Cracks like those pictured aren't a problem and are fairly common. Like was mentioned they are usually caused by slight swelling of the wedge wood due to humidity increases. They can be prevented to a great degree by sealing the inside of the limb attachment holes with the application of some type of finish or an occassional waxing.
Dale makes a great bow and I don't think I would lower the price due to those small flaws.
Those have nothing what so ever to do with proformence or longivity of that bow.Someone was hopeing for a real deal.Those were caused by the drilling of the mounting hole through the fiberglass which is pretty common on plenty of take downs built today and I won't name names of the countless number of those type cracks I've seen in custom bows.That double D bow will likely out last most of us...bd
bowboc, thanks for the info., feel a lot better about it now.
shaft slinger,
My wife told me, if you clean up your junk, you will probably find out the info. on your bow, as you never throw any hunting stuff away. I did, &, I did.
I found the original brochure Dale sent me on Trail End Custom Bows.
On his letter head, it says, Big Medicine 64", Good Medicine 62", Swift Medicine 60", Trails End Take Down ( 62" Take Down)
The 1st letter he sent me on 7-3-1989. his words:
Clear glass, & Shedua.
3 piece take-Bow $345.00
Fed ex Tax 38.00
Shipping 15.00
Delta quiver top 5.00
Two extra strings 7.00
Delta 7 arrow quiver 30.00
Total $440.00
Gave him a deposit of $100.00 Delivery the end of March, 1990
The 1st week of Dec. I sent him another $200.00
He sent back to me on 12-13-89, the credit card receipt for the $200.00, & a note.
"I'm still on time, so delivery will be the end of March"
.
On April 4, 1990 ( the day before I left to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine) I recv. The bow, & his guarantee, said: I shot it, the bow is sound.
Riser wood: Shedua
Laminations in the riser handle are: Dark Wange, African Red Vermillion
Bow chronographed 190 FPS, shot by hand, average 8 arrows
Arrow size: 2115-22117, Draw Length 29"
Recommend brace height: 7 ½ to 8 ½ inches
Note: Do not use Fast Flight Strings-They are bad medicine for your bow.
Now when I sell it, I'll be able to give the info. to the buyer.
Life is Good
Gene, i got mine the week you ordered yours, so it looks like the bow went up $70.00 in 6 months.
That was when Traditional archery was really taking off.
I called dale sometine in 90/91 don't remember when to see about ording a lower poundage linbs and the price had gone up so much that it was more than i payed for the bow when i bought it.
That was the first and only custom bow i ever ordered.