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'Minty' arghhhhh....

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#23
Old Garage-Bander said:
Coin collectors, correct me if I'm wrong. It's been 50 + years since I dabbled.
The U.S. Mint is where coins are made.
Coins that are in new condition are graded with the word "mint."
And other things picked up the word mint, from the hobby/business of coin collecting.
So can "new condition" be called "mint"?

I seem to also recall that coins with defects from the mint are highly valued.
While basses that have a factory defect are not.
But if the bass is exactly how it came from the factory, even defective, can it still be called mint?
Click to expand...

The Ibanez I purchased 'new' from Sweetwater, was defective... from the factory, I might add.

Not once, did I ever think of it as 'mint'...

... once I repaired it, though, I thought of it only as 'fixed'.
 
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#31
two fingers said:
"Mint" or "minty" should mean "new" condition.
Click to expand...
I always think of minty as the same as mint-ish.
IMHO when I hear a bass described as "Minty" I think NOT mint, not 100% perfect but darned close. 98-99%?
It gets subjective though.
Mint should be perfect. Anything less than, should not use the M word. Unless it says nearly mint.
People should just describe what makes it not mint, show pics in ads.

I think the coin collectors have another name for a coin that has never been touched. Proof? Maybe?
 
#35
If something Is like a time capsule, new old stock, stored away somewhere where the time doesn't exist like it does normally, then and only then can something be called minty. I've seen it and smelt it, it happens, but it is quite unusual.
 
#36
I've collected comics for 35+ years. Grading is literal. It's not based on circumstance, i.e. - it just arrived from the distributor, therefore it should be "mint".

Anyone that's been on TB for any length of time is aware of the numerous threads about "new" basses that arrived with issues.

I'm fine with minty....as long as it's minty.
 
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#37
Coolhandjjl said:
The thing that grinds my gears is the incessant use of the fake word minty in the classified section.

First of all, is about as bad as commercials for fast food that use the fake word melty to describe cheese.

Second of all, nothing second-hand can be classified as mint. Once the strings hit a fret and leave a mark, it's no longer pristine. Even new-in-box may be riddled with factory defects.

And the word minty just sounds so cheesy. Wait... that's melty.

End of rant.
Click to expand...

To me minty != new.

Minty means "like new but used"

Good Luck!
 
#38
Coolhandjjl said:
The thing that grinds my gears is the incessant use of the fake word minty in the classified section.

First of all, is about as bad as commercials for fast food that use the fake word melty to describe cheese.

Second of all, nothing second-hand can be classified as mint. Once the strings hit a fret and leave a mark, it's no longer pristine. Even new-in-box may be riddled with factory defects.

And the word minty just sounds so cheesy. Wait... that's melty.

End of rant.
Click to expand...

+1

The word "mint" means something to me. It means the seller is saying that the item that's for sale is no different than new in terms of its condition. In other words, you can put a brand new one right next to the seller's, and you couldn't tell the difference between the two. So I'm fine with a seller the using the word "mint" as long as the item really is in mint [brand new] condition.

But now, let's take a look at the word "minty." What exactly is the seller saying here? ...that the item is "near" mint, but not quite mint? "Sorta" mint? Approaching mint? In the "vicinity" of mint-hood? To me, an item is either mint, or it isn't. IMO, the word "minty" is one of those meaningless euphemisms that sellers use to avoid saying "mint" because the item is not actually in brand spankin new condition, but the seller doesn't want to just say "used condition" because it doesn't sound as good and won't fetch as much money (in theory) for the item.

It's kinda like selling a bass that has "mojo." It's a way for a seller to try to convince potential buyers that all of those scrapes and nicks and scars and dents add value, when in reality it reduces value (IMO).

It's also like using the word "quaint" in a real estate listing. You know when you see that word, it actually means "small" but real estate sellers like using the word "quaint" instead because they somehow hope that potential buyers will view that as adding value, when in actuality it's all 100% USDA-grade "A" bulls***.

All IMO of course! ;)
 
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#39
Here are some "Minty" bass guitars and some "Melty" band gear.

J18871000005000-00-500x500.jpg


sterling-by-music-man-s.u.b.-ray4-mint-green.jpg


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wrmyyolqkiyvim14pvre.jpg


d32107dbf20d676af47409f436e687e4.jpg
 
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