You're right about the mom mojo. The best I did on my own was a TS-9 Tubescreamer original for $30........wish I still had it, so I could send it to John Spina.
One day, my mom called me and told me there was an old Martin acoustic at a garage sale for $150. I kept asking her...."It says Martin on the headstock???
I think so...go check it out. I sped to that garage sale with $400, just in case.
Bought it for $150, had it appraised at $3500+, and sold it for $3000. Best deal I ever made in my life. Thanks, mom!
It played like crap too....that's why she sold it for $150. Her son probably had a heartattack when he found out.