I have to agree regarding the limited number produced. Another way to look at it is it wouldn't take as much sleuthing if they were everywhere - less reward when a person finds one maybe ?
Based on what I think how often this one will be in my played guitar rotation, its probably a good thing it wasn't played much. Those Beanos are really worth having the extra weight on my shoulder - I may have to buy another "zero gravity" style shoulder strap....
Since selling the MES1 a bit over one year ago I have been having second thoughts so, I purchased another Momose MES1-BP/NJ but this one is the ITB color; cant wait for it to land.
It is a 'new' guitar purchased from the first owner.
He had his tech install a set of SD Antiquity pickups in the guitar; the Beano pickups are included so, those may, or may not go back in. We'll see how that goes .......
Regarding having second thoughts, I'm still in the hoarding mode so haven't had to sell many of my guitars yet - but that's coming soon over the next few years. Downsizing to a smaller house will leave me no choice, although the amp collection does take up more room so probably have to sell more amps than guitars.
I believe checking all of the usual suspects would be appropriate for your search; Digimart, Yahoo Japan Auctions, Reverb, etc. Cost will as always vary according to age/vintage, new/used, private seller/retailer, etc.
Discovery; that's the great thing about the interwebz.
Hell, who knows; maybe you might purchase mine down the road if I decide to sell it like my last one.