Vintage Electric Guitar
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Vintage Electric Guitar
Vintage Electric Guitar
There is just not enough information on this topic as far as I am concerned!
Yes I am a complete Vintage Electric Guitar enthusiast - so much so that I've been collecting them for 4 years now! I'm also fond of Vintage Acoustic Guitars. But I've chosen to go down the Vintage Electric Guitar route.
I have a stunning Vintage Gibson Guitar that takes pride of place in my office (I work from home). And I've been known to spend time strumming it when I should be working lol
Vintage Guitars do that to you! Well that's what I tell my wife.
So for the collector - what are the key things you need to know?
Well I would say the fact that surprises most people, and where I've seen people get taken for a ride - is when they are 'sold' a guitar as vintage because it was made in the 1970's - so by popular thinking that constitutes a vintage guitar and it's not.
To qualify as a Vintage Guitar it needs to be made between the 1920's and 1970. Why?
Because post 1970 a lot changed in the guitar manufacturing industry. Instead of being more of a hand made guitar, they became production line produced. And the quality of materials declined. Such things as the wood used (Brazilian Rosewood was used a lot and then the importation laws changed on that into the US and it became illegal to import) was lower grade.
And even if you are told that it was a small run item. That it is a rare guitar. That someone famous owned it (now this has a different kind of value attached!) it is not in Vintage Guitar Terms a collectible.
(Collecting famous musicians guitars is a different, and I am sure equally fulfilling hobby).
So that is the first thing to know when looking to add to your Vintage Electric Guitar collection.
Also the natural next question is: 'What's if Worth?'
There are some key criteria here.
The first tool you need in your kit to get a gauge on what a Vintage Guitar is worth is to get the 2008 Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide.
It's pretty much a must have, as it has over 1400 brands, plus the how's and why's of the collectible instrumental market (it also has amplifiers and related equipment). I spotted a stunning Vintage Bass Guitar in there recently!
So that is the first thing to help you work out what a Vintage Electric Guitar or Vintage Acoustic Guitar is worth.
Secondly - and I say this to people, it really comes down to what you'll pay for it. And item is only worth what someone is willing to pay!
The factors that may contribute to that personal valuation are:
a) Demand for the guitar - something is not as valuable if it is rare and no one wants it! So be careful there if you are told 'this is rare' - find out if there is a demand for that particular guitar.
b) Originality - a mint condition guitar is not one that has been refinished - that is a refinished guitar - which means it is no longer original. A more battered guitar that is original is worth more than a sleek refinished vintage guitar!
c) Condition - if all things are equal, and the guitar is original - a vintage guitar in excellent condition will be worth more than one that is not.
The last thing I'd add - is always trust your gut! I have left some 'good deals' on the table that didn't feel right. And after some time, and some more investigation, and building my own knowledge base - I am glad I did!
And a final warning! Collecting Vintage Electric Guitars is very definitely good for your soul :-)
Vintage Electric Guitar
- Vintage Electric Guitar updated Wed Aug 13 2008 3:44 pm EDT
I am your classic passionate enthusiast when it comes to Vintage Guitars. My particular passion and focus is on the Vintage Electric Guitar (though I also get that fluttery feeling inside when I see... - 3 years ago
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I'm gutted. My vintage Guild accoustic 12 string guitar was made in 1973 and therefore fails to meet your definition. It still sounds great though.
Excellent content Ed. Enjoyable reading.
Now that's how you do a Hubpage! Thanks for the information.
I was a singer in a band in the 70's. Our guitarist was beginning to collect and bought his first "flying V" then. He changed onstage when he played that. When he played his Gibson, he was mellow, but the flying V turned him into a rock and roll star.
Last month, he called me actually crying and said he had had to sell it. I knew he wasn't hurting for money, so I asked why. Seems his youngest daughter's best friend (female) is a musician, and she would come over to the house and just touch it, very lovingly. Once he let her play it, and he said she handled it like it was her own child.
Right before her 18th birthday, her father (mega rich dude) came to him and said that when he asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she said "I'd love to have Susie's dad's Flying V, but I know he won't sell it, so just get me another one somewhere." He said he just had to ask. After a few days thought, he agreed, and the deal was made.
He put a card under the strings that said "Please always treat her like you treated her when you were here, and bring her back to see me sometime". She showed up at his house on her birthday, threw her arms around him, and said that was the best gift she had ever gotten because she knew how much he loved that guitar.
Since then, she's come over and he's shown her all the little idiosyncracies the guitar has, and how to play it to best advantage. A bond has been formed over that piece of wood and metal that could not have been formed otherwise, because both have music in their souls, and now that guitar is part of their souls as well.
I still have my first acoustic guitar, which was a cheapo $75 piece from a local music store, but I can't part with it, though I never play it anymore. I gave my son my better one, but this one will stay with me until I die.
Thanks for reminding me how special something like a guitar can be.
Very nicely done here. A great Hub on Vintage guitars.... for a newbie:-) Welcome to Hubpages.
tDMg
LdsNana-AskMormon
Thanks for the info... thanks to you I won't be the sucker born the next minute...
What an educationon on Vintage Electric Guitars. While I don't play, my guitar pickin' Granny plays an vintage Gibson electric accoustic guitar that is over 40 years old and in great condition.
Mark
Thanks for the inspiration Ed. I pulled out my almost vintage Epiphone 12-string guitar for a few strums. Ouch... I forgot what it feels like when you don't play for a while.
@dafla agreed! Don't ever get rid of it. This page made me ache for the old guitar stores of the seventies. Mint used 10 year old guitars back then. And I knew it. I can't say 'I had no idea at the time...". I saw it. But what kid could buy em all?
Going grab this guide and start pokin around again. ;)
WOW what a wealth of info Ed.. thx for sharing.. my internet buddy will particularly love to see this.. he really loves his guitars.. welcome to Hubpages Ed.. look forward to reading more.. :)
THANX FOR THE INFO
I have an old Rickenbacker 481 that I love. 1984 seemed to be a good year for them. I used to have a lovely Fender and I have some vintage classical Spanish-made guitars, which I play from time to time.
You are right that there is something about a well-kept vintage guitar - I liken it kind of like driving a vintage sports car or flying in a vintage biplane.
Welcome to Hubpages Ed. Now there is enough information about Vintage electric guitar and you´re the only one we can blame ;D
I never had much skills for playing music (I love to hear though) so for me vintage was some kind of very good but also very expensive wine LOL.
Have fun!
Well done! Excellent article and I love all the information and knowledge you have. Welcome to Hubpages!
Great hub! I've travelled the world with a 1968 Spanish built classic guitar (pictured on my 'Classic Guitar - an Introduction' hub). But a friend of mine has an original black Burns guitar from late 50s (the one with horns, as played by Hank Marvin). I guess that's more the kind you're interested in. He won it in a Kelloggs Corn Flakes competition!
Welcome to hubpages fellow guitar guy.
I have a terrible story regarding a 1972 Gibson ES335 Cherry finish which was stolen from my possession by a more than unscrupulous music dealer. I'm still feeling the pain over that one.
Look forward to many hubs. We'll talk guitars for sure.
wow, is there anything left to say about vintage electric guitars?! great hub Ed.
Well loved guitars are a collectable that keeps giving, and the value through their history and stories keeps growing just as long as the music continues. Thanks for hub
I grew up listening to my Dad play his Gibson. I truly appreciate their specialness.
Vintage Guitar,
This is a really nice example of a Hub on Vintage Electric guitars. Being a guitar player myself, I prefer vintage acoustic guitars, but vintage electric guitars are a nice addition for any antique guitar collector. Ed Dale from the 30DC is an avid guitar enthusiast as well! lol Welcome to Hubpages!
Great Job!! Thanks
Thanks for the definition of "vintage". I didn't know it was so specific or that it involved manufacturing changes.
Makes me wish I had learned to play guitar. Much as I love live music, it's great to see a site devoted to the vintage guitars that not only started it all... they still sound the best!
Great info and insight into guitars...
hey, bro.. thanks for the guitar info's... i actually love music and family is a musician. also like playing guitar that's why i read all about your hub.... well, i also dreamed that someday i could collect a vintage guitars like yours but it's too expensive for me.... anyway, just looking your guitars in your hub is enough...wish you could post many vintage guitars....tnx,,,tnx,,,tnx,,,
There are some things in life that have a mesmerizing charm to them and vintage guitars are certainly one of them! I also dig on old mahogany runabouts, muscle cars and hockey sticks :-)
Thanks for the info.
Wow you have left every information about vintage acoustic guitars..keep it up
Great hub, I hope mine will be half as good.
Thanks
I love vintage guitars, both electric and acoustic. Your hub and links give me a place to start as a begin my own collection.
I didn't realise guitars were made as early as in the 1920s!
What an interesting topic. Vintage guitars are part of ever expanding market for things that are old and have both sentimental and utilitarian value. It seems we cannot get enough about things from our youth, or from the generations that precede us.
What an interesting topic. Vintage guitars are part of ever expanding market for things that are old and have both sentimental and utilitarian value. It seems we cannot get enough about things from our youth, or from the generations that precede us.
Great topic!
Interesting.Thanks
Great info. I'm trying to make out the guitar in the photo. What year is it, is it a Telecaster?
Michael 3 years ago
Ed... thanks for clarifying what "vintage" is with the dates you provided. Loved this hubpage my friend.