Vintage guitars are older, finely made guitars produced between the early 1920s and the early 1970s that are highly sought after. Guitars made before 1920 aren’t usually considered collectibles because they lack the same level of craftsmanship. Because of mass production, automated manufacturing procedures, and a loss of overall quality, guitars made after 1972 are also less valuable. The 1950s and 1960s produced some of the most valuable guitars.
Vintage guitars are becoming more valuable as they age, rather than becoming less valuable. The 1971 Gibson SG Deluxe electric hard body, for example, is a vintage guitar due to its high quality and limited production run compared to the Standard Edition. The Tune-O-Matic bridge, mother of pearl block inlays along the fret board, and a Bigsvibrola tailpiece (tremolo bar) distinguish the SG Deluxe. Warm humbucker pickups and rosewood necks were standard on both the SE and Deluxe models. Because the majority of models were finished in cherry wood or mahogany, the rare walnut finish is worth twice as much. A good-condition 1971 SG Deluxe walnut finish guitar can sell for as much as $1,900 (US), a price that is likely to rise rather than fall over time.
Famous musicians’ guitars can add to the mystique and thus price of a vintage guitar. Jimi Hendrix imprinted the Fender Stratocaster not only on the hearts and minds of a generation, but also on the pages of history, forever linking it to rock legend. Today, there are many different Stratocaster models, but only the higher-end models are made in America, while the lower-end models are now made in Mexico. Strats from the 1960s are considered classic vintage guitars.
Newer guitars, such as Fender’s Eric Clapton series, are frequently released in limited editions in the name of a legend. These guitars may have unique hardware or a signature design, but they are unlikely to become vintage in the traditional sense. Modern instruments lose some of their “soul” as a result of production line manufacturing. They simply don’t appeal to collectors in the same way that older handcrafted guitars do. Collectors born today, on the other hand, may have different perspectives in 2030. Keep it for a few decades and see what happens. A guitar that is several generations old, looks brand new, and was of high quality to begin with may eventually be classified as vintage. However, the more of them there are, the lower the price will be.
Nearly all older Martin steel string acoustic guitars are considered vintage, with varying values depending on the model and condition. Vintage models are available for classical and bass guitars.
The higher the value of a guitar, the nicer it has been kept, though this isn’t always the case. On a very rare and old guitar, extreme wear from heavy playing can add ‘character’ and a sense of history. Wear from use, on the other hand, is distinct from abuse wear. A guitar that has been neglected and mistreated will show the wrong kind of wear, which can reduce or even eliminate its value.
Legendary guitars usually come with hefty price tags and are usually sold at auction. These aren’t always vintage guitars, but they can be. However, the majority of their monetary value will be in their history. These guitars can cost upwards of $10,000.
Many guitar shops that sell new stock also sell rare guitars and will pay cash for a collectible, though the seller will only get half or slightly more if the item is traded in for another instrument or store credit. If you’re selling through a classified ad, make sure to list all of the characteristics that distinguish the guitar as vintage, then wait for that special buyer who understands its worth.
Hold on to it if you can. It might be worth a fortune in 30 years, and you’ll be glad you still have it. Maybe you’ll even pick it up again.