Vintage Guitar

A vintage guitar is an older guitar usually sought after and maintained by avid collectors or musicians. While any guitar of sufficient age can be considered a vintage instrument, the term is typically applied to guitars either known for their sound quality or rarity.

As early as the 1970s, musicians and collectors began to recognize the value of older instruments. The mass production of both acoustic and electric guitars in that era served to highlight the quality workmanship and materials of the older instruments. Historians, such as George Gruhn, helped to codify both the monetary value and sound quality of these guitars for both collectors and musicians.

Examples of well-known vintage electric guitars are 1950s and 1960s era and Telecaster and Gibson Les Paul. Also, Vox, Gretsch, Rickenbacker, and Epiphone. Examples of well-known vintage bass guitars are 1950s and 1960s era Fender Precision Bass. Although less well-known and not as financially valuable, older electric guitars under the names of Harmony, Danelectro or Kay are becoming increasingly collectible.

Examples of well-known vintage acoustic guitars are Martin and Gibson models typically previous to the 1970s and 1930s era Recording Kings, among others.

1912 Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co. Style U

1932 C. F. Martin 0-18T Tenor guitar

1951 Fender Nocaster

1954 Fender Stratocaster (Miss Daisy)

1954 Fender Esquire

1958 Fender Stratocaster

1957 Fender Stratocaster

1953 Gibson Les Paul (Goldtop)

1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard

Harmony guitars

Silvertone model 1454 by Harmony

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