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Rickenbacker Vintage Guitars

Written by vintage on December 2, 2011 – 11:39 am -

Even though Adolph Rickenbacker is credited with being one of the co-creators of the first electric guitar in 1931, the company that bore his name would not really come into its own until he sold it in 1953. By then, Fender had already introduced the Telecaster, followed by Gibson with its Les Paul. The Rickenbacker catalog from that year showcased the A-22, using the same "frying pan" design of that original electric from 1931. Rickenbacker had a lot of catching up to do, but thanks to The Beatles, they quickly got there. The new company began its ascendency with the Combo 600 and Combo 800, a pair of solid-body guitars with a cutaway to the 19th fret on the treble side and 15th fret on the bass side. The guitars were identical except for the... more


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Richard Gere selling 110 of his guitars from vintage collection, with all proceeds going to charity

Written by vintage on August 30, 2011 – 12:59 pm -

Richard Gere’s guitar collection is going up for sale. The legendary star of “Pretty Woman”, “Chicago” and “An Officer and A Gentleman”, has 110 vintage guitars that will be sold on October 11, through Christie’s auction house. Gere has accumulated the guitars for a period of not less than 20 years. The collection allegedly includes pieces once owned by renowned talents such the Jamaican reggae star Peter Tosh, blues instrumentalist Albert King and American luthier James D’Aquisto. It also includes instruments from major brand names such as C.F. Martin, Fender, Epiphone, Gibson and Gretsch. For this reason, the collection is considered by the auction house as a prestigious opportunity for fans and collectors alike. The auction... more


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1961 Fender Stratocaster Guitar

Written by vintage on October 22, 2010 – 11:48 pm -

The Fender Stratocaster guitar is probably the most popular solidbody electric guitar ever made. Early models (1954 to 1965, known as "pre-CBS" models, since CBS Broadcaster Company bought Fender in January 1965) are the most collectible. Originality and condition are the two most important features of a vintage Fender Stratocaster guitar, and Fender Strats do seem to have been easily modified (due to their "bolt together" nature). In 1961 Fender started using a more robust red dye for their three color sunburst. Also the dark brown part of the sunburst around the edge of the body is slightly more black. Hence the sunburst finish on a 1961 Fender Strat is much bolder looking. Fender also felt the need to add patent numbers to the peghead during... more


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The State of the Vintage Guitar Market

Written by vintage on July 28, 2010 – 3:08 am -

On Location at the 2008 Arlington Guitar Show and Auction. While on the floor in Arlington, we decided to get the dope straight from the dealers. In this segment, we tackled vintage guitar market questions and concerns with several dealers and buyers. What I take from these interviews is that there is still a promising financial future in investing in vintage guitars. As has always been the case, some guitars will appreciate in value more than others. Now might be a good time to buy while prices are down if you are willing to hold onto the guitar for a while.  Read More →


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Posted in ES, Fender, Gibson, Guitar News, Les Paul, SG, Stratocster, Telecaster, Vintage Acoustic Guitars, Vintage Bass Guitars, Vintage Electric Guitars, Vintage Guitars | No Comments »

CNN discusses investing in vintage guitars

Written by vintage on July 6, 2010 – 3:53 am -

Is investing in a vintage guitar a "sound investment?" Doug makes a brief appearance in this clip about investing in a different type of alternate investment. From a segment that appeared on CNN's "Your $$$$$" with Ali Velshi and Christine Romans. Rudy Pensa’s interesting comments on investing in vintage guitars.  Read More →


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Posted in Fender, Gibson, Guitar News, Vintage Acoustic Guitars, Vintage Bass Guitars, Vintage Electric Guitars, Vintage Guitars | No Comments »

Tips on Collecting Hall of Fame Vintage Guitars

Written by vintage on June 12, 2010 – 4:58 pm -

Ever thought that a guitar might be a more reliable investment than the stock market? Vintage guitars are becoming a hot item in the collectibles market, and there are few icons more recognizable to Americans than a rock star and his guitar. While a few months' savings might have bought a guitar in the 1960s, some of those instruments are selling for big bucks today. Recently, George Harrison's guitar sold for a little under six hundred thousand dollars, for instance. Eric Clapton's favorite Stratocaster from the 1970s, Blackie, sold for nearly a million. While celebrity collectibles have been a good investment for years, guitars themselves have largely been overlooked. However, the guitar was perfected between the 1930s and the 1960s, depending... more


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Posted in ES, Fender Bass, Gibson, Gretsch, Les Paul, Martin, Rickenbacker, Stratocster, Telecaster, Vintage Acoustic Guitars, Vintage Bass Guitars, Vintage Electric Guitars, Vintage Guitars | No Comments »

Vintage Rock ‘n’ Roll guitars offer 500% appreciation

Written by vintage on March 23, 2010 – 4:55 am -

These items cherished by rock gods of past decades are big business If I asked you to guess an investment that can give you 500% appreciation of six months, what would it be? I'll bet that guitars wouldn't be your first response. In the forty years since Jimi Hendrix played his white Fender Stratocaster before a 500,000 people at Woodstock, guitars are now firmly established as collectible items. Such legendary events have led thousands of enthusiasts to seek out vintage Fender Stratocasters from the 1970s. A late '60s Strat', then worth a couple of hundred dollars, can today sell for as much as $30,000. Other items, like a '60s Gibson Les Paul Jr., can appreciate by an incredible 500% after six months of ownership. And the best news is,... more


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Posted in ES, Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, Les Paul, SG, Stratocster, Vintage Electric Guitars, Vintage Guitars | No Comments »

Hendrix Stratocaster (1980)

Written by vintage on March 8, 2010 – 2:53 am -

The following is a description of the first of seven guitars produced as a tribute to Jimi Hendrix. Between 1979 and 1980, Fender developed a prototype for a new model that has come to be known on the street as the "Hendrix Stratocaster". This instrument is significant for two main reasons. It was the first Fender artist-related Stratocaster, or perhaps "artist inspired" would be more accurate since no connection to Hendrix by name or image appears anywhere on the guitar (the authorized and licensed Artist Series instruments didn't begin until the Clapton Signature model appeared in 1988). Secondly, the instrument's design features mark a follow-up of the 1979 Anniversary Strat's departure from the CBS norm - a return to the pre-CBS four bolt... more


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Tips on Purchasing Vintage Amplifiers

Written by vintage on February 6, 2010 – 4:34 am -

There are some fun and funky amps out there that can still be had for a steal, as well as a few bargains remaining in good vintage amps that come out from under the bed now and then, but you need to know what you’re looking at to determine whether that tweed suitcase is a tone machine in the rough, or just an old sparky that’s about ready to pop. Take this checklist with you when shopping, and you’ll be a few steps ahead of the game. 1) If possible, play your own guitar through it. You want to be in familiar territory to judge an amp objectively, and it’s difficult to assess an amp’s suitability if you’re testing it with an unfamiliar instrument. Work from your comfort zone, and you’ll better know whether this one could be of use... more


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Becoming Familiar with the Collectible Fender Stratocaster Market

Written by vintage on February 1, 2010 – 1:08 am -

New to the maze that's the collectible Fender Stratocaster market? Join me as I reacquaint myself with the current state of the market after a several-year Stratocaster hiatus. In light of the world's current state, economic, political and health included, it will be interesting to see what impact things have had on the vintage and non-vintage collectible Stratocaster. But first, for those new to this world, let's first go over a few basic ideas. An old Stratocaster may or may not be collectible, despite the word vintage. Its collectability depends on a number of factors such as year of manufacture and current condition (refinished, refretted, replaced electronics, etc.). Likewise, a rare and significant Custom Shop Stratocaster might not be... more


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