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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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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 »

Jimi Hendrix, 40 Years Beyond

Written by vintage on April 18, 2010 – 3:16 am -

2010 will be a banner year for the sound and vision of the Seattle-born guitarist. By Michael E. Ross for MSN Local Edition It has been nearly 40 years since he kissed the sky for good in September 1970, but in all that time Jimi Hendrix -- regarded by many fans and critics as the greatest guitarist who ever lived -- has never been off the radar of popular culture. This anniversary year of his death in London at the age of 27 will mark a number of events commemorating the man and his music, some of them focused on Seattle, where he was born and raised, a city that has by turns accepted him and, according to some, held him at arm's length despite international multi-generational renown that continues to this day. For Janie Hendrix, Jimi's stepsister... more


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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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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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Factors That Influence the Value of a Collectible Instrument

Written by vintage on February 1, 2010 – 12:53 am -

by George Gruhn As both a dealer and appraiser of vintage fretted instruments I am faced with the daily necessity of placing dollar values on instruments. Any appraisal or price determination is to a certain degree the subjective judgment of the particular dealer or appraiser involved, however, the figures that I or any other dealer or appraiser place on instruments are firmly based on our knowledge and experience of the market involving supply, demand, and prior precedent for instruments of this type. While there is no one simple formula that a dealer or appraiser uses for evaluations, the following factors are critically important: 1. Maker Instruments made by famous luthiers or manufacturers are far more sought after than those by lesser... more


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

Autographed White Fender Squier Stratocaster Guitar

Written by vintage on December 11, 2009 – 11:50 pm -

The Blues Foundation Presents Autographed White Fender Squier Stratocaster The Blues Foundation is pleased to offer this opportunity to own a piece of blues history. For our last fundraising auction of 2010 we're pulling out all of the stops! This one is really special and the monies raised will go to support The Blue's Foundation's HART Fund. This month we are offering a white Fender Squier Strat signed by many of the top women and men of Blues music, as well as Rolling Stone members, Keith Richards and Ron Wood. The Blues artists who autographed the guitar number in the dozens and include, among others, Hall of Famers Robert Lockwood, Jr., Jimmy McCracklin, Pinetop Perkins, Bobby Rush, Hubert Sumlin and Irma Thomas, as well as contemporary... more


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Gold, silver and vintage guitars are best sellers at Treasurer Hunters Roadshow

Written by vintage on October 27, 2009 – 4:22 pm -

By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer, Middletown Journal For some people, selling goods at the Treasure Hunters Roadshow in Middletown has been music to their ears — particularly if the good was a guitar. The Roadshow, which evaluates valuables and antiques, has been at the Manchester Inn since Tuesday; today, Oct. 24, is its last day. Many items, even if they’re antiques, haven’t been fetching high prices in the weak economy, said Greg Taylor, a manager at the Middletown show. However, gold, silver and guitars are the exceptions. “Gold and silver prices are so high, and with vintage guitars, the wood they used can’t be reproduced today,” Taylor said. For example, earlier this week in Middletown, someone brought in a Gibson ES 330 from... more


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Posted in ES, Fender, Fender Bass, Gibson, Gibson, Gretsch, Guild, Guitar News, Ibanez, Les Paul, Martin, SG, Vintage Acoustic Guitars, Vintage Bass Guitars, Vintage Electric Guitars, Vintage Guitars | No Comments »

Vintage Guitar Market Out Performs Wall Street

Written by vintage on October 16, 2009 – 4:35 pm -

In April of 2007 the Vintage Guitar market saw gains in value of over 50%. Yes this was a bumper year with gains above the norm, but gains in value have been happening for the last 30 years and have never gone backwards. Vintage Guitar magazine the market bible on all things Vintage Guitar, developed the "The 42-Guitar Index" in 1991. It tracks the ongoing values of excellent condition original pre-1970 Gibson, Fender and Martin guitars. Pre 70's because those instruments are the most valuable, however guitars from after 1970 are starting to rise steadily. The average value of an instrument in their index for 2007 is a very healthy $19,706, and that represents a staggering 438% increase since 1991. This equates to an average of 27% compounded... more


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