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 on the model, and instruments from this period are highly regarded. Some people think that in fifty to a hundred years, guitars from the mid 20th century will be thought of in the same way as violins and cellos from the 17th and 18th century.

The appeal of any guitar grows over time, and there hasn't yet been a period when the market sank. That makes a vintage guitar a great investment choice, as well as a visually and emotionally rewarding collectible. There's nothing like being able to say that you own the guitar once played by a legend.

Values only continue to go up, too. While a 1959 Fender Sunburst Stratocaster, one of the most famous types of guitar, originally cost about $250, it brought between eight and nine thousand dollars in 1997. Today, you might have to pay seventeen thousand for a model with a slab fingerboard.

Recent stock market unpredictability has meant that people are more interested in guitar collecting. These vintage instruments are a great type of protected investment. For collectors who want to cover all the bases, consider a varied collection - acoustic, electric, exotic, antique, vintage, contemporary and even custom guitars.

Over the past couple of years the vintage guitar market has taken a hit here and there but overall has proven to be a sound investment for most. The experts say that when inflation accelerates and the dollar shrinks collectibles prove to be a good place for your money.

People are starting to realize how much these instruments from the 50's 60's, and 70's really meant to our culture.

There is a very limited supply and there still seems to be a high demand for these pieces of history which has proved to be a good choice for those who have invested in these instruments, such as the Gibson Les Pauls' and Fender Telecasters and Stratocaster's from the same era. (50's, 60, and 70's).

A good place to start collecting vintage guitars as an investment would be to focus your research on obtaining guitars from the list below. This list includes that have been inducted into Vintage Guitar Magazine’s Hall of Fame. There are, of course, other lists and other guitars worth investing in, but this is certainly a great place to begin.

In the coming weeks, I will be featuring each of the exquisite instruments in detail. This information will prove useful in your search for vintage guitars that will provide a good return on your investment.

Gibson SG Standard

Inducted in 2009
By 1960, declining sales of the Les Paul model had Gibson looking to revamp the guitar. So the company gave it a radically redesigned, much thinner (and lighter!) body intended to better compete with Fender's Strat. But the things that made up its very heart and soul - especially its humbucking pickups - remained. Today, the early-'60s version is a true classic.

Gibson Les Paul Model (Goldtop)

Inducted in 2008
Les Paul tried for years to convince Gibson it needed a solidbody in its line. Finally, Ted McCarty brought a single-cut experiment guitar to Les for his approval. Though its origianl bridge/tailpiece was far from perfect, the instrument served as Gibson's test bed through the '50s. Eventually, it reached the pinnacle among guitars and today sits among the top collectibles.

Gibson J-45

Inducted in 2007
Martin's "dreadnought" flat-tops were big and dominated the guitar market of the 1930s. By the early '40s, Gibson knew it needed a big flat-top to compete, and he J-45 ("J" for Jumbo, "45" indicating its price in dollars) was it. A 16" round-shoulded flat-top, even in the tough times of its launch, it received a very warm welcome and has ever since remained one of - if not the - most popular Gibson guitars.

Fender Jaguar

Inducted in 2006
Jumping on the speeding Fender bandwagon in 1962, it helped the company stay on top throughout the decade, with its fancy new vibrato tailpiece, sophisticated electronics, and (usually) a funky custom color. If you played instrumental rock at the time, you either had one of these or you were probably ignored!

Gibson ES-5

Inducted in 2006
One of the first guitars built after Ted McCarty took charge of Gibson, it helped solidify the company's position as the world's preeminent electric archtop maker. Today, its late-'50s variant with three PAF humbuckers and Switchmaster tone control is one of the most collectible of its ilk.

National Tri-Cone series

Inducted in 2005
Its warm, sustaining tone emanates from three aluminum "resonators" designed to help guitarists stand out in big-band or orchestra settings. But, soon after being introduced, Nationals were adopted by Hawiian and blues players. Today, the Tri-Cone produces what many consider the ultimate acoustic blues tone.

PRS Custom

Inducted in 2004
The first production instrument from a company that has become the guitar's preeminent modern success story.

Gretsch White Falcon

Inducted in 2004
Like many great guitars, it has evolved through several versions. But it has been a classic since day one, for both it sound and utterly unique aesthetic.

The 1954-'56 Gibson Les Paul Custom

Inducted in 2003
Can you say "Black Beauty?" Though Gibson didn't give it the name, Les Paul himself chose black as the secondary color for the guitar bearing his moniker. Gibson did, however, use it to experiment with a three-pickup configuration and to introduce its famed Alnico-magnet pickup.

Fender Jazzmaster

Inducted in 2002
Designed and marketed by Leo to cut into Gibson's jazz market, it supplanted the Strat at the top of Fender's line in 1958. And though its sound kept it from catching on with jazzers, garage surf bands of the day ate it up. It is one of the most copied solidbody designs of all time.

Gibson SJ-200

Inducted in 2002
A landmark amongst acoustic flattops, the SJ-200 was designed for cowboy guitarist Ray Whitley, and any cowboy worth his salt played one. Its popularity carried over to other genres, and never faded. From its jumbo-sized, sunburst-finished body to its ultra-fancy pickguard, bridge, and headstock, it was considered the consummate flat-top. Just ask Emmylou!

Gibson ES-150

Inducted in 1999
Gibson's first electric Spanish guitar was also the first good-quality electric to hit the market. Favored by Charlie Christian, it housed Gibson's first pickup, which is still in high demand and considered a classic.

Martin D-45

Inducted in 1998
Originally the fanciest of Martin's innovative dreadnought line. If you had one of the 96 made in the 1930s and early '40s, your net worth would be considerably higher than it is now.

Rickenbacker 360/12

Inducted in 1997
It was good enough for George Harrison and gave us the "jingle jangle" of Roger McGuinn. That's more than enough for the 360/12 to be the only 12-string in the VG HoF.

Gibson Flying V

Inducted in 1996
One of the most distinct guitar designs ever created, but it wasn't a hit when it came out in 1958. Rock and rollers discovered it the late '60s and the V still makes a unique statement today.

Gretsch 6120

Inducted in 1996
If you play rockabilly, you better have one of these! Introduced as the Chet Atkins Hollowbody in '54, the 6120 soon shed the "G" brand and western inlays of the early versions, but never lost the Western Orange finish or the cool twang.

Fender Jazz Bass

Inducted in 1995
With its two specially designed pickups, offset waist, and slimmer, narrower neck, the Jazz Bass was intended to be the more tonally diverse, slicker-playing descendant of the Precision. The fact it was available in Fender custom colors (often with matching headstock) makes it all the more cool.

Gibson L-5

Inducted in 1994
Introduced in 1922 and with a design guided by the legendary Lloyd Loar, the L-5 was the first modern archtop guitar. Initially a non-cutaway acoustic, the L-5 went through many changes, ultimately becoming a single-cutaway with two humbuckers.

D'Angelico New Yorker

Inducted in 1993
George Gruhn said of it in the March 2000 issue of Vintage Guitar, "The New Yorker is significant due to its superb quality and aesthetic artistic appeal," and is "one of the finest guitars in the history of the instrument."

Gibson Super 400

Inducted in 1993
Introduced in 1934, with its 18" body and deluxe features, the Super 400 was the largest and most expensive guitar in the Gibson line. Its influence was soon apparent in the designs of many of the great archtops built by others. Whether the earlier non-cutaway acoustic version or the later double-pickup cutaway, it remains a true work of art.

Fender Precision Bass

Inducted in 1992
The first bass in the VG Hall, and why not, it only forever revolutionized how the bass was played. One of the most innovative ideas in modern music history.

Gibson ES-335

Inducted in 1992
Born during Gibson's "golden era," the semi-hollow body ES-335 wedded archtop looks with solidbody performance. Whether it has dot inlays or blocks, it remains one of the coolest designs in guitardom.

Martin D-28

Inducted in 1991
The first acoustic in the VG Hall, the D-28 launched Martin's line of incredible big and loud dreadnoughts in 1931. The D-28 has inspired many guitarists and builders, and remains one of Martin's most popular models.

Fender Telecaster

Inducted in 1991
Leo Fender's timeless classic is about as simple as an electric guitar can be, but still has the magic to appeal to guitarists playing just about any style of music. Every guitar player has a Telecaster (or should). Along with the Strat and Les Paul, the Tele is among the most popular designs around.

Fender Stratocaster

Inducted in 1990
The VG Hall of Fame was started in 1990 and we had little doubt the Strat would be among the first instruments selected for inclusion by our readers. Three single-coils, a vibrato (usually), and that great contoured, offset-double-cutaway body. Some 50 years after its introduction, it is still one of the most popular designs.

Gibson Les Paul Standard ('Burst)

Inducted in 1990
Also an easy first-year selection, LP Standard was introduced with a sunburst finish in 1958, and the '58 to'60 models are the most valuable vintage solidbody guitars. The Les Paul Standard is a classic no matter what finish it bears.

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 the early 1960s. It sold for $300 when it was new, but a collector bought it for $4,500, said Taylor.
Someone else brought in a gold coin from 1871 that had a face value of $20, but sold for $3,500.
The Treasure Hunters Roadshow looks somewhat similar to “Antiques Roadshow” on PBS, but experts there appraise items for insurance purposes, Taylor said. The Treasure Hunters Roadshow buys items for collectors and gives the sellers a check.
As of Friday afternoon, 312 people had visited the show since it started Tuesday. Taylor didn’t have local sales figures but said a typical week brings in $100,000 or more.
Kim Holt of Middletown came to sell off some coins and “did pretty well.”
A man from Springboro, who asked not to be identified, was trying to sell a Disney toy train set that he guessed dated from the 1940s or ’50s. He was offered $300 for it, but decided to try his luck on eBay, where the same set sold for $600.

In 1958 Gibson introduced a guitar with a wood block that was glued to the top and back of the body which ran through the guitars' center leaving the sides empty. The guitar was the Gibson ES-335, the first semi-hollow body guitar. The wood block not only made the ED-335 guitar more solid but it also enhanced its woodiness warm sound and sustain.

Its ingenious body design structure plays a major role in Gibson's history and paved the way for many Gibson legendary guitars to come. Cherished by many artists such as B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, George Harrison and Richie Blackmore just to name a few.

In 1958 when Gibson first launched the ES-335 at a list price of approximately $270 the guitar became an instant success and continued its historical journey until this very day. The ES-335 is coined by many as the best all around guitar in the world because of its versatility.

The first year in production the ES-335 had the following features:
Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays,
two humbuckers,
bigsby vibrato or stop tailpiece,
bound top and back,
the neck joins the body at the 19th fret,
4 knobs ( 2-vol 2-tone ),
tune o-matic bridge,
pickguard extends below the bridge,
large fat neck, and
sunburst or natural finishes.
The 1958 ES-335 is highly desirable and sought after by collectors.

1959 : Cherry finishes were added
1960 : The ES-335 had shorter pickguards and thinner necks
1961 : Natural finishes were discontinued
1962 : Dot inlays on the fingerboard were replaced with block inlays
1965 : Trapeze tailpiece replaced the stop tailpiece 12 string version also introduced
1966 : Indian rosewood fingerboard instead of Brazilian
1969 : walnut finishes were available

In 1981 the Gibson ES-335 was discontinued and replaced with the Gibson ED-335 dot which was a reissue of the original 1960 ES 335 with dot inlays. The Gibson ES-335 dot was discontinued in 1990 and replaced with the Gibson ES-335 reissue in 1991 which are still in production today.

From 1981 to present Gibson also introduced more variations of the Gibson ES-335 such as the
Gibson es-335 artist. The artist had a large headstock logo, metal truss rod plate, gold hardware with 3 knobs.

Gibson ES-335 Dot CMT (1983 - 1985) like the ES-335 dot but with curly maple top and back, gold hardware, and were made in various colors.

Gibson es-335 Studio (1986 - 1991) No f-holes , 2 dirty finger humbuckers , cherry or ebony finishes .

Gibson ES-335 Showcase Edition (1988) black hardware, emg pickups, white or beige finishes and only 200 were made.

Gibson ES-335 Centennial (1994) Gold medallion on the headstock, came in cherry colors, diamond inlays in tailpiece, and also had limited production. (not more than a 100 were made).

Gibson ES-335 '59 Historic Collection (1998) basically a replica of the original 1959 model with dot inlays.

Gibson ES-335 '63 Historic Collection (2000) based on the original 1962 model with block inlays.

Gibson also made es-335 custom shop guitars during the 80s and 90s with a custom shop logo on the back of the headstock.

Vintage Price Value For 2008 :
1958 > $60,000,to $75,000 (Natural)
1958 > $50,000 to $60,000 (Natural-Bigsby)
1958 > $34,000 to $41,000 (Sunburst)
1958 > $32,000 to $39,000 (Sunburst-Bigsby)
1959 > $75,000 to $100,000 (Natural)
1959 > $50,000 to $65,000 (Natural-Bigsby)
1959 > $40,000 to $55,000 (Sunburst)
1959 > $35,000 to $40,000 (Sunburst-Bigsby)
1960 > $25,000 to $35,000 (Cherry)
1960 > $35,000 to $50,000 (Natural)
1960 > $25,000 to $35,000 (Sunburst)
1961 - 1962 > $26,000 to $32,000 (PAFs)
1961 - 1962 > $25,000 to $32,000 (Pat #)
1963 - 1964 > $19,000 to $27,000 (prices vary according to specs & color )
1965 - 1969 > $4,500 to $9,000 (prices vary according to specs & color )
1970 - 1976 > $3,500 to $4,600
1977 - 1981 > $2,000 to $3,200

1965 - 1971 > $2,600 to $3,000 (ES-335-12 string)
1981 - 1990 > $2,300 to $ 2,950 (ES-335 Dot)
1981 - 1982 > $2,300 to $2,600 (ES-335 Artist)
1981 - 1999 > $2,700 to $3,000 (ES-335 Custom Dhop)
1983 - 1985 > $2,700 to $3,000 (ES-335 Dot CMT)
1986 - 1991 > $1,100 to $1,400 (ES-335 Studio)
1988 - 1989 > $2,300 to $3,500 (ES-335 Showcase edition)
1994 - 1995 > $4,000 to $4,200 (ES-335 Centennial)
1998 - 1999 > $2,200 to $2,700 ('59 historic collection)
2000 - 2001 > $2,700 to $3,000 ('63 historic collection)
1991 - 2000 > $1,700 to $2,300 (ES-335 reissue)

Since 2000 Gibson ES-335 guitars made between 1958 and 1969 increased in value 21% a year on average. Those made from 1970 thru 1981 increases in value an average of 9% a year
1970 - 1981 > 9% (does not include the ES-335 dot reissue).

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