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R ecently a new trend has emerged. An increasing number Vintage musical instrument dealers can facilitate your fretted
of people are investing in vintage guitars and singing the instrument investment. Guitars that have not been made famous by
praises of their profits. Can collecting these instruments hugely successful artists will sell at a reasonable retail price; however,
be part of an investment strategy? Is there a market? If any potential profit could take several years to generate. Good deals can
so, where are these products bought and sold and how are their values be found at music stores, flea markets and garage sales and most stores
determined? selling vintage instruments tend to back their products which reduces
investment risk somewhat. While an increasing number of people are
In 1959 the retail price of a Gibson Les Paul electric guitar with a sunburst aware of the potential value of vintage guitars, it is sadly observed that
finish would have cost about $300 U.S. Assuming one is available today, these instruments are also among the first things that people will peddle
the same instrument could cost $200,000 U.S. In 1952, a new Fender during difficult financial times.
Telecaster would incur a setback of a mere $189.50 U.S. In recent times, The vintage guitar market is not only a fascinating investment, it is first
an instrument with that exact pedigree was listed on the Guitar Centre and foremost a passion, and passion is priceless.
website for $45,000 U.S.

Additionally, in 2004, during a Christie’s auction in New York, a Fender
Stratocaster that Eric Clapton once claimed he could not live without
became the most expensive guitar to be sold at auction, fetching
$959,500 U.S. The “Blackie”, as it had been named, was custom-built
by the guitarist using parts from three different instruments. It was
virtually the only electric guitar that Eric Clapton used both on stage
and for studio recordings between 1970 and 1985.

Some of the best sources for obtaining information and indicative
trading prices for vintage guitars include: The Vintage Guitar Price Guide,
written by Alan Greenwood and Gil Hembree; Gruhn’s Guide to Vintage
Guitars: An Identification Guide for American Fretted Instruments written
by musical instrument experts George Gruhn and Walter Carter, the
Reverb Price Guide in Chicago, and the guitar stores, Guitare Collection
in Paris, and Vintage Guitars in Rennes, France.

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