Vintage vs. Modern

[skydog]

There was a recent thread here on relics vs. nos. What does everyone think about the current vintage market. I like old guitars as much as anyone else but when I see some of the prices I just shake my head. Recently I saw an early sixties 335 that I'm sure was a fine piece in it's day. The hardware was very corroded, the finish was heavily checked, the frets well worn, etc. etc. They were asking like 20k for it! When I think of the stable of modern Heritage guitars I could assemble for that money, to me it's a no brainer.

[JohnCovach]

This is a very hot topic with many dimensions.  I don't recall much of a vintage market back in the 70s or maybe even most of the 80s.  There were places that specialized in older instruments and I knew a guy who had several 50s Strats and Les Pauls stashed away as investments, but you could still afford to buy an older guitar and use it on gigs.  I used to subscribe to a monthly flyer from Gruhn, which was a simple photocopied stock list that arrived in the mail.  But by the 90s, prices on almost anything old shot way up, as "vintage" became something more for collectors than for players.  Because of the inflated value of these guitars, you almost can't risk taking them to gigs or really consider making any modifications.

 

Most players I know buy relatively recent guitars and modify them to suit their taste.  These are the guitars that actually get used by people who play a lot.  Even if a player has vintage instruments as well, s/he is not likely to take them out of the house much.

[NewHeritageowner]

I was fortunate and bought a number of gibsons, fenders and nationals before the vintage price hikes. I know they sound tremendous, I bought for tone not condition. Now I play the cheaper modded models, SRV with special pickups from a friend at the custom shop, light weight big neck warmoth tele with a christian in the neck, golden era martin, golden eagle with a few humbuckers added ect... as I am afraid to devalue the antiques. My players have all the snap and tone sooooo I take care of gramps for the next generation and hope my kids want to play. They come out to play but I hate being overly cautious; I know they are made to be played and am not warehousing em.  You can get damn close in tone now from all the companies if you have a good ear imho. 

[golferwave]

 I talked to two dealers who were at the Arlington Texas show last week and they both said there were more vintage and pre-CBS strats there than they have ever seen at any show,even in the early 90's. I think a market correction is in the works and it won't be kind to those who recently paid premium prices for the vintage stuff.

[NewHeritageowner]

I agree. I have seen some really nice early 50's vintage teles going nowhere on EBAY. I think the massive war debt driven economy is coming home to haunt us. Sorry to be doomsday but the housing market is tanking, massive mortgage debt blah blah..... This ray of sunshine brought to you by Newheritage.

[Paul P]

The world (well, at least North America) has really gone vintage crazy, and not just with respect

to guitars.  Doesn't matter if it's stove parts, tools, cars, planes, toys or anything else.  If it's old,

it's worth something.  I eavesdropped on a conversation between three men at a flea market

last summer who were discussing their successes in acquiring sheet-metal toy trucks.  It was a

really big thing for them.

 

I'll admit to having hunted quite a few vintage artifacts but it has always been because they

were built better way back when and I wanted something good to use.  It's always bugged

me to have had to compete with others who's only intention was to acquire the thing for

the sole purpose of owning it.  For example, when I discovered my newly installed woodstove

drew too much with the doors open I bought an old Griswold stove damper off of ebay.  Like

just about everything else they were made much better than the ones you can buy new today,

especially the handle part that shows on the outside of the stovepipe.  People actually collect

these things !

 

How many great guitars are just sitting in boxes collecting dust ?

 

The thing I like about Heritage is that I can buy a 'vintage' instrument that is brand new and

not particularly expensive.

 

Paul P

[wingnut1]

I like to buy recently made guitars, say within the last 10 to 15 years and mod them to my tastes.  You can get very close to vintage tones if that is what your into.  If I bought true vintage I might be able to afford one or two guitars that I'd be afraid to play in certain situations, instead I've got a stable of 11 beautiful great sounding electrics to play with and play.