Heritage Guitar Investments or not?

[allmantrout]

I wonder what the group thinks are the "investor grade" Heritage guitars?

 

Are they the first 10 made of a particular model? Are they a certain color? Made with certain options? A certain era? Are they solid versus semi hollow versus hollow body electrics? Acoustics? The Rarest? The limited additions? The H357? Gary Moore? Other Artists? None? All?

 

For those in "the know", what are the top 10 Investor Grade Heritage guitars made heretofore in your opinion?

[Dick Seacup]

I'm definitely not in the know, but I don't think any Heritage guitar is "investment grade." Meaning I can get a much (much, much) better return in the equities or bond markets than I can by storing Heritage guitars under my bed. They just aren't going to appreciate enough to not only make a decent return, but cover the opportunity costs as well. Of course, that hasn't stopped me from storing Heritage guitars under my bed...but, I like to play them.

 

Buy 'em to play 'em, that's why they build 'em.

 

Just my uninformed/underinformed opinion.

[Jazzpunk]

I haven't seen any used Heritage guitars go for more than their initial retail value. Has anyone else?

 

I was told by a dealer when I purchased my 575 recently that it would 'double in value over the next 5 years'. Judging from current eBay auctions I'd say that was either wishful thinking or one dandy of a sales pitch!

[FredZepp]

It's hard to judge anything based on past performance with current economic conditions.

Quality tends to hold value in the longer run.

But it's really about future demand.

 

I think that a lot of us feel our Heritage is worth much more than it would bring on the market right now...

[Kuz]

I haven't seen any used Heritage guitars go for more than their initial retail value. Has anyone else?

I was told by a dealer when I purchased my 575 recently that it would 'double in value over the next 5 years'. Judging from current eBay auctions I'd say that was either wishful thinking or one dandy of a sales pitch!

 

There are no investment Heritages right now, just like there aren't any new guitars of any company guaranteed to appreciate now.

 

The only Heritage guitar that may have sold for more than it was new, could have been Fred's Centurion (and here I am just guessing, but hey Fred I am giving you another reason to post a pic of that bad boy!)

[Gitfiddler]

My 2 cents...The words Guitars and Investments should not be used in the same sentence. Unless the guitar in question was produced 40-50 (or more) years ago, and purchased in that same time period, chances are there is little or no real monetary appreciation.

 

As for Heritage, there may be minor fluctuations for the right buyer, at the right time, for a specific model like the Centurion, but otherwise...just buy em' to play em fellas.

 

 

Invest in gold, real estate, and your kids...not guitars.

[FredZepp]

The only Heritage guitar that may have sold for more than it was new, could have been Fred's Centurion (and here I am just guessing, but hey Fred I am giving you another reason to post a pic of that bad boy!)

No , mine is not a good example of that. But I'm glad I got a great deal , cause it still cost a fortune.

Even though the last owner designed the guitar, carved the headstock, and was head of the finishing dept ... He paid more than he sold it to me for. And retail was more than double that....

.... Thanks for the chance to bring this one up again... I am a proud owner... and happy to oblige...

 

[FredZepp]

Maybe some that sell for more than when new are .... the 1984 A serial number H-140 and Gary Moore H-150's . The 140 is still going up in price on ebay and I couldn't tell you how high a GM has sold for..... any guess, Brent? I bet that we don't know that one....

[TalismanRich]

Every Heritage is an investment.... in the art of making music.

[big bob]

guitars are not investments, they can be bought and sold for profit, but are not investments. having said that ... but then again no...

[Mikenov]

If by investment you mean the ability to lose 40% of it's value overnight? yep, I am one SAVY investor. I keep investing more all the time. Made another "investment" just today! Hell, I may invest more later this year. Probably not though. but maybe.. a little.

 

Edit - I have been trying to cash in a couple of my most savy investments lately. Man, there must be some cautious investors out there right now because they are waiting for the right time to snatch up my investments. I am sure they have there eyes on the future though.

[FredZepp]

Maybe an investment in your musical soul. An investment in real old American craftsmanship. An investment in .... Auditory Nirvana

[brentrocks]

If i were to rate certain Heritages based on their collectability....these would be the ones i would get.

 

(not in any particular order)

 

1. H 357

2. Gary Moore H 150

3. Mark Slaughter pointy thing...lol

4. Alvin Lee 535

5. early H 150s w/ G cut

6. early H 170s w/ pointy horns

7. A, B, C and D code Heritages...and BASSES

8. American Eagle

9. really odd 1-offs (tripple single coil H 150 custom, for example)

10. the bastards of the early days....H 162, STAT, H 120, H127, EXterminator, H 204/207, etc

11. Kahuna

12. The rose

13. Centrillion

 

i could go on...but you get the idea....

 

I dont really think Heritages will peak in value for many years to come though.

[tulk1]

I would say the Heritage Banjos and Mandolins might be investment-worthy. And someday maybe the Eagles. But I don't see the common run - 150, 535/555, 575, Millies, etc. ever being that golden egg.

[JeffB]

My H150 was a good investment. In my tone pursuit.

Also I got it quite cheap and have used it at enough gigs for it to have paid for itself plus pay for another guitar purchase. So it effectively doubled its worth in a couple of years of relaxed gigging.

My main gig guitar is someone elses and my investment in that guitar, set of strings each week, has yielded a fantastic return over the last 3years. Even if I had paid for it I would have recouped the outlay in 2-3 gigs. I dont think a vintage strat would even come close over the same 3 yr period. I still would like a collectable strat to pass on to my daughter.

 

Ive noticed some of the early PRS's(pre factory) seem to fetch some good dollars and they have a similar age to Heritage. Not the marketing, but a similar type of loyal fan base. So the Heritage equivalent of PRS's Custom 24(ie:most recognizable model) is the model to go for. What ever that maybe. Some kind of hollow body???

 

Just have to add this.....Ive played a few early PRS's......think Id buy a new one

[ronalr]

My H150 was a good investment. In my tone pursuit.

Also I got it quite cheap and have used it at enough gigs for it to have paid for itself plus pay for another guitar purchase. So it effectively doubled its worth in a couple of years of relaxed gigging.

My main gig guitar is someone elses and my investment in that guitar, set of strings each week, has yielded a fantastic return over the last 3years. Even if I had paid for it I would have recouped the outlay in 2-3 gigs. I dont think a vintage strat would even come close over the same 3 yr period. I still would like a collectable strat to pass on to my daughter.

 

Ive noticed some of the early PRS's(pre factory) seem to fetch some good dollars and they have a similar age to Heritage. Not the marketing, but a similar type of loyal fan base. So the Heritage equivalent of PRS's Custom 24(ie:most recognizable model) is the model to go for. What ever that maybe. Some kind of hollow body???

 

Just have to add this.....Ive played a few early PRS's......think Id buy a new one

 

I have to agree Tully......I think the new PRS are outstanding...I have 7 PRS ... 2 Heritage...3 Gretsch..3 Fender...2 Gibson LP's ...acoustics...Martin and Gibson...3 Carvin...and others...the only people to make any money on these are my Daughter and son - in -law when they inherit them!!!...Now as far as 40-50 year old guitars as investments...well I bought a 1964 SG Standard from a friend in 1968 for $200.00 and sold it 4 years ago for $8,500. to help pay for my Daughter's wedding....so that was a good investment...but who new back then...that was just my main gigging guitar till I stopped playing live in 1991. ...

Oh and the investment I traded for an organ in 1972...my pre CBS Strat that my parents bought me in 1965....I am sure we all have those kind of stupid mistake stories I just buy guitars now for the enjoyment of playing them and hopefully my Daughter will benefit from selling them after I am gone!!!!

 

funny thing (and my wife reminds me of this all the time) I only had 2 guitars the whole time I played professionally (1965-1991) ... But dear now I have time to play them

[smurph1]

My 2 cents..Why is everyone so worried about monetary returns on their Heritages? Let's face it, they are awesome sounding hand built axes that bring us all a great deal of joy..so let's just pick and grin!! OK, I'll shut up now..

[yoslate]

My 2 cents...The words Guitars and Investments should not be used in the same sentence.

 

 

 

Been a while: "Just play the f***in' thing...."

Sam Moss

[gopeteygo]

It's an investment in my own happiness. That's about it.

 

And it paid off.

[skydog]

The Heritages that I've bought have done about as well as my 401K.

[Mikenov]

One thing is for sure. By the amount of traffic this topic is getting, people are thinking about this either way.

[big bob]

I bet j wolfe thinks they are a great investment.

[big bob]

for some of us the desire to have a heritage guitar is because of what it is, how it's made, and by whom. The more people play Heritage guitars, the more people will discover they want one. At some point those stinky butt head people who buy guitars, to be placed in cases,so they can watch the appreciation, will figure it out. and then we will all be screwed. I buy the oddballs because I think they are fun, I love to own them, I love to have them, I love to look at them; but most of all I love the place I go to when I get to play them.. as long as that place exists, I will "Invest/collect" them!

 

 

please don't tell my wife!!!

[Spectrum13]

for some of us the desire to have a heritage guitar is because of what it is, how it's made, and by whom. The more people play Heritage guitars, the more people will discover they want one.

 

I think they are fun, I love to own them, I love to have them, I love to look at them; but most of all I love the place I go to when I get to play them.. as long as that place exists, I will "Invest/collect" them!

 

Other than not being made 40 -57 years ago, several factors limit their desirability to collectors.

 

Limited worldwide appreciation. Without major artists going on tour, on video or TV the name is not too well known. Not to mention the British and American acts and guitar gods from the 60's were never photographed with a Heritage.

 

Limited destribution. I only know of one dealer in Europe that stocks Heritage and has a good website. Due to economics (required annual factory orders, public general knowledge of the brand, factory setups, {cracking the lacqure to replace a nut on a brand new instrument - cost of shipping to factory for defects weither real or preceived} several USA dealers no longer represent Heritage.

 

How many people post... I want to buy a Heritage but I never played one and the nearest dealer in 300 miles away and they have only XXX in stock. The tendency for the shops to sell what is in stock or telling of the few heritage's they {might have} seen with twisted necks or (in the old days) tell a customer to wait 12 months and then deal with factory communication breakdowns on custom orders.

 

As long the faithfull are limited to some 1600 members on this forum, we will never see world wide demand anything like the McCarty days or the Norlan Error. Guild had great gutars in the 50's & 60's with several well know artist. Other that their Aristocrat, Artist Award, Thunderbird, Dwane Eddy and 60's F50s their vintage production could not be consider an investment either.

 

We are pretty much the Heritage vintage market.

[rjsanders]

I'm definitely not in the know, but I don't think any Heritage guitar is "investment grade." ...

 

Just my uninformed/underinformed opinion.

 

 

same here. none of mine as gone up in "value" to anyone other than me. another + for buy 'em & play 'em