Thoughts on vintage guitars vs boutique guitars

[jpfamps]

The accepted definition of vintage guitars is anything over 25 years, so frightenly  (well for those of us who started playing in the 80s!!), 80's guitars are now starting to be considered vintage.

Interest in old guitars started when people wanted models that were no longer production (if you wanted a Les Paul in 1965 it would have to be 2nd hand), when specs changed, or production quality nosedived.

Most people when considering vintage instruments focus solely on the usual suspects ('bursts, 50s Strats/ Teles etc), see the astronomical prices and conclude that vintage instruments aren't worth bothering with.

However, there are plenty of great value quality vintage instruments, which are often cheaper than a modern equivalent.

For example you can get a straight 60's Guild Starfire IV or V for less than the price of a new Gibson ES-335.

60's Gretschs are good value too when compared with the modern reissues.

I often gig with a 50's Gibson ES-225T. Not everyones cup of tea, but a beautifully made instrument, which cost me about the same as a 2nd hand ES-135 (it's nearest modern equvilant).
Vintage accoustics can be very good value.

Vintage amps can also be very good value, and are often less than the price of a reissue.

[JJretroTONEGOD]

You should get a guitar by crimson guitars...

that's what I'd do.

[Telerocker]

I concur with most opinions here. Buy a CS if you want a good instrument. Maybe there are excellent 70's Fenders, but I had a few and they were in my case not on par with modern CS's. Sold my 77 tele long ago. Didn't like the vintage radius too (that's just me, maybe others do).
If you want to buy vintage guitars in your pricerange I would look at Hamer Sunbursts and Specials, Yamaha SG1000, 1500 and 2000 (if you can bear the weight), Ibanez Artists from the seventies, early eighties, Gibson Les Pauls from the seventies (be careful, some are excellent, some not), Washburn Falcon/Eagle (made in Japan).

[Philly Q]

If you want to buy vintage guitars in your pricerange I would look at Hamer Sunbursts and Specials, Yamaha SG1000, 1500 and 2000 (if you can bear the weight), Ibanez Artists from the seventies, early eighties, Gibson Les Pauls from the seventies (be careful, some are excellent, some not), Washburn Falcon/Eagle (made in Japan).

Wow, reading that I almost felt like I'd written it myself!  :o

Those are some of my most-wanted guitars, and have been for the last 30-odd years (I've owned lots of Hamers, but none of the others) 

But as you say, weight is an issue - they're from the era when people thought "the heavier the better".

[Telerocker]

If you want to buy vintage guitars in your pricerange I would look at Hamer Sunbursts and Specials, Yamaha SG1000, 1500 and 2000 (if you can bear the weight), Ibanez Artists from the seventies, early eighties, Gibson Les Pauls from the seventies (be careful, some are excellent, some not), Washburn Falcon/Eagle (made in Japan).

Wow, reading that I almost felt like I'd written it myself!  :o

Those are some of my most-wanted guitars, and have been for the last 30-odd years (I've owned lots of Hamers, but none of the others) 

But as you say, weight is an issue - they're from the era when people thought "the heavier the better".

I know you're a Hamer-fan. Me too. I think they offer a very good price/quality-level if you can pick up a good one. And most of them are good.
My Yamaha SG700 was really good, but I could not stand the weight anymore.
I found Washburns always cool, especially the Falcon. Never got one, I don't know why.

For the music I play at the moment, I prefers strats and tele's, but some of these are still on my wishlist.

[Philly Q]

I found Washburns always cool, especially the Falcon. Never got one, I don't know why.

They do turn up on eBay fairly regularly, but I'm adamant about getting one with an ash top and brass ring inlays!

There was a perfect one at one point last year, but I didn't bid high enough.  :x

[Telerocker]

I found Washburns always cool, especially the Falcon. Never got one, I don't know why.

They do turn up on eBay fairly regularly, but I'm adamant about getting one with an ash top and brass ring inlays!

There was a perfect one at one point last year, but I didn't bid high enough.  :x

I like to play guitars before buying. I keep my eyes open on Marktplaats.nl, the Dutch Ebay-variant, which is owned now by Ebay.

[gwEm]

Some more random thoughts on 70s Fender Strats.

colour scheme and looks wise, its by far my favourite era. another thing to bear in mind, other than the neck pockets, and heavy body weights discussed is that the tremolo guitars have very badly manufactured tremolos which would disgrace even a Chinese Squier today. A hardtail would be better, and luckily they are quite easy to find. i also think its worth tracking down rosewood fingerboard guitars - i find them much more playable than the poly finished maple ones.

[blue]

I'm another 1975 baby :)   I always followed the received wisdom about '70s Fenders and Gibsons, and indeed i remember when you couldn't give them away!  i still pretty much accept it about Fenders.  i know there are some decent ones out there, but the majority are awful, and the prices they go for now astound me.  i've seen virtually unplayable strats and teles for up to £3500!  Also Strats with virtually no body contouring.  Gibsons do seem to be better, although one of the worst guitars i've ever played was a 1975 Les Paul Deluxe.  nontheless, i have now gotten several '70s Gibsons, and they are all good guitars.  my '75 Les Paul Standard is a fantastic guitar, and is now my no.1.  in saying that, I have yet to come across a '70s SG that was anything more than very average.

1970s Marshalls are another matter, you can get an utterly fabulous amp for reasonable money.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I feel kind of out of place for not being born in 1975  :(

[Philly Q]

I feel kind of out of place for not being born in 1975  :(

At least (I'm guessing) you're younger than that lot?  Some consolation, surely?

Vintage guitars from the year of my birth are a bit more expensive than '75 models.  They weren't making Les Pauls that year, either...  :?

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I feel kind of out of place for not being born in 1975  :(

At least (I'm guessing) you're younger than that lot?  Some consolation, surely?

Indeed. I guess it's some consolation, yes, but I do regret not being older to have witnessed and experienced more of my favorite music while it was happening.

[Telerocker]

Some more random thoughts on 70s Fender Strats.

colour scheme and looks wise, its by far my favourite era. another thing to bear in mind, other than the neck pockets, and heavy body weights discussed is that the tremolo guitars have very badly manufactured tremolos which would disgrace even a Chinese Squier today. A hardtail would be better, and luckily they are quite easy to find. i also think its worth tracking down rosewood fingerboard guitars - i find them much more playable than the poly finished maple ones.

Very useful addition. I totally agree with your preferences.

[viking]

...

[dave_mc]

At least (I'm guessing) you're younger than that lot?  Some consolation, surely?

Vintage guitars from the year of my birth are a bit more expensive than '75 models.  They weren't making Les Pauls that year, either...  :?

yeah those original martins get pretty expensive...


sorry you kinda lobbed it up and i couldn't resist :oops:

Indeed. I guess it's some consolation, yes, but I do regret not being older to have witnessed and experienced more of my favorite music while it was happening.

yeah that's what i sometimes think. what's even more annoying for me is that i was (just about) old enough to experience it first hand but wasn't into rock music then

but more seriously, i agree with philly for sure. I'd trade that stuff in in a second to be 18 again. pretty much anyone over the age of 25 would, lol.