I do pass on severe neck breaks, I do take my chances on replaced bridge plates if tone is there, other things can be overlooked if the tone is superlative and price is good, there's nothing so good as a beat up old Gibson that looks like hell and sounds like heaven, K. Although we like simple black and white categories, it is a broad continuum in this case. So I'm saying that "tone woods" may get better with age, I just don't see anybody capitalizing on it all that much. When an artist suddenly puts an almost forgotten old model on the map, it can become vintage more or less overnight. Hundreds of dollars difference to get old wood magic. Shop our selection of player grade basses for the look, feel, and sound you want at a great price, with vintage magic and mojo to spare. Refresh your browser window to try again. To just label civil war memorabilia, auto, sports as just used stuff without acknowledging it has specific designations to it within its world of collectibles is as non-reality based as just calling all vintage guitars in the sphere of its collectible market place as just "used" is kind of a form of denial of what is and disrespectful to an entire industry. Has a few changes but plays great and sounds great. It is a bonafide guitar collectors commodity market that can and does exist separate from utility instruments and even possibly players. Martin guitars from the 1930s are pretty much seen as the holy grail. To be clear, I'm not interested in hearing about the ownership experience or value judgments about those who own one and/or the other. The first ones, or the ones they make every year afterwards, the ones that somehow seem to be more accurate than the one you paid 6000 for last year. The item you've selected was not added to your cart. Never cared for them. Here is a mintyMartin D-28 Standard. From the Gruhn website: Hmm, so, entry level, student model, player grade, vintage, pristine, boutique, custom, hand built, collectible, grail. I would think that most 45 series models from the steel string "golden era" might be considered "collector" even with wear and possibly refinished. Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters from 1950 to roughly 1965: no brainers. and what are the names for the other grades? Whether a guitar is considered vintage depends on the type and is also a bit fashion sensitive. This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our. Or, that the multiple markets co-exist and help both new and vintage marketplaces. Very good question and I am interested in hearing others thoughts on this as well. In short: mint, near mint, excellent et cetera indicate how 'clean' a vintage guitar is. NORM'S RARE GUITARS All original besides the bridge 1973 Gibson SG Custom Walnut! Same thang in the vintage guitar collectible marketplace. Our advice: buy a guitar that you enjoy. Learned something from it. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Refins, buckle rash, extra holes, and other small cosmetic modifications dont affect the sound, but they do affect the price. It is also complicated by age, rarity, and general demand for a particular item. So there is no strict definition as with antiques. You must log in or register to reply here. For example, there is the very comprehensive Vintage Guitar Guide for guitars and amplifiers. It's their money, they don't need anything but my experience and memory, so what they buy is fine with me. This is very interesting FA! If you believe the claims of marketing it is your prerogative, just as it is mine to not believe it based on a long time playing the guitar. I mean, this was pre Norlin, wasn't it? Maybe you see it as an investment and the guitar stays in its case, hoping that it will be worth more one day. But collector grade needs to be as close to original and perfect as possible, or to only have minimal age appropriate wear and minimal repairs - but even those will lower the value slightly. It depends a lot on the collector - as with all things collectible, the person paying the money is the one that really decides what is or isn't adding value -. I have my cake and eat it too, a new Kirn made from 150 year old wood! Player Tele with three saddle bridge, vintage style tuners, a single ply pickguard. We offer that service for free. Something went wrong. This year you'll have to pay 7000. My original Gibson, 1957 and my original Martin, 1962 were brand new at the time, now considered "vintage". Players will be looking for player grade guitars that might show some more traces of use, but are still playable. There are useful tools that can help determine the value. For antiques it is very easy: after exactly one hundred years something becomes antique. Here is a very cool 1973Gibson SG Custom. The five most important questions about Vintage Guitars. Here's a real 1959 Gibson ES330TD for less than half the price of an all-original. Many sell their used guitar to a vintage guitar collector at a dirt cheap price because it's just a used thing to the joy of many a vintage guitar collector. Wily if a vintage guitar hasn't been played much its probably a POS wouldn't ya think? Reverb.com, the Marketplace for guitarists, has a very full price guide in which they follow the trends of all the stuff offered for sale through that site. It's ready to be enjoyed. Lightspeed, 18969 Ventura Blvd. 'Don't know if it would be considered a Player grade, but this '43/'44 Hog banner is willing in most heavy duty applications: Beater grade (?) September 16, 2016 in Gibson Acoustic, Player grade vintage: "A prized vintage instrument made more affordable by modification, repair, or years of usage." Like any commodities market, understanding it before participating in it, is important for financial investment (not guitar playing) purposes. A little stopping power never hurts. Do you tell folks those things or just leave them out? A replaced plastic bridge doesn't reduce a guitar's collectibility or value, provided it has decently been replaced by an acceptable wooden bridge.). Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. I think wear and refinish, as well as repairs or modifications, are what distinguish collector from player grade. Not all guitars from this period are the same, there can be a lot of difference between them. TDPRI, short for Telecaster Discussion Page Reissue, is the leading online community and marketplace for Telecaster guitars. This depends on many factors: brand, model, year of construction and the state and therefore varies greatly from one guitar to another. This is no different that civil war collectibles, automobile collectibles, sports collectibles, etc. Or, that all the reissues and torefication(sp) are not meant to complete with the vintage guitar industry? Would you be one of those one day when your fine Gibson ages? The harmonics on this guitar are pretty awesome and I'm just really getting started with it. '52 Tele, '66 Tele, '56 Strat, and '63 Strat. Rather, I'm seeking clarification about distinguishing characteristics that can be attributed to the instruments themselves such that one would be labelled player grade .. while another, collector grade. Player grade low end is not low-end. Lots of great new guitars being made today. Some are players some are investment. Two holes above the bridge. In this collectible vintage guitar market, their is less demand for utility vintage instruments that are considered such because of their modifications. ~'45 Maple J-45 with Nick Lucas-style inlay: Agree, Larry. I offer them my experience and memory, not my marketing and sales skills. But for the most part I find the idea that a guitar is somehow valuable because it is "vintage" to be ridiculous. stressful to play in hazardous duty situations. OK, thanks to all but, I can see where this is heading. All my vintage stuff is players grade for sure. (In particular see 6:00 and what he uses to cut the saddle slot!)]. Keeping in mind that since its demand driven it not always is rational or player drivensame as any collectible market. Lastly, I have to feel good playing it. Maybe in bars, maybe busking, maybe in someone's parlor. The Fellowship of Acoustics also offers a trade-in service where, after completing our web form,we can give a good indication of the value. Become a CME VIP and get the latest news on gear, giveaways, and deals FIRST! Unmodified vintage instruments in excellent condition fetch the kind of top dollar that not every musician, or even every collector, can justify. No guitar is the same, so that depends entirely on what you want to do with a vintage guitar. But usually vintage guitars refers to special instruments from a specific period. - Powered by This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. (818) 344-8300, Copyright 2022 Normans Rare Guitars Then the neck has to be uniform and the frets have to be finished right. Sorry for the noobish question, feel like its probably really obvious! Since I first started visiting his shop in the 70s, I think Gruhn has been a gold standard for condition definitions. This is a player-grade 1959 ES-330 that has great mojo. At that time, production could be rather erratic and not everyone has been careful with the instruments over the years. JavaScript is disabled. Please contact us at [emailprotected]mail.com or call us at 818-344-8300. Both can and do exist and both have their own idiosyncrasies and one can be both a fan and/or buyer/player of new Gibsons as well as a fan and/or buyer/player of vintage Gibsons or an exclusive one of whichever they prefer. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Or, that there are benefits and drawbacks of both new and used and vintage instruments and clue them in on those so they can make an educated decision. - for PayPal Credit, opens in a new window or tab, - eBay Return policy - opens in a new tab or window, - eBay Money Back Guarantee - opens in a new tab or window. Our hours of operation are Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, 11:30am-6pm PST. Are they as good as a vintage Martin or a Gibson? You are using an out of date browser. I guess this is true for vintage guitars, but try to sell a two year old Martin on Craig's list that has even a single (gasp) scratch on itlol.be prepared to be bent over on a barrel. Or, will you suddenly then acknowledge its existence and legitimacy? Perhaps, it's a good time to move on from this topic, eh? So they're less than 100 years old. The condition and originality bar on a 1951 OOO-28 would be much higher than the bar for a 1940 OOO-28. Player grade vintage"finally explained.. Their description is not really surprising. I find this to be the case, personally. By now this is an impressive database. Why? Because the vintage Corvette and Mercedes collectible marketplace determines that to be so. Oh, and I'm really really pleased you don't do basses - or I'd be screwed. I'm quite a bit older than these two. Used Tokai LS150 Love Rock Sunburst Les Paul Electric Guitar PU MOD Player Grade, - eBay Money Back Guarantee - opens in a new window or tab. We'd love to see you in Dedemsvaart. Or, that there are benefits and drawbacks of both new and used and vintage instruments and clue them in on those so they can make an educated decision. Just curious Did you read what I wrote? Did you read what I wrote and grasp the concepts or did you just see the words of someone that doesn't agree with you? Their description is not really surprising. Shop our player grade vintage to score the real deal vintage vibe for less. That's possible! Or do you want to complete a collection? It's been refinished and has a beautifully executed Dragon inlay. Second, Jazzman Einstein: Just last week I was lying around pondering, "What was Gibson thinking when they implemented the plastic bridge in the 1960s?" I'm with Jedzep. A 1988 Martin D-28 has a much higher condition bar to jump over than would a 1962 D-21 to be considered appealing to someone in a collecting mindset. But, it is not worth as much as original equipment in the vintage car collectible marketplace. Like, you know, all the other used guitars in the world. With guitars it is slightly more complicated, because 'vintage' just means secondhand. General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion. But, it's not a combat battle. Some exaggeration for the sake of comedy. Here is a very cool and great-sounding Ovation Custom Shop Adamas 1687GT-2 in Reverse 1966 Gibson J50 Natural! If you like vintage guitars by all means buy as many as you want. I keep dialing in the new Kirn Tele and I'm getting the Hendrix grunts and groans on it like I never have on any other guitar. That's why it's important to delve into it before you buy, ask questions, do a bit of research on the seller and ask someone who knows more about it to take a look. Here is an excellent guitar made in Kalamazoo by Gibson for Recording King. That can basically be anything, even a guitar from 2018 is vintage by that definition. I don't collect guitars I play them and am constantly buying and selling. "vintage" guitars are way over rated and usually bought by people that know nothing about guitars. What's crap today, could be the next big thing tomorrow. One can dispute what they do all one wants, but that is not acknowledging the reality of the vintage guitar commodity market that exists based on supply and demand in the vintage guitar market. For me, player grade means a guitar that has spent it's life usefully being played the way I hope all guitars get played. Many of ya's seem to be falling into the either/or trap. Collecting can be great fun! Have already started the search for a candidate for a vintage refin.. What does conversion mean? Read or write a review here. The guitar has almost no wear at all. Shop player grade electrics for a shockingly good deal on the vintage piece you crave. Does't mean the car is bad if someone an owner modified it. Thanks for posting it. The pickups have to have the sound I'm looking for. If you run into one of them, you can buy a real vintage guitar for less than a thousand euros that is 80 to 90 years old with that delicious vintage barky blues sound. Of course, that pleasure can be that you play on it for hours , but we see that a lot of people enjoy, gathering information about that one model or brand or series and when they finally manage to buy the one they were looking forWOW! I have it on good authority that Ren didn't make his first guitar until he was 13 1/2. And I only poke at my peers and my equals, that's why I poke at them! Someone will enjoy this guitar very much! Personally, I prefer players grade guitars, they sound and play as good or better, some of the things that make players guitars that I particularly look for are back and side cracks which matter not a bit, finish crazing, heavy play wear, funky bridges that can be replaced with some shadow, and if they have a good story, bullet holes. Not every vintage guitar can be a pristine, all-original example destined for a collector's vault. If I use 11's and a thick pick, I can get an entirely different sound than 9s and a very thin pick, etc. If 2019 Adamas 1687GT-2 with Carved Headstock! Please don't hesitate to rank order if that lends meaning. If you discuss vintage guitars, be prepared to run into people that don't buy any of it. The simple answers that we crave rarely fit so neatly into tight little well defined niches. Online you can search by make and model and request a more detailed report for a fee. Pickguard cracks are normal, so it should not detract a collector. In other words there are commodity traders in vintage collectible guitars and collectibles and their prices, as well as which vintage guitars are considered collectibles and which are considered non-collectible but good utility instrumentsis determined by what the vintage collectors determine is demand for them. 18969 VENTURA BLVD. Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team. ", To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.. Back then I'm sure not a lot of people had the money Latin around to have a few guitars but who knows. Or, that all the reissues and torefication(sp) are not meant to complete with the vintage guitar industry? Mine, alas, are just used guitars, they don't quite measure up to all the cachets used in marketing and sales. Thanks for finding/sharing. I sort of feel like whether something is "vintage" and whether something is "player grade" are two separate issues. But, if one wants to increase their instrument's future value in it, should they decide later to buy, sell, trade in it with their instrumentone should understand how it works (and always keep their instrument's original parts intact or if they have been removed, keep the part so a buyer can reinstall them and a seller can keep the instrument's value optimally higher). Both of the above reference books focus mainly on American guitars. (The only exception to this that I know of in the vintage guitar collectible marketplace is the allowable replacement of Gibson's 60's plastic bridge which no collectors care about because of their inevitable breakage and breakagehistory. Do you tell folks those things or just leave them out? Especially from a big name like Martin or Gibson. What are your experiences? Very nice you should do a calendar next year lol, Incredible work, thanks for sharing. Copyright 2022 Kansas City Vintage Guitars. Or are you looking for something specific? Which reissue? In general one could say that after about 30 to 40 years the vintage label is within reach. Play on it? Looking for something older on a budget? Are you saying tone woods do not get better with age? Not even a strap button installed. EF80s in push-pull: Is there a role for a bias cap. I do have pristine guitars but I'm almost scared to play them. It would be like buying a book but not reading it. But being played, not being preserved in a shrine. Here's a real 1959 Gibson ES330TD for less than half the price of an all-original. Very cool guitar. Just stuff that gets tossed around to give one an idea. I have a late 60s Tele modded for vintage Wide Range humbuckers. The other thing that I find dramatically changes the tone of the guitar is string thickness and pick type. nmodified vintage instruments in excellent condition fetch the kind of top dollar that not every musician, or even every collector, can justify. There are more and more vintage guitars emerging from the 70s. Reverend | CME Exclusive Baritone Guitars. I don't question the sincerity of any of the replies, but its hard for me to accept that as much a people use these terms, they have no particular attributes in mind when they do so? No breaks or cracks to report and doesn't need anything to be played. But, it's your choice to deny its existence. SITE UPDATE: Subscriptions are now available, for image uploads and no ads. I just bought my very first new guitar, a Guild M20, which is a great little guitar, but I feel my vintage array satisfies all my playing styles and abilities. Here is areally nice and clean vintage 1949 Gibson LG-2 in Sunburst. *Your email address will not be published, Copyright 2022 The Fellowship of Acoustics BV. The pots, tuners, strap buttons, one knob, and hinge part of tailpiece are changed. What about cracks (other than finish) .. even a modest lifting of spruce along edge of pickguard aka pickguard crack? The idea of not playing them goes against the whole idea of owning a guitar. Do you have questions about us or your guitar? It looks like you're new here. For sale is a beautiful 1966 Epiphone Casino Player Grade in a sunburst finish with a maple body, mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, condition is good with a non original tune-o-matic bridge, more info below. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons! EDIT - changed the title of this list to: All are player grade, but the more original, the more collector appeal. But not our player grade ones. I'm speaking only of "true Vintage guitars". As they age, they only grow more so. No. They are different, with a distinct character of their own. I guess a builder's special is like that '55 gibson Southern Jumbo on another thread - massive top crack, braces loose, other cracks needing repair, maybe had the bridge replaces, maybe has the wrong headstock decoration, and definitely needs a luthier's attention Yup basically means a vintage guitar in a condition that you wouldn't care to take anywhere and play as compared to a pristine instrument that you would keep locked up to preserve it's condition. I've been soooo lucky in the buying of vintage guitarsbut I may very well be done. My most recent is a 2013 OJ reissue which is an absolute monster but I'm afraid to play it. What specific attributes underlie this distinction? I have a couple that are vintage guitars now, that I'm the original owner and user of. Even bought a new Strat and blah. Not sure it will get anywhereand, at the end of the day we are all friends and fellow Gibson owners. Nice One-Owner 1966 Gibson J-50. Number 1 it has to have the right neck shape, and this is different for everyone. Player grade vintage pieces offer the chance to own period looks, sound, and feel at a price thats not all that different from a new or used model. Terms & Conditions | Registered Trademarks. Player grades are much cheaper and usually the changes that devalue them improve the playability and overall sound of the guitar. It's a very 1949 Gibson LG2 Sunburst! Keep in mind, the vintage collectible market is a separate thing from players playing guitars. As if it's combat TV with new Gibson buying battling Vintage Gibson buyingwhen the reality is that both new and vintage Gibson markets exist and, thankfully, are thriving. Here is an exceptionally rare 1954 National Del Mar archtop electric guitar. We have been buying and selling vintage guitars for years and get a lot of questions about them. I advise people that ask for my experience to consider what they can buy new for all the money they are considering putting out for something vintage, and then I tell them the facts about this particular guitar without editorializing. According to Reverb: "Player Grade Vintage Guitars: Not every vintage guitar can be a pristine, all-original example destined for a collector's vault. It's typically a euphemism for 'pretty dinged up but structurally sound"! "Player Grade Vintage" is kind of like "All Original Except". It might be better to drive. If so: you are absolutely right! I'm in the Tim Pierce camp, I like player grade vintage guitars. *Your email address will not be published. Privacy Policy | The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. This is a private listing and your identity will not be disclosed to anyone except the seller. A replaced plastic bridge doesn't reduce a guitar's collectibility or value, provided it has decently been replaced by an acceptable wooden bridge.). I think grading instruments is a matter of description for commerce, and it's a sliding scale based on so many variables, interpretations and personal integrity as to make it nearly useless. I won't realize anything from them but perhaps my grand kid might. The same goes for Gibson Les Pauls from around 1960. Of course there are some guidelines about the most wanted vintage guitars. onewilyfool, What, surprising, however, is how those folk who might get nervous about putting that first major scratch or ding on their pristine yearling might likely find a Player grade guitar valued at two or three times as much to be actually. "You play an accordian, you go to prison - thats For electric guitars, the 50s and 60s are often considered the ultimate vintage guitars. (According to Reverb.com), Marketing or is this actually something?.lol. Or, that your guitar will someday not enter the realm of the vintage guitar industry or increase in value because of it? Smh. I remember most of them, they weren't worth it then, aren't worth it now for sure. No breaks or repairs. TARZANA, CA 91356 I dont get the idea of guitars as an investment. I find this to be the case, personally. Or, that the multiple markets co-exist and help both new and vintage marketplaces. The only vintage guitars I've been able to afford in my life, are considered "Players". That's why I think basing value on year is questionable, from a sound/playability standpoint. I probably didn't buy a guitar in 1987 because I didn't like it. Now you're being silly. Every day, our expert team of luthiers sure-up beautiful vintage pieces for real players that sound and feel every bit as good as their more collectible counterparts. An Unofficial forum for those who love Martin instruments - Founded by Steve Stallings. JDGM-you seem to be ignoring that there is a whole vintage guitar collector market place like any other collectible commodity that has standards, definitions, classifications, price guides, etc etc that it's participants have set. Someone is just trying to justify using the word "vintage" to describe used, old, and modified guitars. I've played lots of pristine vintage guitars, most of them not that great, I prefer mongrels. RCT possibly the most ridiculous comment I've ever seen on the Gibson forum. Subscribe to our Patreon, and get image uploads with no ads on the site! Visit Our Showroom Today! The guitar 2021 Gibson Custom Shop Flying V Custom! First off, OWF, this is a really good thread. ), The only exception to this that I know of in the vintage guitar collectible marketplace is the allowable replacement of Gibson's 60's plastic bridge which no collectors care about because of their inevitable breakage and breakagehistory. Fullmental-great video. There are very affordable prewar parlor guitars from Stella, Oahu and Harmony. The no-wire ABR-1 bridge (shaved), 3 amber bonnet knobs, amber switch tip, truss rod cover, pickups are original. Basically if it ain't a player, I don't want it. Collector grade may not be completely playable, and the efforts and costs to make it playable may be considerably greater than those taken to make a good player grade. I play them all, but I also take very good care of them. We're only a click away. Some of them have been tinkered with and there is fake in circulation. Let's see if I got it to embed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgkcA9ikHFQ. Tarzana, CA 91356 | 818-344-8300 | OPEN Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 11:30am-5pm, 1966 Epiphone Casino Player Grade - Re-Routed For Humbucker Pickup. Copyright 1995-2022 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. In fact, they are all in the hands and collector cases of people that don't even play. I wish I owned a Gibson acoustic but I just can't find one that I have to take home, and believe me, I try. Any Questions? This distinction is frequently made when describing given instruments. I like 'em dingey and scratchy myself. What is surprising, however, is how those folk who might get nervous about putting that first major scratch or ding on their pristine yearling might likely find a Player grade guitar valued at two or three times as much to be actually less stressful to play in hazardous duty situations. We are! You guys don't buy anything that isn't like, made by Ren Fergison when he was 12. I enjoy them and do not have any regret in buying them at a price I could afford. For a good comparison, think of the vintage Corvette or Mercedes collectible markets. Player grade vintage pieces offer the chance to own period looks, sound, and feel at a price thats not all that different from a new or used model. Just curious Are you saying tone woods do not get better with age? Any beliefs I have about the vintage acoustic market are derivative of my general experience as a guitar player, and my memory and experience with those acoustics back then. You guys over here, I don't know. I have some very nice guitars. Thank you! We have guitars from and for all ages. Here 2021 Martin D-28 Standard SeriesinNatural! I find it hard to understand why this is so difficult. If I won the lottery (if I ever bought a ticket) I could see buying some truly collectible guitars, but I wouldn't be buying them to sell them later at a profit. It can be stressful, and it helped greatly that I had very affordable luthier services.