Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Guitar Amps
  • Plugin Week 25
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Artist news
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • Drums
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Plugin Week A-Z
  • You Oughta Know
  • Fake AI band
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Wrecking Crew
Recommended reading
A bare-chested Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin performs at Earl's Court, London, in 1975. Guitarist Jimmy Page plays his Gibson Les Paul Standard in the background.
Artists Robert Plant is selling gear for charity, including totally unique John Birch-modded ‘62 Stratocaster
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: It's your last chance to grab a Prime Day deal on gear from Fender, Roland, Casio, Yamaha, Toontrack & more - but you'll have to be quick
Andertons PRS SE Sale
Electric Guitars Andertons just slashed £456 off this stunning PRS SE, and the finish has to be seen to be believed
Harley Benton HBJ-45E SBK
Guitars Harley Benton unveils dreadnought inspired by a classic workhorse – and it is crazy affordable
Epiphone DG-335
Electric Guitars The Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 has just seen its biggest ever discount - this is a call to save a whopping £380 at Andertons
Gretsch Limited Edition Jim Dandy Parlor Solid Top
Guitars Gretsch drops two limited edition Jim Dandy acoustics with solid spruce tops and off-the-charts mojo
Harley Benton ST-80FR
Guitars Harley Benton erupts with '80s shred fever as it launches the Floyd-equipped ST-80FR Series S-styles
  1. Tutorials
  2. Guitar Lessons & Tutorials

How to buy a vintage guitar

Tuition
By Ed Mitchell ( Total Guitar ) published 7 October 2015

Grab a bargain with our guide

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

Buying a vintage guitar can be a minefield of dodgy playability and overpriced mint-conditions, but there are still some bargains to be had out there – you just need to know what you’re doing.

Follow our 12-step guide on how not to be taken for a mug and you should get yourself a killer vintage guitar.

Page 1 of 13
Page 1 of 13
1. Research, research, research

1. Research, research, research

Do your homework. For instance, if you’re looking for a 1960s Gretsch Corvette, familiarise yourself with the specs. Buy a book on the brand of guitar you’re interested in, or research online.

Page 2 of 13
Page 2 of 13
2. Get photos

2. Get photos

If you’re buying a guitar from an online auction, ask the seller to email you some detailed photos of the guitar. Be specific about what you want to see. Out-of-focus shots are no good.

Page 3 of 13
Page 3 of 13
3. Date it

3. Date it

No serial number? You can often date a guitar from its features. Early Gretsch Corvettes had three-a-side headstocks; our guitar’s four/two confirms it’s a ’65 model.

Page 4 of 13
Page 4 of 13
4. Check the spec

4. Check the spec

Ask for a list of features before you go to check the guitar out. Has it been altered in any way, or re-fretted? All this can affect its value, so it’s worth getting your facts straight.

Page 5 of 13
Page 5 of 13
5. Pick up on pickup swaps

5. Pick up on pickup swaps

Find out if the pickups have been changed – that’s not always obvious just from a photo. Aftermarket units can seriously affect the re-sale value of a vintage axe.

Page 6 of 13
Page 6 of 13
6. Check the frets

6. Check the frets

Ask about fret wear. If the frets need to be replaced or stoned you’ll have to figure the bill for the work into the seller’s asking price. Get a quote from your local repair shop.

Page 7 of 13
Page 7 of 13
7. Appreciate mojo

7. Appreciate mojo

Don’t expect an old guitar to look pristine. Cracks in its finish, worn patches and chips all add character. Vintage fanatics call this natural ageing process ‘patina’.

Page 8 of 13
Page 8 of 13
8. Look for neck breaks

8. Look for neck breaks

Find out if the neck has ever been broken. If it has, it should be reflected in the price. If you can’t visit the seller, ask for a detailed shot of the back of the neck and headstock.

Page 9 of 13
Page 9 of 13
9. Know your terminology

9. Know your terminology

Vintage guitars that have been altered to improve playability are often referred to as a player’s guitar, while mint or nearly mint examples are described as ‘investment grade’.

Page 10 of 13
Page 10 of 13
10. Keep original parts

10. Keep original parts

Our Gretsch has all of its original parts but we’ll probably fit a new bridge in place of the primitive bar version. We’ll keep the original in a safe place in case we ever decide to sell the guitar.

Page 11 of 13
Page 11 of 13
11. Be careful about modding

11. Be careful about modding

Do what you will with a vintage axe, but be respectful. Routing the body to change pickups or fitting a Floyd to a vintage Les Paul will spoil the guitar. You’ll regret it one day!

Page 12 of 13
Page 12 of 13
12. Compare with new examples

12. Compare with new examples

Be aware that not every vintage guitar is great: some suck. The thrill is in finding a good one. Try comparing an original guitar with a reissue; you might prefer the new version!

Page 13 of 13
Page 13 of 13
Ed Mitchell
Read more
A bare-chested Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin performs at Earl's Court, London, in 1975. Guitarist Jimmy Page plays his Gibson Les Paul Standard in the background.
Robert Plant is selling gear for charity, including totally unique John Birch-modded ‘62 Stratocaster
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: It's your last chance to grab a Prime Day deal on gear from Fender, Roland, Casio, Yamaha, Toontrack & more - but you'll have to be quick
Harley Benton HBJ-45E SBK
Harley Benton unveils dreadnought inspired by a classic workhorse – and it is crazy affordable
Andertons PRS SE Sale
Andertons just slashed £456 off this stunning PRS SE, and the finish has to be seen to be believed
Epiphone DG-335
The Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 has just seen its biggest ever discount - this is a call to save a whopping £380 at Andertons
Gretsch Limited Edition Jim Dandy Parlor Solid Top
Gretsch drops two limited edition Jim Dandy acoustics with solid spruce tops and off-the-charts mojo
Latest in Guitar Lessons & Tutorials
Close up of a person holding an acoustic guitar bathed sunlight
Ignite your inner guitar god for just 27 cents a day with TrueFire’s July 4th sale - save 60% on online lessons
MusicNomad fret tuition
Can you fix your guitar's frets yourself? We try three innovative approaches from MusicNomad to investigate how they might conquer a major cause of fret buzz
George Harrison
How to play like George Harrison on The Beatles' Abbey Road
MusicNomad guitar fret cleaning
"You owe your guitar the chance to be its best": How to clean and polish your guitar frets a better way
Jimmy Page
Play like Jimmy Page! Exclusive video lesson
Music Theory
How learning and understanding chord symbols can prove a major benefit for sharing your musical ideas
Latest in Tuition
Plugins
How to get famous sounds and effects using only Logic’s stock plugins
Plugin Chains
How to emulate a classic analogue recording system entirely with plugins
Odin 2
Fantastic (free) plugins and how to use them: The Wave Warden Odin 2
ableton
8 things you can do with Ableton Live's updated Auto Filter device
Native Instruments Raum
How to use reverb to build impressive-sounding filters, reverses, risers and pads
mixing desk
“Learning how to mix is almost as important as hitting on your original musical idea”: New to the mixing process? Start here

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...