Vintage Guitar Values

1964 Gibson ES-335

Have you come across a vintage guitar deal and would like to get an idea of the vintage guitar values? Hey, don't be skeptical – stuff like this happens. Here’s some examples I’ve come across in my travels:

Back in the mid to late 70’s when Cheap Trick was kicking up some dust with "Surrender" and "Dream Police", Rick Nielsen (guitarist for Cheap Trick) was known for playing signature Hamer guitars. One of his early trademarks was the checkerboard paint job on a Hamer Standard (Explorer body).

There was a kid a few years older than me at our church (I knew his dad) that went out and bought one of these signature models and then stuck it under his bed – and never played it! I’d love to come across one of these vintage guitar values!

Sometimes these guitars get forgotten and end up in a garage or estate sale – a lot of times people just don’t know what they have in their hands and let it go for next to nothing...

Here’s another story. I guy I worked with was given a new guitar when he was a kid. He was a few years older than me (late 40’s, I guess). He never got into playing – he was more interested in cars.

That’s cool, but years later he finds this guitar at his childhood home. He ends up giving to a friend. The guitar? A Gibson Flying V. Gives it away! Heck, new ones today go for a minimum of $1700 new.

OK, one more story. The lead guitarist in my first band found an awesome deal. This was probably 1981 – he shows up to practice with a mint cherry sunburst Gibson Les Paul with gold hardware. He paid $350 for it! Just sick!

Heck, in 1982, I myself had the choice between a Hamer Artist checkerboard model or a BC Rich Mockingbird for $550. I went with the BC 'cause it was my dream guitar, but good luck finding a deal like that today on vintage Hamer or BC Rich!

But you see – there’s three personal examples. Many people just don’t have a clue that the old guitar in the attic or under the bed is worth anything. So they end up selling it off cheap – which can be good for those of us that know guitars! Just look at all the re-issue guitars coming out now from Gibson and Fender - these are being sold for $2000 and more!

But how do you know what it’s worth? Where can you get an idea of a good price to pay (or sell) for that axe? Lucky for us, there’s a way to get ballpark vintage guitar values. My friends over at May Music Studio are offering to assess your find free of charge!

So head on over here to get your vintage guitar values. Tell ’em Davey sent ya!