Why a Vintage Guitar? What's different about a Vintage Guitar? Why would it be any different than the same guitar made today? There are several differences, and they are significant. As a guitar ages, its wood goes through subtle changes. These changes have an effect on the sound of the instrument, resulting in a warmer, richer sound, much in the way that an ancient Stradivarius Violin is superior than anything made today. As the electronics in an electric guitar age, they develop their own character and sound as the magnetic pickups change with use.
Another issue that affects the quality of vintage guitars is the workmanship involved. Earlier guitars were often better made, with superior materials, finer craftsmanship and better construction.
These factors give vintage guitars character and sound that's not available in anything fresh off the assembly line.
The vintage market is largely based on supply and demand. Starting in the early 1960's with the Martin guitars, based on the fact that bluegrass and country players came to the realization that the newer guitars sounded different from those of the pre-war guitars of the "guitar hero's" they grew up with.
The demand for these guitars was greater than the number of pre-war guitars made. As there was a limited supply, this drove up the cost. A similar effect happened in the early 60's with Gibson guitars. Michael Bloomfield went to England playing a Gibson Les Paul. The guitar greats who heard him (Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, among others) fell in love with the sound, and started getting rid of their favorite guitars in favour of the Les Paul. This again, increased the demand for guitars that had been produced in limited numbers, driving up the cost.
For collectors, there are a couple of factors that influence the vintage guitar market. One is that as the "Baby Boomer" generation gets to the point in life where they have the resources to purchase the guitars that they watched their idols using in the past.
Another factor is the historical significance of vintage guitars. The London Museum has recognised the impact that music has had on the 20th century, with a major exhibit that features, in part, the guitar. Like anything of historical significance, guitars are desirable to collectors because of the collectors desire to own a piece of that history.
As with players, collectors face the problem of a limited supply. Because of this the demand for vintage instruments drives up the price. This causes vintage guitars to be a good investment, like fine wine or fine art. Because the supply will never be increased, and demand is never likely to decrease, the value can only go up.
