GuitarPoint - Vintage and Custom Shop Guitars (2024)

FAQs

What is the most sought after vintage guitar? ›

The 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard “Burst” stands as a legendary icon in the realm of guitar collecting. Its historical significance and rarity contribute to its status as one of the most coveted instruments among collectors worldwide.

completely Custom-spec, made-to-measure builds, every Custom Shop guitar is carefully handmade from the finest materials and components, reflecting over 100 years of tradition, innovation, and uncompromising craftsmanship.

The Fender Custom Shop began in 1987, under the supervision of then-CEO Schultz. The initial staff comprised only two Master Builders (John Page, Michael Stevens) and a Haas VF4 CNC machine (modified for woodwork) that cuts three bodies or four necks at once.

From there, the Mod Shop becomes more of a tactile endeavor, as the work order is sent directly to the Fender factory where a team of builders assemble your customized instrument by hand. “The more comfortable you are with your guitar, the better you play," said Fender CEO Andy Mooney.

What is a vintage guitar? While an antique is defined as an object over 100 years old, there's no strict chronological definition of what makes something vintage. Typically, though, guitars around 30 years old or older fall into that category, and even newer instruments will often be labeled as such by sellers.

In other words, the older wood becomes more stable and reaches equilibrium. These changes cause the guitar top to become dryer, and lighter and more stiff as it ages… the perfect recipe for an improving top. The lighter and stiffer a top is, the better it will sound if everything else is equal.

From as early as 1982, Gibson put a "Custom Shop" decal on the back of the headstock of any limited run or custom order guitar. With these decals, "Custom Shop Edition" denotes a limited run, while "Custom Shop Original" denotes a custom order.

A custom-made guitar by a luthier (I was going to write “real,” luthier but if they are a luthier, they are real) is a wonderful thing. It is a one of a kind guitar made to your specifications. Nothing is perfect but it will have no issues as found with production made guitars.

Yes, it's true that all top-tier Gibsons arrive Plek'd from the factory.

After confirmation of an order, your instrument will be worked into the Custom Shop production schedule, and construction will begin as soon as that schedule permits. Delivery of a custom "one off" instrument will usually take between six and ten months.

Is Gretsch owned by Fender? ›

In 2002, Gretsch entered a business agreement with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Under the terms of the agreement Fred W. Gretsch retains ownership while Fender has the exclusive rights to develop, produce, market and distribute Gretsch guitars worldwide.

As a result, US production of Fender instruments was officially shut down in 1985. Between February and October of that year, Fender guitars were all made in Japan.

Total salary range for Fender Musical Instruments Luthier Hourly Pay. The estimated total pay range for a Luthier at Fender Musical Instruments is $25–$44 per hour, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Luthier base salary at Fender Musical Instruments is $33 per hour.

one of the biggest differences between an off-the-shelf Fender and a Custom Shop Fender is that the lower end Fender models are usually built in a factory. Machine precision cuts and all the same pickups and materials, these are the bread and butter of the Fender line of guitars.

For years, serial numbers have been used in various locations on Fender instruments, such as the top of the neck plate, the front or back of the headstock and the back of the neck near the junction with the body.

The index guitars that cost $153,000 in 1991 could have been bought in 1980 for around $37,550 and in 1970 for around $15,100. Our experience has been that from 1963-75 vintage fretted instruments increased in value as much as 25 percent per year.

A quick Google or Ebay search of your make and model will show you what others are selling guitars like yours for. You can also consult the Blue Book of Guitar Values to see what it is worth. Another great resource is Vintage Guitar Magazine's Price Guide, which is regularly updated and available at Amazon.

Quality Determines Value

With vintage instruments from the top brands (Fender, Gibson & Martin before anything else, in general terms), it's often the mere age of the guitar that will determine its relative value.

Vintage electric guitars are some of the most valuable musical instruments and some of the most expensive pieces of rock memorabilia. Apart from the tone and performance some of these guitars boast, they are also historical pieces — some have cultural significance, while others revolutionized musical eras.