This is the pickup that redefined the Texas blues sound. Texas Specials boast plenty of midrange chirp, crystal highs and tight bass, along with increased output.
The "Summer of Love" doesn't have to end- the '69 Strat pickups have the tone you'll fall in love with. Own the tone that defined an era. For a short period in the late 60's, Fender® used a height staggered Alnico 5's and a special grey bobbin which produced clear, transparent highs and thumping lows. Each pickup is created, dated, and initialed by Abigail Ybarra who has been winding pickups for Fender since the late 50's. OEM on the Custom Shop '69 Stratocaster®. Available in white only. Sold only as a set of 3.
Here's something for you die hard Telecaster players. These overwound Tele pickups are constructed with Alnico 5 magnets and enamel coated magnet wire. The bridge pickup features height staggered magnets and a copper plated steel bottom plate for increased output, presence and midrange, while the nickel-silver cover on the neck pickup produces a clear warm tone that only a true Custom Shop Tele pickup can do. From Merle to Metal, the Texas Tele will demand their attention. OEM on the James Burton Standard, Merle Haggard Tribute and American Classic Telecasters. These pickups work great with our 4 way Tele Switch for parallel and series tones! Available in black (bridge) and chrome (neck) only, sold as set of 2.
If you took the pickups from the world's best-selling bass and over-wound 'em for more punch, midrange, bass and output, then you'd have Custom Shop '60s Jazz Bass Pickups. Built with special Alnico 5 magnets and Formvar magnet wire, these babies thump and growl like nobody's business! OEM on many Custom Shop basses. Available with black covers only.
Surf's up! If you're looking for clean, edgy Strat tone that cuts through to the front of the band, then you need the Custom '54 Strat pickups. This augmented set of vintage style Strat pickups feature staggered, hand beveled, Alnico 5 magnets and Formvar magnet wire wound for classic bell tones, and clear harmonic enhancement. The bridge pickup is calibrated for increased, balanced output. OEM on the Custom Shop Dick Dale and American Classic Stratocasters®. Available in white only. Sold as a set of 3.
Redesigned to sound just like the original, the Fender® Nocaster pickup is true to its heritage. The flush mounted Alnico 3 magnets, enamel coated magnet wire and a zinc shielding plate help to recreate the real deal with great Tele twang and smooth midrange that only the famous Fender Custom Shop can reproduce. The neck pickup is the perfect companion to the 'Nocaster' bridge pickup with its nickel-silver cover and classic warmth. OEM on many Custom Shop Nocasters and Telecasters. Available in black (bridge) and nickel (neck) only.
The semi-hollow mahogany or ash body makes it easy on the shoulder and gives it sustain that can go forever. Special features include Schaller vintage "F" machine heads, nickel silver frets, Vintage Tele pickups, 3-saddle string-thru-body bridge, and an authentic '69-style pickguard.
Icon. Not a word to be used lightly. But the Stratocaster® is just that. The new American Standard left-handed Stratocaster® guitars are beauties to behold in sound, look and feel. We kept the hand-rolled fingerboard edges, Alnico V pickups and staggered tuning machines for playability, tone and stability, and added several new features, including: A new bridge with improved bent-steel saddles and a copper-infused high-mass block for increased resonance and sustain. A new neck treatment tinted for a richer presentation, with the maple or rosewood fingerboard buffed to a high gloss. The back of the neck still has that silky satin finish. A thinner finish undercoat that lets the body breathe and improves resonance. Also includes a new Fender® exclusive SKB® molded case.ElectronicsBridge Pickup : American Strat® Single-Coil PickupMiddle Pickup : American Strat® Single-Coil PickupNeck Pickup : American Strat® Single-Coil PickupHardwareBridge : 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Vintage Style Bent Steel SaddlesHardware : ChromeStrap Buttons : American Series Strap ButtonsString Nut : Synthetic Bone NutTuning Machines : Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Tuning MachinesNeckFretboard Radius : 9.5" Radius (241 mm)Fretboard : Rosewood or MapleFret Size : Medium JumboNeck Material : Maple NeckNeck Plate : 4-Bolt Neck Plate with Micro-TiltNeck Shape : Modern "C" ShapeNumber of Frets : 22Nut Width : 1.685" (42.8 mm)Position Inlays : Black Dot Position InlaysScale Length : 25.5" (648mm)
Icon. Not a word to be used lightly. But the Stratocaster® is just that. The new American Standard left-handed Stratocaster® guitars are beauties to behold in sound, look and feel. We kept the hand-rolled fingerboard edges, Alnico V pickups and staggered tuning machines for playability, tone and stability, and added several new features, including: A new bridge with improved bent-steel saddles and a copper-infused high-mass block for increased resonance and sustain. A new neck treatment tinted for a richer presentation, with the maple or rosewood fingerboard buffed to a high gloss. The back of the neck still has that silky satin finish. A thinner finish undercoat that lets the body breathe and improves resonance. Also includes a new Fender® exclusive SKB® molded case.ElectronicsBridge Pickup : American Strat® Single-Coil PickupMiddle Pickup : American Strat® Single-Coil PickupNeck Pickup : American Strat® Single-Coil PickupHardwareBridge : 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Vintage Style Bent Steel SaddlesHardware : ChromeStrap Buttons : American Series Strap ButtonsString Nut : Synthetic Bone NutTuning Machines : Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Tuning MachinesNeckFretboard Radius : 9.5" Radius (241 mm)Fretboard : Rosewood or MapleFret Size : Medium JumboNeck Material : Maple NeckNeck Plate : 4-Bolt Neck Plate with Micro-TiltNeck Shape : Modern "C" ShapeNumber of Frets : 22Nut Width : 1.685" (42.8 mm)Position Inlays : Black Dot Position InlaysScale Length : 25.5" (648mm)
The James Burton Standard Telecaster guitar pays homage to the great guitarist, with features including a custom-shaped neck with satin finish vintage tint, a six-saddle bridge and Texas Tele pickups. Alder body Maple neck, 60's U shape Maple finge...
Cheapest Gibson USA Les Paul Studio Save on Cheapest Gibson USA Les Paul Studio. Free Shipping, Order Now!
You can Buy Cheapest Gibson USA Les Paul Studio In Stock. Cheapest Gibson USA Les Paul Studio Shops or Buy Online - At Lowest Pirce you Save BIG!
I bought this guitar yesterday and I must say it's unbelievable ... I have an Ibanez RG220 and Fender Strato ... they are all cool, but Gibson Les Paul Studio is the best of them .. great sound, very light and very comfortable to play. The best part is this: His VERSITALITY. You can play any kind of music with him and he will be sounded great. Acoustic Guitar has a large, which increases to maintain and is very clean and warm sound. When I bought mine came with a Gig Bag ... I'd rather have a hard case, cover, but it is good, so in the end it's a great product.
Yes! we have "Cheapest Gibson USA Les Paul Studio". You can Buy Cheapest Gibson USA Les Paul Studio
In Stock. Lowest Prices on Cheapest Gibson USA Les Paul Studio Shops & Purchase Online - Buy today you Save BIG!
Gibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar,Worn Cherry Satin
Excellent guitar
I bought this guitar yesterday and I must say it is AMAZING... I own a Fender Strato and an Ibanez RG220... all of them are cool, but the Gibson Les Paul Studio is the best of them.. great sound, very light and very comfortable to play. The best of all: Its VERSITALITY. You can play any kind of music with it and it will sound great. The guitar has great acoustic, which enhances sustain and has a very clean and warm sound. When I bought mine it came with a Gig Bag... I would've prefered the hard case, but the gig bag is good, so in the end is is a great product.
BuyingGibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar,Worn Cherry Satin
Beautiful and Versatile -- Great sound at a great price
I play mainly bluesy rock (a little bit of jazz, no metal) and was looking to buy a second electric guitar, and went into my local guitar shop to try this out. I wasn't particularly looking for a Les Paul, but after trying out a few other guitars (some of the Joe Satriani Ibanez's) I saw this lying around and was intrigued by the natural wood look. The look is a matter of taste -- I've seen people note it as a negative or as a positive. You have to check it out and see for yourself. Personally, I think it looks very cool and classy. Both my mother and wife thought it looked great, too, but, as I said, it's a matter of taste.
Anyway, I picked it up and the first thing I noticed is that it is a lot lighter than the standard Les Pauls. I liked this, because I tend to find them a bit too heavy for my liking. I plugged it into a VOX AC 15 tube amp and proceeded to sit there for over an hour playing. The guitar has great tone and a variety of sounds, which it achieves with good quality Gibson burstbucker pickups. I really love the sound of this guitar when played through the VOX -- it can be really mellow and silky, fat and chunky, or bright, depending on how you adjust the settings. I find all three of the switch settings (rhythm, mixed, and lead) to be useful. The other nice thing is that since you have four knobs -- two volume and two tone (one for each humbucker) -- you can set them completely separately and then use the switch to go from (for example) a lower volume rhythm sound to a higher volume lead sound just by flipping the switch. This is pretty cool. My other electric only has one volume switch, so I can't do that.
After surfing the web for reviews of this guitar (which are overwhelmingly positive), the only negative comment I saw (except for people who don't like the natural wood look, which is a matter of taste) had to do with possibly shoddy quality control at Gibson. One reviewer said he tried 9 of these guitars and each was set up differently. Knowing this, I asked to try both of the 2 guitars that were at the shop. I looked at them carefully, and they both seemed set up very similarly, and both played very well right out of the box. The action was really low, which made for great playing, but a little bit of buzz. Since this didn't come out when playing through an amp, though, I decided not to adjust it to make the action higher. In short, this guitar is very playable, and felt great in my hands.
Basically, the sound is classic -- good for blues, jazz, bluesy rock, and hard rock, but probably not metal (not sure -- I don't play it so I wouldn't know). Despite being a bit lighter than the standard Les Paul models, this guitar has great sustain like all other Les Pauls. If you are interested in a Les Paul guitar, this is a great option for the under $1K category. If you can afford the more expensive models, then go for it, but this does not in any way feel like a cheapened "poor man's" Les Paul. It has solid construction and good quality components.
The only other possible place where they might have cut corners on the components is the tuners, which may not be all that great, but you can buy a better set for $60 and switch them out. I'm playing mine for a while first to see how they go, and if they're not that good, I will switch them. If so, that would be a very minor flaw in what is a really great guitar and an unbeatable price. Also, it comes with a hard case (this might be changing soon, not sure) which is worth about $150, making the price even better. If you're shopping in this category, definitely check one out. I decided to pick up the VOX 15 too and they're sounding fantastic together!
CheapGibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar,Worn Cherry Satin
Incredible Guitar - Great Value
I've played guitar on and off since my teen years. As a fan of 60s rock, especially Jimmy Page, I've always wanted a Les Paul. I wanted to delve back into guitar this year, and started looking at Epiphone Les Paul models until I found this for less money.
The guitar lacks some of the frills of a normal Gibson LP, but it does not sacrifice quality or the classic LP feel and sound. A nice, solid mahogany body provides full LP sound and sustain for days (ok... maybe just a day or so!). The 50's style neck feels very good, and with a polishing or two the neck becomes very quick.
The cherry, chrome and black finish is very sharp and gives the LP a unique look. As with the neck, the body feels a bit dry/rough upon delivery, but a quick polishing or two smooths everything out.
My last electric guitar was an 80s Ibanez (in the 80s). I can still remember the feel of that guitar, and I'm blown away with the feel of the Les Paul. It's a heavier, solid guitar that just "feels" right to me when I'm standing or sitting. A wide range of sound available from the 3 way pickup switch and individual volume/tone controls.
I might be a bit biased as it's been almost a 20 year dream for me, but if you are looking for s Les Paul as a first guitar or on a limited budget, this is the way to go.
I only have one gripe - the strings were cut pretty short - sometimes just barely a single wind on the tuner post - and they didn't keep tune very well. I've since replaced the strings and I'm not experiencing such a problem with tuning.
CheapestGibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar,Worn Cherry Satin
Great guitar!
So I've been playing guitar for a while now and I couldn't be happier with this axe. I had to adjust the truss rod, but everything went great from there. I like the feel of the fretboard and the pickups are AMAZING. I highly recommend this product.
DiscountGibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar,Worn Cherry Satin
Good guitar for the price!
I upgraded to this from an Epiphone LP. Setup was great right out of the box. I compared the two using the same amp and this made the Epi sound muddy. Nice clean sound from the BurstBuckers. I would definately recommend this.
SaveGibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar,Worn Cherry Satin
Rage War
These slabs are all the rage. For under a grand, you too can have a Gibson. No frills, mahogany, no binding on the body or the neck. Good electronics... Sort of like "The Paul" from the 80's except the pickup selector switch is in the normal Les Paul location and not the SG location.
I had a "The Paul" and liked it alot. I test drove this at Guitar Center... not the Cherry model (which I love), but a brownish thing. It passed.
Would I lay out the money for this? No. Why? While I have a Epi... it's been upgraded over the years and it suits my needs.
If I had the 800 plus dollars would I buy one, if I didn't have the Epi? No.
I would but an Ibanez RG 1570 and really rock the house.
Comparable models? Okay, set in neck, H-H configuration. Hard bridge (not a whammy), 3 position switch.... FOUR, count 'em Four knobs to fiddle with. We're talkin' Schecter, Ibanez, ESP, Dean... But they don't have the "Gibson" name. If that's what floats your boat... Go for it. Nothin' special here, or at Gibson, unless you start layin' out 4 to 6 grand for a thrill, or ego boost.
For my money. 1 Volume, 1 tone pot. H-S-H configuration, 5-way selector and a Floyd Rose or comparable bridge.... Jumbo Frets... Rock it.
But... If you are really lookin' fer a Gibson, and don't have the 2.5 or 3 grand to plunk down on sa Les Paul Standard or Custom. This'll do -- Jist fine.
Have fun.
Low PriceGibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar,Worn Cherry Satin
Yes - its worth the price
Just the facts: Paid the extra for the expedited delivery. Guitar arrived in hard shell case packed in original Gibson cardboard box - on time and no damage. Some buzzes coming from a and e strings, haven't done any tweaking yet. Fret work seems even, but a bit sharp on the ends. Neck feels just right - not too fat. Sound is classic Les Paul. No inlay on headstock - just a sticker. I would buy another one.
Best buy for "Cheapest Gibson USA Les Paul Studio", Lowest Price Cheapest Gibson USA Les Paul Studio + Free shipping. Don't miss Cheapest Gibson USA Les Paul Studio, Cheapest Cheapest Gibson USA Les Paul StudioBuy Online - Get it Now!
I was looking up info on Jimmy Herring, the guitarist from Widespread Panic and I found this note on his favorite guitar:
Jimmy's "go to" guitar is a custom shop Fender Stratocaster built by Gene Baker in 1993. Unlike most Fender guitars, it is equipped with two humbuckers rather than 3 single coil pickups, and it has Dunlop 6000 fret wire (the highest guitar frets that are made).
Question: What is a fret wire and what do they mean by "the highest"? Does it give the guitar a higher pitched sound?
Dunlop 6000's measure about .115" which is big. This allows you to make the proper note without pushing the string as far towards the fret board. With small vintage type frets like on my standard Tele your finger is touching the fret board so when you bend or vibrato there is some friction between the fret board and your finger which slows you down a bit, With taller frets your finger is actually kind of floating above the fret board and you can bend and vibrato faster and with less effort.
The semi-hollow mahogany or ash body makes it easy on the shoulder and gives it sustain that can go forever. Special features include Schaller vintage "F" machine heads, nickel silver frets, Vintage Tele pickups, 3-saddle string-thru-body bridge, and an authentic '69-style pickguard.
In the late nineteen thirties a cowboy musician called Bob Willis introduced the electric guitar to his audiences. Nobody knows whether they noticed this historic innovation but ten years later a whole generation sat up and took notice when Arthur Smith released his recording of "Guitar Boogie". This hit instrumental established the electric guitar as a musical force to be reckoned with. While the world of rock and roll moved to the music of Stratocasters it took a while for country musicians to move from the more restrained tones of the Gretsch archtop to the more "biting" Fender sound.
Many guitarists play their country solos on the Fender Telecaster with a Fender tube "Twin", Super Reverb or Deluxe Reverb amplifier. On the other hand, if they are on a tight budget they have been known to settle for a Peavey tube amp. One piece of equipment you will not need is the whammy bar. It is not used in playing country music.
In contrast to other musical genres that use the electric guitar, country music does not employ a wide variety of electronic effects in guitar solos. Alot of country guitar players use a strictly clean sound, maybe sprucing the music up with a little reverberation. The only effect consistently utilized by country guitar soloists is compression which enforces limits on the sound waves produced by the guitar. This effect enhances the volume of the softer notes, and slightly mutes the louder notes. This makes the overall volume seem more even.
When it comes to technique you can start off as a flatpicker but many country guitar players will use a thumbpick in combination with the index and ring finger. This naturally increases your level of versatility more than somewhat. There is a technique called "chicken pickin" which involves popping the guitar strings with your fingers. It is a little hard to describe in writing but you can see plenty of examples on YouTube, but to get the general idea, try this experiment: hold your right hand over the guitar strings, then mute your E (sixth) string by resting your index finger on it down towards the bridge. Next, pluck the string with your thumb. This will give you a "thuck" sound. To complete the chicken pickin move, pluck the open string with the nail of your index finger. This move is repeated until it comes naturally.
Country solo playing can easily begin in the first position on the guitar. When you begin to play country guitar solos just play over the chords. Do not go looking for a "country scale", although the blues scale is quite handy in country guitar playing. The trick is to practice with whatever chord shapes you have at your stage of playing and see what kind of riffs, licks and tricks you can get out of each of them. It is a very interesting way to learn because every chord has its unique character. Start with your basic chords like C, D, E, G, and A.
So if you want to learn to play country guitar solos which guitar players do you listen to? Listening to Chet Atkins will teach alot to a guitarist in any genre. He is largely responsible for the smooth Nashville sound which is so attractive to many music lovers. Chet owes his style to Merle Travis, using his thumb to pick bass notes and other fingers to play the melody and fills. And do not forget to look for music recorded by Merle Travis himself. Another guitar great is Jerry Reed. A guitarist with boundless energy and enthusiasm, he played on the Elvis Presley single of his own compositions "Guitar Man" and "US Male". This list could go on and on, so let us finish by mentioning Albert Lee, a British guitar player admired by many other famous guitarists.
Do you want to learn to play the guitar? Learn How To Play A Guitar For Free is a constantly updated blog which contains all the resources you need for: learning to play solo guitar, how to learn guitar chords, how to learn to read and play easy acoustic guitar tabs, finding a free online guitar tuner, looking for free guitar lessons online, and how to learn guitar scales.
Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Sunset Metallic MP
I have asked this question many times but I want to be sure. I like to play blues, rock, and metal.
1. Epiphone Double Neck 12/6. $650(used at local GC)
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-G-1...
2. Epiphone les paul zakk wylde signature. $600(used at local GC)
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Zak...
3. Fender Standard Telecaster. $400.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Stand...
4. Epiphone les paul custom silverburst. $600.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Lim...
5. Fender Mustang Re-issue 65'. $700.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender--65-M...
6. Gibson Melody Maker. $384.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-Melod...
You can suggest some if you'd like. I am upgrading from my squier strat pack.
I know you have asked this question A LOT. Have you EVEN TRIED PLAYING THEM? If I remember correctly, I've told you on more than one of the times you have asked this to NEVER BUY A GUITAR YOU DON'T PLAY FIRST... and I have wondered if you have even tried to play any of those guitars.
So... once again... GO PLAY THEM... and then pick the guitar YOU LIKE THE BEST.. it's just that simple.
The semi-hollow mahogany or ash body makes it easy on the shoulder and gives it sustain that can go forever. Special features include Schaller vintage "F" machine heads, nickel silver frets, Vintage Tele pickups, 3-saddle string-thru-body bridge, and an authentic '69-style pickguard.
Additional Resources for: Fender Custom Shop Vintage Series
When it comes to choosing the best electric guitar, many considerations come into play. The best guitar for me may, for a variety of reasons, not be the best guitar for you. Why is that? For the simple reason that we are not all built the same way and neither are guitars.
When evaluating guitars, price is usually a major concern. Most of us are operating within a budget and a Gibson Les Paul Custom, even a used one on eBay, is going to set you back a cool $3700. You can still find excellent guitars available for less than $400, so don't think that just because a guitar is expensive that it's going to be right for you. My advice is to find the best instrument for you and then save up your money if necessary.
Probably the most important features of a guitar are tone and playability. These two factors vary widely from instrument to instrument. A single-coil Fender Stratocaster made from alder is going to sound different from a mahogany-bodied Gibson Les Paul equipped with humbucking pickups. The single-coil pickups will give it a sweet, pure, rich tone. Great for playing the blues. The humbuckers will be more suitable for the rock or metal music genres (although one can certainly play blues with them as well).
Alder wood gives a brighter tone than mahogany which is deep and rich. Guitars made from basswood are a bit lighter sounding than alder, not quite as solid sounding. This is highly subjective of course. Many great guitarists like Joe Satriani have favored basswood guitars for years. Basswood is lighter than alder which is much lighter than mahogany. Pete Townshend gave up playing his Gibson Les Paul on stage for 2 hours every night because the thing was so heavy (typically about 11 pounds). He switched to a Gibson SG which is far more comfortable to play although it has a different tone due to its smaller mahogany body.
Playability refers to how your hands fit around the neck, the smoothness of the neck, its width and radius. Some guitars fit your hand like a glove and others make playing them a chore. Everybody's hands are different, some with longer fingers or smaller hands, so playability is very much an individual thing. But it is a hugely important thing because you will be playing that guitar a LOT if you are at all serious. The best necks I have ever played were on an Ernie Ball JP6 and a Charvel So-Cal. The worst was on a Gibson Les Paul Custom that has a painted neck and was tacky (sticky) when your hands perspired even a little bit).
So for these reasons it is wise to never buy an electric guitar online just because it looks cool or because your favorite guitarist plays it. It's fine to shop online and pick out a few models that you like, but always go to a local music store and actually play them before you buy. Hear the differences in tone. Notice how the neck feels in your hand. It doesn't matter if you can't play yet. Let the sales clerk plug you into an amp and just strum a few easy chords. Notice how wide is the neck? How thick is the neck? Some are like a baseball bat and others are flat and built for shredding.
Here are some of my favorites:
For a guitar under $400 you can pick up a good used Mexican Strat off eBay. These guitars are built very nearly as well as the American Strats except they are built just across the border in Mexico. Excellent value for money and a well-made guitar that almost anybody will love. But again, always play one first and make sure it feels good to you. Then go shopping for a price.
For the blues you can't beat an American Fender Stratocaster. These run about $1200 brand new but you can always find a cheaper used one on eBay. They come with a variety of pickup configurations so you can get a humbucker if you want one to play slightly more raunchy numbers. But the single coils sound so pure and heavenly (especially the 1969 reissue pickups) that they're perfect for the blues.
I have always been partial to Gibsons, both the Les Paul and the SG models. Great for blues as well but also excellent for rock, especially the SG. These guitars are typically played with some degree of distortion, so if you're into rock or metal then these are always a good choice. I don't like the painted necks however for the reason mentioned above.
Ibanez makes a huge line of guitars covering almost every style of playing. They are known for being well-made and relatively inexpensive when compared with Fender or Gibson. They cater to shredders and metal players so many of their necks will be flatter and thinner as compared with other makes. Because of their low cost they make good first guitar choices. But again, always try before you buy.
Over the past couple of years the vintage guitar market has taken a hit here and there but overall has proven to be a sound investment for most. The experts say that when inflation accelerates and the dollar shrinks collectibles prove to be a good place for your money.
You might be asking yourself whether a guitar can really be a good investment. After all, to the untrained eye, most guitars are the same. However, the right guitar can be worth a lot to a collector. Guitars that have been owned by celebrities, or which are rare or unusual, can command very high prices indeed. If you're worried about getting a return on your money, don't be. Vintage guitars have consistently performed with more stability than the stock market. There are a number of reasons that collecting vintage guitars is an excellent strategy.
For one, they're more tangible than a stock or bond. They give you an attractive piece to display, and are fun to collect, too. Guitars also don't lose value over time. In fact, it's just the opposite - vintage guitars consistently gain value as they get older, as long as you take the time to keep them in good condition. They're also usually superior instruments. If you're a musician as well as an investor, you'll appreciate the superior action and tone of a real vintage instrument. The most popular vintage guitar with collectors is probably the Gibson Les Paul.
Here is a small example: Let's say in 1959 you had $100.00 if you were to bury the $100.00 in a coffee can in your back yard or put it in your bank account and let it sit there drawing a couple percent interest inflation would slowly take this $100.00 and if you were to pull it out 50 years later you would find that $100.00 would barely get you a nice dinner for two. However if you would have taken that same $100.00 and gone to your local pawn shop in 1959 and picked up a 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar and placed it in the closet instead then you could pull it out of your closet today and it could be worth well over six figures.
People are starting to realize how much these instruments from the 50's 60's, and 70's really mean to our culture.
There is a very limited supply and there still seems to be a high demand for these pieces of history which has proved to be a good choice for those who have invested in these instruments, such as the Gibson Les Pauls' and Fender Telecasters and Stratocaster's from the same era. (50's, 60, and 70's).
A good place to start collecting vintage guitars as an investment would be to focus your research on obtaining guitars from the list below. This list includes that have been inducted into Vintage Guitar Magazine's Hall of Fame. There are, of course, other lists and other guitars worth investing in, but this is certainly a great place to begin. Two great sites to begin your search for these exquisite instrument are Bob's Vintage Guitars at http://www.bestguitaronline.com and the Best Guitar Shop at http://www.best-guitar-shop.
In the coming weeks, I will be featuring each of the exquisite instruments in detail. This information will prove useful in your search for vintage guitars that will provide a good return on your investment.
Fender Stratocaster Inducted in 1990 The VG Hall of Fame was started in 1990 and we had little doubt the Strat would be among the first instruments selected for inclusion by our readers. Three single-coils, a vibrato (usually), and that great contoured, offset-double-cutaway body. Some 50 years after its introduction, it is still one of the most popular designs.
Gibson Les Paul Standard ('Burst) Inducted in 1990 Also an easy first-year selection, LP Standard was introduced with a sunburst finish in 1958, and the '58 to'60 models are the most valuable vintage solidbody guitars. The Les Paul Standard is a classic no matter what finish it bears.
Martin D-28 Inducted in 1991 The first acoustic in the VG Hall, the D-28 launched Martin's line of incredible big and loud dreadnoughts in 1931. The D-28 has inspired many guitarists and builders, and remains one of Martin's most popular models.
Fender Telecaster Inducted in 1991 Leo Fender's timeless classic is about as simple as an electric guitar can be, but still has the magic to appeal to guitarists playing just about any style of music. Every guitar player has a Telecaster (or should). Along with the Strat and Les Paul, the Tele is among the most popular designs around.
Fender Precision Bass Inducted in 1992 The first bass in the VG Hall, and why not, it only forever revolutionized how the bass was played. One of the most innovative ideas in modern music history.
Gibson ES-335 Inducted in 1992 Born during Gibson's "golden era," the semi-hollow body ES-335 wedded archtop looks with solidbody performance. Whether it has dot inlays or blocks, it remains one of the coolest designs in guitardom.
D'Angelico New Yorker Inducted in 1993 George Gruhn said of it in the March 2000 issue of Vintage Guitar, "The New Yorker is significant due to its superb quality and aesthetic artistic appeal," and is "one of the finest guitars in the history of the instrument."
Gibson Super 400 Inducted in 1993 Introduced in 1934, with its 18" body and deluxe features, the Super 400 was the largest and most expensive guitar in the Gibson line. Its influence was soon apparent in the designs of many of the great archtops built by others. Whether the earlier non-cutaway acoustic version or the later double-pickup cutaway, it remains a true work of art.
Gibson L-5 Inducted in 1994 Introduced in 1922 and with a design guided by the legendary Lloyd Loar, the L-5 was the first modern archtop guitar. Initially a non-cutaway acoustic, the L-5 went through many changes, ultimately becoming a single-cutaway with two humbuckers.
Fender Jazz Bass Inducted in 1995 With its two specially designed pickups, offset waist, and slimmer, narrower neck, the Jazz Bass was intended to be the more tonally diverse, slicker-playing descendant of the Precision. The fact it was available in Fender custom colors (often with matching headstock) makes it all the more cool.
Gibson Flying V Inducted in 1996 One of the most distinct guitar designs ever created, but it wasn't a hit when it came out in 1958. Rock and rollers discovered it the late '60s and the V still makes a unique statement today.
Gretsch 6120 Inducted in 1996 If you play rockabilly, you better have one of these! Introduced as the Chet Atkins Hollowbody in '54, the 6120 soon shed the "G" brand and western inlays of the early versions, but never lost the Western Orange finish or the cool twang.
Rickenbacker 360/12 Inducted in 1997 It was good enough for George Harrison and gave us the "jingle jangle" of Roger McGuinn. That's more than enough for the 360/12 to be the only 12-string in the Vintage Guitar Hall of Fame.
Martin D-45 Inducted in 1998 Originally the fanciest of Martin's innovative dreadnought line. If you had one of the 96 made in the 1930s and early '40s, your net worth would be considerably higher than it is now.
Gibson ES-150 Inducted in 1999 Gibson's first electric Spanish guitar was also the first good-quality electric to hit the market. Favored by Charlie Christian, it housed Gibson's first pickup, which is still in high demand and considered a classic.
Fender Jazzmaster Inducted in 2002 Designed and marketed by Leo to cut into Gibson's jazz market, it supplanted the Strat at the top of Fender's line in 1958. And though its sound kept it from catching on with jazzers, garage surf bands of the day ate it up. It is one of the most copied solidbody designs of all time.
Gibson SJ-200 Inducted in 2002 A landmark amongst acoustic flattops, the SJ-200 was designed for cowboy guitarist Ray Whitley, and any cowboy worth his salt played one. Its popularity carried over to other genres, and never faded. From its jumbo-sized, sunburst-finished body to its ultra-fancy pickguard, bridge, and headstock, it was considered the consummate flat-top. Just ask Emmylou!
The 1954-'56 Gibson Les Paul Custom Inducted in 2003 Can you say "Black Beauty?" Though Gibson didn't give it the name, Les Paul himself chose black as the secondary color for the guitar bearing his moniker. Gibson did, however, use it to experiment with a three-pickup configuration and to introduce its famed Alnico-magnet pickup.
PRS Custom Inducted in 2004 The first production instrument from a company that has become the guitar's preeminent modern success story.
Gretsch White Falcon Inducted in 2004 Like many great guitars, it has evolved through several versions. But it has been a classic since day one, for both it sound and utterly unique aesthetic.
National Tri-Cone series Inducted in 2005 Its warm, sustaining tone emanates from three aluminum "resonators" designed to help guitarists stand out in big-band or orchestra settings. But, soon after being introduced, Nationals were adopted by Hawiian and blues players. Today, the Tri-Cone produces what many consider the ultimate acoustic blues tone.
Gibson ES-5 Inducted in 2006 One of the first guitars built after Ted McCarty took charge of Gibson, it helped solidify the company's position as the world's preeminent electric archtop maker. Today, its late-'50s variant with three PAF humbuckers and Switchmaster tone control is one of the most collectible of its ilk.
Fender Jaguar Inducted in 2006 Jumping on the speeding Fender bandwagon in 1962, it helped the company stay on top throughout the decade, with its fancy new vibrato tailpiece, sophisticated electronics, and (usually) a funky custom color. If you played instrumental rock at the time, you either had one of these or you were probably ignored!
Gibson J-45 Inducted in 2007 Martin's "dreadnought" flat-tops were big and dominated the guitar market of the 1930s. By the early '40s, Gibson knew it needed a big flat-top to compete, and he J-45 ("J" for Jumbo, "45" indicating its price in dollars) was it. A 16" round-shoulded flat-top, even in the tough times of its launch, it received a very warm welcome and has ever since remained one of - if not the - most popular Gibson guitars.
Gibson Les Paul Model (Goldtop) Inducted in 2008 Les Paul tried for years to convince Gibson it needed a solidbody in its line. Finally, Ted McCarty brought a single-cut experiment guitar to Les for his approval. Though its origianl bridge/tailpiece was far from perfect, the instrument served as Gibson's test bed through the '50s. Eventually, it reached the pinnacle among guitars and today sits among the top collectibles.
Gibson SG Standard Inducted in 2009 By 1960, declining sales of the Les Paul model had Gibson looking to revamp the guitar. So the company gave it a radically redesigned, much thinner (and lighter!) body intended to better compete with Fender's Strat. But the things that made up its very heart and soul - especially its humbucking pickups - remained. Today, the early-'60s version is a true classic.
About the Author
For more information on vintage guitars visit Bob's Vintage Guitars at http://www.bestguitaronline.com and the Best Guitar Shop
1994 USA Fender Standard American Strat Demo/Review for Sale/Trade
