Introduction

If you’ve spent any time geeking out on vintage guitars you already know that not every old guitar deserves the price tag attached to it, whether you're buying, selling, or just checking the market. 

Cooling in the market has exposed this even more clearly, as it does every time the market takes a breath. As prices ease and buyers become more selective, the guitars that were never great to begin with start to stand out. Some models simply don’t hold up in terms of build quality, tone, or long-term value. And that’s not because the market is falling apart — it’s because it’s correcting back to reality, the same way it has done many times over the decades.

This is a good time to take an honest look at the guitars that should cost less, why they’re overvalued, and what players and collectors should actually be paying attention to.

The Problem With Vintage for Vintage’s Sake

The word “vintage” used to mean something specific.  The vintage guitar world considers anything made in the 70's or early to be vintage.  Some consider a guitar, bass, or amp built during a period of craftsmanship or design that sets it apart to be part of the "vintage" designation and they exclude undesirable items that are old but just not that great.  They reserve the designation for things you light look at and think: "They just don't make 'em like they used to!".  

Online listings, nostalgia, and the excitement around certain eras have pushed prices on a lot of mediocre instruments higher  - perhaps higher than they ever deserved to go. These aren’t the guitars that shaped the music we love, and they’re not the instruments that serious players reach for in the studio or on stage. Many of them weren’t good when they were brand new, so they really just still aren't that good.

The market can only ignore this for so long. When things soften like they have over the last year or two, buyers naturally start to separate quality from age. And the guitars with inflated reputations quickly find their real level.  

A rising tide lifts all boats.  This adage holds true when you see Fender Mustang guitars from the 70s come up as the mid 60s ones hit new highs, when Gibson Melody Makers chase SG Specials hit a peak, or when Les Paul Firebrands elevate along with Les Paul Customs.

Guitars That Weren’t Great Even in Their Own Time

Anyone who has spent time around 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s guitars knows that plenty of vintage guitars simply don’t measure up. This includes certain runs from major brands during periods of questionable quality control, as well as budget models that were produced cheaply and in huge numbers.

Late-1970s CBS-era Fenders usually feel like they were carved out of bowling-alley lumber.  Baldwin era Gretsch solidbody guitars are clunky with thick finishes and wonky neck sets.  Fender amps form the 70s have particle board baffles, velcro-attached grille baffles that crack when you try to remove them, and ultra-linear transformers that up the power and lose the tone of earlier examples.  Teisco guitars - they're nostalgic, but come on - they just aren't good players.

Now don't get me wrong here - there are lots of good guitars and amps from this era, and I do believe that there is utility in many items from these eras and brands as well as others  Plenty of them have charm. Some sound good in the right context. But charm and collectability aren’t the same thing as quality, and they’re not a recipe for long-term appreciation.  

Why Some Vintage Prices Should Be Lower

The recent dip in the market has made something clear that was always true: the guitars that should cost less are finally heading in that direction. A guitar’s age doesn’t automatically give it value. Build quality matters. Materials matter. Playability matters. Tone matters. Demand matters.  Accurate pricing starts with a professional vintage guitar appraisal.

Many of the instruments that are now softening were overvalued because they were riding on the coattails of better guitars from the same brands. When prices were surging and buyers were chasing anything from the ’60s or ’70s, even the more questionable models were pulled upward. Now that buyers are more thoughtful — and more cautious — those instruments are settling where they probably should have been all along.

This doesn’t mean the market is collapsing. It means it’s maturing. When collectors get smarter, values get more accurate.

What Buyers Should Consider Instead

The good news is that the same money that once went toward inflated or mediocre vintage models can now be used more wisely. There are plenty of incredibly well-built guitars out there — instruments with real craftsmanship, real sonic character, and real history that offer far better long-term value.

Certain 1960s models from lesser-known makers are still affordable and far better built than many 1970s mass-produced pieces. Early-1990s American-made guitars from big brands are often exceptional instruments at fair prices. Silverface Fender amps remain one of the best deals in the vintage world, you just have to be selective. And plenty of early-2000s Gibson models are proving to be far better than their online chatter would suggest.

For anyone building a collection or looking for a reliable, great-sounding guitar to play every day, focusing on quality over age is a strategy that pays off in the long run.

If you look through our inventory you'll see that we sell guitars from the truly vintage eras and collectable brands, but we offer a bit of everything.  I might sound like I'm bagging on everything that isn't expensive but that simply isn't the case.  I see a place for guitars from all price ranges, but you'll see that I'm focused on offering the guitars I mention here at prices that make sense.

Conclusion

The vintage guitar world has always had its stars, its sleepers, and its pretenders. A guitar doesn’t become great simply by getting old. It becomes great because of how it was built, how it sounds, and how it inspires the person holding it.  A guitar doesn't just get expensive because it is old.  It becomes expensive because it plays unlike others, it sounds better than others, and because it is more rare than others.

The recent softening in prices isn’t a bad thing. It’s simply exposing which instruments have real substance and which ones don’t. The guitars that were never very good to begin with are finally priced where they belong, and the instruments with true quality are still holding strong.

For those considering selling, understanding the market matters — especially when deciding how to sell a vintage guitar collection responsibly.  This is a moment that rewards good judgment. Buy the guitars that were great in their own time.  Buy the ones built with intention, precision, and musical purpose.  You’ll find that age only adds to their story, not their price tag.

FAQ Section

Why are vintage guitars so expensive right now?

Vintage guitars can be expensive due to brand reputation, limited supply, nostalgia, and speculative buying. In many cases, prices rise faster than actual musical value, especially when demand is driven by hype rather than quality or usability.

Are vintage guitars overpriced?

Some vintage guitars are overpriced, particularly models that benefit from branding or trends rather than superior construction or tone. The vintage market often misprices guitars based on reputation instead of real-world performance.

Do vintage guitars always go up in value?

No, vintage guitars do not always increase in value. Prices fluctuate with economic conditions, interest rates, and buyer sentiment. Market corrections are normal, and many models experience long periods of flat or declining prices.

What makes a vintage guitar valuable?

A vintage guitar’s value is determined by build quality, originality, condition, tone, and long-term player demand. Age and brand alone do not guarantee lasting value.

Is now a good time to buy vintage guitars?

Market slowdowns and price corrections often create good buying opportunities. When prices soften, buyers can focus on well-made guitars with real musical merit rather than speculative pricing.

Why do some vintage guitars cost more than better guitars?

Pricing disparities often exist because reputation and collectability outweigh performance in the market. Some lesser-known or unfashionable vintage guitars offer better craftsmanship and tone at significantly lower prices.