Professional Vintage Guitar, Bass, and Amplifier Appraisals
Market-accurate vintage guitar, bass, and amplifier appraisals for insurance, estates, and collections, backed by over 30 years of real-world experience buying and selling vintage instruments.
Whether you’re protecting a single high-value instrument, valuing an estate, or exploring your options for a collection, the appraisal must be accurate, defensible, and ethical. I offer both casual and formal appraisals, with clear guidance at every step.
People seek a vintage guitar, bass, or amplifier appraisal for several reasons: to provide documentation to prospective
insurers, to support the value of an item for a potential buyer, or to establish accurate values for an estate or trust. In every case, the appraisal must come from a source with experience, integrity, and credibility, and it must be presented in a professional, defensible format.
I’m happy to apply my 30 years of experience buying, selling, and evaluating vintage guitars, basses, and amplifiers to the important task of appraising your instrument or collection. I offer both casual appraisals and formal written appraisals, depending on your needs. The differences between the two are explained in detail below.
A Straightforward, Respectful Appraisal Process
I receive a large number of emails from people seeking information and value estimates for guitars, basses, amplifiers, and related gear. At least half of these inquiries come from individuals with little or no experience with musical instruments. It’s common for people to feel overwhelmed or concerned about being treated fairly.
My job is to make this process simple, transparent, and respectful. The appraisal process is often enjoyable and rewarding once clients learn more about their instrument and understand what it’s truly worth. I genuinely enjoy this work myself.
In some cases, clients later ask whether I’m interested in purchasing an item I’ve appraised. While I’m always happy to explore that option, my commitment to ethical treatment and accurate valuation applies whether we do business together or not.
What We Appraise
We specialize in vintage and desirable used gear, including:
- Vintage electric and acoustic guitars
- Vintage bass guitars
- Tube amplifiers and speaker cabinets
- Effects pedals and accessories
- Complete collections and estates
Brands commonly appraised include Fender, Gibson, Martin, Gretsch, Marshall, Vox, Rickenbacker, and many others.
Why High-Value Vintage Instruments Should Be Appraised
If you own a pre-war Martin, a pre-CBS Fender, a Gibson Banner-era J-45, a Marshall Plexi head, custom-color guitars, or instruments built with Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a professional appraisal is essential to properly protect your investment.
Custom-color Telecasters, vintage Les Pauls, D-45s, and tweed Fender amplifiers represent irreplaceable, high-risk assets. These are precisely the types of instruments that are often under-insured or incorrectly valued without a current, market-based appraisal.
Getting Started
If you’re ready to begin, please reach out using the contact link on this page or feel free to call directly.
After our initial contact, I’ll ask for:
- Photos of your item or items
- Your reason for seeking the appraisal
- Basic details such as make, model, and serial number
- Information about included accessories or known history
If you’re unsure how to gather this information, I’ll guide you through the process.
What Clients Say
“Extremely knowledgeable and honest — Chuck helped us understand the true value of our vintage guitar in a way that felt clear and fair.”
— Local Collector, 5-Star Review on Mahar's Vintage Guitars
“Professional, respectful, and exactly what we needed for our insurance appraisal. Great experience from start to finish.”
— Satisfied Appraisal Client
“Amazing expertise — whether selling or just learning about an instrument, this is the place to go.”
— Long-time Customer with Positive Reverb Feedback
With decades of experience buying, selling, and valuing gear, I'm grateful for the trust our clients place in my work. These sentiments reflect the highly rated experiences people have shared across review platforms.
Ready to Move Forward?
If you’re unsure which type of appraisal is right for your situation—or simply want to understand the next steps—I’m happy to help. Whether you’re insuring a single instrument, evaluating part of a collection,
or navigating an estate or trust, the goal is to make the process clear, accurate, and stress-free.
You’re welcome to reach out using the contact link on this page or call directly to start the conversation. There’s no obligation, and I’m always glad to answer questions before any work begins.
Appraisal FAQs
What is an appraisal?
An appraisal is an expert evaluation of an item’s value, condition, and market position. It involves an unbiased assessment based on professional experience, current market data, and relevant sales comparisons to determine a defensible value.
What is a casual appraisal?
A casual appraisal is appropriate when the goal is to obtain a general understanding of retail value, explore a potential offer, or evaluate items without the need for a formal written document.
Casual appraisals are commonly used when a client is considering selling an instrument or when the items involved are of lesser value.
There is no charge for casual appraisals.
What is a formal appraisal?
A formal appraisal results in a written, official document and is typically required for insurance coverage, lending, estate planning, trusts, or other legal and financial purposes. This process is more detailed and time-intensive than a casual appraisal.
What is included in a formal appraisal?
A formal appraisal document includes:
- The purpose of the appraisal
- Replacement value
- A detailed physical description and condition assessment
- Photographs of the item
- Valuation justification with current market examples
- Provenance information, if applicable
- The date of the appraisal
- The appraiser’s signature, qualifications, and contact information
Is there a cost for appraisals?
Casual appraisals are provided at no cost.
Formal appraisals start at $250 per item. More complex instruments or research-intensive appraisals may cost more, while bulk appraisals may offer some pricing flexibility.
All pricing is disclosed before work begins. A contract is provided via DocuSign, and payment is required prior to commencement of the work.
Clients who obtain a formal appraisal may request a discounted update every three years, which is especially important for insurance purposes as market values change.
Can I get an appraisal for an entire collection?
Yes. Entire collections can be appraised, though high-value or priority items are typically best handled through the formal appraisal process, as formal appraisals can be costly for large groups of instruments.
Collections are easier to evaluate when a detailed list is provided. In many cases, clients seeking collection appraisals ultimately choose to sell the entire group, in which case I make strong offers and aim to create a smooth, worthwhile experience for the seller.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you buy instruments outside of California?
Yes. I work with sellers nationwide and can help coordinate secure shipping when appropriate.
Do you offer appraisals?
Yes. I provide both casual evaluations and formal written appraisals for insurance, estates, and collections.
What brands do you buy?
Fender, Gibson, Martin, Gretsch, Rickenbacker, Marshall, Vox, and many others — including boutique and lesser-known vintage brands.
Do I have to sell?
No. Many conversations never turn into sales, and that’s perfectly fine.