madbeanpedals::forum

Raulduke's post of his beautiful 60's gibson archtop got me thinking about starting a vintage musical instruments thread, so here we are.  What could prove interesting here is that some things that someone considers vintage I may not because they were around when I got into music.  Likewise, some of the guitars I know I'm posting may be someone's first guitar as a teenager.  There's something fun about collecting old instruments; they always have a story with them, in terms of their owners or their sound.  I love to see what people share when it comes to older stuff like this, so I hope you'll share some of your stories as well.

--

One of my first confessions is that I am not first and foremost an electric guitar player; my first love will always be acoustic.  There's something about the dry overtones that an acoustic produces with a pick or your fingers, and the way the instrument resonates your entire body that will always be appealing to me.  I currently own 2 acoustics, both what I consider vintage.

The first is a 1978 Guild D35 that I bought from the original owner.  He swapped out the open back tuners for some closed back Ovations (commonly done in the 80s).  This guitar is really heavy but has nice sound balance.  It's got a massive neck.  I love the way this guitar plays, and always feel that it's just not projecting.  That is, until I hear it recorded or here someone else play it.  It's yuge.
(http://i.imgur.com/kbr8MAw.jpg)

The 2nd is my baby; a 1969 Yamaha FG180.  These are laminate guitars that have quite a following these days, and this is one of the early Japanese red label ones.  The overtones on this instrument are to die for, and the neck is a great V shape (if you're into that type of thing).  The body size is a slightly thinner dreadnaught, and being a smaller stature guy this hits right into my arm pocket. This was my major project for 2016:  local luthier Greg Maxwell at Dogwood Guitars sanded, refretted, and reset the neck, and rebuilt parts of the bridge plate.  Now the action is almost electric low.  He actually owns one of these himself, and says mine is one of the nicest he's gotten a chance to play.
(http://i.imgur.com/TD94L9t.jpg)

I wouldn't being opposed to buying some vintage electrics, but I have yet to find one that I really want without some killer sticker shock.  However, I do happen to own 2 vintage amplifiers!

My first tube amp was a Vox AC15.  I'm an avid (obsessed) craigslister, and have taken to buying quite a few instruments from there.  One was a reissue Epiphone Wilshire (the one with full sized humbuckers).  While the guitar only hung around the house for 6 months until I sold it to someone else, he did show me another item he was looking to sell:  A 1965 Ampeg Rocket 2.  And the super awesome part was the price he was asking for it was the same as I had paid for my AC15, so I quickly sold that to a friend and went to pick this beauty up.  The blue checked tolex is in great shape for a 50+ year old amp.  The speaker had been replaced with a new Jensen, which I disliked and replaced with a Weber that weighs nearly twice as much!  It's got some weird scratchy thing going on with the cab when you turn it up past 2:00, but at that point, it's getting pretty loud.  It's also amazingly clean for quite a bit of the volume travel; the power tubes are the oddball 7591, which have a distinct sound to them.
(http://i.imgur.com/ctVokva.jpg)

The other amp I own is older than my parents, and I would venture to say would qualify in anyone's definition of "vintage."  It's not much of a looker, but it is a howler.  I had been wanting a small tube amp to crank and wail on for a while.  The cost of most Fender Champ style amps is a bit of a deal breaker for me right now.  Other amp companies like Supro have gotten a lot of visibility lately so you can't pick them up cheaply.  So I began looking at some other companies, and found this beauty down in Arkansas: a late 1940's Magnatone Varsity.  Judging by the way the cab has holes drilled in it, I would imagine it came out of an auctioneers truck (quite common these days).  Just dime the volume, plug, and play :).
(http://i.imgur.com/nBFyzWE.jpg)

One of these days I'm going to buy a vintage Gretsch Country Gentleman.  Until then, I'll have to make due with my 10 year old one :).  So what do you have to share?

Nice collection/stash there dude!

I've got bits and bobs of 'vintage' gear knocking about (the Gibson I posted is the nicest of the bunch though).

I'll get photos of it all and post.

Great collection!  I particularly like the Ampeg, I have been jonesing for a 60s Reverbrocket or Gemini.  There is a '65 Ampeg Reverbrocket 2 on my local CL, but I can't reasonably justify pulling the trigger.  When I load my vintage gear to this thread the reason will become clear.

I've serviced a few old Ampeg Rockets and am obsessed with them.  I just can't afford one, wish I'd jumped on them when you couldn't give them away.  Any amp with an accordion input is cool in my books.

I'll work up some pics if somebody wants to see a couple of old Lado's.  I have an early Falcon and a Falcon Strat that I butchered.  I felt so guilty about hacking up one of Joe's beauties that I figured out how to build halfway decent guitars.

I spent some time tracking down photos today so here are all of my vintage instruments.

While it's not the oldest instrument I own, I have owned this the longest.  It's a 1971 Martin D-28 that I bought used in 1972.  I realized that since I was in college I wasn't likely to have time to be to be in bands anymore.  So I sold my '68 Strat (white with maple fretboard, sigh...) & bought this.

(http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh606/bcalla44/Instruments/1971%20Martin%20D-28_zpsvji1qepo.jpg~original)

Between 12 & 16 years ago I picked up the next two.  I figured out that 70s-80s Ibanez guitars were affordable and pretty nice.  They are a lot less affordable now (but not outrageous) – I actually bought and sold several other models and never lost money on any of them.

The first is a 1979 Ibanez Musician MC-300.  The previous owner replaced the original pickups with EMG Selects.  He gave me the originals but since these sound pretty good I never bothered to swap them back.  The knobs are not original, but I have those too.  The mini 3-position toggles are stock, you can set each pickup to in phase, out of phase and coil tap.  The yin/yang inlays are actually stickers I bought on ebay, there are standard dot fret markers underneath.

(http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh606/bcalla44/Instruments/1979%20Ibanez%20Musician%20MC-300_zps4y6nil2k.jpg~original)

Next is a 1983 Ibanez AM-255, a small-body semi-acoustic.  This has the nicest action of any guitar I've ever owned.  It plays like butter and really growls for blues tunes.  If I had it to do over I would have bought an AM-205, it's identical except it's a stop-tail instead of vibrato.  This was Ibanez's take on a locking vibrato bridge and it's really hokey.

(http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh606/bcalla44/Instruments/1983%20Ibanez%20AM-255_zpssngxglb4.jpg~original)

The next two I bought last year, both unplanned.  They are why new toys would be hard to rationalize.

This is a 1968 Guild Starfire V.  This one belonged to the other guitarist in my band back in high school.  He was the original owner and never really played much after the band broke up in 1970.

(http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh606/bcalla44/Instruments/Guild%20Starfire%20V%20B_zps7hufvted.jpg~original)

And then I found this 1971 Kustom K-100.  My friend that I bought the Guild Starfire from & I co-owned one of these back in our band.  We bought ours used around '68 or '69 so mine is at least a couple years newer.  Otherwise it's identical, color and all.  It's also in much nicer shape than our original K-100.

(http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh606/bcalla44/Kustom%20Amp/Kustom%20Amp_zps0i1csd1m.jpg~original)

Great idea for a thread! You've got some nice gear.

I'm with you on the acoustic thing. I started playing electric but I'm pretty happy with an acoustic in an open tuning.

Next time I'm at the practice space I'll snap some pics of my old stuff.

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Gutstwohand/lpall_zps40fb4e07.jpg) (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/Gutstwohand/media/lpall_zps40fb4e07.jpg.html)

I've got a Vintage LP, does this count? ;)

Quote from: bcalla on January 13, 2017, 03:34:49 AM

Between 12 & 16 years ago I picked up the next two.  I figured out that 70s-80s Ibanez guitars were affordable and pretty nice.  They are a lot less affordable now (but not outrageous) – I actually bought and sold several other models and never lost money on any of them.

The first is a 1979 Ibanez Musician MC-300.  The previous owner replaced the original pickups with EMG Selects.  He gave me the originals but since these sound pretty good I never bothered to swap them back.  The knobs are not original, but I have those too.  The mini 3-position toggles are stock, you can set each pickup to in phase, out of phase and coil tap.  The yin/yang inlays are actually stickers I bought on ebay, there are standard dot fret markers underneath.

(http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh606/bcalla44/Instruments/1979%20Ibanez%20Musician%20MC-300_zps4y6nil2k.jpg~original)

Next is a 1983 Ibanez AM-255, a small-body semi-acoustic.  This has the nicest action of any guitar I've ever owned.  It plays like butter and really growls for blues tunes.  If I had it to do over I would have bought an AM-205, it's identical except it's a stop-tail instead of vibrato.  This was Ibanez's take on a locking vibrato bridge and it's really hokey.

(http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh606/bcalla44/Instruments/1983%20Ibanez%20AM-255_zpssngxglb4.jpg~original)

Awesome Ibaenz collection!  I've been looking at those, Ovations, and Washburns from the late 70's/early 80's as an alternative to the more famous humbucker/set neck guitar.

Some very nice goods here, above... ^^^^  8) ..... and below....  8)

My "vintage" guitars and amps are a rag-tag motley collection of
cheap junky Japanese Teisco and Silvertone budget or student guitars from the late 60's - early 70's
and equally cheap solid state low power amps that were typically sold along-side the guitars in department stores and mail-order catalogs.

I'll post pics if anyone is interested....  :o

[dbl post - why does Tapatalk dislike me so?!]

My 1962 6120:

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170114/e5e602bcc608b1ca3d1465e91dc4e3c5.jpg)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dbl post]

Quote from: alanp on January 13, 2017, 05:21:37 AM
I've got a Vintage LP, does this count? ;)

Yes it does, and it's a beauty!

Its a bit funny how much people place validity in age but having spent a bit of time in a repair shop I've had some choice pieces pass thru the doors.  I'm not doing repairs outside of stuff for buddies but the thing that strikes me the most about really cool old bits is the smell.  I know that sounds stupid but the best sounding vintage guitars I've ever touched had this musty/woody perfume that was totally intoxicating.  It triggers some weird primal thing in me.  Like the first time I ever smelled pot was at a Harvey Mandel concert and to this day if I play anything off "Baby Batter" I flash to standing there and hearing his LP goldtop thru an Acoustic amp and being totally floored at seeing two hand tapping years before Van Halen.  It's the sickest wobbly Vibe & DynaComp sound that to this day makes me 15 years old again.

The sad part is that I start to realize that it really doesn't make a damn bit of difference WHAT you use for gear as opposed to what you use the gear TO DO.  My absolute to die for score is a Framus Jan Akkerman.  I see the new Framus production of AK74's and they're damn close enough to the oldies, and the oldies are unobtainium.  Still...it's really not going to make me sound like Hamburger Concerto.

The coolest part of old gear is what it means to you.  THAT's what I'm interested in finding out in this thread.  WHY do you own it?  Good score for cheap?  Good score because?  I have a ton of stuff that has a story.  I just need to take pictures :-)

50's Silvertone Thin Twin
50's Supro Super
50's Kay bass. Not sure of the model.

Not sure why the thin twin posted twice.

Double copy/paste?  ;)

They say that for an amp or instrument to be called vintage it has to be at least 30 years old. So I reckon my first amp is vintage. A silverface Fender Twin Reverb.
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r19/Muad_zin/FenderTwin.jpg)

When I first started out as a guitarist, what was it, 1987 I think, my father took me to a local music store that he knew. In the 70's he himself had been in a commercial coverband so he knew the owner. He figured my new love of music could be a temporary thing so he bought this amp for me, saying that if really was a temporary thing the amp at least would retain its value. One of the few smart decisions he had made. The cheap crappy Japanese Les Paul copy he also got me didn't last long, but the amp I still have. It has given me a lifetime lust for all things Fender and especially that clean Fender sound. If I want clean it has to be Fender clean. Nothing else will do.

Even though I do love this amp I have to admit I have not always treated it well. The tolex has been damaged here and there. At one time it was even covered in mold thanks to a damp rehearsal room. Currently it sits in storage in a dedicated flight case. Even before I went fully digital with my Axe I barely used this amp any more because it is so damn heavy. I really should do a clean up and sell it, as it deserves a good owner who will actually use it. On the other hand. It is a connection to my late father and one of the few good decisions he has made. Plus I still like the idea that I could break it out of storage and record with it to enjoy that glorious clean sound again. Hell, I plan to be buried in it if I could.

My oldest guitar, a MIJ Fender Strat from the 80's.
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r19/Muad_zin/20160123_134351.jpg)

In the 80's I was a huge U2 fan and I lusted after having a Strat just like Edge had on Under a Bloodred Sky. Black body, black pickguard and knobs and a maple neck with large headstock. I tried to get one but at that time they were nigh non-existent. There was no internet to google. A google search meant going to a music store and have them sift through endless tomes of catalogues from which to order. They did and what I got was a black MIA Fender Strat, with rosewood neck and small headstock. I HATE small Strat headstocks. To say that guitar was a disappointment was an understatement. I had basically given up on ever finding a guitar like that when one day I came across a music store in Eindhoven and lo and behold, not just one, but two of my dream guitars. Only problem was they weren't black and had rosewood necks. But large headstocks, and since beggars can't be chosers I got them both and had one painted black in a local garage. This guitar did not turn out to be my favorite, that was the other one. But I no longer have that one so in the land of the blind this one is now king.

Heavily modified over the years. Currently it has the mirror pickguard, Les Paul toggle kill switch in the lower horn, red push button kill switch next to the pickup selector, DiMarzio Hot Rail mini humbucker as a bridge pickup and Lace Sensor Blue and Silver pickups for the neck and middle positions. The nut and string trees have been replaced with graphtec ones to stop the G string from going out of tune whenever I use the tremelo. Purists will probably cringe in horror from what I've done to this guitar, but I always viewed guitars as tools to be used, not exhibit pieces to be kept in original condition at all costs. Resale value has never been in the back of my mind. Maybe it should have, as I barely use this guitar any more due to me building my own guitars these days. If it still had been in original condition I would probably get a lot more for it as it is today.

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r19/Muad_zin/SDC10486.jpg)

Same guitar around 2010/11, with an aluminum pickguard and a Lace Sensor Red single coil in the bridge position. Didn't like the single Red much. Dual Red is awesome, single Red I found to be underwhelming.

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r19/Muad_zin/Guitar4-6.jpg)

Composite pic I made somewhere in the late 00's with the black Strat probably in its most original condition. The Dimarzio and graphtecs were already installed but the guitar still had its original neck and middle pickups. I think I still have those somewhere. The white pickguard was probably a recent addition because from the late 80's till somewhere in the 00's I had a black pickguard on this guitar. In case you're wondering the sunburst Strat has been sold and the black Tele has been reworked into something completely different.

Quote from: rumbletone on January 14, 2017, 02:04:58 AM
My 1962 6120:

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170114/e5e602bcc608b1ca3d1465e91dc4e3c5.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh, and it's a double cut!! This is an absolute beauty. If, for some reason, you ever feel like parting with it please let me know :).

Quote from: galaxiex on January 14, 2017, 01:53:41 AM
Some very nice goods here, above... ^^^^  8) ..... and below....  8)

My "vintage" guitars and amps are a rag-tag motley collection of
cheap junky Japanese Teisco and Silvertone budget or student guitars from the late 60's - early 70's
and equally cheap solid state low power amps that were typically sold along-side the guitars in department stores and mail-order catalogs.

I'll post pics if anyone is interested....  :o

Yes!  While I don't own a Tiesco, I do have a Craislist search for them. I almost purchased one (one of the more expensive ones with 3 pickups, multi-cooored switches, and. 4+2 headstock), but the Guild acoustic I own came up for sale and I had to pick one.

Quote from: Muadzin on January 14, 2017, 02:53:39 PM
Even though I do love this amp I have to admit I have not always treated it well. The tolex has been damaged here and there. At one time it was even covered in mold thanks to a damp rehearsal room. Currently it sits in storage in a dedicated flight case. Even before I went fully digital with my Axe I barely used this amp any more because it is so damn heavy. I really should do a clean up and sell it, as it deserves a good owner who will actually use it. On the other hand. It is a connection to my late father and one of the few good decisions he has made. Plus I still like the idea that I could break it out of storage and record with it to enjoy that glorious clean sound again. Hell, I plan to be buried in it if I could.

I have sold (and, when I was much younger, thrown away) stuff that I wasn't using anymore.  Some items I regret parting with, some not so much.  However, I would love to still have any of my equipment that has a story that relates to my life.  That's why I bought my friend's Guild Starfire (we used it in our band in high school) and the Kustom amp (we used one like it in that band).  Unless you really get into a bind - finances, space, moving, etc. - I recommend hanging on to this amp.  Plus - as you mentioned - it sounds great.

Quote from: Timko on January 14, 2017, 05:44:21 PM

Quote from: galaxiex on January 14, 2017, 01:53:41 AM
Some very nice goods here, above... ^^^^  8) ..... and below....  8)

My "vintage" guitars and amps are a rag-tag motley collection of
cheap junky Japanese Teisco and Silvertone budget or student guitars from the late 60's - early 70's
and equally cheap solid state low power amps that were typically sold along-side the guitars in department stores and mail-order catalogs.

I'll post pics if anyone is interested....  :o

Yes!  While I don't own a Tiesco, I do have a Craislist search for them. I almost purchased one (one of the more expensive ones with 3 pickups, multi-cooored switches, and. 4+2 headstock), but the Guild acoustic I own came up for sale and I had to pick one.

Thanks for the interest.  :)

I have quite a few... but I'll start with my favorite Silvertone "most likely made by Teisco" Model 1412.

This is my fav because it was my first electric guitar.
Not the one I actually had (that got "lost" years ago) but exactly like it.
Well, this came from the USA and the guitars sold in Canada were slightly different.
The label on the back says Sears Roebuck, where the Canadian model would not have included the "Roebuck".

I got it in the early 70's from the Sears Canada catalog. I want to say 1973...
By then Sears was phasing out guitars and other musical instruments.
This one is "slightly" rare, in that it has the "swoop" headstock and the block lettering.

Plans for it are to do a complete re-fret to bring it to modern playability standards.
The original frets are woefully tiny.
As I recall, it was hard to play back then... ;)

Here is a "for sure" made by Teisco Silvertone.

The SHARKFIN!  8)

For some reason these guitars "feel" heavy, yet this one only weighs 7lbs 6oz.

In great condition, all original, including the tiny frets...

Too cool.  How do they play?

Quote from: gordo on January 14, 2017, 09:20:50 PM
Too cool.  How do they play?

Thanks!

They play "not bad" considering the tiny frets.
Bending is a bit tough tho.
The neck on both are good feeling and no warps/twists.
Truss rods work and both can be adjusted to preferred relief.

When I do re-frets on these, I will level the finger board and sand in some fall-away.

When I was a kid back in the 60s I used to stare at the Sears catalog for hours trying to decide which guitar I would get if I only had the money.  These and the ones posted by kinski are very cool.

I don't currently have anything vintage lying around in completed form ... here's a link to one I restored, owned for a while, and sold when times got tough. https://reverb.com/item/636201-sears-silvertone-1482-1960s-seafoam-green (https://reverb.com/item/636201-sears-silvertone-1482-1960s-seafoam-green)

Quote from: kinski on January 14, 2017, 02:43:04 AM
Not sure why the thin twin posted twice.

Because they are TWINS .......  ::)

The only vintage guitar I own is an old Kay which might be passable as a canoe paddle.  I'll probably hang it as wall art one of these days.

I do have a couple of older amps, a '65 Vibrolux Reverb and a '67 Super Reverb.  Love em.

Omg, I looked at your babies, and all I can say is that you are lucky to have such guitars! They are very similar to the ones that appear on the Beatles' pictures! I have an Antonio Strad Violin (https://www.stradviolin.com/rentals/) from my great grandfather. That instrument is a treasure to my family. Mom says it's going to cost a fortune within next ten years, but we are not planning on selling it. I think that old instruments will soon be in great demand. So take care of these babies because they all look amazing! God knows maybe one day you will be wealthy!

They must cost now a fortune!

Don't know how I never put this into the thread. There needs to be some low end in here.

The one on the left is a short scale '64 (near as I can tell) Epiphone Rivoli bass that I've had for about 15 years. The other my brother built for me from an inexpensive kit. The kit turned out so well that I have been thinking of selling the original, because it just doesn't see a ton of action anymore.

Here's my vintage acoustic stuff...

1960 Gibson LG-1
1970's Chicago (made in Korea)
1970's no name japanese D-35 copy

I have an old Cort bass from the 80s. It was my very first. I'm not sure that's vintage, it's just old. Never getting rid of it, it's seen a lot of bars and frat houses.


(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210808/e87179520672ce649cce1d524377b44a.jpg)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The difference between Vintage and vintage is $$$ (read collectible).  Who know's, this time next year might be the year for 80's Cort basses.

Here's my vintage electric stuff...

1979 Rickenbacker 4001 Autumn burst
1989 Charvel Fusion Deluxe (Rainbow Crackle)
19?? Tiesco Del-Rey (needs bridge and pickups)

Nice stuff.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: Aentons on August 08, 2021, 12:59:30 AM
Here's my vintage electric stuff...

1979 Rickenbacker 4001 Autumn burst
1989 Charvel Fusion Deluxe (Rainbow Crackle)
19?? Tiesco Del-Rey (needs bridge and pickups)

I LOVE that Charvel, but I'm not sure most would consider it vintage.  I view my '91 Ibanez RG570 the same way.  Clearly, I don't really subscribe to the 30 year theory.  Obviously, it's up for debate.

I had an early 90's Charvel Fusion.  It sounded great, but the dinky body was a bit small for me, so I ended up selling it since my Jackson MIJ SL3 fits me better.  The Fusion had much better pickups, though.  The Jackson SL3 might have had the worst stock pickups I've had in any guitar.

Quote from: pickdropper on August 08, 2021, 12:29:16 PM

Quote from: Aentons on August 08, 2021, 12:59:30 AM
Here's my vintage electric stuff...

1979 Rickenbacker 4001 Autumn burst
1989 Charvel Fusion Deluxe (Rainbow Crackle)
19?? Tiesco Del-Rey (needs bridge and pickups)

I LOVE that Charvel, but I'm not sure most would consider it vintage.  I view my '91 Ibanez RG570 the same way.  Clearly, I don't really subscribe to the 30 year theory.  Obviously, it's up for debate.

I had an early 90's Charvel Fusion.  It sounded great, but the dinky body was a bit small for me, so I ended up selling it since my Jackson MIJ SL3 fits me better.  The Fusion had much better pickups, though.  The Jackson SL3 might have had the worst stock pickups I've had in any guitar.

I kind of agree, but it's hard because "vintage" is a moving target that relies on the marketplace more than anything else. Ten years ago all the Tiesco, National, Kent, Kay, and weird for old guitars of the 50's-70's were all just considered junk and it would be rare to see one sell for as much as $200. Now vintage Fender and Gibson stuff has reached way unobtainable prices and those odd japanese guitars are fetching $500-$1000, sometimes even more.  A 1950's Kay bass isn't much more "vintage" than it was 10 years ago and it certainly isn't a better guitar than it ever was, but there is a market there now, so the term has gotten tagged to that stuff.

All this is to say that at some point that Charvel's value will probably spike up quiet a bit, but it's difficult to predict when.

Oh, and get that poor teisco a pickup and a bridge, it looks like it dying to be played.

Quote from: matmosphere on August 08, 2021, 01:32:27 PM

Quote from: pickdropper on August 08, 2021, 12:29:16 PM

Quote from: Aentons on August 08, 2021, 12:59:30 AM
Here's my vintage electric stuff...

1979 Rickenbacker 4001 Autumn burst
1989 Charvel Fusion Deluxe (Rainbow Crackle)
19?? Tiesco Del-Rey (needs bridge and pickups)

I LOVE that Charvel, but I'm not sure most would consider it vintage.  I view my '91 Ibanez RG570 the same way.  Clearly, I don't really subscribe to the 30 year theory.  Obviously, it's up for debate.

I had an early 90's Charvel Fusion.  It sounded great, but the dinky body was a bit small for me, so I ended up selling it since my Jackson MIJ SL3 fits me better.  The Fusion had much better pickups, though.  The Jackson SL3 might have had the worst stock pickups I've had in any guitar.

I kind of agree, but it's hard because "vintage" is a moving target that relies on the marketplace more than anything else. Ten years ago all the Tiesco, National, Kent, Kay, and weird for old guitars of the 50's-70's were all just considered junk and it would be rare to see one sell for as much as $200. Now vintage Fender and Gibson stuff has reached way unobtainable prices and those odd japanese guitars are fetching $500-$1000, sometimes even more.  A 1950's Kay bass isn't much more "vintage" than it was 10 years ago and it certainly isn't a better guitar than it ever was, but there is a market there now, so the term has gotten tagged to that stuff.

Yeah, I agree that "vintage" seems to be a moving target.

As for Tiesco, Kay, etc.  I still think a lot of them ARE junk.  I know that there are good examples, but most of them that I've seen are very poorly made (including one I have).  The pickups are often cool and weird, though.  If they can be made playable, I see why folks like them, but I don't believe it's because they are well made.

Quote from: pickdropper on August 08, 2021, 02:11:40 PM

Quote from: matmosphere on August 08, 2021, 01:32:27 PM

Quote from: pickdropper on August 08, 2021, 12:29:16 PM

Quote from: Aentons on August 08, 2021, 12:59:30 AM
Here's my vintage electric stuff...

1979 Rickenbacker 4001 Autumn burst
1989 Charvel Fusion Deluxe (Rainbow Crackle)
19?? Tiesco Del-Rey (needs bridge and pickups)

I LOVE that Charvel, but I'm not sure most would consider it vintage.  I view my '91 Ibanez RG570 the same way.  Clearly, I don't really subscribe to the 30 year theory.  Obviously, it's up for debate.

I had an early 90's Charvel Fusion.  It sounded great, but the dinky body was a bit small for me, so I ended up selling it since my Jackson MIJ SL3 fits me better.  The Fusion had much better pickups, though.  The Jackson SL3 might have had the worst stock pickups I've had in any guitar.

I kind of agree, but it's hard because "vintage" is a moving target that relies on the marketplace more than anything else. Ten years ago all the Tiesco, National, Kent, Kay, and weird for old guitars of the 50's-70's were all just considered junk and it would be rare to see one sell for as much as $200. Now vintage Fender and Gibson stuff has reached way unobtainable prices and those odd japanese guitars are fetching $500-$1000, sometimes even more.  A 1950's Kay bass isn't much more "vintage" than it was 10 years ago and it certainly isn't a better guitar than it ever was, but there is a market there now, so the term has gotten tagged to that stuff.

Yeah, I agree that "vintage" seems to be a moving target.

As for Tiesco, Kay, etc.  I still think a lot of them ARE junk.  I know that their are good examples, but most of them that I've seen are very poorly made (including one I have).  The pickups are often cool and weird, though.  If they can be made playable, I see why folks like them, but I don't believe it's because they are well made.

I agree completely, a lot of those are just bad guitars. There are some real gems though. And I should say that my standard for playability in a guitar has always been low, probably because it is proportional to my skill as a player.

I haven't posted in a while, because I haven't built any pedals this year, though I did build some speakers (LXmini) and am working on an Elliott Sound power amplifier.

1956 Gibson TV Special
1970s Fender Telecaster Deluxe
1992 American Standard Stratocaster
Mid 70s Fender Lap Steel (8 string)
1964 Fender Super Amp - (rescued from a painter's studio, which is why the grill cloth has paint on it)

I haven't really bought much gear since I started a family almost 20 years ago - I bought everything here in the 90s, the Stratocaster I bought new.

Andrew

Quote from: electrosonic on August 09, 2021, 08:10:36 AM
I haven't posted in a while, because I haven't built any pedals this year, though I did build some speakers (LXmini) and am working on an Elliott Sound power amplifier.

1956 Gibson TV Special
1970s Fender Telecaster Deluxe
1992 American Standard Stratocaster
Mid 70s Fender Lap Steel (8 string)
1964 Fender Super Amp - (rescued from a painter's studio, which is why the grill cloth has paint on it)

I haven't really bought much gear since I started a family almost 20 years ago - I bought everything here in the 90s, the Stratocaster I bought new.

Andrew

Man, that LP Special is AMAZING.

It's a great guitar - amazing tone. It was considered a "student model" when it was made. The body is a slab, no contouring like the higher end models of the day. The fret board radius is a lot bigger than a Fender, it takes a little more effort to play. That's the original (or I guess period correct) case too, it came with it.  I noticed on Reverb that those old Lifton cases go for a lot of money too. A friend of mine bought it in Montana somewhere in the late 80s. I'll have to ask him how much he paid for it - great guy - he let me take it and  let me pay in instalments (vintage gear was much cheaper pre internet).

I bought the Telecaster Deluxe at the same time. I actually lent the Telecaster back to the seller (he is one of my oldest friends) and he had it for about ten years - that guitar has travelled more than me from Montana to  Europe, Montreal and Japan - I think it might have been used on a Godspeed you Black Emperor album - I'll have to confirm that.

Two more - mid 70s Fender short scale bass and 70s (?) Hagstrom II.

I saw Nels Cline play an identical Hagstrom II many years ago with the Geraldine Fibbers.

Andrew.

I've got this sitting in my garage right now:

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/v494/CodeMonk/Accordion/Magnatone_001_zps98f3184b.gif)

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/v494/CodeMonk/Accordion/100_2986_zpsb6950d6f.jpg)

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/v494/CodeMonk/Accordion/100_2987_zps216721b3.jpg)

Bought new in the mid-late 60s by my parents (for my accordion lessons, ugh).
I haven't messed with it for about 5 years.
Several of the pots are garbage though.

Quote from: electrosonic on August 09, 2021, 09:06:23 PM
It's a great guitar - amazing tone. It was considered a "student model" when it was made. The body is a slab, no contouring like the higher end models of the day. The fret board radius is a lot bigger than a Fender, it takes a little more effort to play. That's the original (or I guess period correct) case too, it came with it.  I noticed on Reverb that those old Lifton cases go for a lot of money too. A friend of mine bought it in Montana somewhere in the late 80s. I'll have to ask him how much he paid for it - great guy - he let me take it and  let me pay in instalments (vintage gear was much cheaper pre internet).

I bought the Telecaster Deluxe at the same time. I actually lent the Telecaster back to the seller (he is one of my oldest friends) and he had it for about ten years - that guitar has travelled more than me from Montana to  Europe, Montreal and Japan - I think it might have been used on a Godspeed you Black Emperor album - I'll have to confirm that.

Two more - mid 70s Fender short scale bass and 70s (?) Hagstrom II.

I saw Nels Cline play an identical Hagstrom II many years ago with the Geraldine Fibbers.

Andrew.

Very cool stuff, but that tele.... man that's one I would just love to have one day. I had seen someone playing a 70's Tele deluxe and really wanted one. my first guitar ended up being a '92 Tele standard, only because the music store I went to didn't have one of the old Deluxe's. That Tele is still easily the best guitar I own.

Quote from: electrosonic on August 09, 2021, 09:06:23 PM
It's a great guitar - amazing tone. It was considered a "student model" when it was made. The body is a slab, no contouring like the higher end models of the day. The fret board radius is a lot bigger than a Fender, it takes a little more effort to play. That's the original (or I guess period correct) case too, it came with it.  I noticed on Reverb that those old Lifton cases go for a lot of money too. A friend of mine bought it in Montana somewhere in the late 80s. I'll have to ask him how much he paid for it - great guy - he let me take it and  let me pay in instalments (vintage gear was much cheaper pre internet).

I bought the Telecaster Deluxe at the same time. I actually lent the Telecaster back to the seller (he is one of my oldest friends) and he had it for about ten years - that guitar has travelled more than me from Montana to  Europe, Montreal and Japan - I think it might have been used on a Godspeed you Black Emperor album - I'll have to confirm that.

Two more - mid 70s Fender short scale bass and 70s (?) Hagstrom II.

I saw Nels Cline play an identical Hagstrom II many years ago with the Geraldine Fibbers.

Andrew.

Been keeping my eye out for one of those basses. Lots of good memories as a kid.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: jimilee on August 09, 2021, 09:59:45 PM

Quote from: electrosonic on August 09, 2021, 09:06:23 PM
It's a great guitar - amazing tone. It was considered a "student model" when it was made. The body is a slab, no contouring like the higher end models of the day. The fret board radius is a lot bigger than a Fender, it takes a little more effort to play. That's the original (or I guess period correct) case too, it came with it.  I noticed on Reverb that those old Lifton cases go for a lot of money too. A friend of mine bought it in Montana somewhere in the late 80s. I'll have to ask him how much he paid for it - great guy - he let me take it and  let me pay in instalments (vintage gear was much cheaper pre internet).

I bought the Telecaster Deluxe at the same time. I actually lent the Telecaster back to the seller (he is one of my oldest friends) and he had it for about ten years - that guitar has travelled more than me from Montana to  Europe, Montreal and Japan - I think it might have been used on a Godspeed you Black Emperor album - I'll have to confirm that.

Two more - mid 70s Fender short scale bass and 70s (?) Hagstrom II.

I saw Nels Cline play an identical Hagstrom II many years ago with the Geraldine Fibbers.

Andrew.

Been keeping my eye out for one of those basses. Lots of good memories as a kid.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Squier Bronco bass will get you pretty close for like $150

Quote from: electrosonic on August 09, 2021, 09:06:23 PM
It's a great guitar - amazing tone. It was considered a "student model" when it was made. The body is a slab, no contouring like the higher end models of the day. The fret board radius is a lot bigger than a Fender, it takes a little more effort to play. That's the original (or I guess period correct) case too, it came with it.  I noticed on Reverb that those old Lifton cases go for a lot of money too. A friend of mine bought it in Montana somewhere in the late 80s. I'll have to ask him how much he paid for it - great guy - he let me take it and  let me pay in instalments (vintage gear was much cheaper pre internet).

I bought the Telecaster Deluxe at the same time. I actually lent the Telecaster back to the seller (he is one of my oldest friends) and he had it for about ten years - that guitar has travelled more than me from Montana to  Europe, Montreal and Japan - I think it might have been used on a Godspeed you Black Emperor album - I'll have to confirm that.

Two more - mid 70s Fender short scale bass and 70s (?) Hagstrom II.

I saw Nels Cline play an identical Hagstrom II many years ago with the Geraldine Fibbers.

Andrew.

My student model Gibson is a '54 LG-1 acoustic that was found at a local resale shop.  When I turned it upside down, three of the braces fell out.  ;-)

A well-respected local luthier glued them back in, sealed a crack in the top and it's making music again.

Quote from: pickdropper on August 10, 2021, 03:12:21 AM

Quote from: electrosonic on August 09, 2021, 09:06:23 PM
It's a great guitar - amazing tone. It was considered a "student model" when it was made. The body is a slab, no contouring like the higher end models of the day. The fret board radius is a lot bigger than a Fender, it takes a little more effort to play. That's the original (or I guess period correct) case too, it came with it.  I noticed on Reverb that those old Lifton cases go for a lot of money too. A friend of mine bought it in Montana somewhere in the late 80s. I'll have to ask him how much he paid for it - great guy - he let me take it and  let me pay in instalments (vintage gear was much cheaper pre internet).

I bought the Telecaster Deluxe at the same time. I actually lent the Telecaster back to the seller (he is one of my oldest friends) and he had it for about ten years - that guitar has travelled more than me from Montana to  Europe, Montreal and Japan - I think it might have been used on a Godspeed you Black Emperor album - I'll have to confirm that.

Two more - mid 70s Fender short scale bass and 70s (?) Hagstrom II.

I saw Nels Cline play an identical Hagstrom II many years ago with the Geraldine Fibbers.

Andrew.

My student model Gibson is a '54 LG-1 acoustic that was found at a local resale shop.  When I turned it upside down, three of the braces fell out.  ;-)

A well-respected local luthier glued them back in, sealed a crack in the top and it's making music again.

Damn, that's another one that's like a dream guitar.

Vintage string instruments, are in great demand!