I Think with the increase of prices this is the right time for those with some extra cash sitting around to invest in some guitars.If I look back on the spree I went on in 2003 I did alright.I picked up a BECK and Clapton model on ebay brand new with papers and tags for a grand each,there over 2 grand now.I also bought a MINT blueburst strat ultra from 96 for 900 I just saw one go for $1,500 on ebay,and a mint Tobbaco burst Wolfgang for $610 that I saw go for $1,300 on ebay so thats a profit of over $3,000 not bad.This year I already bought 3 mint Wolfgangs keepin them close to the $1,000 dollar side of things and since Fender is coming out with the new Wolf go check out ebay non custom shop peavey models are selling for over 2 grand thaeres like five listed as I write this it is crazy.So if you have some spare money sitting in the bank or under the bed I would advise you to scoop up a couple of nice Fenders and just put thaem away for a while as you will make a return.I would advise you to buy american as though I love my MIJ Fenders there is no big return so I would figure the same for MIM you will get back what you paid and maybe a few $ more but nothing nice.And if you dont shop on ebay ask 100 questions about dents ,dings ,cracks ,mods as you want as close to mint as possible.NOW I have more than enough guitars that are my players so I am not looking for something to play,this is to invest in and as I dont play the market and the banks just about make you pay them to hold your money try it out as it is something we all love and you can have fun doing it.Besides I have never bought a quality guitar from Fender that I lost money on I would say the same for guys who are into gibsons.I think I will start of looking for one of those VG strats that I have seen a few guys here pick up for $999 at GC as I see them going for $1,400 on ebay that would be a nice start and I will keep you guys posted every now and then if I get something I think is worth purchasing.KEEP ON ROCKIN.

i dont think its the time nessicailly, its just the fact the older guitars generally sell for more.


besides, its never a bad time to buy a guitar

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Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!

As mass produced and machine made as the newer stuff is, I doubt it'll be real collectible unless you have a Custom Shop or something from a really short run. The VG Strats never really took off. They got good reviews too. I see high starting bids, but few sell. I tried one, but it sounded a bit digital to me. Still pretty cool though.

It takes a long time for the prices to climb. My 72 Strat is all original and I'm the only owner. I've been offered everything from $1500- $5200 for it . I would never sell it, but it took 38 years to get to that price range.

Guitars as investments are a huge gamble, and now that people know that there's a chance their instruments will become worth more tomorrow, they take better care of them today. Just look at Comic Books and Baseball/sports cards...Yes, in the 40s-70s, many people did not realize how valuable those items would be decades from then, so they did not take care of them. By the 80s and 90s people realized that there was a chance that they would be worth more in the future, so they took better care of them...What has now happened is that the collector's marketplace now has too many mint and new condition items from past decades. So while these things from recent decades (80s & 90s) do still sell in the marketplace, it is nowhere near what items from earlier decades in the same condition might go for since the realization of a vintage market has in many ways lead to the slow killing of a vintage market. In the 70s, people did not realize that people would pay top dollar for an unopened Star Wars figure, not many people kept them sealed...then a few years later, someone would end up paying top dollar for a sealed item. Once this was realized, you had people buying up action figures by the dozens, and not opening them at all...this in turn has created too much supply, so while there may be a demand for it, if you have too much supply, you cannot demand much of a price for it if the demand is not more than the supply available.

Don't invest in instruments, they are meant to be played. If you have money you are looking to invest, buy gold as you will more likely get a better return from gold in the future than a mass produced item that pretty much 90% of everyone else who bought one will probably try to keep it nice as well since they remember how instruments from previous decades went for more...

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RAMA LAMA FA FA FA

The bargains(not for investment), are in used gear right now. Lottsa folks needing cash are parting ways with great amps and guitars on the cheap. If your looking for an amp or guitar, used may be the way to go. Mike

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Vintage guitars don’t depreciate or lose value with time. On the contrary, these babies appreciate and gain value as they age, especially if they are kept up nicely.

They have superior tonality and action when played due to the quality workmanship that went into their construction.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I agree with Cherokee, I see people dumping nice gear for recession cash, custom shop, historic etc. In terms of investment, the good stuff is pre 1965 and even that may be overbought, due for a correction.....?

Uggh. You don't have to tell me about it. I had to sell my Mesa DR for $800 just to make my mortgage payment. Still gets under my skin.

Well I can see people are on both sides of the fence as it should be.The reason why I will be buying is that if you have spare cash and the economy is bad that is the time to buy.It is just like the real estate market houses are foreclosing all over the place and some nice ones at that because people dont have money at the moment,and you will see savy real estate agents buying up chunks of property at such cheap prices because when the market turns around huge profits will be made.I grew up in south brooklyn my father bought our house in 1962 for $10,500 it was always considered a lower middle class tough neighborhood.Then 13 years ago yuppies started pouring in buying up everything they changed the name to PARK $@!&# and my mother now lives in a house worth over a million dollars in one of the best neighborhoods in Brooklyn go figure.With the economic crunch a lot of people are selling things for money and for ex players gear is one of them.So I would rather take a shot and add to my collection at this moment if I catch something that catches my eye and as I have 2 sons the worst that happens is there left with some great guitars.Now I am not talking crazy pieces like I am trying to make a killing,but something I love more than most things in this world and you all know what I mean and as I have my main axes I play I would rather grab a nice strat than an ounce of gold.And let me just say besides ebay there craigs list,and dont forget the pawn shops as a friend of mine picked up a beautiful custom shop strat with a sunburst finish and one of the best birdseye necks I ever seen on a Fender for $800,and you had to hear this guitar like GOD made it himself.Because the guy in the pawnshop did not know what he had it still happens.I asked him 100 times to sell it to me and he promised he would but he had a drug problem and one night sold it for $300 what a shame.But for those who want to add to there collection I think the time is right and as for me stating I would like to pick up VG new,well that was a guitar I wanted to buy when it came out to play and if I can grab one now for a grand I think thats a smart move as I would play that I dont hang nothing on the wall like a clock and even guitars I decided I want as collectables see some playing time as I am a player first and foremost.The collecting aspect only hit me after reading Vintage Guitar the last few years and as they all state you have to start somewhere.

I actually made some money for myself from a heap of used Fender gear that I purchased before the price increase. I heard about the hike early and hoarded all the used stuff I could afford. The values went up and, in turn, made a handsome profit. Thanks, Fender!

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It's okay, because the ball is on a string and attatched to the cup.

Firearms are and investment , since the elections many semi auto's values have gone up up up dealers can not keep them. Sales in November went up 45% and December was up around 30% and they are saying the numbers so far this year are doing the same. Many say the clinton bans are coming back and then some so because of that there have been more sales the last 6 months then they have seen in ages. All brought on by the fear that the administration will do an end around on the second ammendment.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

It's supply and demand. If the supply of vintage guitars is high, the demand and value will go down. That's why some vintage instruments (not just Fender & Gibson) go down. It's usually but not always, the perceived quality and rarity of an instrument.