Newer Vintage?

[Clive Hugh]

Just a thought, back in the 80's when people talked about a vintage strat it could have been one made up to 1963 (possibly'64?) now in 1983/4 that would have been 20 years old, as I have a couple of strats made in 1984/6 when do they become vintage?-just a thought.

 

[mishagolin]

they become vintage when someone will pay a lot of money for them.

i personally think guitar prices should be based on tone not age. there are some 86 teles that sound better than the 76's (3 bolt neck crap). typically the "vintage" name is reserved for things more than 20 years old but i'm not gonna pay extra just because the guitar is 22 instead of 18 years old. each guitar will age at a different rate depending on how its kept and how its played. i went through a lot of this about 3 months ago. i just decided to buy a brand new tele instead. old does not mean good and good is not confined to old.

 

[ibanezrocks]

Fender makes so many guitars now that are meant to feel and look like they are really old, that it doesn't really even matter now. That and the fact that they never ever change their guitars, a vintage fender isnt that much different.

Sorry that really didn't answer the original question, I just had to bitch about fender.

 

[Hard2Hear]

The 70's Fenders have been going up recently. I saw a 70's 3 bolt strat go for $3500, nuts. Granted it was nos condition. I don't think theyre great guitars. I own a 77 Strat which is not a very good guitar, and I have played several others and none of them really stood out to me.

That being said, there's a possibility that in the future, the first couple years of post-CBS Fenders will go up in value. But because there were so many made, it will be reserved for those which are liited models and those which are in nos condidion, with all paperwork, hangtags, etc. It is the rarity of the 50s and 60s models that make them valuable, not just the age. Same goes for those very high dollar burst LesPauls.

H2H

 

[foo]

First of all, the disclaimer:

Generally speaking . . .

Collectors regard Fender and Gibson guitars as 'real vintage' if they are pre late 1965.
Leo sold out to CBS in January of '65, so even a post Jan '65 Fender is still okay as they used up the stockpile of parts during the year. It's more to do with the features and condition than the date. A general rule of thumb is the small headstock strat is the one to have - but a mint large headstock custom colour from '66 will be worth more than the small headstock refinished 'hoss' from '65. A late 60's four-bolt neck is still a fine guitar - ask Bonnie Raitt.

Gibson made some significant changes in the same time period - notably changed the headstock angle from 17 degrees to 14 degrees and changing teh hardware from nickel to chrome plating.

But there are several changes pre-65 that also need to be noted. EG The early '61 and into '62 Gibson electrics have wide flat necks - they're just wonderful. Once you get to '63, they narrow out quite a lot - for me, not so cool. The '59 and into '60 Strats have a really nice wide (ish) flat rosewood 'board, so they work really well, too.

As for new vintage . . .
I think the early 80's dot-neck re-issues, the 30th Anniversary Goldtop Les Paul and the Heritage LP re-issues from the same period are probably turning into the 'new vintage' for Gibsons.
Fenders from the period are pretty weak. The 'American Strats' (with the jack on teh scratchplate) are pretty much a dog. The guitars withthe weird pickups (can't remember what they were called) had really bad bridges - and the pickups needed help, too. On the plus side, I saw several really nice '57 and '62 re-issue Strats that were good. I'm sure by now if you find one that's been played for 20 years, you'll have a real fine piece.

 

[Clive Hugh]

Actually I was just musing, not really serious but putting it in context. As to the CBS strats being sub-standard I had one which was crap but with a bit of work, basically finishing what should have been done in the factory it was OK but it will never be anything other than an OK guitar as I removed the stock PU's and put in DiMarzio Humbuckers and made my own bridge and tailstop. But the bugger could sustain like you can't believe.
Clive

 

[turnitdown]

All my guitars are 80's models... Sure would be nice if I could retire on them in 20 years!!!!! They'll be really vintage by then....