FINEST GUITARS

Vintage 1957 Fender Guitar Sale of The Week

This week we are highlighting a Vintage Fender guitar sold on eBay January 21, 2010 for $6,900. This guitar held our interest because of the amount of information the seller provided in the auction listing, and in response to questions. We are providing the information here since it may be educational and informative for those that love and collect these vintage Fender guitars This information is provided from the eBay auction listing.

"This auction is for a 1957 Fender Esquire Guitar ( ser # -17773 ) with the orig tweed case and its 1959 Fender Champ Tweed Amp Type 5FI ( ser # C10017 ) . This is not a re-issue, it’s the real thing. The guitar , amp and it’s tweed case has all their original parts completely, even the ash tray, in very nice shape. The body was contoured , probably in the 60’s as the finish is that old and the Jeff Beck contour was popular back then. Check out this Fender Custom Shop reissue ( at $15G ) at the Elderly site http://www.elderly.com/fmic/items/FCSJBESQ.htm Other than the period Beck Mod and a single MOP dot added to the neck ( see the pics ) , it is all original and plays, feels, sounds and works great. It has some nicks & wear marks on the bod as you would expect from a fifty three year old guitar but it’s not anything rough, no cracks or gouges or such bad stuff. I describe it as similar to a 57’ Chevy that was hot rodded in the 60’s. It’s not the value of a mint original, but it is very desirable and better than a recent refinish , as it is still a “period” mod that was done when it was “just” a great guitar. Ash could certainly be added back and a pro refin done, I thought about doing it, but it is a correct period Beck mod and very cool as it is. There is the history of this type of mod done back then, and it actually does make it pretty comfy to play. It is not a very heavy contour, it was done only to the bass side and the outline of the body is exactly right. The case is in great shape as is the amp, which also works great. I see a set like this that is original finish for $29,500 on ebay, and a refin 50’s Esquire by itself is in the mid teens these days after the economy adjusted the pricing. I have put the starting price on this without a reserve above it at a reasonable $7500 that is sure to go up in value as the economy gets back into shape. It is rare, a great guitar and as cool as can be, so bid often and seriously, as another as complete as this will certainly not be coming by your way again soon.

ADDED INFO ON THE GUITAR...I have been asked about THE M.O.P. DOT that was added to the fretboard...my bet is the dot is a clue to the individual who did it & the guitar norms of the times. He was prob a veteran older player at the time...its fifty years since that was done when the guitar was fairly new & that guitar influences us strongly still today. At the time the dot was done, just 40 to 50 years before that the parlor guitars from Chicago & the Boston makers sometimes used a dot in that position, which was at the end of the romantic era guitar details that went out of vogue with the end of romantic tunes popularity. My bet is the person who modified the guitar was a middle aged guy who had learned to play on guitars with that dot & needed it as a point of reference when playing."

If you are looking for vintage Fender guitars search the eBay auctions and find one that you can own at an "economy adjusted price" as the owner of this highlighted auction states in his listing copy. Nothing could be closer to the truth, since the down economy has affected collectible guitar prices. Don't forget in the US economy what goes down come back up and there are some excellent buys out there today.

Gibson Les Paul TV Model Junior Sale of The Week Highlight

Vintage 1957 Gibson Les Paul TV Junior

This weeks highlighted sale of the week on eBay is a 1957 Gibson Les Paul TV Model Junior.  This vintage guitar was totally original with no cracks, chips, touch up, or repairs.  This auction closed July 15, 2009 with a final sale price of $12,000.  This sale is typical of the vintage guitars which are being sold on eBay every week.  These auctions are home for hundreds of vintage guitar sales each week, and vintage Gibson guitars are some of the most popular items as the previous highlighted sales attest.  Check out the selection and come back often.

Vintage 1965 Fender Jazz Bass Is Highlighted Sale of The Week

The highlight this week is an extremely hard to find 1965 Fender Jazz Bass guitar in Burgundy Mist Metallic with matching headstock, and a L series serial number.  This is a rare guitar in a rare color and the owner had it disassembled,inspected and photgraphed by an expert to certify that it was 100% completely orginal as delivered from the factory.  This widely watched vintage guitar auction on eBay yielded a selling price of $12,999 on January 8, 2009.

vintage fender guitar

1962 Fender Stratocaster Featured Sale of The Week

This week's vintage guitar gem, featured  sale of week is a completely original, mint 62 Fender Stratocaster with the signature sunburst paint  design.  This beauty was reported to be completely original including the original case.  Every component of this beautiful vintage instrument was original with the exception of one pot which was replaced with an OEM replacement.  The amplifier that was sold with this piece was not the original amp but was a 1955 Fender deluxe model EL 5E3.

This vintage Stratocaster sold on an eBay auction on November 27, 2008 for $15,101. Check out current vintage guitar sales here Vintage Guitars

Gibson 1953 Les Paul, Highlighted Sale of The Week

This week's highlighted sale of the week is a vintage guitar gem!  This 1953 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top sold on eBay in a buy it now auction for $22,000 on November 20, 2008.

This guitar once owned by Stephen Stills was from the estate of the  'Record Plant" studios co-founder.  This rare vintage guitar was built during the period of time before serial numbers were affixed to the guitar.  Two professional appraisals have it dated in the 1952-53 time frame, with an appraised value of $25,000 - $26,500.  Another Gibson gem from the mid 1950's time frame is on sale this week.

VINTAGE 1957 GIBSON LES PAUL GOLD TOP ELECTRIC GUITAR ">

Let's see what next week brings in this space!!

Vintage 1960 Gibson Super 400-Vintage Guitar Sale of the Week

A one owner 1960 Gibson Super 400 CES Archtop vintage electric guitar sold on eBay for $28,000 on November 7,2008. This guitar had a serial number that put it's date of manufacture in the April/May 1960 time frame.  This top of the line Pro instrument was a carved all solid wood guitar.  The top was spruce with flamed maple back and sides. The pickups were orginal 1960 PAf Humbuckers with no mods or hacks. The case for this beauty was Gibson factory case for the period.

This past week there were more than the usual number of  high buck sales in the Vintage Guitar category.  There are many new owners for some classic vintage guitars.