Over the course of the 70s, the Japanese output improved dramatically, and in many ways these early 70s models are a low point for the brand. These new Epiphones were based on existing Matsumoku guitars, sharing body shapes, and hardware, but the Epiphone line was somewhat upgraded, with inlaid logos and a 2x2 peghead configuration. The Matsumoku factory had been producing guitars for export for some time, but the 1820 bass (alongside a number of guitar models and the 5120 electric acoustic bass) were the first Epiphone models to be made there. Please note, This site gets a lot of valuation questions, and we will freely give our opinion if asked - however, we can only respond to requests made on the vintage guitar forum - please also post images of your instrument.īy the end of the 1960s, a decision had been made to move Epiphone guitar production from the USA (at the Kalamazoo plant where Gibson guitars were made), to Matsumoto in Japan, creating a line of guitars and basses significantly less expensive than the USA-built models (actually less than half the price). This new function will try to match the serial number against older formats. For guitars made prior to 1977 use the extended search function. Vintage guitar values are NEVER absolute. The Gibson Serial Number Decoder currently supports 6 formats from 4 Factories.
True a 50s strat or Les Paul will always be valuable, but precisely how valuable will be subject to various factors. If somebody paid $10000 for a vintage guitar in 2007, they may well struggle to get their money back today. Pre-2008 high end guitars truly had high end prices. Likewise the financial status of a country can massively impact values. Select Country CHINA INDIA INDONESIA JAPAN KOREA MEXICO UNITED STATES. As demographics change, so do the guitars that people collect.
Collectors who grew up in the 1950s often want different guitars to those that grew up in the 1980s. If you already own an older edition of this book, you can not get a current price, simply by adjusting for inflation. Vintage guitar collecting, like anything else is subject to fashion. Tip In 2001 Gibson Guitar Company obtained an injunction against PRS, prohibiting it from making its Single Cut model because it infringed on on the Gibson trademark. Vintage guitar values can go down aswell as up A handwritten serial number indicates that the guitar was made in the United States. This guide is the only such work to cover all this in one very affordable volume!
The 2017 edition spans 624 pages and includes detailed information aswell as current pricing (in $US) on more than 2000 brands and more than 1,300 photos, plus a detailed look at the hows and whys of the collectible instrument market. The Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide continues to be the industry-leading reference for values on vintage and collectible guitars, basses, lap steels, mandolins, ukuleles, banjos, amps, and effects. Have a look at our guide on selling vintage guitars online for some ideas on getting the best price for your vintage guitar. But even when you have a ballpark value, selling the instrument at that price is more than just a formality. Once you have correctly identified your guitar, you can look up the specific model in a guitar value guide. Guitar values can range from practically nothing, to an astronomical sum for the right guitar - and to an untrained eye, guitars at either end of the spectrum can look very similar. Before buying or selling a guitar, knowing its value is important. Thanks for your understanding.How much is my guitar worth? How can I value my guitar? These are very common questions. The PRE-2015 system doesn't apply to early ESP's, some of which had no serial number tracking system at all and used random numbers. For this we apologize, and we are working to maintain a more consistent system going forward. you may still come across the occasional serial number that may conflict with, or doesn't fall under any of the listed categories. This has resulted in alot of confusion, and. ESP Guitar Company says: "Unfortunately the factories at ESP Japan have not kept a consistent and sensible serial number tracking system in place over the years. I keep record of this data in order to try to deduce other correspondences. For old guitars we can only know the exact data reading the ESP warranty card (when there is), or unscrewing the neck (if the neck is bolt on) and read under it becuse probably theres the data write on pencil). Many records have been lost during years and most of all were destroyed in a fire accident on late '90s in ESP Japan factory.
There is no Wilkinson branding or a serial number visible anywhere. It has a body-coloured headstock and yellow Vintage logo. Unfortunally ESP didn't keep good records of old serial numbers. As some of you will have seen from this thread, I have a Vintage SG which I love dearly (primarily due to its neck profile).