Vintage Guitars
I'm happy with this
This website uses cookies to personalise content and adverts, to provide social media features, and to analyse traffic. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. See terms and conditions

How to sell a vintage guitar online:
Finding out what your guitar is worth

A guide to selling quickly at the best possible price

Step 1: How to sell a vintage guitar online
Step 2: Finding out what your guitar is worth
Step 3: Advertising your guitar for sale

Step 3: Advertising your guitar for sale

It is important you know what you are selling, but equally important you let everyone else know. This is key. Wherever you intend to sell your guitar, be it Ebay, Craigslist, Gumtree or a private guitar classified website, there will invariably be a listing title. Get this wrong and you reduce the likelihood of viewers buying. Leave it out entirely (rather, leave out the keywords for which people search) and you dramatically reduce the number of viewers. Great listing titles will include the make, model, year and maybe other details too. For example
Good: "Vintage Gibson SG Special guitar, 1969 with case" - this will be easily found by all of those buyers looking for a vintage SG Special
OK: "Gibson SG, red" - although this will come up in many searches, it will be swamped by the many thousands of SG listings, all variants, new and old
Bad: "Gibson guitar, rare" - it is difficult to come up in search results with so few specifics.

Use pictures to remove doubt

Close-up images really help demonstrate a guitars condition Taking as many close-up pictures as possible is an enormous help in showing a guitars true condition. The old adage of a picture being worth a thousand words is certainly true here.

The value of a vintage guitar is proportional to its originality. And it is well known that online sellers sometimes hide defects; posting poor quality pictures and claiming "I don't know anything about guitars" or "I'm selling this for a friend"... These tricks are well known, and in most cases will deter buyers. In some cases people will still buy, but assume there to be a problem, and bid accordingly. If you are not hiding anything, you should make this known! And truly the best way to do this is with large-sized, clear, photographs. Show the scratches, dents and wear patches. Show the electronics (and state potentiometer date codes if present) and the underside of pickups. You may also need to pay special attention to potential problem areas typical to that guitar. For example:

Gibson guitars can suffer from a cracked or broken headstock, especially those with a mahogany neck. There is a weak point at thinnest part, behind the truss rod cavity, and many breaks occur at this point. Guitars like the Gibson SG often break where the neck meets the body, or at the tail end of the body around the controls and input jack. A really good repair can be difficult to spot in a bad photograph. You must show these areas when selling a Gibson.

The pickups in a vintage Gibson are crucial for it's sound. You must show that these are original. Usually done by removing them from their routes, and photographing the underside (with patent sticker), and the routes themselves (this also shows whether extra pickups have been added, and that the finish is original.

Hofner guitars often require a neck reset to achieve a playable action This early 1960s Hofner guitar has had a neck reset; a standard procedure for such guitars.

A Hofner may have a high action due to movement on a neck joint, or worse damage from a badly performed reset. Hofner was previously better known as a violin maker, and the hide glues used in violin construction were also used on their guitars. This allows easy neck resetting, but over time they also slip, making a reset a standard procedure for Hofner instruments. However if this has previously been performed badly, it can impact on the value significantly. You must show the heel area and the side of the neck (to show the action) when selling a Hofner.

Fender guitars were designed to be easily bolted together, and parts replaced when necessary. Very many Fenders out there have had components swapped over the years. Naturally buyers want originality, so you have to try and establish this where possible. A Fender neck should have date markings on the body end of the neck. Any serious buyer will want to see this. Also many Fender guitars out there are actually an old neck with a whole load of new parts added. The more places you can show - inside the neck pocket, under the scratchplate etc, the less room there is for confusion.

Guitars in rare or custom finishes are often claimed to be original, but very often have just been refinished. To prove your rare coloured guitar has always been that colour, make a point of showing the serial number stamp - too faint suggests a refin; and underneath the scratchplate - finishes fade over time, but less so in areas not directly exposed to sunlight.

When pictures don't help

Potentiometer codes on a vintage Fender bass guitar If you are unable to clearly capture smaller details, such as potentiometer codes and serial numbers, be sure to include these within your description.

But pictures can't always tell the whole story. Sometimes you just need to state some obvious and some not so obvious facts, especially if you are unable to get decent close-ups, or if you are unwilling to dismantle the guitar.

  • Does it work?
  • Is the finish original
  • What colour is it (different monitors can show images very differently)
  • Does the truss rod nut turn
  • Is the neck straight
  • How high is the action at the twelfth fret (distance between neck and strings)
  • Is there concealed routing under the scratchplate
  • Are the electronics original, and working
  • What are the potentiometer codes

Disclosing a guitars faults may not reduce the amount a potential buyer may bid, as it also tells them that you are honest, knowledgeable seller, hopefully reducing the chances of them getting a nasty surprise when the instrument arrives. This is also simple fairness.

Provenance

For some guitars, most notably the guitars by Fender, but also Gibson and others, copies and forgeries abound. Fake parts or even whole guitars are passed of as original. Cheap Asian factories churn out authentic looking instruments that would only fool a novice. But then there are master fraudsters creating INCREDIBLY accurate guitars - often fitted with real parts. When some of these can sell for tens of thousands of dollars, it is no wonder. One thing these guitars never have is provenance. If you, or you grandfather, have played and loved this guitar for generations, show the pics! Cool old images of the instrument, however grainy, prove it's history. Buyers find these fascinating and will almost certainly add value to the instrument. In fact you should copy these images, and include them with the guitar when you sell. People buying a vintage instrument are also buying a piece of musical history.

Case Candy

Vox case candy from the mid 1960s Case candy is a term for the hang tags, manuals, catalogues and other goodies that came with the guitar when originally sold. The above came with a mid 1960s Italian Vox guitar.

If you are selling the guitar with it's case you should certainly say so, and include pictures. Is the case original? And does it come with case candy? These are the things that came with the guitar: hang tags, price labels, manuals, catalogues, inspection cards, tools, straps and cables. Many guitars came with some or all of these, and having them present and in good condition are definitely a bonus to any buyer. If they are there, photograph them, and include them in your advertisement.

Communicate

Be ready to answer questions. Hopefully you will have included everything in your listing, but if you have not, make sure you answer to the best of your ability. Failure to do so may look like you are concealing something.

Don't write "I'm selling this for a friend", or "I don't know anything about guitars". These are regarded as code for "there's something wrong with this sale, and i'm absolving myself of responsibility".

When to sell

As stated earlier, prices change throughout the year, with January and June-August being the worst times to sell. The fact is, people have less money just after Christmas, and tend to be offline in the Summer months. A good time to sell seems to be November and December, when more people are online, and in a mood for shopping!

In Conclusion

Just because your guitar seems to be worth $5000, don't get disheartened when it does not sell immediately for that amount. There are only so many vintage guitar collectors, and most are a cautious bunch. Also most will not have big piles of cash burning holes in their pockets. To buy your guitar they may need to sell one of their own, or move around funds first. You will have to be patient, and expect to wait weeks, months or even years for the most valuable guitars to sell at the best price. A dealer will no doubt offer you a much lower price in this time, and you can sell to them, but naturally they need to make a living which will be reflected in their offer.

If you want the best return, you will have to be patient. Best to sell because you want to, never because you need to.

Sellers that put a little effort into their listings certainly reap the benefits in the long run!


Vintage guitars for sale

Vintageguitarandbass.com is funded by its visitors. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. For more info see terms and conditions.
Gibson Standard 58 Les Paul Goldtop 1958 Reissue 1971 1 of 25 rarest Les Paul

Gibson Standard 58 Les Paul Goldtop 1958 Reissue 1971 1 of 25 rarest Les Paul

Hopewell, New Jersey, 085**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$10695

Gibson Standard 58 Les Paul Goldtop 1958 Reissue 1971 With original hang tag and blank guarantee card returnable to Kalamazoo
Being offered from the private collection of Sound Investments USA LLC

CONDITION AND PRICING PLEASE READ:
All electronics work and are original . very clean guitar. The Frets are ok but here is what my luthier said. The neck is slightly bowed on low E side and straight on high E side which he states can be fixed by replacing frets and compensating for ... more
eBay logo
Vintage 1960s Global Les Paul Copy Electric Guitar W / TKL Hard Case "Lawsuit Era"

Vintage 1960s Global Les Paul Copy Electric Guitar W / TKL Hard Case "Lawsuit Era"

Elmwood Park, New Jersey, 074**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$950

Up for sale is a Vintage Electric Guitar, Very Good Condition As Shown, Please see photos for details, Plays & sounds great, Neck is straight, Low fast action, Loaded with character showing age-handling-play wear-nicks-scuffs-finish loss-light surface rust / tarnish & patina with a superficial chip near one bridge post as shown, Weighs just over 9 pounds, DiMarzio PAF pickups replaced the original pickups about 20 years ago, I misplaced the original pickups - otherwise I would include ... more
eBay logo
1987 Vintage Jackson Dinky Strat San Dimas Floyd Rose OHSC

1987 Vintage Jackson Dinky Strat San Dimas Floyd Rose OHSC

South Salem, New York, 105**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3999

1987 Vintage Jackson Dinky Strat San Dimas Floyd Rose OHSC
Country of Manufacture: USA
Color: Porsche Red
Condition: Used
Weight: 8 lbs 9 oz
Description: All original vintage guitar manufactured by Jackson in San Dimas in 1987
Paint: Original Porsche Red paint finish is in excellent condition with no belt buckle wear. No age checking. Small paint finish chips in neck pockets. No other paint chips on the front, back, sides, or cutout surfaces or edges. Small paint chip at tip ... more
eBay logo
Fender Jazzmaster w / OHSC, All-Original- Blond (1961)

Fender Jazzmaster w / OHSC, All-Original- Blond (1961)

Mansfield, Ohio, 449**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$24900

Metronome Music inspects and test all used gear before listing and again before shipping. Photographs are of the product that will ship and accurately represent condition and appearance.
SERIAL NUMBER: 61459 WEIGHT: 7lbs 9oz Very Good Condition: This guitar is in very good condition overall and shows signs of being played and loved by one previous owner over 62 years. The finish has various marks, scuffs and wear but it mostly in-tact with nice checking. The transparency of the ... more
eBay logo
1961 Gibson Les Paul / SG Custom original WHITE with Sideways Vibrola

1961 Gibson Les Paul / SG Custom original WHITE with Sideways Vibrola

Carbondale, Illinois, 629**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$31900


Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1961 Gibson Les Paul (SG) Custom in its original White finish with gold hardware and a factory sideways Vibrola. It has a great playing neck with very worn frets, but still playable. It's all original with the exception of one volume knob. It's also 100% complete along with its original hardshell case. This original Les Paul Custom looks great with lots of minor nicks + dings (most have been touched-up with white... more
eBay logo
1963 Fiesta Red Fender Precision Bass

1963 Fiesta Red Fender Precision Bass

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$37600

1963 Fender Precision Bass, Very Rare! Fiesta Red finish, Greenpickguard, Nice Dark Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboard, Clay dots, Spaghetti logo, Both covers, Fantastic instrument, Absolutely gorgeous, EC, Original White hardcase
... more
eBay logo
1965 Fender Jaguar electric guitar sunburst pre CBS excellent condition

1965 Fender Jaguar electric guitar sunburst pre CBS excellent condition

Blue Springs, Missouri, 640**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$12500

1965 Fender Jaguar sunburst pre CBS excellent condition. One owner purchased in California. Guitar has been stored and unplayed since the late 1970??s. All original and includes bridge cover and tremolo bar. Condition wise there is one small nick to the bottom, two areas on the back where the clear coat has scuffed, and the first string E tuner coating is peeling. Case with original key is also in great condition with one small dime size dent to the top.... more
eBay logo
Vintage Univox Les Paul Copy w /  HSC

Vintage Univox Les Paul Copy w / HSC

Mesquite, Texas, 751**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1100


Item: Vintage Univox Les Paul Copy w / HSC!
Description: You are purchasing a Vintage Univox Les Paul Copy w / HSC! Awesome & all original without any issues. Gorgeous aesthetics and comfortable playability. Please inquire with any questions prior to purchase
Shipping: $80 00 shipping to the Lower 48 States! We ship overseas. Overseas shipping prices will vary. Overseas buyers pay their own import taxes Payment: We accept Paypal for your convenience. Payment ... more
eBay logo
1958 Fender Precision Bass

1958 Fender Precision Bass

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$30500

1958 Fender Precision Bass, Early ??58 with a Two tone burst, Anodized pickguard, Maple neck, Both Covers, Spaghetti logo, Wonderfulinstrument from the family of the original owner, VG++, Original tweed hardcase.
... more
eBay logo
original 1962 Gibson ES-330 Sunburst

original 1962 Gibson ES-330 Sunburst

Carbondale, Illinois, 629**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8190


Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1962 Gibson ES-330 in its original Sunburst finish. It has a great playing neck with good frets. It's all original and 100% complete. The pictured period correct Gibson hardshell case is included, but it housed a guitar with a Bigsby at one time. This ES-330 is in great condition with only some minor nicks + dings, finish checking and other cosmetic wear. The guitar itself remains structurally sound with no ... more
eBay logo
Hofner 1965 Vintage 4570e Hollow Body Electric Guitar NEAR MINT - W. GERMANY

Hofner 1965 Vintage 4570e Hollow Body Electric Guitar NEAR MINT - W. GERMANY

Montclair, New Jersey, 070**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2795


Hofner 1965 Vintage 4570e Hollow Body Electric Guitar NEAR MINT - W. GERMANY
Gorgeous vintage 1965 wide-body semi-hollow Höfner was made in West Germany and is a special instrument. It has been remarkably preserved over the years and shows little to no signs of its age.
A beautiful medium sunburst, a pearloid inlay fretboard and headstock make this a work of art. Every bit of this guitar is original.
The pickups were rewired about five years ago (see pictures) and the slot ... more
eBay logo
1965 Hofner 500 / 1 Violin Bass

1965 Hofner 500 / 1 Violin Bass

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5395

1965 Hofner 500 / 1 Violin body Beatle Bass, Amazing sounding ??Staple??pole piece pickup, individual tuners, Raised logo, Nice light weight, Fun toplay, VG+, NSSC
... more
eBay logo
1974 Fender Jazz Bass Natural w / HSC

1974 Fender Jazz Bass Natural w / HSC

San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4995

1974 Fender Jazz Bass
This Bass Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Shows Cosmetic Playwear Including Various Marks, Dings, And Scratches
Some Finish Checking Throughout
Lightweight Alder Body With Natural Polyurethane Finish
Maple Neck With Bound Maple Fingerboard And Block Inlays
Original Frets Are Low But Playable
Pickups And Electronics Mostly Original With One Pot Replaced, Original Included
34" Scale ... more
eBay logo
Epiphone Epiphone Les Paul Custom [SN EE080602927]

Epiphone Epiphone Les Paul Custom [SN EE080602927]

Staples, Minnesota, 564**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$896

WE STAND BEHIND ARE PRODUCT 100 %, IF FOR SOME REASON WE HAVE MISSED SOMETHING PLEASE CONTACT OUR TEAM, AND WE WILL DO WHAT WE CAN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THE PICTURES FOR AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION. WE ARE PUTTING NEW PRODUCT ON DAILY. WE APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS.... more
eBay logo
Vintage MIJ Electra Les Paul Custom Copy w /  HSC - N

Vintage MIJ Electra Les Paul Custom Copy w / HSC - N

Mesquite, Texas, 751**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1000


Item: Vintage MIJ Electra Les Paul Custom Copy w / HSC!
Description: You are purchasing a Vintage MIJ Electra Les Paul Custom Copy w / HSC! This axe is super cool and sports a beautiful finish for as old as it is. Sounds & plays great without any issues. Please inquire with any questions prior to purchase
Shipping: $80 00 shipping to the Lower 48 States! We ship overseas. Overseas shipping prices will vary. Overseas buyers pay their own import taxes Payment: We accept ... more
eBay logo
Vintage MIJ Les Paul Copy w /  HSC - N

Vintage MIJ Les Paul Copy w / HSC - N

Mesquite, Texas, 751**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$400


Item: Vintage MIJ Les Paul Copy w / HSC!
Description: You are purchasing a Vintage MIJ Les Paul Copy w / HSC! The guitar plays comfortably and without any issues, looks aesthetically pleasing between the finish and engraved pickguard. Please inquire with any questions you may have prior to purchase
Shipping: $75 00 shipping to the Lower 48 States! We ship overseas. Overseas shipping prices will vary. Overseas buyers pay their own import taxes Payment: We accept Paypal for ... more
eBay logo
1967 Gibson ES-335 TD Vintage Electric Guitar

1967 Gibson ES-335 TD Vintage Electric Guitar

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$10400

1967 Gibson ES-335, Tobacco Sunburst, Rosewood fingerboardwith block inlays, Kluson tuners, Pat number sticker humbuckers, Trapezetailpiece, Low action, Lively instrument, EC, Original hard case
... more
eBay logo
1972 Gibson ES-320 TD Hollowbody vintage electric guitar

1972 Gibson ES-320 TD Hollowbody vintage electric guitar

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4395

1972 Gibson ES-320 TDN, Rare thinline hollow-body model with Gibson embossed single coil pickups, Natural Maple body with Black binding, Nice player! Light weight, Clean condition, Cool and different! EC+, Original hard case... more
eBay logo
1962 Fender Stratocaster Olympic White Refin Pre-CBS w / HSC

1962 Fender Stratocaster Olympic White Refin Pre-CBS w / HSC

San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$21995

1962 Fender Stratocaster In Olympic White Finish
This Guitar Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Older Professional Body Refinish In Nitrocellulose Lacquer Shows Natural Checking Throughout
Professionally Refretted With Era-Correct Size Fretwire
Cosmetic Headstock Cracks Near Tuners As Shown
Aged Reissue Mint Green Pickguard
Original Black Bottom Pickups
Original Cloth Wiring And Electronics
Stackpole Pots Date To 18th ... more
eBay logo
Vintage 1967 Epiphone e230td Casino

Vintage 1967 Epiphone e230td Casino

Beaumont, Texas, 777**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$10000

57 year old vintage electric guitar. Amazing condition considering it??s age. Everything works including the knobs, the electronics, and the hardware. Original case and whammy bar. Sure to exceed all expectations.
... more
eBay logo

Find more vintage guitars for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co

There are 0 comments on this page so far. Add your comment

Comment on this article

Anti-spam question - to catch web robots

Contact
info@vintageguitarandbass.com

mailing list

Follow

Facebook  Instagram  YouTube

Other Great Sites