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

A guide to selling quickly at the best possible price

Finding out what your guitar is worth

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 2: Finding out what your guitar is worth

Before you ask, there is no such thing as an absolute guitar value for vintage instruments. Sorry. Online guitar prices go up and down over the years, and even within a year, with prices falling off in January, and again in Summer. But you can make a few generalisations:

  • Typically, guitars of the 1950s and early 1960s are worth more than those of the mid to late 1960s, and these are worth more than guitars from the 1970s
  • American guitars are generally worth more than European guitars, which in turn are worth more than most Asian guitars
  • Guitars by collectable manufacturers (e.g. Gibson, Guild, Gretsch, Fender) are typically worth more than brands you've never heard of
  • Guitars associated with popular performers are worth more than guitars that few entertainers seem to have used
  • Guitars produced in very small numbers are often worth more than better selling models, but not always
  • But possibly most importantly, guitars regarded as exceptionally well built (the most playable) will always be worth more than budget, or entry-level instruments
  • Autographed guitars tend not to have any extra value over a non-autographed one

Following this logic a 1960 Epiphone Casino (early period, US-made by the craftsmen at Gibsons Kalamazoo factory, associated with the Beatles and the Stones) is worth massively more than a 1970 Epiphone Casino (70s, Japanese-made, average quality, aimed at students). Probably ten times as much.

Whats more, values vary from country to country, from city to city and from year to year. And then there is condition. A vintage guitar that was bought and stored unused ever since is a very rare thing. Mint guitars like this can sell for very high prices. A beaten up guitar with replaced parts, a new finish and structural repairs might be worth very little, especially if it is not the kind of thing people chose to play.

Early Fender Stratocaster guitars on display in an upmarket US vintage guitar store Early Fender guitars on display in an upmarket US vintage guitar store. Dealers are often able to add huge premiums to the prices of their guitars, but some may sit unsold for many years

So although there is no such thing as an absolute value, guitars do tend to sell for something approaching a consistent price. A number of people follow the market and put their research into various guitar value books. These do give ballpark figures, though far from absolute, but they are a guide to whether a guitar is desirable or not - see vintage guitar price guides for some more information about these books.

And you can do this research yourself. One easy way is by searching completed listings on Ebay; prices of sold items are listed in green, unsold in black or red; each is relevant as you can get an idea of what sells, how quickly, and what doesn't sell at all.

Vintage guitar stores sell guitars typically at 30%-50% more than a private sale from a classifieds advertisement or a website like Ebay. Perhaps more still in a large city with a super-rich clientele. Many online stores offer guitars for sale at a considerably higher price than they expect to sell for; they might just get lucky, plus they have room to negotiate with a potential buyer. But many have guitars sitting in their sales rooms for years. But this method can also work for the private seller who does not know the value of their guitar; as long as they are also in no desperate hurry to sell. Ebay allows sellers to offer an item for sale at a fixed price, and accept offers. This will ultimately give an idea of value, probably a shade under what it is actually attainable.

When you sell online you have a vast reach - someone, somewhere wants your guitar. It is just a matter of making sure they see it and are willing to pay for it. You can't control how many people want your guitar, or how much it is worth, but you can do a lot to make sure they see it, and it is presented in it's best light; see part three Advertising your guitar for sale.


Vintage guitars for sale

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1960s Teisco Del Rey ET-110 Electric Guitar Sunburst MIJ

1960s Teisco Del Rey ET-110 Electric Guitar Sunburst MIJ

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

$295

1960s Teisco Del Rey ET-200 In Sunburst Finish
This Guitar Is Located At IVG Burbank
In Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Finish Shows Some Cosmetic Playwear Throughout Including Various Dings, Marks, And Scratches
High Action As Shown
Made In Japan
Solid Double Cutaway Body With Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish
22-Fret Laminate Maple Neck With Rosewood Fingerboard And Pearloid Dot Inlays
Teisco Single-Coil Pickup
Adjustable Metal Bridge
25 5" Scale ... more
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VINTAGE GIBSON RECORDING KING ARCH TOP GUITAR TAIL PIECE VINTAGE GIBSON RECORD K

VINTAGE GIBSON RECORDING KING ARCH TOP GUITAR TAIL PIECE VINTAGE GIBSON RECORD K

Fort Mill, South Carolina, 297**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$499

Vintage Gibson Record King Arch top guitar tail piece. I believe this tail piece to be 1930's from what research I have done. Tail piece is in good condition but does show your normal tarnish from over the years. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at anytime. Please continue to follow my listings for more vintage guitar parts and accessories to be listed in the following weeks. Thanks... more
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1982 G&L  S-500

1982 G&L S-500

Skokie, Illinois, 600**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1275

Beautiful vintage G&L definitely has some ware but for 40 years old this thing feels and sounds great pickups are super clean and hold gain we??ll just an over all great guitar and a piece of history I??ve had it for about 4-5 months now and just couldn??t put it down but I need the cash so sadly have to let it go


See pictures for the damage on the body and checking all over but no major cracks or brakes and none of it affects the tone what so ever she??s definitely a ... more
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Vintage Kay Archtop Acoustic - N

Vintage Kay Archtop Acoustic - N

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

$500


Item:Vintage Kay Archtop Acoustic!
Description: You are purchasing a Vintage Kay Archtop Acoustic! This acoustic has seen a "quick reset" at the neck joint and the guitar plays comfortably. Awesome vintage sound & aesthetics, please inquire w / any questions you may have 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 ... more
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RARE Vintage Original 1952 Fender Telecaster Broadcaster 250K  Pot #2

RARE Vintage Original 1952 Fender Telecaster Broadcaster 250K Pot #2

Fort Wayne, Indiana, 468**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1199

RARE Vintage Original 1952 Fender Telecaster Broadcaster Pot .Pot code 140222 .Shipping includes insurance... more
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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
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1976 Travis Bean TB1000S Standard Natural Koa w / HSC

1976 Travis Bean TB1000S Standard Natural Koa w / HSC

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

$7395

1976 Travis Bean TB1000S Standard In Natural Finish
This Guitar Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Finish Shows Light Cosmetic Playwear Including Some Dings, Marks And Scratches
All Original Example
Made In California
Solid Koa Body With Short Horns
Dual Travis Bean Humbuckers
Aluminum Neck With Rosewood Fingerboard And Dot Inlays
Factory Schaller Tuners
Pots Date To 19th Week Of '76
1 5" Nut Width
... more
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Realist Copperhead Violin Pickup

Realist Copperhead Violin Pickup

Fort Wayne, Indiana, 468**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$264

... more
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Vintage Seymour Duncan  Hot stacked humbucker pickup fender. 2B-S

Vintage Seymour Duncan Hot stacked humbucker pickup fender. 2B-S

Fort Wayne, Indiana, 468**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$129

Vintage Seymour Duncan Hot stacked humbucker pickup fender. 2B-S... more
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all original 1982 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst CLEAN!!!

all original 1982 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst CLEAN!!!

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

$2890


Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1982 Fender Stratocaster in its original Sunburst finish. It has a great playing neck with good frets. It's all original and 100% complete along with its original hardshell case, tremolo arm, strap and owner's manual. It's in EXCELLENT condition with only very little extremely minor surface wear and some fret wear on the first few frets. There's a very tiny chip out of the bass side edge of the nut, but not ... more
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Vintage Ca. 1972 Gibson SG III player grade

Vintage Ca. 1972 Gibson SG III player grade

Tarzana, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1100

This is a fairly rare colored Norlin era Gibson
Has a maple neck and an Alder or Poplar body, these originally came with sort of a mini humbucker but this one was routed for normal humbuckers. The tuners are unoriginal and look like vintage Grovers. Bridge is original
No breaks in the neck or body, neck joint is solid. Frets were crowned a few years ago and the guitar was played but there's not much fret wear, frets are still fairly tall. Guitar weighs about 6 5lbs
I can throw in a ... more
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1960s Teisco ET-300 Vintage Sunburst w / SSC

1960s Teisco ET-300 Vintage Sunburst w / SSC

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

$595


1960s Teisco ET-300 Vintage Sunburst w / SSC
This Guitar Is In Very Good Condition With Normal Aesthetic Signs Of Use (Please See All Photos)
Located At Our Sherman Oaks Shop
Made In Japan
Weighs 5lbs 12oz
Nut Width Is 1 646"
Neck Depth 0 93" At 1st Fret, 1 1" At 12th Fret
3 Single Coil Pickups
Master Volume And Tone Knob Controls
Comes With Vintage Soft Shell Case
... more
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UPG STAY POWERED 24V 3 5A Sealed Lead-Acid Battery Charger

UPG STAY POWERED 24V 3 5A Sealed Lead-Acid Battery Charger

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

$86

UPG STAY POWERED® 24V 3 5A Sealed Lead-Acid Battery Charger ?? Open Box

This listing is for an open box UPG STAY POWERED® 24V 3 5A Sealed Lead-Acid Battery Charger. This advanced 3-stage switch mode charger is designed specifically for charging 24V SLA batteries ranging from 12Ah to 35Ah. Unit is unused and in excellent condition. Please see photos for details

??

Product Details:
?? Brand: UPG (Universal Power Group)
?? Model: STAY POWERED® 24V 3 ... more
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Stratocaster VINTAGE Pre-CBS 1954 Hand Wound PUs in a Loaded 5-Way Pickguard

Stratocaster VINTAGE Pre-CBS 1954 Hand Wound PU's in a Loaded 5-Way Pickguard

Columbus, Ohio, 432**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$275

M I.E Music ??Music is Everything ??
Pre-CBS1954 Loaded 5-Way
The Holy Grail of Stratocaster pickups This was the start of the greatest electric guitar in American history. ALoaded pickguard with a Set of 3 Custom Hand / Scatter Wound Vintage Single CoilPre-CBS 1954 Pickups with a RWRP middle pickup with beveled and staggeredmagnets. There is an option for Flat Beveled magnets also. This was the firstyear and Fender used the Alnico 3 magnets through 54-56. Wound with USA Remington AWG ... more
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1964 National Val-Pro 85 Reso-Glass short-scale Bass White

1964 National Val-Pro 85 Reso-Glass short-scale Bass White

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

$2390


Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1964 National Val-Pro 85 short-scale bass in its original White + Black finish. It has a great playing neck with great frets. It's all original and 100% complete, but the case is a non-original hardshell case. There are nicks + dings, a couple of areas of finish cracking and other cosmetic wear. The bass itself remains structurally sound with no cracks, breaks or repairs. The tuning keys have a little bit of ... more
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Takamine Electric Guitar GX-100 Made in Japan  ~ 80s W / CASE!

Takamine Electric Guitar GX-100 Made in Japan ~ 80's W / CASE!

Villa Park, Illinois, 601**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$495

You are viewing an Electric Takamine (Model: GX-100 Serial Number: 83091039) in a Black Finish. As seen above the age of the guitar, as far as we can tell, is anywhere between the late 70's and early 80's. The guitar is made In Japan with great quality. The guitar has a glued in neck with a heel joint for upper fret access. The following has been upgraded / replaced: tuners, two pots, jack, knob (non-original, ) tailpiece and bridge, and the neck pickup was replaced with a Epiphone pickup that ... more
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Beverly Hills 90210 (1990-2000), Luke Perry Levinson Blade Electric Guitar

Beverly Hills 90210 (1990-2000), Luke Perry Levinson Blade Electric Guitar

Fort Myers, Florida, 339**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6450

Beverly Hills 90210 (Fox TV, 1990-2000), LukePerry "Dylan McKay'' Levinson Blade Electric Guitar from Episode " Anaconda " . Original two-tone Swiss-made Levinson Bladeelectric guitar with wood body and neck and black pickguard Measures approx. 38" x 12 " . This guitar appeared in Season 2, Episode 4 ( " Anaconda " ) of the series when Dylan McKay (Luke Perry)takes this guitar to a pawn shop for some quick cash which heultimately gambles away. Exhibits very minor wear and is missingtwo strings. ... more
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1955 Gretsch Country Club Vintage Hollowbody guitar

1955 Gretsch Country Club Vintage Hollowbody guitar

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

$9395

1955 Gretsch Country Club, Hard to find Blonde finish, Gold hardware, Groverimperial tuners, Two DeArmond pickups, Cloud inlays, 17 inches wide body, ??G??Tailpiece, Magnificent instrument, EC, Original hard Tweed case.... more
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39in Electric Guitar HH Pickups Translucent Blue for Heavy Rock Music

39in Electric Guitar HH Pickups Translucent Blue for Heavy Rock Music

Walton, Kentucky, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$93

Introductions:

The KST 39in electric guitar features a classic C-shaped maple neck and 22 nickel-bronze pins for a great audio experience with comfortable feel and standard tone
The H-H pickup, three-way switch, tone knob, and volume knob accommodate intense rock tones and a wide range of musical styles
Features:

1. H-H Pickup get a deeper, louder and smoother sound compared to cheaper single coil
2. Matte paint finish is extremely wear-resistant and ... more
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1994 Gibson 67 Flying V reissue Ebony / Black

1994 Gibson '67 Flying V reissue Ebony / Black

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

$2490


Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1994 Gibson '67 Flying V reissue in Ebony. It has a great playing neck with great frets. It's all original and 100% complete along with its original hardshell case (rivets removed from locked latch) and all of the paperwork. It's in very good condition with a few minor nicks + dings and other minor cosmetic wear. Everything remains structurally sound with no cracks, breaks or repairs. All electronics work and ... more
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Find more vintage guitars for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co

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Ray Bell Comment left 3rd November 2014 17:05:03 reply
Hi I have an old acoustic Guitar, I am trying to find out if it has any value. It is in need of a little attention. The information I have is . The Michigan company, I believe around 1930s Parlour, arch top acoustic guitar. Inside label is B & S.l. SOLE. Made in the USA.

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