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Ways To Ensure That A Seeming Vintage Guitar Is Indeed Vintage

18 June 2019 by Samantha Meyer

When you're a vintage guitar collector, there's one thing that is certain — you're constantly looking for new instruments to buy. Shopping in the vintage realm means that you won't typically go down to your local chain music store to see what it has for sale. Rather, you'll look at online listings, visit specialty shops, and even talk to other players and collectors to hopefully find the guitars that will bolster your collection. When you're considering a certain guitar, you want to be sure that it's of the era that the seller purports it to be. Fortunately, there are several simple ways to reveal this information.

Check The Serial Number

Virtually all guitars have a serial number on them, which is usually stamped on the back of the headstock. Regardless of the instrument's manufacturer, you can find a serial number database online that allows you to input a number and see information about the guitar with which the number is associated. This can be an effective way learn when the instrument was built, as guitars don't typically have their year of manufacturing displayed on them. If you have trouble finding a serial number database, don't hesitate to contact the manufacturer online to provide the serial number and ask for information.

Remove The Neck

If you're evaluating an electric guitar with a bolt-on neck, another effective way to learn about the age of the instrument is to remove the neck. Some sellers might be a little reluctant to you doing so, but if you make it clear that this step will influence whether or not you buy the guitar, they may go along with it. When you carefully remove the neck, look at the thick end of it. Many guitar manufacturer stamp the date that the instrument was built in this spot, which will verify that the guitar is indeed vintage.

Evaluate The Body

Don't forget to trust your gut when it comes to assessing a vintage guitar. Even in the hands of a careful collector, a guitar that is several decades old will show its age. A white plastic pickguard will yellow, metal hardware will oxidize, and even the body's finish will develop thin cracks — known in the guitar community as "checking." A guitar that you're told is vintage but that lacks at least some of these telltale signs may not actually be as old as you hope it is.

For additional information, contact companies like Cowboy Surfer.

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