How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
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Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
Most places require it must be from the 80s before it's vintage. Some places require 30 years old, which is about the same thing.
Most places require it must be from the 80s before it's vintage. Some places require 30 years old, which is about the same thing.
Thundermtn
New member
Re: How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
For me it's the same as historic tags on a car, 25 years.
For me it's the same as historic tags on a car, 25 years.
Lewguitar
New member
Re: How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
The vintage market started in the 70’s because Gibson and Fender were making a lot of junk.
To me, a vintage guitar is not just old...it’s better.
So to me, a vintage guitar would be from 1965 or before.
A 1974 Strat that weighs a ton and has weak sounding pickups will never be a vintage guitar to me because those were the Strats that made me want to find a good one from the 50’s or first half of the 60’s.
The vintage market started in the 70’s because Gibson and Fender were making a lot of junk.
To me, a vintage guitar is not just old...it’s better.
So to me, a vintage guitar would be from 1965 or before.
A 1974 Strat that weighs a ton and has weak sounding pickups will never be a vintage guitar to me because those were the Strats that made me want to find a good one from the 50’s or first half of the 60’s.
Thundermtn
New member
Re: How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
I'm not sure that attaching a quality level to the tag is a proper usage.
Just about everyone will call a '52 Les Paul vintage but it's a long way from being a top example. What you're describing is closer to a "golden era" moniker.
I'm not sure that attaching a quality level to the tag is a proper usage.
Just about everyone will call a '52 Les Paul vintage but it's a long way from being a top example. What you're describing is closer to a "golden era" moniker.
Re: How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
How many of these have you played in order to make this opinion??
Most people who have actually tried one/more have an opposite view.
How many of these have you played in order to make this opinion??
Most people who have actually tried one/more have an opposite view.
Coma
Well-known member
Re: How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
I'd say anything older that keeps its value or is of significant quality and is available in limited numbers.
I wouldn't consider my 2001 Les Paul vintage, though it is a very good guitar and come from a limited run.
Nor would I consider my early 70's acoustic vintage, since it is, quite frankly, not that great a guitar, even though I bet there aren't that many of them left (possibly due to not being anything that remarkable to begin with)
I would however consider my 89 Charvel one. Even though it may not have passed the 30 mark yet, it fulfills all of the above requirements.
I'd say anything older that keeps its value or is of significant quality and is available in limited numbers.
I wouldn't consider my 2001 Les Paul vintage, though it is a very good guitar and come from a limited run.
Nor would I consider my early 70's acoustic vintage, since it is, quite frankly, not that great a guitar, even though I bet there aren't that many of them left (possibly due to not being anything that remarkable to begin with)
I would however consider my 89 Charvel one. Even though it may not have passed the 30 mark yet, it fulfills all of the above requirements.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
From Wikipedia:
A vintage guitar is an older guitar usually sought after and maintained by avid collectors or musicians. While any guitar of sufficient age can be considered a vintage instrument, the term is typically applied to guitars either known for their sound quality or rarity.
From Wikipedia:
A vintage guitar is an older guitar usually sought after and maintained by avid collectors or musicians. While any guitar of sufficient age can be considered a vintage instrument, the term is typically applied to guitars either known for their sound quality or rarity.
IMENATOR
Well-known member
Re: How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
The problem I have with dictionaries is they are only a reflection of the use people are doing to words at the current time, even if the original meaning has been lost over time. Being that said, for me "vintage" was not related to a level of quality or how desirable something is, only to refer it is an example of an era gone by. Being that said, if that is what wikipedia says today then that may very well be the meaning of the word "vintage" as used by the population of the internet, however I am very much afraid we should thank vendors marketing for that new widely accepted meaning of the word. I wonder what the meaning would be in an old dictionary of the 50s or 60s?
The problem I have with dictionaries is they are only a reflection of the use people are doing to words at the current time, even if the original meaning has been lost over time. Being that said, for me "vintage" was not related to a level of quality or how desirable something is, only to refer it is an example of an era gone by. Being that said, if that is what wikipedia says today then that may very well be the meaning of the word "vintage" as used by the population of the internet, however I am very much afraid we should thank vendors marketing for that new widely accepted meaning of the word. I wonder what the meaning would be in an old dictionary of the 50s or 60s?
Lewguitar
New member
Re: How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
I see it like that as well. Guitars that came out in the 80s are getting old now, but in my mind they're 100% modern because that's when I started playing, and I sure wouldn't want to think of my own teenage years as "vintage" lol.
I see it like that as well. Guitars that came out in the 80s are getting old now, but in my mind they're 100% modern because that's when I started playing, and I sure wouldn't want to think of my own teenage years as "vintage" lol.
Thundermtn
New member
Re: How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
This is just flat out trolling and most people do not prefer a '52 to a '59.
Anyway I've had my hands on only one, the same day I played a '60 burst. That's not a large sample size but the trapeze bridge isn't great for how I like to play and real PAF's have a tone that I and most everyone else on the planet prefer to P90's, and there is a reason the neck angle was adjusted in later years.
Regardless of my personal opinions, the prices and the number of conversions of early 50's LP's to '56 and forward spec's seem to echo my opinion. Most '58-'60's will be worth roughly 10 times a '52.
This is just flat out trolling and most people do not prefer a '52 to a '59.
Anyway I've had my hands on only one, the same day I played a '60 burst. That's not a large sample size but the trapeze bridge isn't great for how I like to play and real PAF's have a tone that I and most everyone else on the planet prefer to P90's, and there is a reason the neck angle was adjusted in later years.
Regardless of my personal opinions, the prices and the number of conversions of early 50's LP's to '56 and forward spec's seem to echo my opinion. Most '58-'60's will be worth roughly 10 times a '52.
Re: How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
Merely the fact that it is not the most expensive or most desired guitar in the world does not make something 'a long way from a good example'. You have flat out poorly argued this point from every angle that it is possible to do so.
Merely the fact that it is not the most expensive or most desired guitar in the world does not make something 'a long way from a good example'. You have flat out poorly argued this point from every angle that it is possible to do so.
Thundermtn
New member
Re: How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
It just is the way it is, sorry if you don't agree. They are vintage but '52 LP's are not the cream of the crop. They were good tone wise but lacked in several other areas.
Even if we go into fantasy land where they are as good or better, where are all the '53.5+ guitars converted to '52 spec? Why did the line evolve so quickly? Being updated mid-year so they could sell better is proof. It's due to the fact that players knew there were problems with them. Burst's are expensive now, but if trapeze's were truly better those conversions would have happened in the mid 60's before the bursts were high priced guitars.
It just is the way it is, sorry if you don't agree. They are vintage but '52 LP's are not the cream of the crop. They were good tone wise but lacked in several other areas.
Even if we go into fantasy land where they are as good or better, where are all the '53.5+ guitars converted to '52 spec? Why did the line evolve so quickly? Being updated mid-year so they could sell better is proof. It's due to the fact that players knew there were problems with them. Burst's are expensive now, but if trapeze's were truly better those conversions would have happened in the mid 60's before the bursts were high priced guitars.
Re: How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
As I have already patiently said, it matters not whether they were the cream of the crop or not.....it matters not if people are not converting them back. These are all irrelevancies.
People like them for what they are - a great p90 guitar that sound just as good as any other p90 goldtop in the lineup (the important part that you are simply unable to comprehend) - and with a little help from Mojoaxe they can be a topwrap too.
As I have already patiently said, it matters not whether they were the cream of the crop or not.....it matters not if people are not converting them back. These are all irrelevancies.
People like them for what they are - a great p90 guitar that sound just as good as any other p90 goldtop in the lineup (the important part that you are simply unable to comprehend) - and with a little help from Mojoaxe they can be a topwrap too.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
I was told 20 years, years ago. Maybe that's only cars?
I was told 20 years, years ago. Maybe that's only cars?
Lewguitar
New member
Re: How old an instrument can be called "vintage"?
Again, since this is the way Gibson and Fender define vintage, I think this applies across the board: 1969 or before.
Probably ought to apply to Martin, Gretsch, Ricky, and all guitars.
Again, since this is the way Gibson and Fender define vintage, I think this applies across the board: 1969 or before.
Probably ought to apply to Martin, Gretsch, Ricky, and all guitars.
