How did you get the oldest guitar you have?

[Richgj3]

The oldest guitar I have is a 1939 Gibson J55. I bought it from Jay Geils in 2012. We had been friends since meeting at Northeastern University in 1964. I was looking for a vintage J45 and asking his advice when he offered me this from his collection.

I still have a Guild D40 I bought new in 1966. And my first guitar came from Green Stamps in 1964. 😀

I recall the action was so high it could slice cheese.

Rich

[fuman]

My mom was a folksinger-type who taught herself guitar in the '60's. When I started playing, she gave me her mid-60's Gibson classical guitar. I took it to college and an idiot friend of my roommate's was stoned and did a Pete Townsend move on it and caved in the top (he and my roommate covered it up, claiming a bookshelf had collapsed).

I thought it was a hopeless case. My dad -- not a luthier, but kind of a MacGuiver -- used fiberglass tape and resin to rebuild the top. He did a pretty fantastic job. It is ugly, but it holds up well. I have had to reglue the bridge twice. The second time was a couple years ago, and I had a few of the worst cracks professionally repaired.

I've had the guitar for 42 years. I don't play it much, but it will go to my daughter when I die. It has so much of both my parents in it.

[beatcomber]

So many lovely stories in this thread! I don't have nearly as interesting tales to tell as some of you, but here goes.

The guitar I've owned the longest is my Rickenbacker 330, manufactured in March 1984 and received by me in June 1984. I was 20 years old and saved up for months to buy that guitar. The problem was at that time Rickenbacker guitars were not very popular (this was before REM, Tom Petty, etc. revitalized their profile) and none of the stores in my area stocked them, so I had to have a shop special-order one for me from the factory in California, which took a few weeks to arrive. I remember vividly getting the call from the shop, running down there, popping open the case for the first time and seeing that gleaming red/yellow fireglo.

For most of my 20s and 30s I was "financially-challenged," so that Rickenbacker was the only guitar I owned for many years. I have played hundreds of gigs with it, written dozens of songs on it, and recorded a few albums with it. It's certainly had its share of wear and tear, including some bad damage from a flooded basement, but it remains a singularly superb guitar, easily the best-playing Rickenbacker I have ever touched (and I have owned numerous others over the years, both vintage and new).

I don't play it as often as it deserves now, but when I do, it always feels like an old friend. There is a deserving young fellow I know who I plan to give it to before I retire and move overseas in a few years.

The oldest instrument I own is a 1959 Gibson L-50, which I bought about a month ago, so I haven't yet "created any memories" with it, but I know that I will. Some acoustic guitar purists may scoff at this, but the guitar came with a DeArmond Model 41 surface-mount pickup and control plate screwed to the top, likely custom-installed by the dealer when the guitar was new. The electronics might be compromising the acoustic performance of the solid-spruce top, but it sounds AMAZING as an electric guitar - very fulsome, round, and dynamic. I have it strung with .012 Thomastik Infeld Jazz Swing flatwounds, and it's simply a special, distinctive instrument.

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

I had a stock 1974 00-21, the sound of which I loved. But I didn’t care for the wide neck, which I found uncomfortable to play, and wasn’t a fan of the slotted headstock, either.

So I eventually sold that guitar but years later had another one made at the Martin Custom Shop with the neck and headstock I prefer. I’m very pleased with it, because 12 fret Double O’s are one of Martin’s greatest designs: loud, powerful, projective and with a surprising amount of bass response.


whm

Having just this week acquired a used Martin Custom Shop CS-00-18S, I certainly have to agree with you about 12-fret 00s. I certainly didn't expect so much power and bass coming from such a diminutive guitar. I am absolutely in love with it.

Originally Posted by SJ VanSandt

I just got my oldest guitar! circa 1920's Stella. No history (with me) to tell, but I hope we will have one someday.

It has a new spruce top (the old one was too damaged to salvage), and a new fretboard and bridge, so it's really just half vintage.

Wow, that is so cool! Did you get it from Vintage Parlor Guitars in Vermont?

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Actually, my oldest and youngest guitar were purchased within a span of three months: my 1982 Folklore and my 2019 322ce 12-fret.

The Folklore I got it through. . . a Facebook group dedicated to Ovation guitars and the 322 got it brand new from a local store in Puerto Rico.

[SJ VanSandt]

Originally Posted by beatcomber

Wow, that is so cool! Did you get it from Vintage Parlor Guitars in Vermont?

No, I got it online from a shop in Santa Fe, of all places, called Stay Gold Guitars. A very well done website with way too much temptation. When I make it back to Santa Fe, I'm going to make it a point to avoid the place in person.

[beatcomber]

Originally Posted by SJ VanSandt

No, I got it online from a shop in Santa Fe, of all places, called Stay Gold Guitars. A very well done website with way too much temptation. When I make it back to Santa Fe, I'm going to make it a point to avoid the place in person.

Very nice!

[Oldguy64]

The day I graduated from nursing school back in 1996,
I walked into my favorite “junk” store to get a white belt to wear with my whites for the ceremony.
On the way in I saw this black dread hanging in the window.
On the way out, I saw a squared off headstock, and had to take it down to play what I thought was a Martin, from behind.
I was intrigued as I had never seen a black Martin.
Got it in my lap and realized I was holding an Alvarez.
I had no idea what that meant. I just started to play the thing.
That first E-chord hit me in the chest like a hammer.
I traded a dog of a Gremlin guitar and a crisp $100 bill for that Alvarez 5013 Iron Horse.
That guitar is my anchor.
You can see from the list below that I have a few more “prestigious” guitars.
But the “Hoss” still gets me, every time I pick it up.

[Earwitness]

Originally Posted by SJ VanSandt

I just got my oldest guitar! circa 1920's Stella. No history (with me) to tell, but I hope we will have one someday.



It has a new spruce top (the old one was too damaged to salvage), and a new fretboard and bridge, so it's really just half vintage.

Nice, Stan! You should try to learn a song from the 1920s to play on it.

[Oldguy64]

duplicate post.

[printer2]

1946 Harmony Catalog guitar. I should not have but it was only $33.

[abelville]

I wish it was that I was the original purchaser, but I’m not. Back in 2001, when I started back to finish College as a ripe 42 year old, I wanted – BADLY a Gibson WM 45. I just loved the look and sound of the naked blonde Gibby. Well, my son and I were going to school together, same time, same college. Just couldn’t afford it at the time. Always thought I’d get one after school (2004 graduation). Fast forward to 2021, after many disappointments, I saw a Gibby 2001, WM 45 on Reverb. 20 years of hard play on the top, with medium strings according to the seller, and the neck angle is still perfect. Straight edge clears the bridge, 1/8"+ saddle above the bridge, .05+ inches from the “D” string to the guitar top, 3/32” at the 12th fret. Sweet long overdue Honeymoon going on. My favorite guitar though (I Know) will always be my 00-21 Martin. These are the two "I’m done" guitars for me (I’m getting old, but happy).

[bls82261]

A gift from my parents. I guess you could say a re-gift since it was a wedding present from my mom to my dad in 1954.

[dhodgeh]

No great history or back story with my 47 D-18. Just walked into the Orlando Guitar Expo about three years ago and was at the right booth at the right time:



D

[LyleGorch]

Played a game of Rummy with the old man.

[beatcomber]

Originally Posted by bls82261

A gift from my parents. I guess you could say a re-gift since it was a wedding present from my mom to my dad in 1954.

Outstanding in all respects! What a wonderful heirloom to have!