Buying a Vintage Guitar (say Pre-1975) - What Would You Get?

[gmel555]

If you were to buy a vintage (say ~1975 & earlier), good quality guitar with a budget up to ~$4k what would it be? Assume a guitar in good, ready or near ready-to-play condition (minor corrections like saddles, nuts, tuners, small fixable cracks okay). Cosmetics less important as long as it's structurally sound. Besides the obvious big names also think about Mossman, Grammer, early Larrivee, etc. Use your own playing style as a guide.

[Aaron Smith]

Early 50's J-45. You might be able to find some 50's D-18's in that range too.

[numb fingertips]

Just as a heads up, have read that 70's in general wasn't the best decade for Martin and Gibson.

[llew]

60's Martin D-18.

[gmel555]

Originally Posted by numb fingertips

Just as a heads up, have read that 70's in general wasn't the best decade for Martin and Gibson.

Thanks, very true. I myself purchased in 1973 a new D-18 which I sold within a few years, rotten intonation, etc. I mainly started at 1975 to include Mossman, Larrivee and any others I don't know about.

[Mycroft]

You should bracket dates. Otherwise you will get the 1907 Washburn Parlour that I whiffed on.

For 4 Grand? You are in the barking neighborhood of a 1940s Gibson LG2 or a 1950s Martin 00-18

[packmule]

Early to mid '60's 000-18 for me!

[SalFromChatham]

I’d buy an Early 60s Bird with the wider nuts.

[gmel555]

Originally Posted by themissal

I’d buy an Early 60s Bird with the wider nuts.

Yep, have often considered that. I'm from that era when, as a 12-16 year old, those Hummingbirds, Gibson headstock and parallel-o-gram fretboard inserts were just sooooo cool. Nice player too.

[SuperB23]

Late 40's Gibson J-45 or J-50. If I had more money I'd buy a 30s Martin D-18 or D-28.

[ripdotcom]

4K could get a nice guitar, I would certainly get a martin, perhaps an older 00-21 or similar, whatever 4K could get with a wide neck and wide spacing,.

[Tube Sound]

Wow, nice budget. Opens a lot of doors. I would be looking at as old and nice a D-18, as I could find. However, you did mention Mossman. I am partial to them and with 4 thousand you might find a top model like a Winter Wheat, maybe a Golden Era. When all set up, known for needing work, they can be really nice. I believe they are still sleepers in the collecting community but I think the words getting out. Also would agree on a 60`s Hummingbird. What fun. Keep us updated on what you get.

[Osage]

My opinion on guitars like Mossman Gower and Grammer is that they were better guitars than Martin or Gibson were producing at the time but in general, they are overbuilt. They're heavy. Much heavier than a vintage Martin or current boutique guitar. Certainly good guitars for what they are but not amazing.

For a vintage guitar at 4 grand, A good 50's 00-18 would be hard to beat. While good examples certainly exist, I personally wouldn't bother with any Martin past 1965 or any Gibson past the mid 50's. I would definitely look at some pre-Gibson Epiphones. I owned a c.1931 Model 0 that was exceptional and was well under 4k. I'd also check out some less expensive Larson Brothers guitars. Their Mahogany guitars are every bit as good as their Rosewood models only less expensive. You could also get a really great archtop by Gibson or Epiphone for that price. Many of the New York "Italian Guild" guitars from the teens and twenties are wonderful instruments and certainly fit in this price range. I have a c.1920 15" Maple bodied Ciani that sounds exceptional and was under a grand.

[Blasted Coyote]

Originally Posted by Aaron Smith

Early 50's J-45. You might be able to find some 50's D-18's in that range too.

Yes, early 50's J-45

[Methos1979]

Birth year (61) Martin 000-18 or 000-28.