Vintique Amp

[BLaw]

Hello,

Hoping someone here can help me out. I have a local guy that's offering to sell me a Vintique amp head and I don't know anything about them. Any information would be helpful.

This head is a single channel and loaded with 5881's. Just wanting to know if this is a one off, what its worth and the durability.

Thanks in advance.

[uriah1]

Never heard of "vintique" ... Any other names or model #? 5881 are generally brit..if not not modded US.

[PeterUK]

Originally Posted by BLaw

Hello,

Hoping someone here can help me out. I have a local guy that's offering to sell me a Vintique amp head and I don't know anything about them. Any information would be helpful.

This head is a single channel and loaded with 5881's. Just wanting to know if this is a one off, what its worth and the durability.

Thanks in advance.

Vintique Guitars was (is?) a company based in Bergenfield, NJ and was run by a guy called Jay Monterose. Vintique was probably the first Telecaster boutique guitar and parts builder and Jay was guitar tech and friend to Danny Gatton. He was also a very handy guitar player himself.

Jay developed a reputation for non-delivery of guitars (selling for $4500+) and parts (he produced some of the nicest knobs, bridges and saddles around). I received everything I ordered from him and the quality was awesome. Sadly many, many people didn't. I did try and help him at one point but he fell behind and stopped taking calls. Vintique nose-dived from there, the website disappeared.

I haven't spoken to him for ages but the last time I did (3-years ago) he was talking about amps. I don't know if he got that venture off the ground.

His name and his repuation is somewhat chequered and will raise emotions here, so beware.

Hope this helps.

Peter

[telex76]

If it's the same Vintique who made guitars and parts, it's probably well made. The company never had many complaints as to quality. I think the guy had some problems, got in over his head, started robbing Peter to pay Paul, and when he dissappeared left alot of customers holding the bag.

I couldn't find any real info on the amps, one for sale on Craigslist.

[PeterUK]

Originally Posted by telex76

.....started robbing Peter to pay Paul

Never robbed me! Got everything I ordered.

Peter

[telex76]

Originally Posted by PeterUK

Never robbed me! Got everything I ordered.

Peter

I guess I need to be Peter and you can change your name to Paul.


You don't want to start talking about how many people on this forum got taken for a ride.

[PeterUK]

Originally Posted by telex76

You don't want to start talking about how many people on this forum got taken for a ride.

I know. It's an emotive subject.

Peter

[ariecaster]

I just picked up a used Vintique Tele. I also have a Danny Gatton #23 that was re done by Jay. Even though I never bought anything directly from him he always gets back to me if I have any questions. He is so proud of his work. He likes to know where all his babys are. I have learned that Jay is a real quiet guy and rather not get involved in these chat rooms. My gut feeling is that there is a lot of wrong information about him on the net. He really was the pioneer of quality hand crafted boutique parts. Jay is the reason that the industry exists today. Unfortunate for him is that others were able to take his ideas and water them down a bit so they could build profitable businesses.
So if this amp is built by the same Vintique its a real gem and a keeper.

[HolyGrailTele]

What's a Danny Gatton #23? Is it the 23rd of the 5394 Tele model that Jay hand made?

[ariecaster]

Its got a great story to it. Its the 23rd Fender DG model tele. I bought it used from a guy who took the guitar to Jay to rebuild to the original specs. So the hardware was replaced and the body was refinished to the exact specs as Danny's dark gold sparkle tele. He even replaced the cubic zarconia fret markers with some of his stash he used on Danny's. I have pics with them holding the guitar. Their is also a nice message written under the gard and initials marked on the pots and selector. I recently just bought the 16th 5394 with charlie christian bardens in it from lakeside in new jersy.

[Barrettworld]

It's great to hear about DG0023!! I used to own that guitar! Bought it off this forum actually (well, almost... Back when it was the TDP, before the TDPRI). What a great guitar... And funny to hear about it on the TDPRI! I sold it to the guy who sold it to you; can't remember his name... Nice guy though. Hope you didn't pay too much for it... I bought it for $1400 and sold it for $2500, but that's neither here nor there.
And what a guitar... It was originally blond, and had the most well joined two piece body I've ever seen. It took a long time for me to be convinced it was two pieces, and the grain had really nice figuring. I loved that neck too... Haven't played another guitar that had such a comfortable, although fat neck with big shoulders!! And so lightweight and resonant. Certainly a special guitar.
Unfortunately, for some reason or other, I never really bonded with that one, and it was too expensive and too good a guitar to be a #2, so I let it go. Hopefully you're putting it through it's paces and it's making beautiful music with you. I'd love to see a pic or two of it in it's current state... When I get home later I'll look for a picture of it in it's original condition and original finish and post them... It'd be fun to compare!
All the best,
Barrett

[ariecaster]

Thats amazing. I am new to this site. Not sure how you found me so quick.
I bought it from Mike the grape farmer. He gave it to Jay to redo. Jay said that guitar looked like it went through war when he got it. Anyway Jay redid the entire thing. I will try to post some pics tomorrow. I have 7 teles and this one is my favourite. Just an increadible neck. Jay stripped the maple board and refinished it in a thin nitro. It now looks like a relic since I play it so much. I think Mike spent about $2K on it fixing it so if you sold it to him for $2500 I paid a lot but not too much. The tie in to Gatton through Jay is worth the extra $s. Really nice to meet you.

[HolyGrailTele]

Great stories. Anything involving Danny has magic. I have one of the first 5394's Jay made. It is a work of art.

[ariecaster]

Originally Posted by HolyGrailTele

Great stories. Anything involving Danny has magic. I have one of the first 5394's Jay made. It is a work of art.

My #16 sounds amazing but I think I need to replace the pots. Lots of cracking. I was told the guitar spent time in the Caribbean. Lots if rust on the tone pot. Pretty simple fix. I am sure jay will give me a recommendation.

[HolyGrailTele]

If I spent time in the Carribbean I'd never come back...........;)

[ariecaster]

what number is your ? Does it have a charlie christian neck pick up as well. can figure out how you adjust that thing. I was told just to leave it alone.
These teles are rare. Do you stay in touch with Jay?

[HolyGrailTele]

Mine is #1. It has Barden pick ups and was built to match Gatton's '53.

[ariecaster]

Thats amazing that you have the first one. Regardless of what people say about Jay thats a really rare guitar. The link to Danny just makes it really special, almost priceless.
My neck pick up is a charlie christian barden. Ours were both made by Joe so those are special as well. I was told he only made 8 CC bardens.

Send me a pic of your #1. I will take one tonight and try to post.

all the best.

[PeterUK]

Originally Posted by ariecaster

My neck pick up is a charlie christian barden. Ours were both made by Joe so those are special as well.

Have you got a sound clip of this pick up?

I'd love to see/hear one in action.

Peter

[ariecaster]

Hi Peter
Good to hear from you. I don't know how I could send one with any quality. If I used my phone can't believe it would do justice.
The pick up to me sounds very bluesy. Kinda T bone walker sorta think. Breaks up with volume at 9 -10. Nice and jazzy and 5 - 6. The bardens are very powerful. At same amp settings this guitar is clearly louder than others. To be honest this latest purchase is still being hidden from the wife. So it hasn't gotten much amp time.
I have read some of your posts and see that you got everything you ordered from Jay. (Great to hear). The two teles I have that Jay built were bought used but I have had no problems reaching Jay and getting advice from him. Seems to me to be a great guy and a passionate tele builder.