Humbly seeking help for vintage GAS

[estrauman]

I've recently come across a couple of older Esquires that may actually be in my price range. Both are refins but after that, they are pretty much original, and include cases. One is a 50s and the other early 60s. Both guitars fall within the price range of $4500-7000. I realize that old Teles and Esquires are through the roof these days, but still, that's a crap load of money -- and I have never spent close to that much before on a guitar. So, am I an idiot for even considering spending that much on a guitar?

Here's the deal, I guess I'm what you would call a "semi-pro" musician. I gig fairly regularily but I don't depend on it for my living. If I were to buy one of the above mentioned guitars, it would definitely be to play it, not just to let it sit around and look pretty. On the other hand, I am looking for a guitar that could also be considered an investment. I like the idea of knowing that if I spend 5k today, I'll actually have all my money and then some a year from now.

I'll admit, I'm not really hurting at all for Teles or other guitars. I even have some quasi-vintage instruments that are appreciating in value as we speak. If it was just playability and tone I was looking for I could get a MIM reissue and be happy as a clam. But even before I had any idea what a vintage guitar was (ever since I saw that cool ass Esquire on the Born To Run cover) I have wanted a Leo Era Tele/Esquire.

So please, please help me out here people. Talk me out of it, talk me into it, electronically dope-slap me, or give me a big thumbs up. I just really need to hear all of your opinions. Thanks.

[Joe K]

My two cents is that if you:

1) love it;

2) have the cash to buy it without foregoing other important things in your life; and

3) aren't looking at it as an investment...

...that you should BUY IT and enjoy it.

It may go up in value which would be cool. Even if it doesn't, you can't get hurt much. If you love guitars and music and have worked hard enough to afford it, why should someone else have it?

[Chris S.]

I can only offer two pieces of advice:

1) It's just a guitar.

2) Ask anyone who owns and loves one or more vintage guits, and they'll you: it's not just a guitar.

I don't own any vintage Teles (anymore, anyway; I have in the past, and foolishly or not, let them all go for one reason or another). The closest thing I have these daze is a 30 year-old archtop. But if I could afford to own another one, I would. Materialism aside, I say if you've got the money, and if no one's being harmed by it, and it makes you happy, heck, go for it. There's something about the feel (and even the aroma!) of a well-played axe that just can't be duplicated. (And that coming from a very happy Relic owner, thankyouverymuch...) ;-) All IMO, of course. Best of luck, CS

[Fuzzyhead]

Cant help you with any advice at all, but...

Originally Posted by estrauman

But even before I had any idea what a vintage guitar was (ever since I saw that cool ass Esquire on the Born To Run cover) I have wanted a Leo Era Tele/Esquire.

I know how you feel! 8)

[BB]

Man...that's a tough question! Personally, I would have a very hard time forking over that type of cash for a guitar. I have several very nice vintage instruments I picked up cheap along the way, but they pretty much sit in their respective cases as I prefer my hombrews for tone and playablity. At times, I think I should take them to a gig and play them, but then I'd worry about them getting stolen or damaged from a drunk falling in to them!

If I really wanted a vintage type instrument to gig with, I would have one of the many fine people who frequent this board do a relic finish on USACG parts and assemble it myself.....or, if I was flush, I'd have Jonathan at GVCC, Bill Nash, MJ Tele, do a relic tele for me. But thats just me and does not address your feelings or questions.

I would never bad mouth or make fun of someone who purchases a high priced vintage instrument or has a relic made. We all have different joneses that need to be met!

And, what I'm stating is strictly from a financial point. If I was rich or won the lotto, you could bet your sweet arse I'd plunk down some serious coin for the guitars I've always lusted after and to repalce the ones of my youth I let go!

I still kick myself for not having the foresight to keep many of the fine vintage pieces I've had over the years...let alone the ones I passed on.

[genelovesjez]

Originally Posted by estrauman

Here's the deal, I guess I'm what you would call a "semi-pro" musician. I gig fairly regularily but I don't depend on it for my living. If I were to buy one of the above mentioned guitars, it would definitely be to play it, not just to let it sit around and look pretty. On the other hand, I am looking for a guitar that could also be considered an investment. I like the idea of knowing that if I spend 5k today, I'll actually have all my money and then some a year from now.

If I were you, I would try to decide whether you want the guitar as a gigging tool or as an investment. Having a guitar you can play that appreciates in value is great in theory (the best of both worlds!), but if you NEED the guitar to be worth 5K+ a year from now, gigging with it regularly may not be realistic.

I have no interest in becoming a guitar collector, so if I start considering the investment value of a potential guitar purchase, I know it's just the GAS talking.

[Bill]

I've said this a bunch of times, so sorry to all of you who've heard this before, but...my approach has been to buy vintage guitars that are the same price as Custom Shop models. In other words, I've bought a '52 and a '66 Tele and a '56 and a '63 Strat that had refins, replaced bridges, and the like, but the neck, bodies, and original pickups for the same price as their relic'ed Custom Shop bretheren. To me, it gives me the best of all worlds--a guitar that I can afford, with all the mojo, feel, and sound I could want, without the cost or fear of playing it or worry about refretting, replacing worn keys or pots, etc..

So, for better or worse, I'm a bit further down the road than you are as far as changes I'll happily accept.

[Spidercaster]

I'm going through the same thing at the moment, so I can relate to your situation. Like others have said, as long as you can afford it, why not? You'll always be able to get your money back, if not more, should you need to sell it. Keep us posted and good luck.

[estrauman]

I decided to pass on the guitars (for now). The one I was leaning towards was a beautiful '55 esquire that had been totally refinished. The dealer was fantastic to work with (props to Michael at Authentic Guitars) and quick to oblige with photos and info. Ultimately, what it came down to is the fact that so much of what I love about my older guitars is their finish. I have a '72 Thinline that's beat to hell and has old Bigsby holes that were poorly patched, but damn it's got mojo. It ain't collectible, but it sure has the IT factor -- and so much of that has to do with all its battle scars (it also sounds fantastic). The guitar I was looking at had a gorgeous period correct white-blond finish, but I know now, had I plunked down my change and brought it home, I would always be wondering about the stories that were erased when the original finish was stripped off (no matter how ugly the old finish may have been).

The other thing that I realized after hours of obsessing is that, for me, a $6500 refinished guitar sort of falls between the cracks of playability and collectiblity. I mean, with the refinish, I wouldn't have had as much concern to take it out and scratch it up a bit (not abuse it, mind you), but then If I'm after a player I could spend way less on a great sounding guitar. But with the refinish and all, if I were to baby her and put her on a pedestal, in my mind, it would always be a vintage guitar with an asterisk beside it, and I think I'd still be searching for my Holy Grail.

Anyway, thanks to all for listening and for the feedback.