TOP 10 VINTAGE GUITAR INVESTMENTS of the last DECADE | ATB Guitars

[@petehreid1]

Would love to see this done for Japanese guitars. Seen some amazing hikes on les Paul and strat law suit guitars

[@ATBGuitars]

Yes, you could be right. It is just not our speciality.

[@johnmirabile3535]

PARDON ME, I KNOW 57, 58 GOLDTOPS ARE ABOUT 150K AND GOING UP....TYPO LOL

[@collinwhitley3543]

Great video! It's been quite a ride over the past decade and it'll be interesting to see where this goes. If I may offer one small suggestion, it would be to minimize or eliminate the background music. It's a bit hard to hear you over the track.

[@ATBGuitars]

Thanks for the suggestion, all duly noted

[@marcelcourchesne9519]

@@ATBGuitars ya. no music in the background

[@Guitar5986]

Great video Mike. I'm lucky enough to own 3 guitars that made the top 10. I would tell anyone looking to buy a guitar strictly for investment....don't. Buy a guitar that you will love & enjoy. If it just so happens to be a good investment that's even better. Long term investments in the S&P are far more likely result in better returns. But it's a wonderful thing to own a guitar that is not only something that you love & enjoy but also qualifies as a solid investment.

[@ATBGuitars]

Well done! Sounds like you have bought wisely and are no doubt enjoying your investments too.

[@TheNaturalust]

LOVE this video. HATE guitar collectors who don’t play. Subscribed.

[@JtotheP68]

Interesting video, I thought juniors would be top! strangely I thought ES-330s would have been higher. I think es-175s will be a good buy now that 330s are so expensive. Epiphone Coronets also a good buy I think for the future.

[@ATBGuitars]

Yes, some interesting choices there and could be contenders for the future..!

[@DrMattWalton]

Loved the video Mike. Thanks for including 3 of mine in the Top 10. Keep up the great work

[@ATBGuitars]

Thanks!

[@stevecox9871]

This great information. Thank you. I agree with the guy below who said Coronets are due a run. It will be interesting to see if guitars made in 2022 (which are pretty good esp for price) will become revered in future years. Great content!

[@ATBGuitars]

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it!

[@andsoistopped]

Hope the rest of your holiday was good Mike. After bumping into you at the Cathedral we saw Right Said Fred performing outside WH Smith’s. All very surreal. Tony

[@ATBGuitars]

Thanks you. It was good to meet you and I hope you holiday went well too..!

[@andsoistopped]

@@ATBGuitars yes it was good thanks.

[@IrishBog]

Around 2018 I went down the rabbit hole of collecting vintage guitars. Pretty much cashed out all my savings funds and over the last four years bought and sold mostly pre 65 Fenders and Gibsons. Because my goal was to experience these guitars and not as an investment I mostly bought refins or neck repairs. Would prefer to have two refins than 1 perfect vintage (which I would be too scared to play). Glad to see the refins are experiencing good growth - have 3 pre CBS Strats all refins. On the other hand the price rise has completely killed the collecting for me. Cannot fathom paying 40k for a Goldtop when they were maybe 20k back in 2019. Even if I can sell my current guitars for higher my brain just won’t accept it

[@ATBGuitars]

All good points. We also balk at the idea of paying sometimes twice for a guitar compared to what we did in 2019!

[@brianwells4507]

Irishbog, I'd love to find a refinished '63-'64 Gibson Firebird, there used to be quite a few online 10 years ago, but not anymore? They were so

[@TheNaturalust]

I have an original 1962 Fender Jaguar I bought for $300 in 1979. It’s black and has custom dot inlays around the BODY!

[@michaelaiello9525]

Thank you,, I regret letting go of. ‘66 Mustang Bass and. A ‘65 Newport Epiphone Bass maybe 18-20 years ago. Still have a ‘75 L6 Midnight Special in rarer Cream Sparkle… and that one I believe crawls up in value. All the ones mentioned are already out of my current grasp. Thanks for the education.

[@ATBGuitars]

Thanks for the comments. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@GigsandGuitars]

Loved this video. I’ve got a sunburst custom shop Les Paul Junior and it screams. Would love an original one day 😊👍

[@ATBGuitars]

Thanks for the comments

[@markusfrieauff5651]

Hi Mike, great video! Just my two cents on the development of single cut versus dual cut juniors: I think in the earlier years the juniors were considered mainly player guitars, which is why Dual cuts were more desired. Then juniors started to become collector’s pieces and thus the older single cut ones became more interesting (simply because of the age). I think this explains pretty well why the dc juniors got taken over by the sc ones.

[@ATBGuitars]

Yes, that is a very good and plausable theory.

[@whsqwghlm]

Enjoyed very much. Is there a series here? Take one model; Jaguar or LPJ, and look at the increase of specific variations. Which custom colour has increased the most? Has a DC TV gone up more than a SC sunburst?

[@ATBGuitars]

Thats a good idea and duly noted. Thanks for the comments

[@DrMattWalton]

That would be a great series

[@WS-bk7uu]

Fascinating insight Mike! It seems like perhaps the slightly more obtainable (cheaper) guitars have risen slightly faster which makes sense. I'm curious which custom colours have seemed to do most (or least) well in your experience?

[@ATBGuitars]

Thanks for the comments. That is an interesting idea the custom colour angle. We might do something on that.

[@Twizzlemenizzle1]

Very informative Mike thankyou.

[@ATBGuitars]

Thanks Glenn!

[@fm_at_home7501]

Thanks Mike. Very helpful!

[@ATBGuitars]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@alanshewitt]

Billy Joe Armstrong has been collecting 50’s Juniors for decades now. It’s estimated he owns at least 20 of them.

[@ATBGuitars]

Luck chap!

[@DDE_ADDICT]

Hi Mike I was very happy to see that dirty Burst go to Joe

[@ATBGuitars]

Yes we think it went to a good home!

[@mortonwilson795]

Fascinating stuff and, really, absolutely no surprises given my own observations over the last few years (Covid prompted a lot more reading and YT viewing than previously!). I was a little surprised not to see the Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom making the list given its relative rarity? (I own one, so more than a little interested!) This was the year Gibson brought the actual Les Paul shape back into the line-up, I believe, and the 1968 Custom was a relatively small run before they introduced the velute onto later 1969 models. Would be interested to know if anyone has a 'rating' for this model or any idea of what one may be worth? On a different note, I would just throw it out there that in 20 or 30 years time we might be discussing some of the initial run of the hand finished violin style lacquered Eastman models in a setting like this - particularly their Les Paul and 335 style instruments. I have played a few and they are quite special in all regards. Their nitro finish is also high quality but recently they have switched to their 'Truetone Gloss', which I'm sure is great but, as with the late 50s Les Pauls, I suspect the first few years of production before 'things changed' will become collectibles. The SB59/v is going to be my next purchase and I know it will sit comfortably beside my 68 LP. (I'm not affiliated at all - purely personal observation from a once upon a time guitar salesman and guitarist / producer of 45 years).

[@JohnnyTBohne]

Nice video, Mike.

[@ATBGuitars]

Thanks

[@nickconte3592]

Nice video, pal!

[@ATBGuitars]

Thanks buddy!

[@jamesbailey5008]

Love this channel

[@ATBGuitars]

Thanks

[@markbrown7103]

That is super cool guitars are worth more here than they are in England because of the value of the pound and the American dollar I cannot afford vintage guitars like this I have to hang on to when I have I’m surprised that Graach didn’t even make the lineup Gibson and Fender seem to be the most popular and the most money makers I love the fender Stratocaster and also love the jazz master these are truly beautiful guitars shaped very nicely I enjoyed your video very much thanks so much have a great day and a good night looking forward to more videos 🎸👍🏼🎶🎼😀😎

[@ATBGuitars]

Thanks for the comments. The £pound is tumbling day but day so these may soon be in reach…

[@waltersmetak]

Beautiful couch!!!!

[@corkbour7708]

Any updates on the 1994 Fender Strat, that was to be made in MX, but due to the fire, ended up being made in CA? As I understand not many were made, and most of them were acquired by Fender staff and distributors who knew what they were.

[@ATBGuitars]

Sorry no idea about that one.

[@khillsy4489]

I understand the investment concept of course but I can't help but think that it's a lot of cash for some basically small bits of wood and some metal. 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@ATBGuitars]

True... but you can say the same thing for $1m+ cars being just basically bits of metal and wood.

[@ontroadagain]

Hi Mike. Great video. What about the Gibson ES-125?

[@Cheefie]

I think Gibson's budget DCs caused the drop in rep/cool score compared to the SC which has really come back into people's hearts

[@wrekerds]

Dang! I went to your website to buy a single cut Jr. And was expecting something in the range mentioned here. Unfortunately the 3 that i was interested in are already close to 50% higer than the max price stated for sunburst examples. What happened? I kniw its late in the year but it is still 2022, isnt it?

[@nationalduo4945]

Good channel 😊

[@sgbh8874]

Road worn autumn burst 1980’s Fender Esprit, no case, any good ?

[@ATBGuitars]

Sorry not really our speciality!

[@ColinDymond]

Are Epiphone casinos performing better or worse than Gibson 330s, especially after the Beatles documentary?

[@ATBGuitars]

Good question. Probably a bit better, especially wide nut variants.

[@marcelcourchesne9519]

how much did the value of VINTAGE guitars go up in 2021. 10-15-20% ???

[@TheNaturalust]

Derek Trucks increased the value of those SG’s!!

[@aaronwinter1092]

Billie Joe Armstrong from Greenday is an avid and very popular Jr. User.

[@ATBGuitars]

He is indeed!

[@nicholaswoolfenden5254]

Great vid. Not sure I like these guitars being so skewed to elites. It's kind of distasteful. But at least it's not Bonamassa who has an outrageous number of instruments.

[@ATBGuitars]

Fair enough!

[@KordTaylor]

Thank you!

[@ATBGuitars]

You're welcome!

[@NYCguitarist]

i'm afraid vintage guitars will drop in value if deflation hits in the coming years

[@ATBGuitars]

So will everything else.

[@NYCguitarist]

@@ATBGuitars the dollar won't

[@novakingood3788]

It's a bit sad that these beautiful instruments are just seen as an investment. A propos of nothing, I'd love to see double blind tests done on vintage vs modern/custom/whatever.

[@ATBGuitars]

I think for most players or collectors they are not seen purely as an investment. It is primarily something they can play and enjoy. Investment potential is secondary and I know pretty much all our customers see it this way after all, they are better things to invest in if that is your sole aim.

[@mortonwilson795]

Obviously the 'doctors, dentists & lawyers' thing is 'a thing' but as a working musician of nearly 50 years I think it's fair to say there are a lot of serious players, amateur or pro, who see a quality vintage guitar as something special and worth paying for. I was lucky enough to buy a 2nd hand 1968 Les Paul Custom in the early 70s when I was 18 and I treasure it and the 'new' guitars I have bought since for studio work are still with me, they are tools of the trade - honestly at no point did I consider re-sale value as part of the justification for purchase (some were quirky, unloved cheapies on firesale - Godin Fretless 12 String Electric, anyone?) and I know I'm not alone in this . . . all is not lost! 😃

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

Theres the 5000 dollar bottle of whine and theres ripple with ice. Id get a way bigger kick out of drinking the 5000 dollar bottle

[@benmtz]

Im surprise the mustang is not here, it doubled in 10 years

[@ATBGuitars]

Maybe that is so, we did have a look but found too large a variation on price to make a firm conclusion

[@cpk313]

Mike's keeping his pimp hand strong! (sorry I had too)

[@ac30lifestyle]

Top ten list starts at 5.40 minutes

[@marcel-jt3dy]

"Stand rash " What guitar stand would you recommend for nitrocelleose?

[@Soupslusher_68]

Any thing that makes contact with the guitar should be hard plastic or metal. Stands with foam cushions could react to nitro

[@ATBGuitars]

We always use Hercules stands and have never had any problems.

[@j.justinzimmerman9836]

I have all my foam stand-yokes (horse’s yoke) covered with soft polishing cloth. The Degradation of any type plastic, foam, rubber tubing, etc, is explained by saying, “Their polymers are migrating.” Sad to say…these fossil-fuel based products will always break down. JJZ…(°¿.°`)

[@Takeiteasy11]

Whether or not Gibson les Paul Murphy lab are a good long-term investment, their current resale value is terrible! Good for us buyers however! The new initial retail price is WAY too high!

[@ATBGuitars]

They do not seem to be good investments at the moment, that is true.

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

I wouldnt want a murphy lab, it would always remind me i couldnt pull off the real thing

[@hjs5686]

this video would be much more enjoyable and relaxing without the background music

[@bengraham878]

I think the value of vintage guitars will fall dramatically in 20 years when most of the boomers have gone, just like vintage cars. The market will be far smaller. As soon as real demand falls, so will investment.

[@capturelightmedia]

Maybe with Gibsons. But the young indie folk love Fenders a lot and when they start bands and get some money or make daddy give them some, they're going to buy those old Jaguars up more than pumpkin spice lattes.

[@ATBGuitars]

We are selling many Gibsons to up and coming bands too. As well as Fenders..!

[@ATBGuitars]

That’s what I’ve been hearing from some people for the last 20 years!

[@capturelightmedia]

I think the whole "boomers" hate BS is just that. BS. People like guitars. People like old guitars. They will always sell.

[@bengraham878]

@@capturelightmedia i don’t hate boomers at all, it’s just the easiest way to identify the group we’re all talking about. I don’t think the obsession with collecting things, including vintage guitars, will pass onto the younger generations and without that demand I can’t see how guitars are a good investment beyond the next 20 years. We haven’t seen it end yet as the youngest boomers were born in 1964 are only 59 today. I’ve got a friend with dad that collected guitars and didn’t even play! I don’t think it was for investment purposes, purely nostalgia.

[@markbrown7103]

😢

[@JN-North.Guitars]

A Recession like no other is on the way. Vintage guitars will drop in value! You watch! Just in time for the stock market & housing market crash! They are way overpriced, peeked and overhyped! Interesting video though!

[@jconnon]

The buyers are mainly recession proof. Same as most high value luxury assets.

[@JMDO30]

@@jconnon Remember 2008

[@ATBGuitars]

If stocks and housing crashes like 2008 then vintage guitars will follow suit. I don’t think that if it does happen it will not be as bad as 2008 though.

[@mcmotohistory8770]

I don't appreciate you drowning on for 6 minutes just to begin your dumb countdown

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

He did a good job breaking down value increases. Of course your ibanez wasnt on the list

[@j.l.l.]

a biznessman not a musician

[@shovelheadseven]

The generations die off and so do their interests. They don't seem to give a shit about spending giant amounts for what they see as an old guitar. No buyer no value. Especially models they don't care for.

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

Violin music died 100 years ago, yet certain old italion violins sell for over 100 k. I predicted 10 years ago that in 20 years a mint flametop burst would be 1 million dollars, i have ten years left to go and there have been sales already of 500 to 600 thousand dollars for them. Vintage guitars are here to stay and prices in 20 years will blow peoples minds