Selling to Joe’s Vintage Guitars Is Easy
- Top Dollar For Your Vintage Instruments
- Easy, Risk-Free Process – Same-Day Payment
- Free Shipping & Insurance – We Handle Everything
- Hundreds of Sellers Have Used This Exact Process – Read Their Google Reviews
- Contact Us At (602) 900-6635 Or Email joesvintageguitars94@gmail.com
Book Your Guitar Selling Consultation Now!
Get The Best Price For Your Vintage Guitar
Three Photos. One Offer. Done.
No in-person meetings required, no haggling, no complicated paperwork. Just send us a few photos, get a fair offer, and get paid — anywhere in the U.S. & Canada.
A Buyer Who Knows Vintage Guitars
10+ years of experience. Thousands of guitars. I’ll know what yours is worth.
Whether you’re looking to sell a vintage Gibson, a classic Fender Stratocaster, a pre-war Martin acoustic, or anything in between — I’ve seen it, I’ve bought it, and I know what it’s worth in today’s market. I work with sellers across the entire U.S. and Canada, from individuals selling a single inherited guitar to families liquidating full estate collections. Whatever you have, I’ll give you an honest assessment of its value and a fair offer — no pressure, no runaround.
With over 12 years of experience, $2 million in annual volume, and more than 10,000 instruments personally appraised, I know vintage guitars at a level most buyers simply don’t. I’ve purchased guitars from all 50 states, served as a traveling appraiser for Treasure Seekers Roadshow, and sourced instruments for Grammy Award-winning artists. I’ve handled guitars from the estates of musicians who played alongside Hank Williams, The Everly Brothers, and Loretta Lynn.
Beyond buying and selling, I’ve invested heavily in free resources for the vintage guitar community. If you’re trying to date or authenticate an instrument before reaching out, my Gibson serial number decoder and Fender serial number guide are among the most comprehensive tools available anywhere online. For collectors researching rarity and production history, I’ve also published verified Gibson production totals from 1948–1979. I built these because I believe an informed seller is a better seller — and because this hobby is richer when knowledge is shared freely.
Vintage Guitars & Instruments I Buy Across the U.S.
From a single inherited acoustic to a full estate collection, I buy across every major brand, era, and instrument type. Click any category below to learn more about what I look for and what your instrument might be worth.
Vintage Fender Guitars
Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Mustangs, Esquires, and Precision and Jazz Basses — particularly pre-CBS (pre-1965) examples. Custom colors, original cases, and matching headstocks command a significant premium. Player-grade and refinished guitars welcome too.
Martin Acoustic Guitars
Pre-war herringbone D-28s, D-45s, 000-28s, 0-18s, and OM models with scalloped bracing and Brazilian rosewood are among the most sought. Pre-1970 Martins of all models and conditions considered — including ladder-braced and parlor guitars.
Vintage Guild Guitars
Archtops, flattops, and electric thinlines from Guild’s early New York and Hoboken years through the Rhode Island era. F-47s, D-55s, Starfires, and Artist Award models especially sought. An underappreciated brand with serious collector demand.
50s, 60s & 70s
Rickenbacker Guitars
360s, 330s, 325s, 4001 basses, and other models from Rickenbacker’s most collectible decades. Fireglo, Mapleglo, and Jetglo finishes all considered. Left-handed examples and export models particularly desirable.
USA-Made
Jackson Guitars
Pre-Fender acquisition USA-made Jacksons — Soloists, Dinkys, Kellys, and custom shop instruments. Early Randy Rhoads models and guitars with original Floyd Rose hardware are among the most valuable. Condition and originality matter significantly here.
USA-Made
Charvel Guitars
Pre-production and early production San Dimas Charvels, Jackson-era USA models, and custom shop pieces. Highly collectible among hard rock and metal players. Original components, cases, and documentation all add value.
High-End Paul Reed
Smith (PRS) Guitars
Private Stock, Dragon series, vintage Artist series, and early pre-factory CE models. Brazilian rosewood necks, ten-top figured maple, and original tremolo systems are key value drivers. Older USA-made core models also considered.
National Resonator Guitars
Style O, Duolian, Triolian, Tricone, and other National resonator models from the 1920s through the 1940s. Both wood-body and metal-body examples bought. Condition of the cone and coverplate factor heavily into value.
Vintage Tube Amplifiers
Fender Tweed, Blackface, and Silverface amplifiers, Gibson, Vox, Marshall, Ampeg, and other vintage tube combos and heads. Original speakers, transformers, and intact chassis are key. All-original examples command the strongest prices.
Lap Steel Guitars
Hawaiian and electric lap steels from the 1930s through the 1960s — Rickenbacker Frying Pans, Gibson Ultratones, Fender Champions, Nationals, and Supros. A niche instrument with a dedicated collector market and often underestimated value.
Pedal Steel Guitars
Vintage and professional-grade pedal steels from Sho-Bud, Emmons, Mullen, ZUM, ZB, MSA, and other makers. Single and double-neck models considered. Original cases, knee levers, and full pedal setups all factor into value.
Bass Guitars
Vintage Fender Precision and Jazz Basses, Gibson EB series, Rickenbacker 4001s, Hofner Violins, and other collectible basses from the 1950s through the 1970s. Original pickups, tuners, and finish integrity are the primary value drivers.
Vintage Gretsch Guitars
6120s, White Falcons, Country Gentlemans, Jets, and Anniversaries from Gretsch’s Brooklyn era (1950s–1960s) are among the most collectible. Filter’Tron and DynaSonic pickups, original Bigsby vibratos, and case candy all add significantly to value.
Vintage Mandolins
Gibson F-5s, A-5s, F-4s, and Lloyd Loar-era instruments are the pinnacle of the market. Pre-war Martins, Washburns, and other quality American-made mandolins also sought. Condition of the top, tuners, and original finish matter most.
Vintage Gibson Banjos & More!
Pre-war Gibson Mastertone banjos — RB-3s, RB-4s, RB-5s — are among the most valuable fretted instruments in existence. Also buying ukuleles, resonator guitars, lap harps, and other vintage American stringed instruments of quality and historical interest.
More Than Just A Guitar
I have a profound passion for these remarkable instruments, and my goal is to ensure they continue to be cherished. I either play them myself or make sure they find their way into the hands of individuals who will care for them just as I do. The stories that accompany these guitars are immensely precious to me. When I acquire a guitar, what I cherish most is often a photograph of its original owner or stories about their life. I take the time to type up these stories, print them out, neatly fold them, and place them into the guitar’s case. I want these incredible musicians from another era to live on through their instruments. One such story is that of Walter M, a cowboy from Belen, NM, whose son sold me a wonderful Gibson J-45. Over to the right, you’ll find photos of a 19-year-old Walter with his beloved guitar while recording at a local radio station in 1945.
A Journey Through Time
I invite you to explore the rich history and evolution of iconic guitar brands and models. From the legendary craftsmanship of vintage Martin acoustics to the revolutionary designs of classic Fender and Gibson electric guitars, I appreciate the historical significance of every instrument I encounter.
Discovering Hidden Gems
My mission is to uncover hidden gems and forgotten treasures. I tirelessly search for guitars with exceptional stories, whether it’s a rare model from the early 20th century or a custom-built masterpiece from a renowned luthier. I believe that every vintage guitar has a tale to tell.
Preserving Musical Heritage
By acquiring and preserving vintage and collectible guitars, I contribute to the preservation of musical heritage. These instruments not only carry the memories of the musicians who played them but also represent milestones in the world of music.
Read Some Of My Clients’ Wonderful Stories
HomerI purchased this beautiful Gibson L-3 from the grandson of the original owner. I was so happy that he was willing to provide a nicely written history of his grandfather and his guitar.
My grandfather Homer grew up a working cowboy. He began preaching around 1910. Because he continued to do ranch work, he became known as the cowboy preacher. The name stuck and off they went. He would assist ranchers around the country on his travels while holding the meetings. As a kid, to me he seemed to know every person in the country, including a few celebrities of his era.
The guitar was purchased new by my grandparents. I have been unable to find any evidence of where they bought it. My grandmother Pearl was the picker in the family, although she and my grandfather gave up playing by the early 50’s. The family business was travelling revivals and camp meetings, a very popular thing since the days of the circuit preacher who made the rounds marrying people and saving souls. Everyone in the family played at least one instrument well, and could make-do with others if needed. Local attendees to the tent revivals would bring their own instruments and turn the services into quite a raucous event sometimes. Any instrument was allowed, no matter your skill level or volume level! Music was extremely important to them. They used it very effectively.
The term camp meeting generally referred to gatherings (revivals) of more than a couple of days. I know the larger ones would last a week or so, and people would bring tents and other accommodations to the site to attend. I’m including a few photos so you can get an idea of what it was all about.
The Gibson is a true survivor, and deserves the respect I know you have for the history of guitars.
Patti & Howard
I purchased two Gibson guitars from the daughter of this lovely couple. Patti & Howard both began playing music at a young age and played together their whole married life. They backed many incredible country artists in the 50s, 60s and 70s and were even in Ferlin Husky’s backing band for a while. Patti was an absolutely incredible guitarist who was good friends with Roy Clark (and could play as well as him too!) and Howard was a great singer and rhythm guitar player. I have been helping their daughter scan all of their photos and digitize all of their music from all of the old tapes and records she has.
Linda Gayle
I purchased this lovely Martin 0-18 from the niece of the original owner. Linda Gayle was a country western musician from Iowa who toured around the state and played regularly on several local radio stations from an early age. She continued to play and sing her whole life but stopped performing when she started her family.
A Website For Buying & Valuing Vintage, Rare Or Collectible Guitars
Are you looking to sell a guitar?
Are you simply wondering what your guitar is worth?
Lucky for you, I’ve been through the years of research and the trial & error associated with buying and selling Gibson, Fender, Martin, Epiphone, Guild, and others. It often only takes me a few minutes to determine an instrument’s current market value. For that reason, I offer free appraisals to anyone willing to email or text me photos of their instrument(s). All I ask in return is that you tell your friends about me and leave me a Google review online if your technological skills permit you to do so.
Meet Vintage Guitar Expert Joe Dampt
Veteran Guitar Broker & Appraiser
I fell in love with the guitar as a youngster while listening to old music from the 50s and 60s. From then on, music has been my life, and I’ve sacrificed and worked hard to make music and musical instruments my livelihood. I love old guitars and musical instruments, but I love the MUSIC even more. I believe that guitars don’t do us any good if they just sit in a case. These beauties are meant to be played!
I’ve performed in many local bands and my favorite styles to play are classic country/western music, swing & dance music, and classic rock & roll.
Aside from music, I enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing and exploring the backcountry wilderness of the West.
A Top Rated Vintage Guitar Buyer
Better Pricing Than Pawn Shops, Auctions Or Consignments
We pay more than pawn shops every time! And with the high fees charged by auction houses, we will almost always give you more than you would end up with by selling at auction! Our consignment fee is as low as 8% for premium vintage guitars, that’s the lowest fee around! Sell your guitar with Joe’s Vintage Guitars and get paid more!
Preserving Musical Heritage Through Vintage & Collectible Guitar Acquisition
At Joe’s Vintage Guitars, my mission is to preserve musical heritage through the careful acquisition of vintage and collectible guitars. My deep passion lies in curating a one-of-a-kind collection of instruments that have left their mark on music history. By acquiring these timeless pieces, I am dedicated to ensuring that the legacy of music endures for generations to come.
Purchasing Guitars Over The Internet With No In-Person Transaction Required
My streamlined process allows you to sell your guitar safely and quickly without having to be a local customer. Join hundreds of satisfied sellers who got paid the same day that they sent their guitar without the hassle of an in-person inspection or transaction. Contact me today to get started!
