What the Guitar Is
I narrow down the maker, model, production period, and important factory specifications.
Free Appraisal · No Obligation · Nationwide
Free Online Vintage Guitar Appraisal
Send me clear photos and whatever you know about the guitar. I will identify the model, look closely at its condition and originality, and tell you what similar instruments are selling for in today's vintage guitar market.
I do every appraisal myself. The first market valuation is free, and you do not have to sell the guitar.
Joe Evaluates It PersonallyNo Pressure to SellPhotos Are Enough to Start
Watch How the Free Appraisal Works
10,000+Instruments Appraised
12+ YearsHands On Experience
50 StatesGuitars Purchased
What I Will Check
What You Will Learn From the Appraisal
A useful appraisal starts with the identity of the guitar and ends with a value based on the right comparisons.
What May Have Changed
I look for repairs, refinishing, overspray, changed parts, and condition issues that affect the market.
What It Is Worth Today
I compare the guitar with completed sales of similar instruments, not broad price tables or unsold asking prices.
Start With Clear Photos
Photos That Help Me Appraise It
You do not need professional pictures. Daylight, a plain background, and a few sharp close views are enough to start.
Also photograph the pickups, bridge, tuners, controls, cracks, repairs, finish wear, an acoustic guitar's interior label, and any receipts or family photographs.
Only have a few photos? Send them. I can ask for specific details after I see the instrument.
Send Photos to Joe
- Complete front
- Complete back
- Headstock front
- Headstock back
- Serial number or label
- Original case
Remote or Local
Online Nationwide or In Person in Mesa, Arizona
You can request an appraisal from anywhere in the United States. If you are near Mesa, you can also contact me about arranging a local, in-person appointment.
No Shipping Required
You do not have to ship your guitar to Mesa just to find out what it is. Clear photos of the full instrument, serial number, hardware, finish, and repairs are usually enough for me to begin.
Local Appraisals in Mesa
Joe's Vintage Guitars is based in Mesa, Arizona. Local owners can contact me to ask about an in-person appraisal before bringing an instrument to the shop.
Remote Appraisals Across the Country
I appraise guitars from photos for owners nationwide. Shipping only becomes a separate conversation if you later decide to sell the guitar to me.
Start With the Maker
Brand Specific Guitar Appraisal Guides
Choose the maker on the headstock. Each guide shows the photos, markings, parts, and value factors I use for that brand.
Fender
For a vintage Fender, the model, date, finish, and original parts all matter.
View Fender Appraisal Guide
Gibson
For a vintage Gibson, the model, period, finish, electronics, and repair history all matter.
View Gibson Appraisal Guide
Martin
For a vintage Martin, the model, year, wood, repair history, and structural condition all matter.
View Martin Appraisal Guide
Gretsch
A vintage Gretsch needs the right model, production period, pickups, hardware, and condition comparison.
View Gretsch Appraisal Guide
Guild
New York, Hoboken, and Westerly Guilds each have details that help establish identity and value.
View Guild Appraisal Guide
Rickenbacker
A Rickenbacker's model, serial code, pickups, finish, binding, and original parts all affect its value.
View Rickenbacker Appraisal GuideOther Brands
Epiphone, National, Dobro, Harmony, Kay, and unusual instruments.
Send Photos to JoeWhat Changes the Price
What Changes a Vintage Guitar's Market Value
The date matters, but it is only one part of the appraisal. These are the details that usually change the comparison group and the final value range.
Maker, Model, and Year
I first place the guitar in the correct family and production period.
Original Finish
Factory colors, normal play wear, overspray, touchups, and refinishing belong in different parts of the market.
Original Parts
Pickups, tuners, bridges, tailpieces, electronics, pickguards, and cases do not all affect value equally.
Condition and Repairs
Cracks, neck resets, headstock repairs, refrets, routing, and structural work must be judged by quality and extent.
Rarity and Specification
A rare feature only adds value when buyers want that model, finish, pickup, wood, or factory option.
Current Demand
I compare the guitar with completed sales and the buyers active in today's market.
Read more about the seven factors that determine vintage guitar value.
One Example
How Details Changed This Appraisal
1966 Fender Jaguar in Lake Placid Blue
The owner wanted to know if the Lake Placid Blue finish was original. Its serial number could not settle that question.
I reviewed the neck date, electronics, solder joints, and paint stick evidence in the neck pocket. Together, those details showed that the finish and components were original.
The result: Original Lake Placid Blue Jaguars sell in a different market than refinished examples. Confirming the finish changed the value.
Have Joe Look at Mine
From Guitar Owners
Reviews From People I Have Helped
Each review links to the original Google review.
★★★★★
“Joe's Vintage Guitars is in a class of their own, and there's no competition at that level.”Caleb KingRead on Google★★★★★
“Joe patiently went through each instrument and provided me with a range of values for each one. I appreciated his knowledge, honesty, and willingness to take time to help me.”RayRead on Google★★★★★
“Joe was kind and experienced, and promptly shared his expertise with no expectation of a sale.”Marie CoyleRead on Google
Which Appraisal Do You Need?
Free Market Valuation or Written Appraisal?
Start Here
Free Market Valuation
Use this if you inherited a guitar, want to know its current value, or are thinking about selling. I will review the guitar and give you an informal opinion of its current market value.
- No charge
- No obligation to sell
- Photos are enough to start
For Official Use
Written Appraisal
Use this if an insurance company, estate, attorney, accountant, court, or charity needs a signed report. This is a separate paid service because it requires additional research and documentation.
- Insurance replacement value
- Estate or probate needs
- Tax or donation support
Research Before or After the Appraisal
Research Your Guitar and Choose Your Next Step
These links help you find the information I use in an appraisal, understand the value, and decide what to do after you receive it.
Check for a Fake
Confirm the Date
Understand the Value
Choose the Next Step
Not sure which guide applies? You do not need to research the guitar first. Send me your photos and I will help identify it.
Common Questions
Questions About Free Guitar Appraisals
Is the Guitar Appraisal Really Free?
Yes. I do not charge for the first market valuation, and you do not have to sell. A signed report for insurance, an estate, a donation, or a legal matter is a separate paid service.
What's The Difference Between Fair Market Value And An Insurance Appraisal?
Fair market value is the price a knowledgeable, willing buyer and seller would agree on in the open market, with neither under pressure to complete the transaction. The free appraisal gives you my opinion of the guitar's current market value. An insurance appraisal is a separate paid service that includes replacement-value research and a signed report for your insurer.
Can You Appraise a Guitar From Photos?
Yes. Clear photos are usually enough to begin. I may ask for a closer view of a serial number, finish, pickup, label, repair, or other detail.
Do I Have to Bring the Guitar to Mesa to Get an Appraisal?
No. My shop is in Mesa, Arizona, and local owners can arrange an in-person appraisal. I handle most appraisals remotely from clear photos, so you do not need to ship the guitar or bring it to Mesa just to learn what it is worth.
Do I Need to Know the Model or Year?
No. Send the full guitar, headstock, serial number or label, and anything you know about its history. I can help identify it.
Does a Serial Number Tell Me What the Guitar Is Worth?
No. A serial number may help with the date. The model, finish, original parts, condition, repairs, rarity, and current demand determine the value.
Why Can't I Just Check eBay Or Reverb Sold Listings To Find The Value Myself?
Sold listings don't tell you the whole story. A 1965 Stratocaster that sold for $12,000 might have had swapped pickups, a refret, and overspray, while an untouched one could be worth double. I price your guitar off private sales data and the exact factory specs that public listings leave out.
Should I Clean or Repair the Guitar First?
No major work is needed. Photograph the guitar as it is. Cleaning or repairing it before the appraisal can remove evidence or create a new problem.
Can You Appraise a Collection or Estate?
Yes. Tell me about how many instruments are involved, where they are located, and what records or photographs you have.
Ready When You Are
Find Out What Your Vintage Guitar Is Worth
Send photos and what you know, even if the model or year is a mystery. I will look at the guitar and tell you what I think it is worth in the current market.