TVG Blog
What's So Special About a Gibson SG Special?
In late 1960, Gibson decided to change the body style of a very popular model and it would eventually be known as the "SG". Many model variations came out of...
Rare vintage find: 1959 Fender Telecaster Custom 1st Batch!
I'm excited to show off a rare vintage guitar find which came through the shop last week: 1959 Fender Telecaster Custom from the first batch of production! This exceptionally clean...
How to date a Gibson Les Paul: Serial numbers, potentiometer codes, and features
Three ways to date a Gibson Les Paul guitar Use this guide to quickly and easily date your Gibson Les Paul guitar from any year. Serial number lookups don't work...
Fender Stratocaster Value: Guide to Appraisal & Pricing of Vintage Strats
Use this guide to determine the value of your Fender Stratocaster made during the 1950s and 1960s. Consider a few key factors to get a better understanding of why some vintage...
This 1959 Gibson ES-355 may have the earliest known side pull vibrato!
Check out this very fine example of the Gibson ES-355 model made in 1959 with a factory installed side pull vibrato! It has just come through our shop and is...
How much is a Gibson Les Paul worth?
Finding out how much is a Gibson Les Paul worth begins with accurate identification. As a Gibson guitar buyer, I start with with most important parts of identification first, then...
1957 Fender Stratocasters: The Best Year for the Strat?
After owning a Stratocaster from every pre-CBS year, the ones that stick out to me as being the best are the two I've had that were made in 1957. 1957...
Fender's Custom Telecaster 1959 - 1966
Fender's Custom Telecaster model came about in the late 1950s in an attempt to attract some electric guitar market share away from its largest competitor. To accomplish this, Fender took...
The Fender Stratocaster in 1959: Price and Features
The Fender Stratocaster in 1959: Price and Features To this guitar collector, Fender Stratocasters from 1959 are the absolute top of the heap! It's amazing to see the meteoric rise...
Vintage Gibson Lefty Guitar: 1964 ES-330 Cherry Red with Diamonds!
Check out this awesome vintage 1964 Gibson ES-330 in original Cherry Red finish in rare left handed version with diamonds on the upper bouts! I was thrilled to buy this...
1958 Gibson Les Paul Custom with two humbucking pickups!
I purchased this 1958 Gibson Les Paul Custom in very rare two humbucking pickup variation from its sole owner since the early 1960s! It may look like a typical late...
Roy Lanham's 1957 Fender Stratocaster Red with Gold Anodized Aluminum Pickguard
One thing that's remained constant over the past 15 years of buying vintage guitars is that it's impossible to predict what might surface next. This rare Fender Stratocaster, custom made...