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1966 Fender Marauder field test prototype guitar in Sunburst finish with slant frets. This image shows a real original vintage example of the type II Marauder.

Unmasking the Marauder: Fender's Flagship Prototype That Never Was

If you've spent time looking through Fender's catalog from 1965, then you may have come across a strange listing at the top of the price list: "MARAUDER GUITAR with tremolo,...
This image shows the body of a 1956 Gibson Les Paul Standard goldtop guitar. This page contains information about the history and value of these guitars.

1956 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop History and Value

1956 Gibson Les Paul Standard: Almost the pinnacle of the Les Paul While only four years into the run of the Les Paul model, the tweaks Gibson made to the...
1963 Fender Stratocaster with Burgundy Mist finish, mint green pickguard, clay dots, and veneer Rosewood fretboard

Everything You Need to Know About the 1963 Fender Stratocaster: Features, Value, and How to Sell Yours

The Fender Stratocaster made in 1963 is among my favorite vintage guitars ever made because of its value, tone, and original design. The Stratocaster model was only 9 years old in...
Fender Stratocasters: Better with a Hardtail?

Fender Stratocasters: Better with a Hardtail?

There is something different about a Fender Stratocaster that's been lovingly played and cherished for half a century. My favorite Stratocaster we've been fortunate enough to have in the shop this year, and frankly one of my favorite guitars of all time was a 1960 Fender Stratocaster in sunburst. Sounds boring right? Well, this Strat has a trick up its sleeve. It left the factory with a "Hardtail" configuration. 

How to sell vintage Fender and Gibson guitars for the best price

How To Sell A Vintage Guitar For The Best Price

Here are 4 simple tips to follow for how to sell a vintage guitar for the the best price. After 15 years of selling a couple of million dollars of...
1962 Gibson SG Special Cherry front of body, fretboard, p90 pickups, bridge, tremolo, controls

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...
1959 Fender Telecaster Custom from first batch of production

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 Gibson Les Paul guitars

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...
How to find the value of a Fender Stratocaster, appraisal, and pricing

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...
Gibson ES-355 1959 vintage original guitar with Cherry Red finish, mono output, and side pull vibrola in original brown and pink case

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 1950s

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 Stratocaster year, how many were made, how much did it cost? 1957 Fender Stratocaster

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...