Birmingham, Alabama

True Vintage Guitar

Vintage Guitar Buyer | Seller | Collector

Buy or sell your guitar with confidence at True Vintage Guitar

About Us - True Vintage Guitar

Welcome to the new home of True Vintage Guitar! Where every guitar and amplifier is thoughtfully chosen, inspected, cleaned, set up, photographed, and described by me. My name is John Shults; I'm happy you've landed on this page of my website. Whether you're here to buy, sell, or just check out the fresh vintage guitar and amplifier inventory, I'm happy you've dropped by. If you're here, then we share a mutual love of old electric and acoustic guitars, gear, and the stories they carry. 

Check out John's interview about vintage guitar collecting with Guitar Magazine: The Thrill of the Chase

Or check out John's interview with Tony Bacon for Reverb: The Guitar Safari Champion.

Podcast listeners can check out the podcast I recorded with Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal here: Fretboard Journal Podcast with John

History of True Vintage Guitar

True Vintage Guitar began in a dorm room more than a decade ago, when a curious college student peered into the rabbit hole of vintage collectible instruments and fell in head first. It was my hobby for five years: searching out interesting guitars and stories while also working full time.  In 2014, I decided to venture full time into this wild west of an industry, and I haven’t looked back since. 

True Vintage Guitar Reviews & Feedback

True Vintage Guitar Reviews and feedback

(click here to read my reviews on Google)

I'm lucky to have customers who take the time to leave feedback on their experience either selling to True Vintage Guitar or buying from TVG. Here are a few examples of feedback that I'm very honored to have received. This is the type of service I'd like to provide to you when I buy or sell vintage guitars:

From Ray after I bought his grandfather's 1935 Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe guitar: "I found John on Instagram. I was thinking of selling a vintage guitar that I had from my father. Once I sent him a message he was extremely polite and very responsive. I can say that not only did he make me comfortable and he was trustworthy, he was super knowledgeable. He answered all my questions and was honest and open about everything. I can tell right away that he’s very passionate about his work and love for vintage guitars. He took care of all the shipping info and packaging. It couldn’t have been easier. I would give him a 10 star rating if I could. I’m also happy to say I met a new friend. Thank John." Thank you Ray! I'm very proud to have this one!

From Mike after he purchased a 1970 Gibson Crest guitar: "I had a great time talking and learning more about Gibson guitars. Very easy to understand it was obviously a passion with him dealing in vintage guitars. I would recommend to anyone researching his instruments and put them at ease buying one. He shipped my guitar quickly and fully protected in shipping box. I feel like I have a new friend, although we’ve never met."  Great to meet you too Mike! Enjoy that Gibson!

From Andy after I purchased his grandfather's 1954 Gibson Les Paul Model goldtop guitar: "I had the pleasure of meeting John at True Vintage Guitar (on the phone and then in person) when he appraised a guitar of mine. His shop came really well recommended online and it didn't take long to see why : ) He was not only professional, but obviously passionate about guitars and it showed in his awesome customer service. He was a really fun, pleasant guy to chat with and I can't recommend working with him enough. I don't normally leave online reviews, but he definitely earned this exception : )"  I had the trip of a lifetime flying out to meet you and buy your vintage Gibson Les Paul. Thank you Andy!

Buying from True Vintage Guitar

I've tailored my online listings to show every bit of information I think you'll need to make an informed decision about your purchase. Curiosities and questions are welcome. Every purchase comes with a 48 hour approval period with no restocking fee. 

Selling to True Vintage Guitar

After more than 10 years of buying vintage guitars, I am confident that the best deals are ones where both parties in the transaction operate from the same information. I want you to be fully informed about what it is that you're selling before we attempt to come to a price that works for both of us. Instruments often carry important legacies, and I want to do my best to honor those stories. 


Click here to learn more about selling a guitar to True Vintage Guitars.

True Vintage Guitar Clients