How to Invest in Electric Guitars
- 1). Shop for the two big names. Of all the brands, Fender and Gibson guitars have the richest history and widest market appeal. In fact, Stratocasters and Les Pauls have practically defined rock and roll music for over a half century, and more famous musicians have wowed audiences with these instruments than with all other brands combined.
- 2). Look for top models such as the '59 Gibson Sunburst Les Paul Standard, the '54 Fender Stratocaster and the '58 Gibson Explorers and Flying V's. Original instruments in mint condition are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- 3). Search for guitars that have been previously owned by famous musicians. Any guitar that has been played by Jimmy Page, set on fire by Jimi Hendrix or swung overhead and slammed into an amplifier by Pete Townshend will fetch top dollar. Guitars owned by Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton have sold for over one million dollars at auction.
- 4). Keep an eye out for rare and one-of-a-kind models. Some guitar manufacturers only produced limited editions of models with certain body styles or paint jobs, such as the Fender Broadcaster, which was quickly renamed the Telecaster. A one-of-a-kind guitar might also be one that was autographed by a famous player.
- 5). Consult collection guidebooks or online sources. These provide information and market values for thousands of instruments.
- 6). Visit auction houses, estate sales, eBay and pawn shops. You never know where you'll stumble across a rare or vintage instrument, and if you're lucky, you might get a good deal on a valuable instrument.