r/Vintageguitars

Ok internet! This is my grandfathers guitar. Its been around and part of my life as long as i can remember. I really don't know anything about it. Mom says it may be a L1 but we don't know. It's not in the best shape but for being about 100 years old i think its in good shape. I know way too little and have way to many questions to ask any of them. Figured i would just post this hear and see what people have to say. For the past 10 years or so ive been wanting to bring it to a professional, get a estimate on restoration, an apraseale, etc. Unfortunately ive been borderline homeless for longer than that and its just something i can't do. I do not wish to ever sell this guitar and it means a lot to me. What do you guys think? Will it ever play again? It doesn't have a trus rod and hasn't had strings on it in over 10 years. The strings it did have were loose and i cut them off when i was a teen. The case is some old fender case, any info on the case would be cool too.

Trying to find my first guitar from the mid-60s—bought new at a G.C. Murphy store in WV for ~$45. I lost it ~ 1974 - 1977. Details below are from memory. Image created based on what I could remember.

It was:
• Strat-style (normal shape, not weird)
• Bright emerald green / greenburst
• Matching green headstock
• White pickguard
• 2–3 pickups
• Tremolo
• Likely Japanese (maybe Teisco)
• Might have said “Telestar” on it (I also thought it might have been Silvertone, but I read that Sears sold them so maybe not).

I’ve found similar Teiscos but never this exact combo.

Has anyone seen one like this or own one? Would love to finally see it again.

I just picked up this little beauty from an estate auction. I think it was made by Regal? The only other Lyra I can find like it is on Jake Wildwood's website, but he had one just like it.

Can anyone tell me about these old Lyra's? I love the purfling and binding... The neck is bound too but those pieces have to be reattached. Not sure if the neck needs a reset. If so, will it be worth it? Age old question haha. I'd love to hear any thoughts! BTW it is small, body is about 15" long.

My older brother bought this in the early 80s and I had it restored in the mid 00’s.

Just wanted to share it here and see if anyone else (besides me) thinks it’s cool. I’m not looking to sell it since I consider it an art piece in my home but FWIW this is the original paint job from the “center stage” advert. I’ve googled around and I’ve never seen one in the OG color and in good condition.

Would be happy to hear your opinions about it and perhaps to see if it could be worth something.

Amazing sounding quite punchy mics, plays well if you’re not into ultra shredded fast stuff. Only tried it on my lil micro cube at home. Will test it on my deville 212 tomorrow with my percolator.

Found this beat up old guitar a while back. Body coming apart, knobs, inlay, and string pegs missing. I noticed a faint engraving on the back of the headstock "C.F. Martin Co Nazareth, P.a.", and decided to buy it.

Measurements consistent with a Martin 0-28 body type. Serial number 8176, so either built in or before 1898 (Last Serial number 8348).

Looking for any recommended luthiers or restorationists. Thanks!

I was guessing it's a late 1800s/early 1900s Stella, but I'm not sure. I've gotten some offers near $1k for it, but I have no idea if that is great or a lowball. Thank you!

Seller thought it is a 70s Aria but isn't sure. There is no label in the body or S/N. Made by Matsumoku I have searched for hours but haven't got anywhere.

So I picked up this guitar off FB for $200. I was told the guy bought it in the early 90's and it was a 70's Japanese lawsuit Fujigin. What do I have and is it worth anything? I did take the covers and pickups out and the wiring looks good and the pickups have Gibson usa on them both.The rod is held in by an akorn nut as well. No other markings except made in Japan on the neck plate. Any ideas? Thanks

Picked this up for a good deal today. Bass ist my primary instrument but i’ve been needing a reliable bass for tracking and this one sounds excellent. I have a memphis tele guitar so I already knew what i was getting into.

I purchased it directly from his tech for whom was his tech from the early to mid 70s. He started out as a tech in Detroit Michigan from late 66’-69’ when he was 15 fixing amps for The MC5 and stooges. He was a member of the historic radical white panther party as well. He began being a tech for Lee in late 69’ to about 73’ with in between periods of doing live sound in the Bay Area in California.

In 1970 he accounted that Van Morrison popped in the studio with this sorrento and gifted it to John Lee hooker later in the evening.

Robert who I got it from moved back to Detroit in the mid 70s and returned to California 78’ and started doing some work for John again and John gifted him the guitar.

This man I could talk to for hours, which I have over the span of the last few weeks. I’m trying to get him to write a book on his life because I’m telling you… the stories that he has are probably 20 movies. He was one of the LEADING members of the white panther party so he always had his head over his shoulder.

I look forward to getting to talk to him more in the future as I’m going to be helping him sell some of his gear just out of curiosity for his stories!

He also gifted me a Gibson guitar strap that belonged to Wayne Kramer!!!!!!!!!

New to me. Stoked.

Hey everyone! I picked up this guitar second-hand here in Italy and I'm not sure what model it is.

There are no markings or serial numbers on it at all, except for the brand name on the pickup which might have been added later...

Does anyone recognize it or have any idea what it might be?

Thanks! :)

Anybody who knows anything about this guitar? I bought it a while back and its just been sitting there. I have done some research on my own, but there’s not much I can find about this. From what I can find, I think it’s from the 70s maybe.

Any help in identifying this Ibanez I’m picking up tomorrow from marketplace sale would be amazing. I’ve looked through most of the early catalogs due to the rocker switches, tail piece and headstock decal being of the 60’s 70’s but I just can’t find it. Anyone run across this model ?

Picked this up 12 years ago and never really wanted to take it out on tour. Recently had it set up and restrung, and man, it plays great. The hardshell case is something else with the hand-painted Rolling Stones logo and an old sticker on top that I can’t really tell what it says. Would love to know the story behind whoever owned this before me.

Now I’m torn: keep it, or sell and put the money toward an old 60s Jazzmaster? Jazzmasters are what I take on tour. What would you do.

ETA: Guys, I know I should probably keep this. It’s really nice. But right now it’s either sitting in the case or just on display at home. I’m not going to use it live, it’s too fragile.I’m thinking maybe I could get, what, 8–9K? And put that toward a ’60s Jazzmaster I’d actually play on stage.

Also, it’d be pretty amazing to find out who owned it before and hear the story behind the case and that rolling stones logo.

1965 Epiphone century. Worked on in the 90s by George Gruhn, he mentioned in the letter than the refinish happened before he got to it. Originally it was likely cherry. Definitely a project guitar! Lollar pickup replaced the old one, wiring updated, tuners replaced back in the 70s. Not original by any means but the vintage bones are beautiful.