Vintage vs. New Acoustic Guitars (No-brainer Choice?) ★ Acoustic Tuesday 276

Which is better to buy: vintage guitars or new guitars? While it might seem obvious to some, you can evaluate the strengths and weaknesses on an 8-point rubric. And when you walk it through these considerations, you might be shocked at the results.

Figuring our whether a vintage or new acoustic guitar is right for you can be as standardized as you want it to be. You can go by feel, you can do a pros and cons list, or you can borrow my 8-point guide to determine your direction.

I get asked all the time which is a better purchase: vintage or new. It truly depends on what you're looking for. There are some broad generalizations you can make, but if you like a guitar even though it's outside of your preconceived idea of what you should purchase, don't feel limited.

Vintage guitars have tons of strengths, some that, in your mind, may outweigh all of the strengths of buying a new guitar. Whichever decision you think is right is the important one. If you disagree with my rubric, that's totally fine. I invite you to share yours in the comments and let people know how your rubric worked for you!

Featured in this episode...

#acousticguitar #buyingguide
00:00 - Intro
02:00 - Tone
03:30 - Cost
4:44 - Resale
06:07 - Availability
08:55 - Mojo
11:40 - Consistency
15:56 - Acoustic Guitar News pt. 1
22:26 - Comment Roundup
33:20 - TAC Guitar Lick Challenge
38:31 - Acoustic Guitar News pt. 2

[texhaines]

I had learned some guitar 50 years ago and played for Church and other events throughout the years. I played for Dad's retirement community, but I knew I needed a regular practice when COVID shutdown came. I joined Tony's Acoustic Challenge. For awhile, I didn't know how to incorporate what I was l learning into what I play. These Tuesday sessions help introduce some of the lessons into what I sing. I always have that thought, "I'm not that good ". Until I hear the folks singing along.

[grasscreekbank]

I really enjoy playing a new guitar and listening to it come to life as time moves along. The vintage someone else had the fun.

[anitakelling]

My husband and I have quite a mix of guitars both new and vintage. We do a story about a vintage guitar acquisition that speaks to responsibility of owning a vintage instrument. A friend of our had a relative that purchased a house that had a bunch of stuff in it. One of the things was a probable late 1960s Gibson B-45 12 string. He didn't play and knew we did so offered it to us for a song because it had so much repair needed to make it playable again. We decided that this guitar was a rescue. It was so pretty and the previous owner must have used it as a decoration? It didn't have a case, the neck needed to be reset, the bridge was pulling up, there were loose braces and it had a small crack in the face. There were also some minor hardware issues on top of that. We have a great repair shop in our area (Saint Paul Guitar Repair -Ron, Mish, and Kevin are the absolute best) and Ron did the work that made this guitar come alive again. It is the sweetest sounding 12 string I have ever heard. It now has a case, a humidification system, and players that play it almost every day. And still, it is stressful owning this gem. Knowing how much work and money that went into this guitar, I am a little neurotic about its care.

[franknelsen]

Thanks, Tony, for the inspiration you provide! Your positive affirmations and genuine encouragement is unmatched online. Guitar is not a hobby, it is a lifestyle. Playing, learning, listening, researching, and discussing are all part of the fascinating journey. Modern or vintage? I say the answer is yes. See you next Tuesday.

[markhale]

You also have to remember that your new guitar, depending on make and model, will eventually become a vintage instrument. Just look after it, but more than anything, use it !! Thanks for a great subject.

[steviegenoski]

Day 8 in 30 2 play and I am slowly making progress. I'm putting in the time and have been consistent and persistent. My fingers don't want to do what I'm asking them to but it's getting better. I'll post a video of day1 and day 30 when I get there. I've also been logging my practice time and will show that as well.
I learned and practiced chords before I started TAC so week 2 should go well.

[PlayCountryBlues]

Any guitar, new or old, will only ever sound like you. Instruments can only reflect the player.

[whitfield]

15:52 I have my grandfather’s 1939 Gibson J35. I learned on it (he passed when I was only in 2nd grade). It sings from every part of itself. Glad I have new guitars - I can break them in and play less gingerly. My current favorite is a new Martin 000-10E JR Shawn Mendes. Check it out! All solid wood (sustainably sourced) and so comfortable. It rings and spanks. I turn to it while my GS Mini-e R is being neglected.

[jed]

Re: vintage guitars have better tone…Yes, I agree, because they certainly open open. My examples are that my 2012 Takamine P4DC, already sounded noticeably better, after only 10 years of play. And, will continue to improve in tone!

Versus: My 2022 RainSong carbon fiber Jumbo, which sounded great out of the box, and always will! But, it will NEVER sound better than it did on day one, because it will never open up! It is a perfect professional tool, but it is not going to improve with age / playing time…my luthier called it, “a perfect hammer”, and I agree. Recently, I added an inexpensive, ($569), solid spruce topped Alvarez 8 string Grand Auditorium, standard scale that I love playing, because it sounds really cool, and it is great fun! I know it will never increase in value, but I am really looking forward to it improving in tone as it gets more playing time.

As for other playing my guitars, ESSENTIAL! A guitar becomes the sum total of all the players that play it. I always let other play my guitars at gigs or open mics… I am want all the mojo I can get from others! And guitars are meant to be shared! A friend who was really intrigued by the Alvarez 8 string, was actually the first to play it on stage! He was on an open mic list in front on me, so I asked him if he would do the honors of christening it, and he agreed. It sounded great, and many other regulars at this open mic have played the Alvarez, as well as my RainSong.

And, Quinton King, was actually the first to play my RainSong, as he and Paul, from Music Villa, shot a video with it OUTSIDE in the Bozeman winter at 0 degrees Fahrenheit! I often think of that video, and am glad to have Quinton’s mojo in my RainSong!

[gillyOO]

RIP the roundman. Sad to hear will be missed on music ranch radio in Red Lodge MT. He told me about your guitar lessons when I was there for the singer song writer fest.

[kenbink]

Tony do a show on your guitarsenal, please!

[markmaris]

I inherited a 1945 vintage Gibson J45 from my late father-in-law. I had it repaired and setup by a local luthier, and it is a gorgeous instrument. No modern J45 sounds anywhere close. I have a LR Baggs M1 pickup installed, and the result is wonderful. I play it every day and consider myself extremely privileged. New instruments are certainly great; however, the old ones are (occasionally) truly amazing.

[TommySG]

Hey Tony,
First off thanks for sharing and answering my comment man 🤙
Many moons ago ( late 70’s early 80’s ) I used to play a lot of ice hockey and even roller hockey too, I loved hockey…watching it and playing it! ( I was and still am a huge Islander fan and man were they good in that time era! ) Sadly it was kind of expensive here in New York and there was a lot of travel. My family wasn’t well off by any means too so my dad had to take any overtime he could. The hockey dreams for me never came to be although I never played at the level you did either Tony.
On a side note, I am a lifetime Tac member and I look forward to all your lessons each and everyday man. I think the lifetime membership plan is the best deal on earth for the casual player that just wants to improve and play around a campfire 🔥 or simply strum some blues on the couch 🤟
Thanks!

[colakeith]

Being a lefty. Finding a "vintage" guitar is even more harrowing than searching for a new or a slightly used guitar in 1983 while in college I found a new "law suit" (Martin clone)Takamine that was wonderful. But it was a righty. The store I bought it from had a local luthier set it up for me and I am still playing it 40 years later. Sweeter than ever and it's own tone. I also own a 2011 50th Anniversary Martin D-16GTL. I bought it new as well. It is and was always a cannon. I was able to add a LR Baggs Lyric and changed the nut and saddle to bone. After 12 years the sound is opening and a warmth is wonderful. I play both while the D-16 really gets a workout now. Played on stage with both as well studio(D-16 in the studio this past weekend) What I want to say is that there is something to think about growing and developing you sound and finding your OWN vintage tone. I like both new and vintage. Both have their pros and cons.

[DaveDiprose]

I had a 1935 D18 for about 10 years and sold it in 1995 as it had lots of problems that repair guys didn't want to touch. It had great mojo (cigarette burns, repertoire scratched in the back) but playability was poor and eventually a problem - I cried when I sold it. Currently I have a 2012 Martin D18 Authentic 1937 that I bought 2nd hand 5 years ago. I've played the hell out of it and love it - it's the best guitar I've ever owned and it's on it's way to being a vintage. However, I can replace it at a pinch, they are around (maybe not exectly plentiful). I'm sure that Martin's Authentic Series will be highly collectable in 40 years or so (maybe less).

[cph_Chris]

I buy more new guitars than vintage although I wouldn’t shy away from a good vintage find. I have an Alvarez-Yairi Double neck from 1981 that I bought used & it has more than tripled in value. Not one I’d take out for gigging, but I love the aged tone & like to experiment with recording with it.

[robertnewell]

A great issue from you. Guitars - on the matter of playability/tweakability, this is not JUST a win for new guitars but any change you make to a vintage guitar will likely decrease its value also. The section on mojo was incomprehensible to me (although brilliantly done by you!) - everything you described was either a) tone or b) 'I like that this is old'. Finally on this, back with cost. You need a lot of money to get a vintage guitar that wins in terms of tone and playability over a new one. I did a load of Xmas songs to play out then was ill over the Yuletide. Riddy's song was great, and reminded me of Taylor's 'Christmases when you were mine', which you can also play anytime. Never heard of Pegleg, but I bet the Band did when they recorded 'Apple suckling tree!'. Thanks again

[batman]

I remember when you got that 0-17. That fact it wasn’t a case Queen made it easy to put a pickup in it. It probably added value vs taking value away.

I ve played very old guitars but I prefer new guitars. The reason is price, great quality, and just awesome sounding!

[davidarvisu]

Depends. I got a new Lowden (WL) and it's my favorite. But I also found a great deal on a used Lowden (O) and it had all kinds of dings and scratches on it and it plays like a dream. Just depends on preference, I love both of them for different reasons!