My son inherited a '67 J45 from his maternal grandfather. I have a special love for this guitar, as this man and i sang together for years, from the time i was a kid, he playing the J45, and me on my gibson dove copy and singing harmony. It is the most amazing guitar I've ever had in my hands, and I've been playing for over 40 years! I'm glad you put the J45 in the list. And your right... Nothing else in the world sounds like a J45!
Alex, I just wanted to tell you what a pleasure it was to meet you yesterday at the Carolina Guitar Show in Asheville… I appreciate the time you took looking at my T-60… I ultimately decided that it was worth more to me staying a part of my collection rather than flipping or selling… I met some fellows from Columbia SC that are T-60 collectors and their knowledge and sincerity (as well as yours) really went a long way to helping me make my decision. I feel that these are on the brink of becoming super collectible (at least the ones like mine in a rare finish and in really fine condition). Many of the dealers liked the guitar and before we had lunch, we put it back in the truck to take it home. It’s satisfying to me seeing a younger version of myself (I started buying, flipping, and collecting guitars in the mid 70’s while on the road making a living playing music) and it makes me feel the future of vintage guitars and gear is in a good place! I hope to see you at Nashville! Mike Ward
I think it would be very interesting and helpful to know all the different meanings between crafted in Japan, and made in Japan and other stuff Japan. Good video thank you.
As a common working man, I can't afford even any of those. I been buying any great condition Sire guitars and Samack, they are clearly extremely well made, reasonable and I think are future SLEEPERS that will increase as musicians see how good they are 😊
Thank for sharing, Alex. The advice on MusicMan is very wise. What do you think about vintage Hofner solidbodies, still under the radar price wise but I see more and more players begin to appreciate them
My #1 pick is (and I hate myself for telling people bcuz there will be less for me) is the first year 1966 Fender Coronado II in custom colors with matching headstock. The ones with checkerboard binding and the chrome covered pickups without the rubber on the outside of them. They’re hollow thinline like fender tried to make a more premium es-330/Casino. The reasons? On a strap the body seems to disappear and you feel like you’re playing a more premium and lighter vintage strat. Mine weighs like 5lbs, it has brazilian rosewood fretboard, bound neck, block mother of pearl inlaysc and my favorite neck pickup on planet earth. They’re also really cool and unique. People always ask what it is and compliment it. I’ve heard more than a few comments like “that’s the prettiest sounding electric I’ve ever heard”. Nobody seems to care to buy them or shop for them. I found a super clean candy apple red ‘66 with clean checkerboard binding and matching headstock that spent 57 years in it’s case under a bed, they took $1500 for it. I almost feel bad for them. #2 early 1990’s Gibson Firebird V’s. Specifically 1991-1992ish. Fn incredible guitars that are custom shop without the custom shop price. I picked up maybe the cleanest existing 1 of 200 Firebird V Celebrity edition and it’s the coolest looking guitar I’ve ever seen, and it resonates more than any solidbody I ever played. And they’re real A5 firebird pickups despite being listed often online as mini humbuckers. I ended up trading a custom shop strat that I got used for 2700 for a 1 of 200 2018 Memphis es-335 70’s walnut, and traded that for my Celebrity Firebird. The ones I see on Ebay for 5-6k aren’t as clean as mine. But the celebritys are hard to find good deals on. However you can get a steal of a deal on a white or black early 90’s Firebird V for 2k-3k, which seems pricey but in my experience the early 90’s firebirds are some of the best firebirds they ever made from any year. #3 1970’s SG Standard and Specials. You can get a badass walnut 70’s SG Standard with bound neck etc for 2k #4 I’ve only seen 2 of them including mine, but I found a (before they were teisco) a 1966 Howard Solid body electric baritone. Mines white and is like the upscale version. They look like a mix between an SG and a Strat, and it has a brazilian rosewood fretboard, and 4 giant single coil pickups with individual on/off switches. My favorite part is the headstock doesn’t say anything on it other than Howard. Cracks me up every time. But howie does a beefy if john mayer was a giant kind of tone. I got it for fn $500 and it has a sexy super figured Brazilian slab board on what’s essentially a giant strat neck. But there’s so many cool 1960’s japanese guitars that are fancy af and unique to be had for great deals. #5 these are a bit more expensive- but I’m including them because of what you’re getting for your money. Like 1966-1969 Martin D28 or D35’s. You might pay 5-8k but you’re getting a vintage martin with Brazilian rosewood back and sides etc for that kind of price. And I don’t wanna guess at what those are gonna be worth in 10 years… Bonus: mid-late 60’s Gibson Hummingbirds. A lot of people post them for ridiculous prices on reverb, but if you’re willing to watch the listings and dicker with people till you find somebody who needs to sell it- you can get yourself a late 60’s hummingbird with Keef drip for not much more than a new Hummingbird. Extra bonus: 2005-2007 Martin JC-16RE Aura. Made in Nazareth PA, solid sitka spruce top, solid east indian rosewood back and sides, ebony fretboard and bridge, mohogany neck, gloss nitro finish. They’re all broken in at this point. Mine is the best sounding acoustic I’ve ever heard and booms over dreads with lows but the highs meld into a stew that has to be heard to be believed. I got mine lovingly road worn and used for 1400. The best sounding overall acoustic I ever played, and the cutaway and electronics are fantastic. It does the martin thing we all imagine martins doing.
Would love to see a video about Japanese Fenders, in fact would love to see a video about Japanese 'lawsuit' Les Pauls - I have a couple of Burny ones from the '90s, so not vintage yet! 😁
Great presentation. I have had most vintage equipment and your videos are accurate. I always sell to other musicians usually under what i paid. Thanks again
I love my J45, she is a 1961. People complain about the bridge, but on my Susan the intonation is on to the 12th fret. I also play an ES125 from 1952. It plays like a dream. The frets are drawn on with magic marker, but it is so comfortable and the sound is awesome though a GA5 Skylark or Epiphone Pacemaker
Does the MIJ include Squier from the early 80’s? I just picked up a 1985-86 Squier A series 3 bolt neck strat. I love it. Plays perfect and sounds unbelievable! Would love to see a vid on early MIJ JV, SQ and A prefix series Strats from Fender and Squier!
I can’t handle the narrow nut on the post-1956 J-45s. I have a ‘56. Amazing bold tone. Huge dynamic rage. Perfect balance and intonation. But a lot of electric players like the narrow but.
I agree SG Juniors are such a value. I particular like 63 and 64 Juniors as the necks start to get a little bigger and the tailpiece/bridge is situated straight across making it easier to throw on a modern compensated repro for proper intonation. Plus you can get them without the clumsy trem systems that don't stay in tune.
Good video Alex . I got over vintage instruments though after seeing so many that have been fuckered-with by amateurs . I'm also a little OCD about hygiene - I'm not interested in other people's sweat , spit , and finger smegma thank you . New and recent guitars are made to a very high standard , and the cost is reasonable compared to the older stuff . Music Man in particular stand out for me . A pro-quality instrument that's dead right straight out of the box
Id love a video on MIJ vs CIJ guitars. I have a Fender Japan Hybrid tele. Its cool because its got the old bridge but a more modern neck. I had a 52RI and it was a great guitar but the frets felt tiny.
I definitely foresee the good examples going up in value! They’re a bit better known now than they used to be, but I see the interest growing in the coming years
Couldn’t help but keep laughing as this video went on and each pick was something I own/love/agree on. 1962 J50 I bought with a horrible headstock repair for $800 and had fixed 1962 SG Jr refinished? In its original white. Bought every pre 65 Jr on the guitar center website that was under $2k and this was the one I kept. Said repaired headstock but even with black light I’ve never found evidence of it 🤷🏻♂️ $900! 1987 Squire Japan strat. One of my first electrics, given to me by some girl who hated her ex BF and gave away his guitar 😂
Rather niche, but I think Micro Frets instruments are rather undervalued. Made in Maryland they're a funky twist of Fender-meets-Rickenbacker build style, very high quality. I'm also a sucker for Danelectro guitars, the vintage ones are a little overpriced at the moment but it looks like prices are dipping back down.
Would definitely love to see a video on MIJ vs CIJ.
My son inherited a '67 J45 from his maternal grandfather. I have a special love for this guitar, as this man and i sang together for years, from the time i was a kid, he playing the J45, and me on my gibson dove copy and singing harmony. It is the most amazing guitar I've ever had in my hands, and I've been playing for over 40 years! I'm glad you put the J45 in the list. And your right... Nothing else in the world sounds like a J45!
Alex, I just wanted to tell you what a pleasure it was to meet you yesterday at the Carolina Guitar Show in Asheville… I appreciate the time you took looking at my T-60… I ultimately decided that it was worth more to me staying a part of my collection rather than flipping or selling… I met some fellows from Columbia SC that are T-60 collectors and their knowledge and sincerity (as well as yours) really went a long way to helping me make my decision. I feel that these are on the brink of becoming super collectible (at least the ones like mine in a rare finish and in really fine condition). Many of the dealers liked the guitar and before we had lunch, we put it back in the truck to take it home. It’s satisfying to me seeing a younger version of myself (I started buying, flipping, and collecting guitars in the mid 70’s while on the road making a living playing music) and it makes me feel the future of vintage guitars and gear is in a good place! I hope to see you at Nashville!
Mike Ward
I’d like to submit late 70s Guild S-300D. Made in USA. Excellent quality. Ebony board, great electronics. Absolute sleepers at ~$1-2K.
Nasty lookin though
I think it would be very interesting and helpful to know all the different meanings between crafted in Japan, and made in Japan and other stuff Japan. Good video thank you.
Hey Alex
Nice playing.
What strings are you setup with on the J-45 in your demo? Sounds awesome.
Thanks 🙏
As a common working man, I can't afford even any of those. I been buying any great condition Sire guitars and Samack, they are clearly extremely well made, reasonable and I think are future SLEEPERS that will increase as musicians see how good they are 😊
Thank for sharing, Alex. The advice on MusicMan is very wise. What do you think about vintage Hofner solidbodies, still under the radar price wise but I see more and more players begin to appreciate them
My #1 pick is (and I hate myself for telling people bcuz there will be less for me) is the first year 1966 Fender Coronado II in custom colors with matching headstock. The ones with checkerboard binding and the chrome covered pickups without the rubber on the outside of them. They’re hollow thinline like fender tried to make a more premium es-330/Casino.
The reasons? On a strap the body seems to disappear and you feel like you’re playing a more premium and lighter vintage strat. Mine weighs like 5lbs, it has brazilian rosewood fretboard, bound neck, block mother of pearl inlaysc and my favorite neck pickup on planet earth. They’re also really cool and unique. People always ask what it is and compliment it. I’ve heard more than a few comments like “that’s the prettiest sounding electric I’ve ever heard”.
Nobody seems to care to buy them or shop for them. I found a super clean candy apple red ‘66 with clean checkerboard binding and matching headstock that spent 57 years in it’s case under a bed, they took $1500 for it. I almost feel bad for them.
#2 early 1990’s Gibson Firebird V’s.
Specifically 1991-1992ish. Fn incredible guitars that are custom shop without the custom shop price. I picked up maybe the cleanest existing 1 of 200 Firebird V Celebrity edition and it’s the coolest looking guitar I’ve ever seen, and it resonates more than any solidbody I ever played. And they’re real A5 firebird pickups despite being listed often online as mini humbuckers. I ended up trading a custom shop strat that I got used for 2700 for a 1 of 200 2018 Memphis es-335 70’s walnut, and traded that for my Celebrity Firebird. The ones I see on Ebay for 5-6k aren’t as clean as mine. But the celebritys are hard to find good deals on. However you can get a steal of a deal on a white or black early 90’s Firebird V for 2k-3k, which seems pricey but in my experience the early 90’s firebirds are some of the best firebirds they ever made from any year.
#3 1970’s SG Standard and Specials. You can get a badass walnut 70’s SG Standard with bound neck etc for 2k
#4 I’ve only seen 2 of them including mine, but I found a (before they were teisco) a 1966 Howard Solid body electric baritone. Mines white and is like the upscale version. They look like a mix between an SG and a Strat, and it has a brazilian rosewood fretboard, and 4 giant single coil pickups with individual on/off switches. My favorite part is the headstock doesn’t say anything on it other than Howard. Cracks me up every time. But howie does a beefy if john mayer was a giant kind of tone. I got it for fn $500 and it has a sexy super figured Brazilian slab board on what’s essentially a giant strat neck. But there’s so many cool 1960’s japanese guitars that are fancy af and unique to be had for great deals.
#5 these are a bit more expensive- but I’m including them because of what you’re getting for your money. Like 1966-1969 Martin D28 or D35’s. You might pay 5-8k but you’re getting a vintage martin with Brazilian rosewood back and sides etc for that kind of price. And I don’t wanna guess at what those are gonna be worth in 10 years…
Bonus: mid-late 60’s Gibson Hummingbirds. A lot of people post them for ridiculous prices on reverb, but if you’re willing to watch the listings and dicker with people till you find somebody who needs to sell it- you can get yourself a late 60’s hummingbird with Keef drip for not much more than a new Hummingbird.
Extra bonus: 2005-2007 Martin JC-16RE Aura. Made in Nazareth PA, solid sitka spruce top, solid east indian rosewood back and sides, ebony fretboard and bridge, mohogany neck, gloss nitro finish. They’re all broken in at this point. Mine is the best sounding acoustic I’ve ever heard and booms over dreads with lows but the highs meld into a stew that has to be heard to be believed. I got mine lovingly road worn and used for 1400. The best sounding overall acoustic I ever played, and the cutaway and electronics are fantastic. It does the martin thing we all imagine martins doing.
Love it, I'll keep my eyes out for those MIJs
yes please on that MIJ CIJ vid!!
Would love to see a video about Japanese Fenders, in fact would love to see a video about Japanese 'lawsuit' Les Pauls - I have a couple of Burny ones from the '90s, so not vintage yet! 😁
Great post please do that Japan video we don’t see many older models here in the uk 👍👍
Great presentation. I have had most vintage equipment and your videos are accurate. I always sell to other musicians usually under what i paid. Thanks again
I love my J45, she is a 1961. People complain about the bridge, but on my Susan the intonation is on to the 12th fret. I also play an ES125 from 1952. It plays like a dream. The frets are drawn on with magic marker, but it is so comfortable and the sound is awesome though a GA5 Skylark or Epiphone Pacemaker
Thanks Alex, great video! Speaking of the Japan market, I really love the 70's Greco Super Sounds Strats as well - just incredible guitars!
Does the MIJ include Squier from the early 80’s? I just picked up a 1985-86 Squier A series 3 bolt neck strat. I love it. Plays perfect and sounds unbelievable! Would love to see a vid on early MIJ JV, SQ and A prefix series Strats from Fender and Squier!
I can’t handle the narrow nut on the post-1956 J-45s. I have a ‘56. Amazing bold tone. Huge dynamic rage. Perfect balance and intonation. But a lot of electric players like the narrow but.
I agree SG Juniors are such a value. I particular like 63 and 64 Juniors as the necks start to get a little bigger and the tailpiece/bridge is situated straight across making it easier to throw on a modern compensated repro for proper intonation. Plus you can get them without the clumsy trem systems that don't stay in tune.
Would love a video explaining the MIJ vs CIJ guitars. Cause I've personally been confused on this topic
This was great fun. Thanks so much. I hope to get to your shop someday.
Thank you so much!!
What about that MIJ with the black headstock? The ones with the boat anchor bridges 1982- 1986? I have 3 of them in yellowish pearl-looking finishes.
My MIJ Fender Strat has a E serial number. Beautiful guitar
Any knowledge about Japapanese fenders is greatly appreciated
Would love to make more videos about Fender Japan 🇯🇵
Check out Mike And Mike's Guitar Bar here on YT....Mike has a real passion and lots of vids about Fender Japan.
Please do a Japan series they're very mysterious built well we all wonder why.
Fender Strats from circa 1989 were selling at that time for $399. Also I believe they were being made by Ibanez, also that was 399cdn
70’s Guild S-100. You can still find an original very close to the price of the Kim Thayil signaturr. Great quality player as well
Good video Alex . I got over vintage instruments though after seeing so many that have been fuckered-with by amateurs . I'm also a little OCD about hygiene - I'm not interested in other people's sweat , spit , and finger smegma thank you . New and recent guitars are made to a very high standard , and the cost is reasonable compared to the older stuff . Music Man in particular stand out for me . A pro-quality instrument that's dead right straight out of the box
Gibson 1954 j160e first year model is really cool. I have my dad's from that year.
Love your output
Id love a video on MIJ vs CIJ guitars.
I have a Fender Japan Hybrid tele. Its cool because its got the old bridge but a more modern neck. I had a 52RI and it was a great guitar but the frets felt tiny.
I would also say vintage fender coronado IIs. Still can Find them in the 2-3 range.
Dean Balin played a Music Man Sabre through a Twin on "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)". I always thought that tone was fantastic.
Yes, please. MIJ vs CIJ video. I love my MIJ 72 reissue
Epiphones from the 60s Coronet, Olympic, Wiltshire. They are excellent guitars
I have a 1955 gibson acoustic how do I find out what it worth
What a fantastic video have a wonderful weekend Alex ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊
Mid to late 60's Gibson ES 330s seem too not be ridiculously spendy yet. They are getting popular though so not sure if that will last.
Better get those Greco late 70s early 80s Speedways , GOs and Boogies cos the prices are still reasonable for a little while. Excellent guitars.
1968 j-50 instrument 10/10 Sound that cannot be match by junk today.
What about the 80s Japanese guitars? What are Greco,Tolkai etc. Where are they now and where will they go?
I definitely foresee the good examples going up in value! They’re a bit better known now than they used to be, but I see the interest growing in the coming years
What do you think about the real high end MIJ vintage (late 70s early 80s) Les Paul clones by Tokai, Greco, Burny?
Absolutely love them! Always try to keep a choice selection of them at the shop!
I have a 85 made in japan strat I bought new, i would love more info on mij fender's!
That’s awesome!!
Couldn’t help but keep laughing as this video went on and each pick was something I own/love/agree on.
1962 J50 I bought with a horrible headstock repair for $800 and had fixed
1962 SG Jr refinished? In its original white. Bought every pre 65 Jr on the guitar center website that was under $2k and this was the one I kept. Said repaired headstock but even with black light I’ve never found evidence of it 🤷🏻♂️ $900!
1987 Squire Japan strat. One of my first electrics, given to me by some girl who hated her ex BF and gave away his guitar 😂
Number 6 is a Greco Explorer Bass yes or yes?
Yes!!
Gurian J-M 1978 ??
Rather niche, but I think Micro Frets instruments are rather undervalued. Made in Maryland they're a funky twist of Fender-meets-Rickenbacker build style, very high quality.
I'm also a sucker for Danelectro guitars, the vintage ones are a little overpriced at the moment but it looks like prices are dipping back down.
We hear about Micro Fret guitars from time to time, but I’ve never got into them much. I do love Danelectros! (Especially the baritones!)
80’s USA made peavey’s are still very affordable and play great.
Nice tip about Music Man! Would love to hear about more non-Fender/Gibson guitars!
March8???? Wtf how about now
NOW IS THE TIME!
Also it’s fridayyyyyyy lfg
You knowwww
A Vintage guitar isn’t considered by age