Simply wiping down a guitar may not get all the surface dirt. Try to figure out whether you’re dealing with something oil-based or water-based, as that could determine how you can best get it off. Use water-based cleansers for water-soluble dirt and grime. A few drops of dish detergent diluted in water may work. Dampen your cloth, and try not to get too much moisture on the guitar itself. Use cleansing oils and polishes to remove oil-based dirt. Don’t scrub the guitar, as you could damage the finish. This is especially important with older guitars. If you notice the finish starting to flake off, take the guitar to a luthier (someone who builds and fixes guitars) to get it cleaned, rather than trying to do it yourself.
Scratches and cracks don’t necessarily affect the playability of a guitar, but may affect its value. If the guitar’s body is cracked, or the finish is scratched or worn down, you may want to avoid using polishes to clean the surface any further. Take the guitar to a guitar repair shop and talk to a luthier – a professional who builds, restores, and repairs guitars. They will be able to help you choose the best method to clean the guitar.
Avoid using polish if the guitar’s finish has too many cracks or deep scratches. The polish may build up in the cracks and be difficult if not impossible to remove.
An old toothbrush, slightly damp, is ideal for cleaning gunk from off of and around the frets. Take care not to scrub too hard – you might scratch or damage the fingerboard.
Avoid replacing or repairing parts right away until you understand the value of the guitar. Generally, the guitar must be in playable condition, but before you start replacing hardware, you should have a better understanding of the age and value of the guitar.
If you’ve never replaced guitar strings before, it’s probably better if you take it to a guitar shop and get them to do it for you for a small fee. A friend who plays guitar may be willing to help you out for free.
New strings may have a hard time staying in tune at first. You can remedy this by stretching the strings several times. After tuning the guitar, stretch the strings again. You will then have to retune it. If you repeat this four to six times, you shouldn’t have a problem with the guitar staying in tune.
If you only have part of a name, you may want to compare the headstock to pictures of others to see if you can figure out the complete name. The maker’s name also may appear elsewhere on the instrument, such as inside the sound hole or on the back of the instrument. Once you know the name of the maker, you can check that guitar company’s website to find out how long they’ve been making guitars. This can give you a very vague idea of how old the guitar is. You may be able to compare the guitar you have to images online of guitars made in certain years by the same maker. This can give you a narrower range of years.
The guitar’s serial number also may give you a clue to its value. Generally speaking, a lower serial number (for example, “0001”) indicates an older guitar that will be worth more than one with a higher serial number (for example, “0987”). The lowest serial number, indicating the first guitar of that model produced, typically commands the highest price.
For some manufacturers, serial numbers overlapped in some decades, or were used for more than one type of guitar. If this is the case for your guitar, you’ll have to do a little more work to find out exactly how old it is.
There should be a date on the neck and a date on the body. If those two dates match up, that’s probably the exact date your guitar was built. If they don’t, it could indicate that the guitar’s neck was replaced at some point, or that the guitar was built from spare parts and is not an original build.
Going to an exclusive dealer of guitars of the same make as the one you’re trying to date may be your best bet. Staff there will have intimate knowledge of that particular guitar brand, and may recognize details others would not. Depending on what you’re told, you may want to take it to more than one expert – particularly if the first person who looks at it is unsure about their answer.
For example, if the guitar is heavy and the wood has a reddish hue and a tight grain, you may be looking at a Brazilian rosewood guitar, which could have a strong value. [12] X Research source Older guitars included trim and detail in ivory or tortoiseshell, neither of which are used in present-day guitar manufacturing. Ebony also is a rare material to be on the lookout for. Most guitars are made out of common woods such as maple or poplar. If you suspect your guitar is made of a rare wood or contains rare materials, take it to an expert who can properly identify the material as authentic.
However, if an old guitar is considered “player quality,” it can still fetch a good amount of money – it just won’t be worth as much as it would have been if everything was original. With some older guitars, finding one that’s all original is so rare that even one that’s been tinkered with somewhat over the years can still have a lot of value.
If you aren’t a guitarist, take the guitar to a place where guitarists frequent, such as an open mic night at a local café. Most guitarists are more than happy to check out a vintage guitar, especially one that you think might be worth some money. The better the guitar sounds, typically, the more it will be worth. There are some adjustments you can make, such as changing the strings, that will improve the guitar’s sound without detracting from its value.
You can find the Blue Book online and search it for free at bluebookofguitarvalues. com. Any value you find in the Blue Book or any of the other guides is merely a suggestion. Various characteristics of any individual guitar could cause its value to increase or decrease. For example, you may have a 50-year-old guitar in pristine condition that is still only worth a few thousand dollars. But the same guitar in worn condition could be worth millions if previously owned by a famous rock star.
Some guitars get their value from another reason, such as having been owned or played by a famous musician. Avoid using these to determine the value of your guitar unless your guitar happens to have a similar pedigree.
Depending on the age of the guitar, its condition, and its rarity, you may want to get two or three appraisals. Some guitar makers also may offer a service where you can have a guitar certified as authentic. An appraisal is never a guarantee of how much you would actually get for your guitar if you decided to sell it. If you want to sell a vintage guitar, get several appraisals and talk to an experienced collector or dealer who can help you showcase the guitar for the best possible result.
