TOP 10 VINTAGE GUITAR INVESTMENTS of the last DECADE | ATB Guitars

Summary

In this insightful video, Mike from ATB Guitars presents a top 10 list of the best-performing vintage guitars as investments over the last decade, focusing on iconic brands like Fender and Gibson. He discusses market trends, noting significant growth periods and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on supply and demand. With a disclaimer on financial advice, Mike highlights each guitar's historical value and its percentage increase, revealing the Gibson Les Paul Juniors as the top investment with a 234% rise.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video is a top 10 rundown of the best performing vintage guitars in investment terms over the last decade.
• 🎸 The focus is on vintage Fender and Gibson solid-bodied guitars, as well as thin lines from the 1950s to 1975.
• 🇬🇧 The analysis is UK-centric, though it mentions international dealer opinions and slight market overlaps.
• 📊 Vintage guitar prices saw steady growth in the '90s, accelerated in the early 2000s, and experienced a dip post-2008 financial crisis.
• ⏳ The period from 2013 to 2014 marked a recovery in guitar values, with a noticeable increase in 2021-2022 due to supply constraints during the pandemic.
• 📉 The disclaimer states that the presenter is not a financial expert, and past performance is not indicative of future results.
• 🔟 The Gibson Les Paul Standard Burst from 1958-1960 is at number 10, with a 48% growth over 10 years.
• 🎶 The Gibson ES-335 from 1958-1964 is at number 9, with a 58.3% rise in value.
• 🎸 The Fender Jazzmaster from 1959, especially the nitrate guard version, is at number 8, with a 73% increase in value.
• 🏆 The Gibson SG Standard from 1961-1965, particularly the 1961 model, is at number 7 with nearly an 80% growth.
• 🏆 The Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtops from 1952-1956 are at number 6, showing an 87.5% increase over the last 10 years.
• 🎸 The Gibson ES-330 from 1959-1963 is at number 5, with a 100% increase in value.
• 🏆 The Pre-CBS Fender Stratocasters are at number 4, with an 110% increase in value over the last decade.
• 🎸 The Fender Telecaster Blackguards from 1950-1954 are at number 3, with a 118% return on investment.
• 🏆 The Fender Jaguar from 1962 has surged in popularity and value, ranking at number 2 with a 138% increase.
• 🥇 The Gibson Les Paul Juniors from 1954-1960 top the list at number 1, with a staggering 234% increase in value.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video by Mike from ATB Guitars?

The main topic of the video is a top 10 rundown of the best performing vintage guitars in investment terms over the last 10 years.

What are the caveats Mike mentions at the beginning of the video?

Mike mentions that the focus is on vintage guitars from 2012 to 2022, specifically Fender and Gibson solid-bodied guitars and thin lines from the 1950s to 1975, and that the market analysis is UK-centric, though it also considers international opinions.

How did Mike compile the list of best performing vintage guitars?

Mike compiled the list by focusing on guitars his store specializes in, incorporating opinions from international dealer friends, and acknowledging the help from South Side Guitars and Brooklyn J Rosen Guitars.

What was the general trend of vintage guitar prices from the 1990s to the early 2000s according to Mike?

From the 1990s, vintage guitar prices experienced reasonable growth of around 5% a year, which started to accelerate in the early 2000s.

How did the 2008 financial crisis affect the value of vintage guitars?

The 2008 financial crisis led to a decrease in the value of vintage guitars from 2008 to 2013, after which a recovery began and continued until 2014.

What impact did the COVID-19 pandemic have on vintage guitar prices according to the video?

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp increase in vintage guitar values due to limited supply as people were unable to bring guitars to dealers, while demand remained.

What disclaimer does Mike give regarding his expertise and the nature of the video content?

Mike clarifies that he is not a financial expert but a guitar enthusiast and store owner, and advises viewers not to treat the video as financial advice, as past growths are not indicative of future performance.

Why is the Gibson Les Paul Standard Burst ranked at number 10 on the list?

The Gibson Les Paul Standard Burst is ranked at number 10 because its massive growth in value occurred in the 70s and 80s, and while it remains a solid investment, its growth compared to other guitars over the last 10 years is not as significant.

What is the percentage increase in value for the Gibson ES-335 from 1958 to 1964 over the last 10 years?

The Gibson ES-335 from 1958 to 1964 has shown a 58.3% increase in value over the last 10 years.

How has the popularity of Fender Jazzmasters contributed to their value increase?

The popularity of Fender Jazzmasters, especially among indie bands, has contributed to their value increase due to high demand, making them the 'cool flavor of the month' in the guitar market.

What is the percentage increase in value for the Fender Jaguar from its humble beginnings to its current market level?

The Fender Jaguar has shown a 138% increase in value from its humble beginnings to its current market level.

Which vintage guitar tops the list with the highest percentage increase in value over the last 10 years?

The Gibson Les Paul Juniors from 1954 to 1960 top the list with the highest percentage increase in value, specifically the 1956 single cut with a 234% increase.

What is the general opinion of Mike about vintage guitars as an investment compared to other investments?

Mike generally believes that vintage guitars are a good investment, comparing favorably to other investments like the UK stock market, although he acknowledges there are investments like the NASDAQ in the US that might offer higher returns.