| Who knew how much those Fender & | | | | learn to play the drums, "just beat these sticks |
| Gibson guitars and amps would be worth back | | | | on this wood block and rubber pad and we will |
| then- 1950's & 1960's? Being a guitar player | | | | see how good a musician you are and maybe |
| and drummer in the 1960's was an experience | | | | next year we will get you a snare drum"... I don't |
| that can only be appreciated by the teenage | | | | think so! |
| musicians who were there. Remember what it | | | | In recent years the consumer interest in vintage |
| was like waiting and wishing you could save | | | | guitars and vintage musical instruments and |
| enough money to buy your first good guitar? | | | | increased and purchases of these items has hit all |
| Back then your parents were not going to offer | | | | time highs and keeps on growing. The guitar |
| to buy it for you or lend you the money- no way. | | | | manufacturers have a new customer market to |
| The only way to get the guitar, amp, or drums | | | | aim their sights on. Different from the past where |
| you wanted was by purely working part time and | | | | new generations of musicians have been the |
| earning the money for it. When you finally saved | | | | target, the focus is on the repeat customer from |
| enough money to make your first purchase you | | | | 30 years ago - the Baby Boomers and they are |
| would promise yourself to keep the secret of the | | | | back with pockets full of money to spend. Guitar |
| # 1 rule - never reveal the true price you paid for | | | | manufacturers have realized that this market is |
| the instrument to your parents. | | | | totally different than any other in musical |
| Because after all you worked hard to earn the | | | | instrument history. |
| money to pay for it and it was all yours, a | | | | The Baby Boomer musician wants to own today, |
| teenage musician learns fast of having that feeling | | | | the guitars & amplifiers and drum sets that |
| of $ money in your pocket to musician broke! Or | | | | they could not afford as teenagers 40 years ago |
| maybe you were fortunate and you could | | | | and they are willing to spend inflated dollars to |
| convince your parents to maybe lend you the | | | | fulfill their teenage dreams of owning a quality |
| money to buy a new Sears Silvertone amp. Well, | | | | brand instrument. The new breed of re-issue |
| my point is that we never dreamed that those | | | | vintage guitars and amplifiers are identical replicas |
| Fender guitars, Gibson guitars, bass guitars, | | | | in style and color as their 1950's & 1960's |
| keyboards and Gretsch drums would have been | | | | versions. The largest change in the vintage |
| the best investment of our life and we could have | | | | products is the price, usually 10 -20 times more |
| put our parents to shame today if we held on to | | | | expensive than their original issue cost. To stay |
| all the instruments we owned in our lifetime. Back | | | | competitive with new products the manufacturers |
| then the word vintage only meant it was | | | | have also released new inexpensive versions of |
| something you didn't want because it was | | | | products to be more affordable to the beginner |
| probably your father's old guitar with 3 nylon | | | | musicians. I am sure that these new style guitars |
| strings stored in your grandmother's attic or | | | | and amplifiers will increase in value 50 years from |
| basement. | | | | now to become vintage items also. |
| Ahh the fun of learning to play guitar or drums--- | | | | So a word to the wise and the young - hold onto |
| could you imagine today that if your son or | | | | your new guitars and drums and don't trade them |
| daughter wanted to play drums and you bought | | | | in, they might be the best investment you will |
| them a pair of drumsticks for their birthday and | | | | ever make, ask you mom or dad, see if they |
| said, "here I bought you a pair of drumsticks to | | | | remember a similar story. |