The Blog
The Greatest Guitar Finds: A Jersey Turnpike Treasure
March 30, 2023
Buying and selling guitars has given me some of the most incredible experiences and stories I could imagine over the years. The story I am about to tell has always been one of my favorites to recount. In 2007, I received a call from a gentleman who told me he had a 1954 Fender Stratocaster,… Read More…
Workplace Oddities: Innovation at Fender in the late 60s/early 70s
March 17, 2023
If the ‘50s were about establishing themselves as a tycoon of instrument sales, for Fender, the ‘60s were all about change. Looking back on it, some of these changes were welcome. The earlier years of the decade brought about many beloved Fender features: custom colors, new models, and a fun, fresh approach to their advertisements… Read More…
The Anatomy Of Gibson’s Reverse Firebirds
March 2, 2023
Gibson’s Firebird series comprises eight models, two body styles, and dozens of varying appointments. Their Thunderbird basses follow suit with two models, also in two different body styles and appointments. Confused? You’re not alone. Undoubtedly, these models elicit the most questions from customers in our showroom. These questions range from the differences between the body… Read More…
Gretsch’s Flightless Birds: A Quest for Solid-bodied Success
February 8, 2023
Throughout the Great Guitar Boom of the early 1950s, many companies like Fender and Gibson began gearing production towards solid-bodied electric guitars. The legendary rivalry between Fender and Gibson is one for the ages, however these two guitar giants we not the only ones on the cutting edge of this new field. Often overlooked, there… Read More…
Signed, Carved, and Numbered: A Full Examination of our Rare 1972 Fender LTD
January 25, 2023
Picture this: one day, you’re scrolling online doing a bit more research about a 1972 Fender LTD you’ve just received in stock. You’re just about ready to stop, believing you’ve found sufficient information…until you come across a 1999 Vintage Guitar Magazine article written by Philip Kubicki. You casually skim the paragraphs, looking for insight from… Read More…
Gear Breakdown: The Rolling Stones’ First Ed Sullivan Appearance
January 11, 2023
Though it wasn’t always this way, The Rolling Stones are synonymous with American culture. Despite being from the UK, this iconic group’s music, dance moves, and logo are all instantly recognizable in the United States and around the globe. The Stones entered the US music scene in 1964, an era now commonly referred to as… Read More…
Guitar Highlights: Oscar Moore’s Fender Nocaster
December 27, 2022
It’s hard to find a guitar more incredible than this. Not only is it the first custom-color Fender made through their factory production line, but it is also the first Fender guitar to receive gold hardware – a true luxury next to Fender’s usual nickel. All of this feels unreal but yet, here it is!… Read More…
The Greatest Guitar Finds: “O’ Canada”
December 14, 2022
In 2001, I purchased the greatest 1959 Gibson Les Paul that I have ever touched. I remember it like it was yesterday…the phone call that provided me with one of the best Bursts I would ever have in our store. It starts with my friend Francis* and his girlfriend Danielle*, who lived in Montreal, Canada…. Read More…
Guitar Highlights: George Fullerton’s 1954 Stratocaster
December 3, 2022
A few months ago, there we all stood; awestruck as we opened a mint tweed case and thrilled as we studied what was inside. We are honored to have this opportunity, and lucky to write about this very special instrument recently added to our inventory. This is George Fullerton’s 1954 Fender Stratocaster, a one-of-a-kind piece… Read More…
Swiden’s Stunning Sparkles: Fender’s Sparkle Finishes
November 30, 2022
Some of the guitars we’re very fortunate to have in our collection are an array of extremely rare, original 50s and 60s Sparkle Fenders! These finishes feature large metallic “flecks” that give each guitar a glitzy effect. This style of painting was and is extremely popular in the automotive industry, from its invention to this… Read More…