At Guitar Hunter, we cannot stress enough the importance of having repairs performed by an experienced luthier who truly understands vintage guitars and basses. While many luthiers are extremely skilled in setting up new instruments or replacing frets, that expertise does not necessarily translate to an understanding of originality—especially in the context of vintage instruments, which have become highly sought after today.
It’s vital to recognize that a luthier and a guitar dealer provide two different services. Luthiers focus on repairs, often without insight into current market values or customer preferences. Many luthiers, 10 to 20 years ago, would simply swap out parts, such as changing pots instead of fixing them. They must understand that these past practices can significantly affect the value of a vintage instrument if the same approach is taken today. What was once considered normal is no longer acceptable.
They may make more money doing what they’ve always done, but that approach does not work in today’s vintage market. If a luthier claims that such changes don’t matter, it is simply not true. They are not vintage guitar dealers, and those of us who work in this field know what we are talking about.
It is important to note that our statement here applies if you have an all-original guitar or bass that is untouched, with perhaps only new frets and a nut. If you own a refinished guitar or bass that has already been modified, its value is already diminished, making it a different story. However, it is always beneficial to consult a luthier who understands the vintage market as it stands today.
As the vintage market has evolved, it has become much more desirable—and often much more expensive—than it was 10 to 20 years ago. Handling vintage guitars and basses requires a different level of care and awareness; alterations or modifications should only be made after a discussion with the owner, as they can have significant impacts on the instrument’s value.
Many luthiers tend to work primarily on non-original or heavily modified vintage instruments, which can skew their reference points and lead to a flawed understanding of what a guitar or bass should be in its original state. In contrast, at Guitar Hunter, we exclusively work with original vintage guitars and basses. Having handled hundreds of these instruments, we’ve built an extensive archive of detailed internal and external reference photos, enriching our practical knowledge of originality.
We collaborate with some of the world’s most respected vintage experts; understanding originality cannot be achieved through Google images alone. It requires the instrument in hand and experience with true originals to deepen knowledge beyond that of others.
To emphasize our commitment to quality repairs, we utilize the expertise of two different luthiers, each with their own workshop, depending on the job at hand: Åke Westfelt from Guitar Tech DK and Mark Burer from Java Guitars.
Always communicate with your luthier before any repair work is done. Ensure they fully understand the stakes and the value of the instrument they’re working on. If you’re ever in doubt, please reach out to Guitar Hunter; we’re here to help.
Remember: “Small details make a big difference.”
