Our Philosophy – Why Originality Matters
“Small details make a difference” – Why Collectors and Musicians Choose Original Vintage Guitars. At Guitar Hunter, we simply love original vintage guitars—and the thrill of hunting down the world’s finest, most premium examples. We are known worldwide for our carefully curated selection of premium original vintage guitars and basses, and we’re proud of the strong reputation we’ve built. Whether you’re a dedicated collector or a professional musician, our commitment remains the same: only the best, most original examples make the cut.
Today, more and more musicians are investing in original vintage guitars—not only for their tone and feel but because they’ve become highly collectible. The idea that vintage guitars are only for collectors is outdated. We’ve worked with countless professional players who use all-original instruments in both live and studio settings.
And in many ways, a musician is a collector too—it’s just a different perspective. As values continue to rise and appreciation grows, the market has shifted. Vintage guitars are no longer just tools—they are inspiring, valuable instruments with soul, history, and unmatched character. It’s something we protect and value deeply, which is why we work with precision, passion, and zero compromise.
We don’t measure success by how many guitars we have in stock. For us, it’s about having the right vintage guitars and basses—authentic, collectible vintage guitars with soul, story, and originality.
We never compromise on quality or authenticity. First and foremost, we are guitar nerds. Our passion lies entirely in finding the real deal—without uncertainty or question marks. For us, it has to be absolutely bulletproof—or it’s not for us.
What ‘All Original’ Really Means
When we describe a guitar as all original, here’s what we mean:
• Finish: The guitar must have its original finish
• Pickups: Must be original, untouched, and not rewound.
• Electronics: All pots and switches must be original and unmodified.
• Solder Joints & Wiring: Must be untouched and undisturbed.
Some parts simply wear out over time—frets, nuts, tuner buttons. Replacing those with care doesn’t affect the value if done professionally. And if such work has been done on a guitar we offer, it will always be clearly stated in our description. Think of it like changing the tires on a classic car: necessary maintenance, not modification.
Why Buy Your Vintage Guitars and Basses from Guitar Hunter?
At Guitar Hunter, we take great pride in being recognized globally as a leading store for vintage guitars and basses. We have built an extensive archive of internal and external photographs of ORIGINAL vintage guitars and basses that have passed through our shop. This gives us a strong understanding of what constitutes authenticity.
We’ve sold hundreds of original vintage guitars, including Fender custom colors, pre-CBS Fender Stratocasters, blackguards telecaster such as Broadcasters and Nocasters, and some of the rarest custom color instruments. Our collection also features original 1958, 1959, and 1960 Les Paul Standards, commonly known as “bursts,” along with Goldtops—each sale is a source of pride for us.
To maintain our reputation, we diligently offer only premium vintage instruments. Each vintage guitar and bass that enters our shop undergoes meticulous inspection, thorough documentation, detailed photography, and comprehensive descriptions that highlight every aspect of the instrument. When you purchase a vintage guitar or bass from Guitar Hunter, you can be assured of its authenticity.
Our guarantee covers the authenticity of everything we sell. We strive to ensure that our customers feel fully informed and confident in their purchasing decisions. To facilitate this, we provide complete photographic documentation on a USB drive as proof of authenticity. Our promise is simple: every vintage instrument is exactly as described—no confusion, no surprises.
NOTE: The photo documentation is related only to the sale from us to you. If you sell it at a later point, we can’t know if any modifications have been performed in the meantime. Therefore, the photos are only for you, documenting the state of the instrument at the exact time when you purchased it.
We are proud to collaborate exclusively with some of the most respected vintage guitar experts and collectors in the world. This dedication to transparency, honesty, and clarity in the vintage guitar and bass market sets us apart from other retailers.
Join us to hunt for your next dream vintage instrument! If you’re looking for the perfect addition to your collection, please contact Guitar Hunter today. We are here to help you find exactly what you need.
Remember: “Small details make a big difference.”
The Truth About Player-Grade Vintage Guitars – Why We Don’t Sell Them
Let’s discuss the term ‘player-grade’. This label is often misleading. While it may suggest that a guitar is ‘meant to be played’, player-grade typically refers to instruments that have undergone significant changes, such as refinished bodies, replaced bodies, replaced necks, aftermarket decals, altered electronics, or structural repairs. While these guitars can be enjoyable to play, they lack the originality and collectible value of a truly original example.
At Guitar Hunter, we don’t deal in player-grade instruments.
It’s important to note that ‘player-grade’ can apply to almost anything. For example, just because a neck on a refinished ‘Fender’ Stratocaster says ’63 doesn’t mean the entire guitar is original. If you purchased a player-grade guitar at half the price of an original, you have acquired a completely different product—there is no valid comparison and therefore you can’t use the term half price at all since you got a diffrent product.
Something is always hidden in player-grade guitars. A player-grade guitar is exactly what it is: it can be a great guitar, akin to a brand-new instrument, but nothing more. You simply can’t compare them to original vintage guitars or basses. Never!
For example, historically, many refinished Fender Stratocasters were taken apart and sold as individual parts. As Fender once noted, there are more pre-CBS guitars out there than were ever manufactured. One guitar can be used to create several instruments, raising authenticity concerns regarding player-grade guitars.
Many musicians play original guitars and basses today. Often, we hear excuses for why someone buys a player-grade guitar, such as, “I’m just going to play on it.” Again, guitars are built to be played, no matter if it’s an all-original guitar or a player-grade. Many believe that original vintage guitars are not being played, but that is far from the truth.
While player-grade guitars might provide access to vintage pieces, they are often not worth the investment. Rarely can offers that seem too good to be true be trusted without further inquiry.
Moreover, the rise in prices has led to heightened expectations for authenticity and transparency. The danger of the ‘player-grade’ label is that it can obscure significant modifications as minor, leading to confusion. We often hear, “Yeah, but it plays great.” While it may play well, that has nothing to do with originality; true original guitars play just as well. Therefore, comparing prices is misleading, as they exist in two distinct categories.
Many people ask us how much a player-grade guitar is worth, but we can never provide a precise answer because we do not operate in that market. The player-grade market is a buyer’s market; the price depends on what people are willing to pay. There is no fixed price for player-grade instruments, unlike when you buy an original vintage guitar or bass, where value and pricing are more clearly defined.
That’s why we choose not to engage in the player-grade market. We don’t buy or sell instruments that have been refinished, significantly modified, or assembled from parts. Our passion lies in guitars where the finish, parts, and construction originated together—straight from the factory.
Playing modified or rebuilt vintage guitars can be fun and valid for stage use, but it’s critical to not confuse them with factory-original instruments. Guitars that are not original may look similar, but they lack the same coherence and value. In conclusion, always trust your gut feeling.
Seek advice from those who specialize in original vintage guitars. Remember that forums can be useful but definitely also be misleading since many participants may lack experience with genuine examples. When it matters most, consult professionals who truly understand the world of original vintage guitars.
If you’re unsure about what you own, or what you’re looking for, we’re always here to help.
Here Are a Few Examples – The Hidden Truth Beneath the Finish
(Photos courtesy of Devantier Guitarworks)
These three stripped and previously refinished Fender bodies are about to be restored—again, and again, and again. New wood will be added. New lacquer applied. And with each layer, the original story fades further into obscurity. This is exactly the kind of truth most players do not want to hear.
At first glance, they may have looked like solid “player grade” guitars—aged, worn, full of character. But beneath the surface lies a different reality: extensive routing, missing wood, structural compromises.
What you see here are not just scars of time. These are bodies that have been hollowed out—rebuilt to fit modern single-coil pickups, reshaped, and repainted to conceal their past. Once they’re lacquered again, it’s nearly impossible to see how much of the original guitar is actually left.
These examples are a stark reminder of just how misleading the term “player grade” can be. When someone says they own a ’63 Stratocaster or a ’67 Telecaster—what do they really have?
Not the real deal. Not the soul, the integrity, or the craftsmanship that defined Fender’s golden era. Just a relic in disguise.
So remember: never compare an all-original vintage guitar to a player-grade. They are, and always will be, two entirely different worlds.
The value? Incomparable.
The history? Irreplaceable.
And the experience? Worlds apart.
Saying you own a ’63 Strat and showing a body that’s been stripped, routed, and rebuilt is like saying you own a Rolex — only to admit it’s filled with Casio parts. In that case, you don’t have a Rolex. And you definitely don’t have a real vintage Fender.
This is one of the reasons why we at Guitar Hunter never buy or sell player-grade guitars. For us, the soul is lost and forgotten the moment originality disappears. The magic lives in the untouched wood, the honest wear, and the story that hasn’t been rewritten.
This is why originality matters. Because once the truth is hidden under layers of new paint and forgotten repairs — it’s no longer vintage. It’s just a story someone wants you to believe.
