Vintage Instruments

Those of us that are drawn to vintage instruments do so for various reasons - their inspiring tonal qualities; their historical, cultural, and musical value; their old-world craftsmanship. Over time, the wood these instruments are made of matures, the instrument settles into "being an instrument, not a tree", and becomes stable, resonant, and tone-filled - all of which create a feel, tone, and responsiveness that’s difficult to replicate in brand new instruments.

Vintage guitars are often made from desirable materials that are now difficult if not impossible to source - woods like Brazilian rosewood, old-growth mahogany, ash or alder. They were crafted by factory workers who had to rely on their hard-earned instrument making skills, experience, and expertise more than modern automated tools (which, of course, didn't exist at the time these instruments were made).

Vintage instruments also hold a special appeal for their history and investment potential. Instruments from iconic brands and classic eras feel like pieces of music history, sometimes even linked to legendary musicians. Highly sought-after models can also appreciate in value over time, making them prized collector’s items. Each vintage instrument is one-of-a-kind, bearing unique wear, patina, and feel—qualities that make them feel personal and distinctive in ways newer instruments often can’t match.

SHOP BY category

VINTAGE Acoustics
SHOP NOW
VINTAGE Electrics
SHOP NOW
Vintage Mandolins
SHOP NOW
VINTAGE ARCHTOPS
SHOP NOW
VINTAGE RESONATORS
SHOP NOW
Vintage Basses
SHOP NOW
Vintage Amplifiers
SHOP NOW
VINTAGE Nylon Strings
SHOP NOW
VINTAGE Ukuleles
SHOP NOW
Trustworthy
Since 1968, The Music Emporium has been a haven for music enthusiasts who love exceptional craftsmanship and crave personalized service. Whether you are a seasoned musician, vintage collector, or a beginner just starting down this path, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Authenticity
From '59 Les Pauls and pre-war Martins, Loar-era mandolins to player grade Fenders, we've seen it all. Our expert team uses decades of collective experience to rigorously inspect each piece for authenticity, playability, and condition, ensuring every instrument meets our high standards.
Attainable & Collectible
We meticulously curate our vintage inventory to offer only the finest instruments, ranging from excellent player-grade guitars with vibe to spare to highly sought-after blue-chip collectibles.
Expert Shipping
We have been shipping prized vintage instruments worldwide for decades. Rest assured that your instrument will arrive safely, quickly, and expertly packed.

meet our vintage team

ACOUSTICS | ANDY CAMBRIA

Andy has been the main photographer & videographer at TME for more than ten years, and oversees the production of the media content you see on our website & social media channels. He's also responsible for our vintage acoustic inventory and is our resident vintage Martin guru.

CONTACT ANDY
ELECTRICS | DAN KING

Dan's knowledge of vintage electric gear and their markets has made him the go-to guy around the shop for vintage, and a natural choice to manage our growing vintage electric inventory.

CONTACT DAN
MANDOLINS | IAN GOLDSTEIN

Now in his second stint at TME, Ian's tenure at the shop dates back to 2001. Ian has returned to guide the mandolin department once again. Fluent in Spanish, accomplished on the mandolin, oud, and guitar, and holding a PhD in Music from UC Berkeley, Ian is our resident global music expert, with an interest in everything from traditional Arabic music to The Black Crowes.

CONTACT IAN

The Music Emporium + Youtube

Vintage Demo Videos

PREVIOUSLY SOLD COLLECTION

Explore our previously sold vintage collection, featuring treasures like a 1941 Martin D-45, a 1959 Gibson Les Paul, and rare Gibson Loar-era mandolins.

PREVIOUSLY SOLD COLLECTION

Explore our previously sold vintage collection, featuring treasures like a 1941 Martin D-45, a 1959 Gibson Les Paul, and rare Gibson Loar-era mandolins.

PREVIOUSLY SOLD COLLECTION

Explore our previously sold vintage collection, featuring treasures like a 1941 Martin D-45, a 1959 Gibson Les Paul, and rare Gibson Loar-era mandolins.
Recently viewed