Send Me Photos
Take clear photos of the front, back, headstock, serial number and case. Please do not clean or repair the guitar first.
Vintage Fender Specialist
Sell Your Vintage Fender to a Buyer Who Knows What It Is
I have spent more than twelve years studying the details that separate one old Fender from another: the finish, neck and body dates, pickups, hardware, repairs and the story that came with it. Send a few photos and tell me what you know. I will look it over myself and, if it is a guitar I can buy, make you a cash offer with no obligation.
Send a few photos for a free appraisal. I will review your Fender myself and make a cash offer if it is one I can buy.
Insured Nationwide Shipping No Obligation Deal Directly With Joe
12+Years Buying Full-Time
10,000+Instruments Appraised
50States Bought From
2,100+Positive Reviews
Talk With Me
Tell Me About Your Fender
You do not need to know the model, year or value. Send whatever photos you have and tell me anything you know about the guitar. I will look it over myself and get back to you.
Want to know the ideal photos to send? Use the six-photo guide below.
How It Works
How Selling Your Fender to Me Works
You will deal with me from the first message through payment. Here is what I need to get started.
I Will Look It Over
I will identify the guitar and check the details that affect its value. There is no charge for the appraisal.
I Will Make an Offer
If it is a guitar I can buy, I will make you a cash offer. You are free to accept it or turn it down.
Agree on Shipping and Payment
If you decide to sell, we will agree on the shipping and payment method before the guitar moves.
Nationwide Shipping
How I Arrange Shipping for Your Vintage Fender
I explain the prepaid FedEx process with the offer so you can review the shipping arrangements before deciding.
There is no shipping cost to you. The box, professional packing, full transit insurance and tracking are all arranged through my FedEx account.
Prepaidprofessionally packed and fully insured
What You Receive With the Offer
- A clear explanation of the process
- Shipping and insurance details
- Your choice of payment method
What I Handle if You Decide to Sell
- Prepaid shipping arrangements
- Transit coverage and tracking
- Same-day payment in most cases
From Sellers Who Used the Process
Read What Sellers Said
Each excerpt links to the seller’s original Google review.
“The entire process of selling and shipping was flawless, simple and time-saving.”Jessica HammondRead the Google Review★★★★★
“Joe was absolutely fantastic to work with and made the process simple to understand.”Larry HattierRead the Google Review★★★★★
“Joe immediately showed a true interest in the old bass and gave me a very generous offer.”Randy AbercrombieRead the Google Review
What Goes Into My Offer
How Much Will You Pay for My Vintage Fender?
My offer reflects the guitar in front of me, not just a serial number. Model and year, original parts, finish and color, condition and repairs, the case and paperwork, and ownership history all help determine what I can pay.
Looking for an appraisal instead? Visit the Free Appraisal Page.
Model and Year
An early blackguard Telecaster or pre-CBS Stratocaster starts in a different place than a later CBS-era guitar.
Original Parts
Pickups, pots, wiring, tuners, bridge and neck plate matter. Keep every replaced part with the guitar.
Finish and Color
An original custom color, matching headstock or rare finish can make a major difference in value.
Read the custom color guideCondition and Repairs
Play wear is expected. A refinish, routing or changed parts affect value, but do not automatically rule out a sale.
Case and Paperwork
Original cases, tags, receipts, bridge covers and repair records should stay with the instrument.
Ownership History
Family photographs and a clear original-owner story can add context and value that a serial number never will.
For more detail, use my Stratocaster value guide, compare Telecaster values or learn how physical features changed over time.
What to Send
Six Photos That Help Me Make an Accurate Offer
Clear, straight-on photos help me evaluate your Fender and determine what I can pay. Use natural light, and do not take the guitar apart.
- 01Full Front
Include the entire body and headstock.
- 02Full Back
Show the neck, body and any wear or repairs.
- 03Headstock Front
Keep the logo, tuners and string tree in view.
- 04Serial Number
Photograph the bridge plate, neck plate or headstock clearly.
- 05Bridge and Controls
Show the pickups, knobs, switch, bridge and pickguard.
- 06Case and Paperwork
Include tags, receipts, covers, old parts and family photos.
Fenders I Have Bought
Original Owners and the Stories Behind Their Fenders
These Fenders arrived with the names, photographs and memories of the people who played them. I preserve those stories so they can travel with the instruments.
One Family · Washington
Joshua’s 1952 Fender Telecaster
I flew to Washington to buy one of the earliest production Telecasters so it could be played again.
Read the Complete Story
Original Owner · Kentucky
A Lifetime of Music: One 1965 Fender Stratocaster
Its original owner played this rare Olympic White Stratocaster in bands and in a husband-and-wife duo.
Read the Complete Story
Original Owner · Fountain Hills
One Owner 1960 Fender Telecaster From Fountain Hills
He played this Telecaster for decades, then brought it to me so another guitarist could keep playing it.
Read the Complete Story
Original Owner · Williams, Arizona
Bill’s One-Owner 1966 Lake Placid Blue Fender Jaguar
Bill’s father bought him this rare Jaguar when he was young. Decades later, it came to me in beautiful original condition.
Read the Complete Story
Original Owner · Fifty Years
Jim’s 1973 Fender Jazz Bass
His parents bought it new for Christmas. Decades later, the original bass met Fender’s modern reissue.
Read the Complete Story
Meet the Buyer
I’m Joe Dampt
I buy vintage Fender guitars and basses from owners in all 50 states. My offers are higher than a typical trade-in or local music-store offer, and every appraisal and cash offer is free with no obligation.
I have spent more than twelve years buying vintage guitars full-time and have appraised more than 10,000 instruments. I own Joe’s Vintage Guitars in Mesa, Arizona, where I meet sellers by appointment.
I pay attention to the details that separate one Fender from another: original finish, neck and body dates, pickup markings, electronics, hardware, repairs and the story that came with it.
Learn More About Joe
Provenance Matters
Original Photos and Stories Can Add to My Offer
When a Fender comes with original-owner photographs, receipts or a well-documented family story, I put real value on that history. Meaningful provenance can increase what I am willing to pay because the people and stories behind vintage guitars matter to me.
If you inherited a Fender, do not worry if you do not know its model or year. Keep the case, old parts, receipts and photographs together, then send me everything you have. I will consider those details when making my offer.
Mary’s 1963 StratocasterDakota Red · factory gold hardware · family history
For Sellers Who Want to Learn More
Learn More About Your Fender Before You Sell
You do not have to research the guitar before contacting me. If you would like to learn more first, these guides explain how serial numbers, dates, parts and model years fit together.
Fender Serial Numbers and Dating
Narrow the production era from the serial-number location and format.
Read the GuideFender Neck Dates
See where neck dates appear and how their formats changed.
Read the GuideFender Pot Codes
Use potentiometer codes to help establish the assembly period.
Read the GuideFender Pickup Dates
Compare penciled and stamped dates when checking originality.
Read the GuideStratocaster Dating Guide
Walk through the details that help date a vintage Stratocaster.
Read the GuideTelecaster Dating Guide
Review bridge plates, neck dates, body markings and more.
Read the GuideFender Models I Buy
Vintage Fender Guitars and Basses I Buy
I buy vintage Fender solid-body guitars and basses from owners across the country. Use the links on each card to date your model or study its history and authentication details. If you do not see your Fender listed, send it anyway.
1950s through the 1970s
Fender Stratocaster
I am especially interested in 1950s and pre-CBS Stratocasters, original custom colors and clean early examples.
1950 through the 1970s
Fender Telecaster
Broadcasters, Nocasters, blackguards, whiteguards and later Fullerton Telecasters are all worth showing me.
1958 through the 1970s
Fender Jazzmaster
I buy slab-board and veneer-board Jazzmasters, matching-headstock custom colors and clean CBS-era guitars.
1951 through the 1970s
Fender Precision Bass
Early slab-body basses, classic split-coil models and original Fullerton-era Precision Basses are always of interest.
1962 through the 1970s
Fender Jaguar
I buy early Jaguars, rare custom colors, matching headstocks and well-played examples with natural wear.
1964 through the 1970s
Fender Mustang
Dakota Red, Daphne Blue, Olympic White and original Competition-finish Mustangs are all guitars I buy.
1960 through the 1970s
Fender Jazz Bass
Stack-knob basses, custom colors and clean 1960s or 1970s Jazz Basses with block inlays are strong finds.
Reviews From Sellers
What People Say After Selling Me a Guitar
These reviews come from people who sold guitars to me. Each one links to the original review on Google.
★★★★★
“Joe’s Vintage Guitars is in a class of their own, and there’s no competition at that level.”Caleb KingGoogle Review★★★★★
“His offer was fair, and we appreciated how quickly our brother’s collection was moved from another state.”Marie CoyleGoogle Review★★★★★
“Within 20 minutes the guitars were on their way to him and the money was in my account.”Bobbie Jo Kelly GreeneGoogle Review
Questions Fender Owners Ask Me
Before You Sell a Vintage Fender
You do not need to identify or clean the guitar before contacting me. Send what you know, and I will help with the rest.
Should I clean or repair my Fender before sending photos?
No. Leave it exactly as you found it. Cleaning, polishing, swapping parts or opening the guitar can remove clues I use to judge the finish and originality.
How can I tell how old my Fender is?
The serial number is a starting point, but neck dates, body dates, pot codes, pickup markings, hardware and construction details often matter just as much. Send photos and I will work through those clues.
Do you buy modified, refinished or player-grade Fenders?
Yes. A refinish, changed pickups, a refret or natural stage wear affects value, but it does not rule out a sale. Keep any original parts you still have with the guitar.
Does the original case increase the value?
It can. Original tweed, brown, white or black tolex cases, tags, receipts, bridge covers and replaced parts should all stay together with the guitar.
Can you appraise an inherited Fender from photographs?
Usually, yes. Clear photos of the front, back, headstock, neck plate or bridge serial number, controls and case are enough to begin. You do not need to know the model or year.
How does shipping work if I decide to sell?
We agree on the offer, payment and shipping details before the guitar moves. I arrange prepaid professional packing, fully insured FedEx shipping and tracking at no cost to you.
Do you buy Fender basses and amplifiers too?
Yes. I buy vintage Precision and Jazz Basses as well as collectible Fender tube amplifiers. Send the cabinet, chassis, transformer and speaker information you have.
Do I have to accept the offer?
No. Every appraisal and offer is free and carries no obligation. If the guitar is one I can buy, I will explain what I see and what I can pay.
Ready to Sell?
Ready to Sell Your Fender?
Send a few photos for a same-day appraisal and a no-obligation cash offer from Joe.