Know your guitar’s true value before you sell, trade, or insure it. Carter Vintage’s senior authenticators have decades of experience appraising and authenticating vintage and collectible instruments, online or in person.
Know your guitar’s true value before you sell, trade, or insure it. Carter Vintage’s senior authenticators have decades of experience appraising and authenticating vintage and collectible instruments, online or in person.
Why Get Your Guitar Appraised by Carter Vintage?
When you own a vintage guitar, every detail matters. An accurate appraisal can protect your investment, help you sell at the right price, and give you confidence in your guitar’s authenticity. Carter Vintage is a leader in the world of vintage and collectible guitars. Our experts have appraised and authenticated thousands of instruments for collectors, dealers, musicians, and insurance companies.
With Carter Vintage, you get:
- Accurate authentication based on decades of hands-on expertise
- Appraisals recognized by insurers and respected by serious buyers worldwide
- Clear documented valuations you can use in sales, trades, or insurance
- Convenient online or in-person options for any location
What Goes Into a Guitar Appraisal
We thoroughly inspect every instrument to determine its accurate market value.
Factors include:
Model
Correctly identifying your guitar, even with modifications
Specifications
Wood type, inlays, logo style, body shape, and electronics
Finish
UV light inspection to detect refinishing or repairs
Interior Inspection
Bracing, bridgeplate, electronics, and body routing
Condition
Wear, aging, and any repairs or damage
Functionality
Truss rod, tuners, electronics, playability, intonation, neck angle
Provenance
Notable ownership or history
Market Value
Researching current demand and recent comparable sales
Year
Correctly identifying your guitar, even with modifications
Meet Your Senior Authenticators
Greg Ellis
With more than 40 years of buying, selling, and repairing guitars, Greg has worked on and appraised thousands of instruments. He is known for his deep knowledge of manufacturer history and authentication details.
Gary Bohannon
A collector, restorer, and authenticator since the 1970s, Gary has handled nearly every collectible Fender and Gibson model ever made. He has collaborated on publications with Walter Carter and other leading vintage guitar historians.
Miclain
Vintage Specialist
Jake Byrne
Vintage Specialist
Choose Your Guitar Appraisal Package
We have two options to choose from. Every appraisal includes an expert and thorough inspection from a Senior Authenticator.
Online-Only Appraisal
If you need a formal written appraisal for insurance, we can provide it online from photos. If there are issues that are not visible in photos or in the information provided by the owner, that would negate the validity of the appraisal. For that reason, we do not recommend an online appraisal as a certification of originality.
- Digital appraisal from Senior CVG Authenticator
- Emailed digital copy of signed visual appraisal
- Visual online inspection only, does not include in-hand inspection
In-Person Appraisal
If you wish to ship your instrument(s) to us for appraisal, we can send you a box, packing materials, and a ready-to-print shipping label. Each instrument is insured for up to $500,000. Carter Care Shipping is $200 each way.
For collections larger than 5 instruments, please reach out for a specialized quote.
- Appraisal from Senior CVG Authenticator
- Laminated signed appraisal document
- Delivered printed in an envelope and emailed digital copy
Frequently Asked Questions
Appraisals & Valuations
If you’re located in the Nashville area, you’re welcome to stop by during store hours to request an in-store appraisal. The fee for in-store appraisals is $250.
If you’re not local, you can visit the Appraisal page on our website to complete a short form and upload clear photos of your guitar. Online appraisals are available for $150.
We provide written appraisals with current market value for customers that want a price and documentation on an instrument they are not ready to sell. Many customers use this appraisal for insurance coverage or to keep on hand in case they decide to sell the instrument in the future.
We use the same process for authenticating and valuing your instrument when you sell it through us on consignment as part of our $85 authentication/listing fee that is collected after the instrument sells.
Shipping
If you’re located in the Nashville area, you’re welcome to drop off your guitar at our store during business hours.
If you’re not local, we offer two convenient shipping options:
- Carter Care Kit – $275 per instrument: This includes a shipping box, packing materials, a prepaid return ground label, and full insurance coverage. Once you receive the kit, simply pack up your guitar and drop it off at any UPS location.
- Label-Only Option – $125 per instrument: We’ll send you a prepaid return ground label, but this option does not include shipping materials or insurance coverage.
We also offer expedited shipping labels at an additional cost.
Whichever option you choose, we’re here to help make the process as easy and safe as possible
We offer shipping for guitar purchases to your specified address. Once you’ve selected your guitar and completed the transaction, we’ll arrange for safe packaging and reliable delivery through trusted shipping carriers. You can also inquire about expedited shipping options for faster delivery.
Visiting the Store
We are open to the public 7 days a week! Although we can schedule appointments, it is not necessary, as you are welcome to come browse our store and see any of the inventory available at any time. Our staff is always on hand to help and welcome you in!
We are open Monday through Friday from 10am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. We are closed on certain holidays, so check out our Instagram and Facebook page for updates on special closures.
We offer validated parking in the Prima South Gulch Garage through Metropolis.
When you enter the garage, register your vehicle with Metropolis Parking by following the signs in the garage. When entering Carter Vintage, you will be able to scan a QR code to validate your free parking. The staff at the front desk can help you with the process.
You can find a detailed video with directions from Eighth Avenue here.
About Carter Vintage
“The Vault” by day is the home for all our premium & vintage electric guitars; and by night, turns into Nashville’s coolest mixed-use event venue. Need a space to host your album release party? How about a rehearsal dinner? From networking events to holiday parties and everything in between – we’ve got you covered.
Email our Head of Events and Partnerships to learn more:
Lianne Montague
lianne@cartervintage.com
At Carter Vintage, we welcome everyone to visit our showroom and experience Nashville’s rich music history first-hand. We’ve been lucky enough to see some iconic folks walk through our doors. Come see our gallery wall to peek at the legends we’ve hosted, and check out our YouTube channel to see some great performances from artists over the years.