A certified guitar appraisal is not just a one-page document with a value. It is a report written only after thoroughly inspecting the guitar and gathering information about the guitar manufacturer, the guitar, and the market in which it is normally sold. Also, the appraisal is based on actual comparable sales similar to a real estate appraisal. The appraiser must have information on three or four other sales from three to four sources to establish an accurate value. A blue book is not enough to accurately assess the value of your guitar, nor is a one-click online website estimating a value after entering a serial number. A certified guitar appraisal has many sections of information.

Why should you seek an appraisal from a certified appraiser? The IRS issued a new ruling stating that for gifts, probate settlement, and marriage dissolution you must have a certified appraisal. Now many insurance companies follow the same requirements. The IRS can fine an appraiser for overvaluing or undervaluing a guitar. There is responsibility. Certified Appraisers cannot give “ballpark figures”, we have to be precise.

Many people just want to know how much their guitar is worth so they can sell it. If you have an old or very unusual guitar or a guitar that has a celebrity track record and you want to sell or insure it, it is recommended that you have the guitar authenticated and appraised by a certified appraiser.

This article will explore what is typically included in a certified guitar appraisal.

Value type

We need to decide what the purpose of the appraisal is and then decide what type of security to use. For most, the two main values ​​are fair market value or comparable replacement value. Fair Market Value is used when someone wants to sell or donate their guitar. Comparable replacement value is the value that is used when you want to insure your guitar or file an insurance claim. Comparable replacement value generally produces the highest estimate.

Literal description: identification and classification

In guitar appraisal, the next thing to do is identify the guitar. This may sound simple, but we must decide what kind of guitar it is. In the US, there are many types of guitars: Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Solid Body Electric Guitar, Archtop Guitar, Lap Steel Guitar, Resonator Guitar, and 12 String Electric Guitar. This also applies to the bass.

Body size

The size of the guitar body would be the next feature to be listed, such as Dreadnaught, Parlor, thinline, Grand, and Concert.

Manufacturer’s brand and country of origin

There are hundreds of manufactures. The top three in the world are Fender, Gibson and Martin. There are many other major guitar builders like Rickenbacker, BC Rich, Gretsch, and Guild. Manufacturing could have a bottom line manufactured in another country. This needs to be declared. As a certified appraiser, you would have to write about who the manufacturer is and what their classification is within the music products industry. I am obliged to do the same with the specific guitar model.

Model

Then would come the model name or model number. Some manufactures have both a number and a name. Customers will tell me they have a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar. Stratocaster is the model; however, there are over 175 variation models of the Stratocaster. With each year, small improvements or changes were made. This is also true with Telecaster electric guitars and Gibson Les Paul electric guitar models. Color can also add or take away value.

Characteristics

The characteristics of guitars can be the shape of the body, the materials used, how many pickups they have, where the knobs are located, the width of the fingerboard or the shape of the fingerboard, the types of frets, the type of tuners and bridge.

The year it was manufactured

As for the manufacturer’s year, many will say, “just go for the serial number.” Many guitar builders started without a serial number. Some serial numbers are sequential while others are a code. Some of the codes tell me year, month, day, and production number.

A manufacturer can make a special series of guitars. They can give you a separate serial number system. The serial number may reflect which plant was manufactured. Serial numbers can be duplicated many times within the same company. I have a Gibson 335 electric guitar with a serial number that is listed in four different years. In addition to the serial number, you should look at the characteristics of the guitar. Consider this: On December 31 of each year, manufacturing does not discard all parts and starts with new parts on January 1.

Known Modifications and Identification Marks

When evaluating an old guitar, it is important to list known modifications as they can greatly affect the value. We also list the identification marks in case someone crossed out the serial number.

Photography

The report should have photographs taken by the appraiser to show its condition on the effective date of the appraisal. Customer photos are not used because the photo could have been taken 10 years earlier. An old photo may not show the arched neck.

Other elements

Other elements of a Certified Guitar Assessment will include a bibliography of where this information was collected; a condition chart that explains what that appraiser means by “Good Condition.” The report may also have a glossary of terms so that a judge, attorney, or insurance adjuster, who is not familiar with the details of a guitar, can understand the report. Customer information must be kept confidential. The appraisal reports should indicate where the appraiser gathered the information and include the appraiser’s credentials showing their guitar experience and formal education in appraisal studies.

Now you know the basics of what kind of information is included in a Certified Guitar Evaluation Report. If you were smart enough to buy a good quality guitar, then be smart enough to protect it by insuring it and conducting a certified appraisal to establish an accurate value.

If you have inherited a guitar or plan to leave your guitar collection to a family member or friend, then you need to know what the value of each guitar is. Certified guitar appraisals can be expensive; you will pay for the knowledge, experience and education of a Certified Appraiser. However, you will receive a report that is accurate and it will take place in a court of law.