How have they aged?

[Proclaimer888]

Looking at my guitars, most are fairly new and just wondering about the ones that got away in the 80s. My first guitar was a Yamaha and no idea what model it was...just that it was traded for an upgrade. You don't see many 80s built guitars around.....just wondering how these horses are holding up? In theory, these guitars should be like an old ball glove.......

[SalFromChatham]

In 1988 I left college in a huff… skipped graduation, traded my Strat for a crappy ovation. Fast forward to two years ago, I found the guitar in my parents attic. Unused or unthought of in decades. The bridge needed a reglue, but it lives! I keep it down the shore.

So I can tell you, carbon fiber backs hold up very well. The spruce tops will still crack…

[Slothead56]

Bought it new in 1978, sold it 1991, bought it back (thanks to the AGF) in 2013. It’s a beast.

[lowrider]

Originally Posted by SalFromChatham

In 1988 I left college in a huff… skipped graduation, traded my Strat for a crappy ovation. Fast forward to two years ago, I found the guitar in my parents attic. Unused or unthought of in decades. The bridge needed a reglue, but it lives! I keep it down the shore.

So I can tell you, carbon fiber backs hold up very well. The spruce tops will still crack…

Sal, that’s a Jerseyism if there ever was one. Outside of New Jersey, it’s not even in the English language!

[rmp]

Here is a 1978 Alvarez Dy74

I got it sometime around 1989/1990.

it still plays and sounds very good and going strong,

It's been played, and it has lots of stories to tell.

Nut was replaced back around 2009/2010 and the first 3 or 4 frets were replaced at that time along with a new fishman infinity installation

It's had 3 different pickups installed the others just wore out and stopped being reliable.

I've replaced the machine heads twice since I've owned it. Grovers each time.

The label is hand signed by K Yari, and it is dated, Aug, 28, 1978


She's in good shape for 46 years old.

[Charlie Bernstein]

I've had pre- and post-eighties guitars but no eighties guitars.

The pre-eighties guitars were all good shape except for one I got scammed on. It wasn't the guitar's fault, and by the time I sold it, it was up and running just fine.

[abn556]

I realize you’re talking about acoustics, but I have one 80s guitar that really is a nice guitar. Its a 1986 Fender Strat made for Fender in Japan. In the middle 80s the MIJ Strats were better than the American made ones. This is a stellar Strat that I have owned since it was brand new. It was a gift from my wife on our first anniversary.

[Proclaimer888]

Originally Posted by rmp

Here is a 1978 Alvarez Dy74

I got it sometime around 1989/1990.

it still plays and sounds very good and going strong,

It's been played, and it has lots of stories to tell.

Nut was replaced back around 2009/2010 and the first 3 or 4 frets were replaced at that time along with a new fishman infinity installation

It's had 3 different pickups installed the others just wore out and stopped being reliable.

I've replaced the machine heads twice since I've owned it. Grovers each time.

The label is hand signed by K Yari, and it is dated, Aug, 28, 1978


She's in good shape for 46 years old.

Wow...MIJ Stories that guitar can tell.

[Medford Guitar]

Here's my 1982 Ibanez M-330. Purchased in 1982. It's unique as it's all maple. Top, sides and back. Kind of Ibanzez's version of a D-28 but all maple. Definitely sounds different than a spruce top. Bought it as a 17 yr old kid.
It's traveled all over the world with me. Used in performance and recordings. Currently, a backup guitar. It's held up well over the last 42 years. The maple was an off white when I got it and now it's definitely aged a cool yellow. The rosewood fretboard has held up very well even when the guitar wasn't always treated like it is now. It's no classic or vintage find, but it's always going to with me until the end.

[Beachrunner]

My 1980 Alvarez 5054 12-string. Still goin' strong. Bought it used in the mid-80's off a bandmate.

[TheGITM]

I think I'll take a group photo later this afternoon... but I have the following (by year), all in really great shape...

1974 - Alvarez-Yairi DY-76 (12 string)
1976 - Alvarez-Yairi DY-57
1985 - Alvarez-Yairi DY-51
1994 - Alvarez-Yairi WY-1
2003 - Guild D-55
2012 - Martin 000-28EC

I am a big fan of good vintage guitars.

[jricc]

Originally Posted by lowrider

Sal, that’s a Jerseyism if there ever was one. Outside of New Jersey, it’s not even in the English language!

Yes it is Lowrider!

Tom Waits said so!
Down the shore everything's all right
You with your baby on a Saturday night, yeah

[Seb_274]

Truly amazing to see 40 year old guitars in such good shape. Congrats to the lucky owners!

[lowrider]

Originally Posted by jricc

Yes it is Lowrider!

Tom Waits said so!
Down the shore everything's all right
You with your baby on a Saturday night, yeah

I know!

Tom Waits is from California. I don't know how he picked it up and fit it so well into ''Jersey Girl''.

[TheGITM]

These are my acoustic babies... from 1974 through 2012.